Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST 

SELECTION OF AN INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT

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REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTING SERVICES)

Republic of Fiji

Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu

Loan No./Credit No./ Grant No.: IDA-73690 

Assignment Title: Social Officer - Central Project Management Unit (National)

Reference No.: FJ-MTCA-439974-CS-INDV

The Government of Fiji through the Ministry of Finance, Strategic Planning, National Development and Statistics has received financing from the World Bank (“WB”) toward the cost of the Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu or ‘Na Vualiku’ and intends to apply part of the proceeds for individual consulting services.  

The consulting services (“the Services”) includes supporting the Central Project Management Unit (“C-PMU”) established under the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (“MTCA”).

The Social Officer (“the Officer”), based in Suva, Fiji, will support the overall implementation of WB environmental standards across all the project activities in accordance with the Project’s Environmental and Social Management Framework (“ESMF”). The Services will include preparing social risk assessments, collecting relevant data and preparing social instruments.

Under the guidance of the Environment and Social Risk Management Specialist, the Officer will support, monitor and report on the Environmental and Social Management Plan implementation. The Services will also include reporting on progress, coordination, activities management plan for all social management plans including, as relevant, Land Acquisition Resettlement Plans, Stakeholder Engagement Plans, Cultural Heritage Management Plan and Labour Management Plan. 

The Services shall be for an initial period of two years and may be extended for the life of the Project and the longer-term Program with an expected start date of October 2024.

The Terms of Reference (“TOR”) for the assignment is below. 

The MTCA now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services (curriculum vitae with description of experience in similar assignments, similar conditions, etc.). Firms’ staff may express interest through the employing firm for the assignment and, under such a situation, only the experience and qualifications of individuals shall be considered in the selection process. The criteria for selecting the Consultant are in the TOR.

The attention of interested Consultants (including firms) is drawn to paragraph 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers dated November 2020 (“the Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours of 0800 to 1630 hours.

Expressions of Interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by 6 September 2024. 

Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation 

Attn: Jacinta Lal (Ms)

Director of Tourism 

Level 4, Civic Tower

Victoria Parade, Suva

Tel:   +679 3315577

E-mail: jacinta.lal.fj@gmail.com 

 

 

FIJI TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN VANUA LEVU

P178694

 

CENTRAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT: SOCIAL OFFICER

 

TERMS OF REFERENCE
Assignment	Social Officer
Implementing Agency	Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MTCA)
Project	Fiji Tourism Development Program in Vanua Levu
Location	Suva, Fiji
Reports to	Environment & Social Risk Management Specialist
Level of input and duration of the assignment	Full-time basis for the duration of the project (5 years). The initial contract will be for a 2-year period with the possibility of extension subject to performance.

 

DESCRIPTION

 

The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MTCA) is a newly established Ministry of the Government of Fiji (GoF), responsible for formulating policies to promote a sustainable and resilient tourism industry. The Ministry also oversees the development of civil aviation laws and policies to promote safe, reliable, and affordable air services to and within Fiji.

 

BACKGROUND 

The GoF is receiving US$61.5 million in project financing from the World Bank (WB) for Phase I of the Fiji Tourism Development Program (Program) in Vanua Levu or ‘Na Vualiku’ (the Project). 

The Program will be implemented over a multiphase programmatic approach (MPA). 

The MPA is a comprehensive overlapping 3-phase tourism development program in Vanua Levu and Taveuni that will support the realization of Fiji’s national development, private sector growth, and green growth plans. The program has two main aims: a) to improve the resilience and sustainability of the tourism industry, including short-term recovery and longer-term diversification and high-value growth; and b) to facilitate the execution of existing Government plans.

The Project is the first phase that will support the realisation of Fiji’s national development, private sector growth, and green growth plans. The Project aims to set the foundations for sustainable tourism in Vanua Levu.

The MTCA will be the Lead Implementing Agency along with two other Project Implementing Units (PIU), including the Fiji Roads Authority and Fiji Airports Ltd.

In preparation for the Project implementation, a Central Project Management Unit (C-PMU) has been established under the MTCA, staffed with consultants and personnel with key project management skills (procurement, financial management, environment and social risk management, and monitoring and evaluation) and technical expertise (tourism, gender) to manage the Project.  The C-PMU will be supported with technical backstopping in specialized areas from various technical agencies as required.

