OBJECTIVE:

Ensure Compliance with Environmental and Social Standards: Oversee the adherence to applicable environmental and social standards, guidelines, and regulations at both federal and state levels, ensuring that all project activities align with national and international safeguards Standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Liaise closely with Ministry of Environment in preparing a coordinated response on the environmental and social aspects of project development in accordance with both Nigerian regulations and ESMF and RPF.  Monitor implementation of EMPs and RAPs:
• Collaborate with social and environmental specialists to ensure that the Environmental and Social Development unit is functional and effective.
• Identify the sub-project sites’ immediate safeguard issues and recommend appropriate safeguard measures to mitigate adverse environmental and social impact.
• Facilitate the clearance of the prepared environmental and social safeguard instruments with the Federal Ministry of Environment and the EIB and then public disclosure.
• Develop a road map to incorporate the mitigation plan and checklists for project design.
• Develop and use environmental and social screening checklists of sub-projects for identification of key issues to be analyzed in depth.
• Supervise and ensure the implementation of site specific ESMPs and RAPs prepared for the sub-Projects and, acting in collaboration with the supervising engineer, ensure contractor compliance with the contract on safeguards issues.
• Establish a common framework for monitoring and verification of environmental standards and practices in the sub-project designs and community development plans.
• Collaborate with the M&E Team to develop a monitoring database on environmental and social management plan implementation.
• Evaluate the implementation of the safeguard instruments in the project.
• Submit regular monthly and annual environmental monitoring reports of project performance to the PMU.
• Review all EA/SA Documents prepared by consultants and ensure adequacy with Nigerian EA Guidelines and EIB safeguard policies including the OP4.01.
• Develop, organise and deliver training programme for the PMU staff, the contractors, community and others involved in the project implementation.
• Review and recommend for approval the contractors’ implementation plan for safeguards.
• Liaise with relevant Federal and State agencies on environmental resettlement and other regulatory matters.
• Interact continuously with the NGOs and community groups that would be involved in the project.
• Establish dialogue with the affected communities and ensure that the environmental concerns and suggestions are incorporated and implemented.
• Conduct needs assessment with the view to identifying potential economic interventions for PAPs to improve their economic opportunities and household livelihoods.
• Ensure the inclusion of soil conservation and bio-remediation measures in the design of project intervention works.