Social and Environmental Specialist at Rwanda Information Society Autority (RISA) :Deadline: 11-12-2020 23:45

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TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR EXPERTS FOR THE SINGLE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION UNIT (SPIU) FOR THE RWANDA DIGITAL ACCELERATION PROJECT

1. Background

Rwanda has distinguished itself as a country that is deeply committed to leveraging digital transformation as a means to accelerate growth and reduce poverty. Government is committed to using digitally enabled solutions, wherever possible, to leapfrog traditional approaches and support innovation in service delivery. Beginning as early as 2000, Rwanda began charting an ambitious course for achieving rapid digitization, through a series of five-year plans – culminating in the SMART Rwanda Master Plan. These policies have resulted in the progressive roll-out of digital infrastructure, impressive public e-services expansion (though from a very low base), as well as initiatives to support digital skills and to position Rwanda as a regional ICT hub, underpinned by government institutions and leadership committed to this agenda. Today, Rwanda continues to articulate ambitious strategies in relation to many of these areas.




The Government of Rwanda (GoR) is set to receive funding from the World Bank (WB) to accelerate country-wide digital transformation, as well as facilitate Rwanda’s integration in the emerging regional digital market. The proposed “Rwanda Digital Acceleration Project” project (henceforth referred to as the ‘the project’) will expand digital adoption, bringing more Rwandans online by addressing the major barriers that dampen demand for digital services and spearheading a series of interventions that promote digital inclusion. The project will also enable Rwanda to leverage critical enabling digital platforms and data-driven solutions to improve the efficiency of public service delivery and expand the adoption of digitally enabled services. Finally, the project will also increase Rwanda’s capacity to support digital innovation and productivity gains, by strengthening the local digital innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, supporting tech firms to move from start-ups to growth, and adopting digital technology in key sectors.

The Project will be coordinated through the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT), with Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) as the Project implementing institution. A dedicated Single Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) is thus being set up and operationalized at RISA that will have overall responsibility for supporting project preparation and implementation.

RISA seeks to hire a series of high-performing and qualified experts to fill the positions of the SPIU, who will drive the successful and effective preparation and delivery of this project. The job profiles, roles, and responsibilities, and reporting requirements of the said consultants are indicated below.

2. Summary of Needed Experts

 Experts hired will be under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RISA. The consultants will work in close collaboration with the Management and Staff of RISA and MINICT, as well as many other key project stakeholders throughout the project cycle – from identification through to implementation – supporting planning, contracting, oversight, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and project reporting on progress.

Given the coordination role played by RISA on the digital agenda in Rwanda and the coordination role that the SPIU will play in a relation to the project, all successful candidates will need to possess strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

To be successful, experts will also need to possess strong technical expertise in their respective fields and excellent project management skills, including a track record of managing large and complex donor-funded projects.

Below are detailed job roles and required qualifications for the different experts which the SPIU currently plans to hire as part of its initial set-up.




3. Job Profiles and Description 

Job Profiles for the Rwanda Digital Acceleration Project

S/N

Job title

Job profile (Needed Qualifications, Skills and Experience)

Duties and Responsibilities

Number of Positions

5

Social and Environmental Specialist

Selection criteria:

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Biology, Social Studies, Sociology, Development studies, with at least 4 years of relevant work experience; or master’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Biology, Social Studies, Sociology, Development studies, with at least 7 years of relevant work experience.

Degree in Environmental Sciences and background in managing environmental risks preferred.

Technical competencies:

  • Track-record of assessing, managing, and monitoring project-level environmental and social risks, as well as managing implementation of related safeguards, policies guidelines, and frameworks, in relation to development projects of a similar scale and technical nature – prior experience of working on donor-funded and ICT-related projects preferred;
  • Experience in conducting environmental and social impact assessments of development or public projects;
  • Experience in supporting stakeholder engagement of key elements of project design and implementation, and establishing grievance mechanisms;
  • Demonstrated knowledge of potential environmental and social risks related to the project, including but not limited to:
    • Labour and Working Conditions;
    • Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management;
    • Community Health and Safety;
    • Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement;
    • Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living, Natural Resources
    • Indigenous Peoples/ Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities
    • Cultural Heritage;
  • Familiarity with the WB Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) consider a distinct advantage;

General Competencies (management, leadership, communication, problem-solving, monitoring, coordination, stakeholder management, etc.)

  • Ability to determine and review priorities, plan and meet deadlines, with minimal supervision;
  • Team player, with good interpersonal skills, and proven ability to function effectively with multiple host-country counterparts and multi-disciplinary teams;
  • Computer literacy including Microsoft packages;
  • Strong oral and written communication skills, including report writing and presentation skills;
  • Strong problem-solving abilities;
  • Stakeholder engagement skills;
  • Fluency in English is essential;

Should demonstrate a high degree of professionalism and integrity.
  1. Provide technical guidance on environmental and social development issues, consistent with the REMA guidance;
  2. Support SPIU and WB teams in identifying social and environmental risks related to the project;
  3. Recommend design and operational approaches and modifications to avoid, mitigate, limit or remedy negative impacts where related risks are identified;
  4. Act as a focal point for all matters relating to project ESF-related obligations, working with project stakeholders, and enforce the compliance with the Environmental, Social, Health and Safety WB policies, ensuring that the project meets the related requirement as per legal agreements;
  5. Provide guidance and technical direction to the SPIU, Government, and third-party contractors’ staff on environmental and social issues;
  1. Track commitment made in relation to environmental and social safeguards, in a consolidated Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP);
  2. Plan and coordinate all processes for the execution of the tasks related to environmental safeguards, including the preparation of safeguards documents, such as the environmental and social management framework (ESMF), Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), and Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), etc, with support of additional consultants, as needed;
  3. Support the recruitment of consultant and contractors to complete E&S related assignments, studies, and plans;
  4. Review environmental and social documents prepared by consultants;
  5. Support preparation and maintenance of the project-level Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP);
  6. Organize open, transparency and accessible public consultations, training, etc. in line with said plan, and ensure that stakeholder engagement is incorporated as a continuous element of project design and implementation, including risk screening process;
  7. Attend public meetings on environmental and social issues, as it pertains to the project;
  8. Ensure effective mainstreaming of environmental and social safeguard issues into the implementation of project activities – e.g. ensure that that inclusion and access infuses project design and implementation, considering dimensions such as geography, income, gender, and disabilities;
  9. Facilitate acquisitions of required permits and clearances from regulatory agencies;

Oversee the capacity building of Ministries, Department, and Agencies (MDAs) and Contractors on environmental and social safeguards – ensure that related modules are incorporated in the training and capacity building programs at all the levels and participate in identifying

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  1. Duty Station

The experts will be stationed at the RISA-SPIU office in Kigali. Ad hoc home-based work may be permitted, in the context of Covid-19 but will be based on wider Government policy on this matter.

  1. Appointment – duration

The appointment will be on a contract basis of 1 Year renewable based on need, performance, and funds availability.

  1. Appointment – type

If not otherwise stated, contracting is expected to be full time.

  1. Equipment and services

The project will provide a furnished and equipped office with a computer and accessories, internet service in the office, and airtime for mobile telephone.

 

Application Guidelines:

Interested experts should apply online (recruitment@risa.rw) and upload application documents including Application letter, Curriculum Vitae, Identification card, copies of degree certificates, and professional certificates.

Only online applications shall be considered, and the folder containing application documents MUST be saved under the name of the job position applied for.

For any inquiries/clarification use the above email.

Address all applications to the Chief Financial Officer of the Rwanda Information Society Authority.

Deadline for application: Friday, December 11th, 2020.




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