The C-PMU is integrated as part of the Ministry’s structure and provides services to the other divisions, as well as providing planning, monitoring and evaluation, progress reports, and financial reporting, in accordance with both the GoF and WB’s requirements. 

The C-PMU will include resources to deliver the Project services and activities, including work planning, reporting, budgeting and financial management, procurement, monitoring and evaluation, safeguards, training and capacity building, and communication.

To support the implementation phases, the MTCA is seeking a Social Officer who will report directly to the Environment and Social Risk Management Specialist (ESS). 

 

SCOPE OF SERVICES 

The Social Officer (the Officer), based in Suva, Fiji, will manage the overall implementation of the WB social standards across all the project activities in accordance with the Project’s Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and in line with the requirements of the EMA 2005.

The Officer will work under the guidance and supervision of the ESS, alongside the Financial Management Officer, Procurement Officer and other positions including but not limited to consultants on demand. 

 

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Officer will have the following specific responsibilities and tasks: 

• Manage the overall implementation of the WB social standards across all project activities.

• Attend WB missions, field trips, meetings etc. as required.

• Report to all project management on progress, coordination, activities management plan for all social management plans including as relevant, Land Acquisition Resettlement Plans (LARPs), Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEPs), Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP), Labour Management Plan (LMP), etc. in accordance with agreed monitoring requirements, status of activities, human resource deployment plan etc. to ensure appropriate coordination among the projects as well as tasks within each project.

• Provide input to projects including preparing social risk assessments, collecting relevant data, preparing social instruments, conducting field work, preparing TORs for consultants, supervising consultants, and contributing to the project design.

• Support the E&S specialist to follow the Fiji EIA and waste permit process to identify what permits are required and then prepare the appropriate applications and documents (EIA etc.) as they relate to social standards.

• Advise the PMU on key social issues and aspects of the Project in a timely manner, including general social advice and advice on the implementation of safeguards instruments.

• Prepare social assessments and instruments, such as the SEA/SH Assessment and Action Plan and/or supervise the preparation of social assessments and instruments in the case that specialist consultants are required.

• Overall responsibility for the implementation of the LARF and any subsequent LARPs including:

(a) Identification of affected areas and APs; (b) social assessments and due diligence; (c) overall LARP preparation, implementation and monitoring; (d) community liaison; and (e) LARP budgetary provision.

• Overall responsibility for coordinating stakeholder engagement in accordance with the Project SEF. Ensure project-level citizen and stakeholder engagement and disclosure processes to ensure WB ESS5 and community expectations are met. Document and report of results of social engagement activities.

• Overall responsibility for coordinating the Project Worker GM and Project GM system.

• Overall responsibility for coordinating, training and monitoring adherence to the LMP, including management of SEA/SH cases and related-concerns.

• Assist as necessary, with the procurement of additional social support staff and / or consultants, by preparing TOR and reviewing CVs / proposals / candidates.

• Assist with the oversight of project consultants, in the case that specialist consultants are required, and contractors including Civil Works Contractors including regular monitoring and assurance activities.

• Provide input to monthly and six-monthly monitoring reports on the ESHS performance of the Project.

• Support the E&S Specialist to implement the capacity building / training program(s).

• Support for Civil Works Contractors in preparing the CESMP.

• Manage social risks in procurement e.g., SEA/SH, child and forced labour risks for solar panels.

• Specifically, follow the LMP process with regards to solar panel procurement, review the bidders Forced Labour Declarations (past performance and future commitments), and submit the declarations to the WB for review.

• Support the PMU to manage any significant social risks and/or incidents on the Project.

• Support the development of SOPs for social risk management (jointly with the Environmental Officer).

• Conduct other ESHS and CE related activities as required.

 

Other Duties

• Perform any other duties reasonably requested by the E&S Specialist, Project Manager, Permanent Secretary and/or the Project Steering Committee.

 

KEY DELIVERABLES

The Officer will be responsible for supporting the implementation of the Project including the following specific deliverables, with the support of the C-PMU and PIU: 

Key Deliverables	Timing
ESHS Monitoring Plan & Report  (jointly with the EO)	3 months after commencement
ESCP Monitoring Updates	3 months (Quarterly)
E&S Screening Application Monitoring Plan	2 Months after commencement
Capacity Building Plan	2 Months after commencement
Field and Mission Visit Report	14 days after visit
Project Progress Report (Social Updates)	Quarterly and Semi-Annually

 

WORK COMPLEXITY 

The most challenging duties typically include:

1. Assessment of the Social Risks and Impacts and categorizing according to the WB Risk Categories and determining the relevant E&S tools to be implemented in line with the GoF and WB requirements.

