RECRUITMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS EXPERT FOR THE WAPP INTEGRATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT

The objective of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) is to establish a regional electricity market in West Africa through the appropriate development and implementation of key infrastructure so that all ECOWAS member states are given access to economic energy resources.

Within  the framework of WAPP, an electricity Master Plan study was developed in 1999, revised in 2005, and its updated version approved for implementation by the Authority of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government in February 2012. The outcomes of the approved Master Plan dictate an investment requirement of approximately US$26.416 billion involving the development of among others about 16,000 km of transmission lines, 7,092 MW of Hydropower, and 800 MW of Renewable Energy projects for the period 2012 to 2025. The implementation of these projects shall not only result in a complete integration of all the national power systems of ECOWAS Member States thereby promoting trade, but shall also significantly augment the quantity, quality and access to low cost clean energy resources, which in turn shall support poverty reduction and improve the economic well-being of the ECOWAS citizenry.

The International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank has granted the West African Power Pool a total of $31.5 million equivalent to facilitate the Integration of the WAPP Networks and strengthen the human capacity of the WAPP Secretariat, and intends to apply part of the proceeds of the facility to engage the services of an Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) Expert to provide Technical Assistance to the WAPP Secretariat.

The ESS Expert shall be responsible for the following but not limited to:

•   Updating and harmonisation of procedures related to Environmental and Social Impact Aanlyses ((ESIA) and the preparation and execution of Environmental and Social Management Plans as well as Resettlement Action Plans for all WAPP Priority Projects as defined in the WAPP Master Plan;
•   Review and update the existing Guidelines for Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and formulate Guidelines for preparing Environmental and Social Management Plans and Resettlement Action Plans of Electric Power Generation and Transmission Systems in West Africa that reflect minimal common norms and standards for social safeguards/RAPs and ESMPs within the WAPP, and are also in full conformity with the prevailing requirements of ECOWAS Member States and Development Financing Agencies;
•   Develop a common framework for monitoring and verification of environmental standards and practices, and the implementation of Environmental and Social Management Plans and Resettlement Action Plan in the ECOWAS Member States;
•   Propose a Road Map for each of the ECOWAS Member States to institutionalise the Standards, Guidelines and Frameworks, when adopted, taking into consideration their respective situations;
•   Design an appropriate detailed Capacity Building Programme with the associated Budget that shall reinforce the capacities of each of the key stakeholders (national utilities, Ministries in charge of energy, Ministries in charge of environmental protection, National Agencies in charge of environmental protection) involved in environmental protection in each of the ECOWAS Member States to adequately meet the proposed Standards and Guidelines and also deploy the framework for monitoring and verification;
•   Supporting the WAPP Secretariat in the preparation of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (including ESMPs and RAPs) for WAPP Priority Projects that shall include but not be limited to:
1)  Preparation of Terms of Reference for ESIAs, ESMPs and RAPs for thermal, hydropower, and transmission line projects;
2)  Recruitment of appropriate Consultants to prepare the studies, including the preparation of Calls for Expressions of Interest, Request For Proposals, Minutes of Contract Negotiations and Contract Documents;
3)  Review of reports submitted by Consultants, including the preparation of detailed comments and participation in report-review meetings.
4)  Following up on the progress of the studies including monitoring and evaluation of the output of the Consultants in collaboration with WAPP Project Coordinators;
5)  Preparation of Statements, Meeting Reports, Aide Memoires, Project Profiles and Briefs as and when required;
6)  Preparation and delivery of presentations to stakeholders including Funding Agencies to mobilise financing for the preparation and implementation of projects;
7)  Assessment of any significant issues, and if required, draw on policy and best practices to provide advice on a corrective action plan;
8)  Training of WAPP Secretariat staff to ensure an efficient follow-up after completion of the work.

The Environmental and Social Safeguards Expert shall be based in Cotonou (Benin) but shall be expected to travel extensively within the sub-region. Work may require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

The contract position is for a period of three (03) years with a probationary period of six (06) months. The remuneration package is very attractive and comparable to those in International Organisations.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Interested candidates shall have Master's Degree or Postgraduate degree in Environmental Science or equivalent. He/she should possess a minimum of 8 years of experience in formulating policies relating to environmental and social safeguards, including Africa. Having been involved in the preparation of studies relating to environmental and social impact assessments (including Environmental and Social Management Plans, Resettlement Action Plans) for power projects in addition to the implementation of Environmental and Social Management Plans and Resettlement Action Plans in the West Africa region shall be an advantage.
•   The candidate should have in-depth knowledge of the Guidelines, requirements and procedures of Fundng Agencies as related to environmental and social safeguards, with particular reference to World Bank, African Development Bank, KfW, Agence Francaise de Developpement, and United Nations' Basic Principles and Guidelines on Development Based Evictions and Displacements. He/she shall also have understanding of national legislation in West Africa relating to environmental and social safeguards for power projects (thermal, hydropower, transmission); and be able to demonstrate experience in the preparation of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Environmental and Social Management Plans, and Resettlement Action Plans.
•   The candidate must be able to work effectively in a multinational team environment with a capacity to work with minimal supervision and exhibit strong skills in the MS Office suite of applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project, e-mail and internet programmes.
•   The candidate must be fluent in English or French with good working knowledge of the other language

Location: Cotonou Benin

How To Apply For The Job

Application letters marked as "Application/Environmental and Social Safeguards Expert/WAPP Technical Assistance" may be sent by email to:

nash@ecowapp.org or nashfiifi@gmail.com

or by post to:

Secretary General
West African Power Pool
Zone des Ambassades, PK 6
06 BP 2907 Cotonou, Benin

Deadline for applications: June 28, 2013 by 5 pm Cotonou time.

Contact: Applicants may contact:

The Secretary General
West African Power Pool Secretariat
Zone des Ambassades, PK 6
06 BP 2907 Cotonou, Benin

+229-21-374195/+229-21-377144

Or send an email for additional information on the available position to:

nashfiifi@gmail.com or info@ecowapp.org

Closing Date: 02 July, 2013