Environmental Expert - Part Time

I. Project Background The Republic of Lebanon (the Borrower) represented by the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) has received a Loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) in the amount of US$ 200,000,000 toward the cost of the Green, Agri-food Transformation for Economic Recovery Project (Gate). (GATE) Project aims to improve the resilience of farmers and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Lebanese agri-food sector. The project is designed to facilitate access to finance, support climate-smart investments, and restore critical infrastructure services to sustain and enhance the agricultural value chain. Through targeted interventions, it seeks to increase agricultural productivity, strengthen food security, and promote sustainable economic growth. The project is structured into key components focusing on value chain investments, infrastructure development, enabling regulatory improvements, and knowledge management. The Project is structured into five main components, each designed to strengthen the resilience of Lebanon’s agri-food sector and support farmers and SMEs: · Component 1: Climate Smart Investments in Agri-food Value Chains - Component 2: Climate-Smart Infrastructure and Services for Agri-Food Sector Development · Component 3: Improving the Enabling Environment and Restoring Support Services for Agri-food Sector Development · Component 4: Project and Knowledge Management · Component 5: Contingency Emergency Response Component The Green Plan has been delegated by the CDR to implement and manage the Subcomponent 2.1. This sub-component – Improving rural community infrastructure for agriculture (US$28 million) – involves investments in climate-smart infrastructure and services. It will work closely with municipalities and stakeholders to develop and prioritize projects such as hill lakes, road rehabilitation, and irrigation improvements. Green Plan will establish a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) to oversee implementation and ensure proper coordination. II. Objectives of the Assignment The Environmental Specialist will support the Project Management Unit (PMU) in ensuring that all environmental aspects of (Subcomponent 2.1) under the GATE Project are effectively implemented in compliance with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and national requirements. To achieve this, Green Plan requires the services of an Environmental Specialist – Part Time. III. Tasks and Responsibilities 1. Environmental Risk Management and Oversight - Provide overall environmental risk management oversight during project implementation, supporting and advising the Green Plan on environmental issues across all stages. - Manage and mitigate environmental risks of Green Plan activities under GATE component 2.1, including floods, landslides, erosion, pollution, resource inefficiency, waste and hazardous materials, pests, traffic and road safety, occupational and community health and safety, soil and land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change impacts. Prepare periodic monitoring reports with mitigation measures. - Oversee consultants preparing ESIAs and ESMPs for hill lakes, agricultural roads, and other infrastructure to ensure compliance with national legislation and the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF); consolidate and review their outputs and provide feedback for submission to the PMU. - Monitor project activities for compliance with ESCP, World Bank ESF, and national regulations; identify non-compliances, propose corrective actions, and report progress. - Coordinate with the Environmental Specialist in CDR PCU to ensure harmonized implementation and submit quarterly reports to this PCU about compliance of project activities with ESF requirements. ________________________________________ 2. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting - Perform regular site supervision during construction and submit reports with observations, recommendations and corrective actions. - Notify the PMU/CDR and World Bank of environmental incidents or accidents with potential significant impacts. - Review project plans, designs, cost estimates, and bidding documents to ensure environmental integration. - Participate in supervision missions and/or meetings with the WB team as required and conduct site visits. - Provide quarterly reports to CDR on project progress. ________________________________________ 3. Capacity Building and Training - Train PMU staff, contractors, and project consultants on environmental management, occupational health and safety, and emergency preparedness, delivering training materials and post-training evaluation reports. - Prepare and disseminate environmental information materials for stakeholders in a clear and accessible manner. ________________________________________ IV. Qualifications and Experience - Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resources Management, or related field. - Minimum 8 years of experience in environmental risk management of donor-funded infrastructure projects, preferably World Bank–financed, including the review and supervision of ESIAs and ESMPs for agricultural or rural development projects. - Minimum 4 years of experience in implementing and monitoring the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and other internationally recognized environmental safeguard standards. - Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in pollution prevention, resource efficiency, waste and hazardous materials management, occupational and community health and safety, biodiversity protection, soil and land conservation, and climate change adaptation. - Familiarity with Lebanese laws and procedures related to environmental impact assessments and environmental safeguards. - Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering environmental training and capacity-building programs for project teams, contractors, and other stakeholders - Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project). - Excellent written and oral communication skills in both English and Arabic. ________________________________________ V. Reporting Line The Environmental Specialist will report directly to the Project Manager of Green Plan PMU and collaborate closely with technical teams, field staff, and relevant stakeholders. In addition to the deliverables mentioned in the § III, the consultant shall submit: (i) a monthly activity report summarizing key activities, outputs and progress; and (ii) a monthly timesheet indicating the number of days/hours worked. ________________________________________ VI. Duration of Assignment The consultant will be engaged on a part-time basis (10 – 12 days per month) for an initial period of one year, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and continued project needs. ________________________________________ VII. Location The position will be based at the Green Plan Offices. Regular field visits to rural areas are required.