2. Coordinating and monitoring of the social risks and mitigation progress across all proposed Project components and activities.

3. Complying with the administrative requirements of GoF and WB.

4. Ensuring that all the necessary Environmental processes are followed and undertaken as per the GoF regulations, legislations and WB requirements within the ESMF.

5. Managing relationships between the C-PMU, PIUs, consultants, WB, and other stakeholders including the provision of advice of differing institutional requirements.

 

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS

 

ESSENTIAL

DESIRABLE

Minimum Qualifications   Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant discipline (Environment Management/Social Work/ Development Studies/ Public administration/ Land Management), or a closely related field.   Minimum Experiences At least 5 years, in social impact management or social development work, community engagement or related work experiences suitable to undertake the key tasks and responsibilities mentioned above. Experience in managing social risks for civil works and other development projects around Fiji. Experience in Social Impact Assessment (SIA), Environment/Social Management Plan (E/SMP) planning, report writing and implementation as per the EMA 2005 and associate Fiji legislations, regulations and policies. Strong understanding of social safeguard principles (e.g., involuntary resettlement, labor standards, indigenous peoples' rights, cultural heritage). Experience in Stakeholder Engagement planning and engagement. Excellent active listening skills to understand the needs and perspectives of affected communities. Proven experience in undertaking progression report writing as per the requirements of the project’s deliverables above. Proven ability to manage Grievance Redress Mechanism (establishing, reporting, investigation and fair resolutions). Proven experience in leading or supporting Environmental and Social (E&S) capacity building initiatives throughout the project life cycle. Proven Strong report writing and analytical skills, with a demonstrable record of delivery on time.

Experience   Experience in tourism development and/or industry associated with managing E&S components and compliances. Experience with relevant associate development legislation, policies, procedures, and processes of GoF. Experience of working with WB or other International Development Partner funded (foreign aid) projects. Proficient in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams. Ability to converse in both local vernacular languages (i-taukei and Hindi) is desirable. Valid Group 2 Driver’s license and   DDC certificate (preference manual).

 

Key Skills/Attributes/Job Specific Competencies

The following levels would typically be expected for the 100% fully effective level:

Proficient Level	Understanding of Social Risk Assessment Confident decision maker and problem solver Excellent Communication (both written and oral) and Computer Skills
Advanced Level	Ability to coordinate effective working relationships with the relevant project stakeholders. Ability to conduct field studies and interpret results
Working Knowledge Level	World Bank E&S standards  Knowledge of environmental permitting processes and ability to enforce environmental regulations.
Awareness	Roles and mandates of other organizations and agencies

 

Key Behaviours

All candidates are measured against the following Key Behaviours as part of Performance Development 

• Tasks Focus and Results oriented

• Professionalism 

• Team Goals oriented

• Stakeholder Focus

• Leadership

• Conflict management and resolution

• Coaching and Development 

 

EVALUATION CRITERIA 

Curriculum Vitae (CVs) of all applicants will be evaluated as follows: all CVs will be evaluated against the assignment’s minimum requirements. The CVs of candidates that meet the minimum requirements will then be scored according to the set scoring criteria. The candidate with the highest score may be interviewed before being invited to negotiate contract. The selected candidate may be interviewed before appointment.  Referees of the selected candidate may be contacted to verify prior experience, performance, and character traits.

Scoring Criteria

Candidates that meet the above minimum requirements will be scored in accordance with the following criteria. 

 

Criterion	Maximum Points
Qualifications (general education and relevant training/workshops)	30
Experiences (as outlined within the minimum experiences)	70

 

CONTRACT DURATION AND CONDITIONS

1. The contract will be for an initial period of two years and may be extended for the life of the project and the longer-term program subject to satisfactory performance.

2. The contract is subject to a probationary period of six months and may be subject to satisfactory achievement of initial training goals.

3. Performance will initially be reviewed at one month, three months, and six months, and thereafter to six monthly and annual reviews.

4. This is a full-time position based in Suva, Fiji, and will involve travel to outer Islands, including Vanua Levu.

5. The position is open to citizens of Fiji or those eligible for a work permit in Fiji.