Social and Environmental Safeguard Specialist

The Integrated Water Resources Management to Enhance Resilience of Agriculture and Food Security (IWRM-ERA) Project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ) through the German Development Bank (KfW) and implemented by our client in selected districts of Yemen.
The project seeks to address urgent challenges of water scarcity and food insecurity, enhance livelihood resilience, and promote sustainable agriculture through the rehabilitation and development of water infrastructure based on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) principles.
The project aims to achieve two key outcomes: Outcome 1: Enhanced livelihood resilience and agricultural production, and Outcome 2: Enhanced water governance with active involvement of local communities in decision-making processes. Accordingly, two outputs will contribute to the first outcome:

• Output 1.1: Increased water availability for agricultural production

• Output 2.1: Improved income from better markets and enhanced agricultural value chain

Outcome II of the project has one output as follows:

• Output 2.1: Improved water governance

Our client is seeking to contract a Team Leader for the development of SES Instruments under Output 1.1 of Outcome 1 of the IWRM-ERA Project. The subproject packages are identified based on the intervention under Output 1.1: Increased water availability for agricultural production of the IWRM-ERA Project, Outcome 1: Enhanced livelihood resilience and agricultural production. The list of subproject packages’ scope of work and activities, their locations, and the required safeguarding study/instrument corresponding to each subproject package are listed in Section 5. The subprojects’ objectives, features, location, and status, including an up-to-date description and delineation of the proposed subprojects and their key components, including information on their geographical, environmental, socio-economic, and temporal context, will be provided during the course of the assignments. The targeted stakeholders are the local authorities in Lahj, Taiz, and Aden; Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation; Environment Protection Authority (EPA); community-based organizations; water user associations; women’s groups; and project beneficiaries in targeted sub-districts

The consultant will be responsible for preparing ESIAs and/ or ESMPs for the designated packages to ensure socio-environmental sustainability. Tasks and Principal Activities include: Preparation of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIAs) and/or ESMPs for subproject Package. The specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Develop the methodology for environmental and social safeguarding instruments for subprojects, including but not limited to sampling methods for data collection, community and stakeholder consultations, and impact assessment methods.

• Develop a consultation/stakeholder engagement plan, including an analysis of interested and affected parties, detailing documentation requirements, and dissemination of information about the project.

• Lead stakeholders and public consultations for each subproject site, ensuring meaningful engagement with beneficiaries and the inclusion of vulnerable groups such as women-headed households, IDPs, youth, disabled individuals, and impoverished communities.

• To prepare an Environmental and Social Assessment (ESIA) and/or its respective Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for the subprojects (as Indicated in Table below) to ensure the socio-environmental sustainability of its different components.

• The consultancy aims to analyze, evaluate and propose measures to prevent, control, mitigate, restore and/or compensate the potential environmental and social impacts of the project so that the project complies with our client SES and national legislation.

• The ESIA must include management plans and other instruments detailing environmental and social requirements, in particular to guide the final design of the project and its components, including recommendations for changes to the project design as well as specific actions to be taken by contractors and subcontractors.

• Develop and finalize ESMPs and ESIAs, including all necessary annexes.

The consultant will develop the following instruments for the following sub-projects:

• ESMP and ESIA for Package (02) LOT2: Rehabilitation of Al-Haumara Dam and Rehabilitation of Al-Jrab Dam.

• ESMP for Package (04) Support Farmers with Solar Water Pumps.

• The development of the ESMP and ESIA should follow a structured approach, aligning with the standard, non-exhaustive content guidelines outlined by our client 

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, with technical oversight from the Environmental and Social Safeguards Expert.

• Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in environmental/social sciences and environmental management.

• At least 10 years of proven experience in environmental and social impact assessments/management.

• Accreditation from EPA Yemen required.

• Strong knowledge of UNDP SES, World Bank ESS, and national regulatory frameworks.

• Proven record of conducting ESIA/ESMP for donor-funded infrastructure/agriculture projects.

• Experience in public consultations and community engagement.

• Experience in conveying complex technical information to diverse stakeholders, including farmers, women, and IDPs.

• Fluency and Strong communication and analytical skills in English and Arabic.

This role does not have team management responsibility.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.