Environmental and Social Specialist - full-time (local)

Project: P515976 - Zletovica Productivity through Irrigation and Renewable Energy Reference: PIREP-IC-05 Procurement method: Individual Consultant Selection Financing: World Bank REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES - INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT - LOCAL) Republic of North Macedonia Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy Zletovica Productivity through Irrigation and Renewable Energy Project (PIREP) Grant No.: TF0D2152 Assignment Title: Environmental and Social Specialist - Project Implementation Unit Reference No.: PIREP-IC-08 The Republic of North Macedonia has received financing from the World Bank, acting as trustee of the Grant Facility for Project Preparation (GFPP), for the preparation of the Zletovica Productivity through Irrigation and Renewable Energy Project (PIREP), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy (MAFWE), through its Project Implementation Unit (PIU), is responsible for implementation of the grant. The preparation grant supports the updating of technical and hydraulic studies, dam safety documentation, transboundary-water analyses, and environmental and social instruments for Phases II and III of the Zletovica Hydrosystem, comprising irrigation development and hydropower generation. The PIU implements the grant in close coordination with the Public Enterprise for Water Management Activities HS “Zletovica”-Probištip (PE HS Zletovica), which provides technical leadership, data, access to facilities and institutional support. The objective of the assignment is to ensure that environmental and social considerations are systematically integrated into: (i) the planning and implementation of GFPP-financed studies, surveys, investigations, and other preparatory activities; and (ii) the technical, environmental, social, permitting, procurement, and institutional preparation of the proposed World Bank-financed investment for Phases II and III. The Specialist will support compliance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), the Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) determined to be relevant through project screening and assessment, the World Bank Group Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines, applicable good international industry practice, World Bank Operational Policy OP 7.50 on Projects on International Waterways, as applicable, and the environmental and social legislation of North Macedonia. The assignment will cover integrated environmental and social risk management, while recognizing that specialized technical inputs may be required for complex subjects. Particular emphasis will be placed on environmental and social assessment, biodiversity and natural-habitat protection, environmental flows and water quality, pollution prevention, land and livelihood impacts, labor and working conditions, stakeholder engagement and grievance management, dam and community safety, climate resilience, cumulative and transboundary impacts, cultural heritage, and incorporation of mitigation measures into designs, cost estimates, bidding documents, contracts, and supervision arrangements. The Environmental and Social Specialist will serve as the Project Implementation Unit’s principal environmental and social focal point and will support the unit in managing environmental and social risks associated with GFPP-financed preparatory activities and the proposed Zletovica irrigation and hydropower investments, ensuring compliance with national legislation, the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework, relevant Environmental and Social Standards, and applicable requirements on international waterways. Responsibilities will include screening project activities; reviewing and quality-assuring environmental and social assessments and management instruments; integrating mitigation measures into technical designs, bidding documents and implementation arrangements; and addressing water resources, biodiversity, climate, cumulative impacts, land acquisition, labor and community safety considerations, in coordination with technical and dam-safety experts. The Specialist will monitor preparatory field activities and corrective actions, support incident reporting, coordinate stakeholder engagement and grievance management, track environmental and social commitments and permitting requirements, liaise with competent authorities and the World Bank, and provide training, technical advice and reporting to strengthen the PIU’s and PE HS Zletovica’s capacity for project preparation and implementation. The Specialist will report directly to the PIU Coordinator and will work in close coordination with PE HS Zletovica management and technical staff, World Bank environmental and social specialists, consultants preparing technical and environmental and social documentation, and relevant national and local authorities. PE HS Zletovica and other stakeholders will provide inputs through the PIU Coordinat