Social Safeguards Specialist Position for Renewable Energy Project

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CVs) SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS SPECIALIST FOR LREEAP Name of Project: Lesotho Renewable Energy and Energy Access Project (LREEAP) Project ID: P166936 Position: Social Safeguards Specialist for LREEAP Project Implementation Unit (PIU) Reporting to: Project Manager LREEAP Selection Method: Individual Consultant Selection The Government of Lesotho has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Lesotho Renewable Energy and Energy Access Project (LREEAP).

The LREEAP demonstrates the GoL’s commitment to advance the electrification agenda and the implementation of the Lesotho Energy Policy 2015 – 2025 by supporting the provision of off-grid electricity services as well as grid electrification of economic zones to enhance job creation.

The project aims to accelerate electricity access along two (2) dimensions: (i) grid extension to economic development zones in peri-urban areas, and (ii) the deployment of mini-grids to reach rural and remote communities. A Project Implementation Unit (PIU) established within the Ministry of Energy is responsible for the overall implementation of the LREEAP.

Within the PIU, the Lesotho Electricity Company (Pty) Ltd is implementing Component 1 of the Project namely Grid Extension to Peri-urban Areas of Lesotho through a Technical Unit established as an implementation arm of the PIU.

Component 1 of LREEAP finances the design, procurement of materials and construction of works required to electrify selected industrial and commercial loads in peri-urban areas of Lesotho, as well as providing connections to residential customers in adjacent areas.

The social safeguards function under the LEC Technical Unit within the LREEAP shall be led by a Social Safeguards Specialist who shall be responsible for the overall implementation and providing guidance on all the social safeguards aspects. The LREEAP is therefore in the process of recruiting a capable individual for this key position in the LEC Technical Unit.

Objectives and Scope of the Assignment The main objective of the position of Social Safeguards Specialist will be to manage all social safeguards aspects under the Project in adherence with good practices and governance, and in strict accordance with Project documents and specific safeguards documents including the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF); the relevant national legislation; as well as the social safeguard policies of major donor agencies, in particular the World Bank’s Operational Policy OP4.12 on Involuntary Resettlement.

The main responsibilities of the Social Safeguards Specialist are as follows: Develop terms of reference and scope services for social assessments and social management plans required to inform the project during preparation and implementation; Oversee the management of all social programs under the Project.

Lead the development and review of social instruments such as Abbreviated Resettlement Action Plans (ARAPs), checklists, guidelines and tools relevant to the implementation of environmental and social safeguards when need arises to ascertain quality of the product and the accuracy of data and presented facts; Support staff and consultants with the identification of stakeholders, sources of baseline data and documentation relevant to the project; Ensure that consultant’s technical proposals and contracts conform to the national and World Bank social standards and guidelines; Coordinating the mainstreaming of social issues in project design and implementation in accordance with agreed safeguard instruments (Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) and Resettlement Policy Framework/Resettlement Action Plan (RPF/RAP); Assess and guide the robustness of the consultation process required for the preparation and implementation of the resettlement action plans; Supervise land acquisition and involuntary resettlement activities in sub-projects under implementation; Provide technical input to the procurement planning and procurement processing for the works and construction and supervision consultancy services contracts to ensure that: (a) the social safeguards requirements are properly reflected in the procurement plan; (b)the social provision it in the bidding documents are complete; (c) The social safeguards provisions are comprehensively incorporated in the contract documents, and (d) participate in the evaluation of bids to assess the adequacy of the contractor's offers on social safeguards requirements Oversee orientation and training to counterpart staff and agencies potentially involved in sub-projects under preparation to ensure that social guidance is fully understood; Working closely with the Project’s Environmental Safeguards Specialist, establish, support and supervise the implementation of environmental and social safeguard processes based on, but not limited to, the findings of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and subsequent sub-project specific environmental management instruments such as Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), ensuring that adequate procedures are in place and proposed mitigation measures are implemented; Facilitate the engagement of major stakeholders in the social and sustainable development decisions making, their access to and sharing of information for effective compliance with social safeguard measures in the context of intra and inter-generational equity; Promoting and contributing substantively to analyses of strengthening social aspects such as gender, child protection, Gender-Based violence (GBV), Sexual exploitation and Abuse (SEA), HIV/AIDS, social inclusion, land acquisition and compensation under the project Advise LEC and related Lesotho Government ministries on social impact related issues of the proposed sub-projects; Assist in policy dialogue with counterpart ministries and agencies; Manage labour and community grievance procedures (GRM) and stakeholder engagement under the Project; Oversee all required impact and progress reporting; Advising and/or participating on project teams in the design and implementation of operational mechanisms that take into account social opportunities, impacts, constraints and risks of individual projects implemented by the Components; 10.

Undertake project site visits to assess and enforce compliance and make the necessary remedies; and Undertake other related assignments as provided by the Project Manager Qualifications and Experience Requirements Master’s Degree in Sociology, Anthropology, Urban planning; Socio-economics, or other related discipline with a minimum of seven (7) years’ experience.

Or Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Anthropology, Urban planning; Socio-economics, or other related discipline with a minimum of ten (10) years’ experience.

A minimum of five (5) years relevant experience in managing complex teams and/or projects; conducting socio-economic surveys; social assessments; public consultations and participation process; resettlement and compensation issues; other social development issues; Proven experience in operationalizing environmental and social standards, social safeguard policies of major donor agencies, in particular the World Bank’s Operational Policy OP4.12 on Involuntary Resettlement; Field experience highly desirable; Computer Skill in Word, Excel and PowerPoint; Specific experience with projects in Lesotho; Other Competencies: Must speak Sesotho and English efficiently; Team player with strong leadership abilities and experience in working with large teams of people from different background; Ability to work independently with limited supervision; Must have good interpersonal skills; Skilled in organising and prioritising work schedule to meet deadlines; Recruitment Process and Contract Type The selection method shall follow the World Bank’s Individual Consultant selection method the procurement process shall be governed by the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers February 2025 (Sixth Edition).

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.15, and 3.16 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment: Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Borrower. This is a time-based assignment.

The incumbent shall be employed full time on the assignment at the Project’s office based in Maseru, Lesotho with frequent travel to other parts of the country. The assignment duration is 13 months and the envisages start date is no later than 1st January 2026. The incumbent shall be selected on the basis of their relevant experience, qualifications, and capability to carry out the assignment.

Candidates shall be considered if they meet minimum relevant requirements which shall be determined by the Client on the basis of the nature and complexity of the assignment, and assessed on the basis of academic background and relevant specific experience and, as appropriate, knowledge of local conditions such as national language, culture, administrative systems, and government organization.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours i.e. 0800 to 1700 hours, local time. Submission of Expressions of Interest Interested candidates must submit their curriculum vitae with covering letter and certified copies of their educational certificates in a single PDF format to the email addresses mentioned below on or before 18th November, 2025 at 17H00.

The subject of the email must be “Application – Social Safeguards Specialist” . Hand delivered expressions of interest shall not be accepted.

Email addresses for submission and clarification requests: Attention: The Project Coordinator LREEAP (ai) 120 Lancers Road, Opposite New State House, Maseru West Emails: makhabanel@lec.co.ls with a copy to lmokhutsoane@yahoo.com Agency: Lesotho Electricity Company Procurement method: Individual Consultant Selection Notice type: Request for Expression of Interest Status: Published Value: 42000.0 USD