About the Project:

ALG is currently in the process of recruiting individual experts to assemble a team tasked with executing the mission entitled “Independent Environmental and Social Audit of the ESMP Implementation of the GERMP Jambur Solar Plant and the GBA Transmission and Distribution Modernization” in The Gambia. This procedure is presently in the tendering stage, and the results of this recruitment will significantly influence the success of our service offering.

Scope of Work

The audit will comprise of an independent evaluation of the overall environmental and social management in line with the GERMP ESMF, and GERMP Jambur solar plant, RAP for Jambur solar plant and the GBA Transmission and Distribution ESIAs.

Specific responsibilities include:

1. Develop a workplan to undertake an E&S audit program.
2.  Review and assess the adequacy of the project stakeholder identification, analysis and engagement progress and assess current and planned stakeholder engagement activities as outlined in the project’s Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP).
3. Conduct an environmental and social audit as per the audit program.
4. Assess the implementing agencies’ capacities and resources to implement environmental and social management measures.
5. Assess the capacities and resources of project consultants, contractors, and Owner Engineer in implementing and addressing all relevant environmental and social risks and impacts of these two components under GERMP, in particular specific E&S risks that were identified in the ESMF/ESIAs.
6. Auditing risks related to labor influx, covering Occupational, Health and Safety (OHS), signing code of conduct and community, health, and safety.
7. Auditing of the effectiveness of the project’s Grievance Resolution Mechanism (GRM) in terms of its accessibility, credibility, effectiveness in resolving grievances, resourcing, etc.
8. Auditing the projects stakeholder engagement activities for the Jambur solar park and associated transmission lines throughout the duration of the project lifecycle and identify if they were sufficiently identifying stakeholder priorities.
9. Present audit findings and recommend gap-filling and enhancement measures for the overall environmental and social management, with action plans agreed by the NAWEC-PIU.

The duration of the assignment is 35 working days. The consultant shall prepare a separate report assessing the overall management of ESMF/ESIA implementation, and separate reports for the various activities with site-specific findings and recommendations. A synthesis report on gaps, strengths and weaknesses of both overall project and site-specific management of E&S risks, with recommendations for improvement, shall be prepared in the final report.

Roles and Specific Requirements

1. Environmental Specialist (Key Specialist)

• At least a master’s degree in environmental science / engineering / planning
• A minimum of 10 (ten) years relevant professional experience particularly in environmental management of Energy infrastructure projects
• Demonstrated experience in environmental impact assessments and development of risk management instruments, especially addressing impacts on civil works projects; and
• Experience in conducting similar audits and possess an auditor certification for ISO, and relevant environmental management systems
• Relevant academic qualifications in environmental science, social sciences, engineering, or related fields.
• Certifications in environmental auditing, impact assessment, or sustainability (e.g., ISO 14001 auditor certification).

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​2. Social Risk Specialist (Key Specialist)

• At least a master’s degree in social sciences, sociology, anthropology, or community development
• A minimum of 10 (ten) years relevant professional experience particularly in social risk management in infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated experience in social impact assessments and development of risk management instruments, especially addressing impacts on vulnerable or diverse groups (e.g., people with disabilities), land acquisition and resettlement, Indigenous Peoples, etc.; and
• Experience in conducting similar audits, especially in the areas of social risk management.

3. Stakeholder Engagement and Gender Specialist (with experience in SEA/SH)

• At least a master’s degree such as social development, public policy, gender studies, or related field
• A minimum of 10 (ten) years relevant professional experience or equivalent combination of education and working experience in stakeholder engagement, Gender considerations in infrastructure projects, Gender Based Violence (GBV) and SEA/SH management, gender studies and post-disaster contexts
• Experience in developing and accessing SEA/SH guidelines, management systems, checklists, and training courses on SEA/SH; and

4. Occupational, Health and Safety (OHS) Specialist

• At least a master’s degree in occupational health and safety (OHS), safety at work, other relevant disciplines
• A minimum of 10 (ten) years’ relevant professional experience particularly in OHS management of infrastructure or civil works projects
• Demonstrated experience in OHS assessments and supervision and development of OHS management instruments for major infrastructure projects for both workers and communities; and
• Experience in conducting similar audit and possess an auditor certification for Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSAS).