Government of Balochistan

BALOCHISTAN INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (BIWRMDP)

Qualifications, Terms of Reference and Scope of Services

Consulting Services – Environmental Safeguards Specialist

  1. Background

Water is scarce in Balochistan as a whole. The province often faces severe drought conditions. Water availability is drastically reduced during extended droughts which leads to high marginality in income and livelihood means. Water storage facilities are inadequate for both surface and groundwater and the poor conditions of hydraulic structures require urgent rehabilitation and regular maintenance. The lack of adequate water storage capacities and flood retention areas as well as flood protection embankments have led to high damages. Urgent efforts and investments are required for rehabilitation of hydraulic infrastructure and implementation of water conservation as well as flood protection measures.

The Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, represented by the Government of Balochistan (GoB), has received a loan from The World Bank/IDA for the implementation of the Balochistan Integrated Water Resources Management & Development Project (BIWRMDP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds of the loan to cover eligible payments under exclusive contract for hiring services of Environmental Safeguards Specialist.

The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to strengthen provincial government capacity for water resources monitoring and management, and to improve community/based water management for targeted irrigation schemes in Balochistan. Based on an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach, six irrigation schemes located in the Nari and Porali River Basins will be rehabilitated to ensure sustainability of the natural resources use. The IWRM schemes aim to provide sustainable and diversified livelihoods, through integrating watershed management with all land use systems, including irrigated agriculture in command areas, Khushkaba farming in upstream areas and spate irrigation in downstream areas. The project is implemented by a Project Management Unit (PMU) in Quetta and two Project Implementation Units (PIUs) in Sibu and Uthal, respectively.

  1. Specific Tasks and Responsibilities

The Environmental Specialist will direct report to Project Director. The responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

  • Deal with environmental aspects of the project and provide feedback to the Project Director on development, implementation and budgeting of the workplan, for environmental action plan under the activities of the project.
  • Support in compliance of the credit conditions and covenants pertaining to environmental safeguards
  • Supervise and facilitate the PSIAconsultants in implementing the EMP and site specific EMPs.
  • Ensure that during implementation of the project, World Bank environmental safeguards requirements and other national/international environmental management procedures & standards are met.
  • Prepare a comprehensive Environmental Assessment (EA) including EMP.
  • Carry out EA and prepare EMP for each new package of works. Update the EA/EMP during implementation stage and provide support in their implementation according to the requirements and procedures.
  • Provide overall environmental management oversight during the project implementation, supporting and advising the PMU and PIUs and consultants in addressing environmental issues at all levels.
  • Coordinate and work closely with the PIUs, PSIA consultants and M&E consultants in the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the EMP.
  • Liaise with stakeholders for their concerns about the construction activities.
  • Supervise the Project Environmental Monitoring Plan along with M&E and PSIA consultants.
  • Coordinate training activities of the implementing agencies.
  • Supervise Environmental Audit and Annual Review of EMP by the M&E consultants.
  • Prepare the quarterly and bi-annual and annual environmental progress reports of the project with the assistance of the PIUs, PSIA and M&E consultants.
  • Review and update the necessary documents, such as environmental guidelines and tools in consultation with stakeholders and assist in commissioning and managing additional and/ or special studies/ assessment, prepare by PSIA consultants if necessary.
  • Carry out environmental screening of proposed activities and prepare activity-specific EMPs.
  • Identify necessary environmental requirements to clear construction sites, including sites for meteorological and hydrological monitoring stations.
  • Regularly visit Project sites, and conduct site supervisions during implementation of sub-projects and activities; provide feedback regarding environmental issues to the PMU.
  • Facilitate and coordinate to fulfill the requirements of permission for setting up observation and measurement systems or construction work in areas secured for conservation and protection, if needed; coordinate with relevant agencies for obtaining permission for PSIA consultants.
  • Communicate with all stakeholders including communities and contractors for necessary environmental compliance.
  • Evaluate environmental risks associated with floods, landslides, erosion, bank cutting, as a result of project activities.
  • Communicate and work effectively with local communities, contractors, and government agencies.
  • Organize monthly meetings with all the environmental team of project partners for “environmental progress review” of the project to review any non-compliance and progress of environmental management in the project.
  • Undertake other duties as per the requirements of the project or as directed by Project Director.
  1. Qualification and Experience
  • Master’s Degree in Environmental Sciences or MS in Environmental Management/ Natural Resource Management/ Environmental Engineering.
  • At least ten (10) years of professional post qualification working experience in public/private organizations, preferably in development sector.
  1. Salary and Benefits

Market competitive salary based on qualification and experience will be offered.

  1. Time Frame of Consultancy

The services of the Consultant are expected to be required for a period of 60 months with intermittent input that could be spread over as long as 72 months. However, the contract shall initially be signed for a period of 12 months, and then extended on the basis of a 12 months renewable contract based on the developments made in the project and performance of the consultant.

  1. Selection Process

The incumbent will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in Section V of the World Bank Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers [January 2011 (Revised July 2014) “Consultant Guidelines”]. The criteria developed for evaluation shall be in line with the required qualification and experience. Potential consultants are therefore advised to submit a detailed CV proving/listing the required qualification and experience stated in the preceding sections.

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