Social Safeguard (IP/RAP) Specialist

Sheladia Associates is seeking a professional Social Safeguard (IP/RAP) Specialist to join our team for an upcoming, ADB funded Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project in Philippines.

The project aims to enhance: flood and climate change resilience that is consistent with the Philippines Development Plan of 2023-2028 (PDP). The project’s major outcome is to reduce flood risk in three river basins.

The individual will be responsible for the following tasks:

•      Ensure project’s compliance with ADB SPS (2009), relevant Government regulations, and other requirements as detailed in the approved social safeguard documents prepared for the project;
•     Lead the discussions with the implementing agencies, local government agencies on the measures and actions for the preparation and progress of implementation of updated RPs, RIPPs and REGDPs;
•          Lead, oversee and work with national resettlement specialists to provide required assistance to the UPMO FCMC, ESSD DPWH, ROs DPWH, RICs,  LGUs on the implementation of safeguard documents and livelihood rehabilitation program;
•         Verify the impacts of the subprojects, based on the detailed engineering design and the updated/final RPs, RIPPs, REGDPs, on the local ethnic minority and involuntary resettlement prior to implementation and prepare site verification reports;
•        Develop workplan and monitoring progress for RP/RIPPs/REGDPs implementations for UPMO FCMC;
•             Prepare and conduct the training program on social safeguards planning and implementation for the project to the FCMC-UPMO, project implementing agencies and relevant government agencies;
•        Ensure and assist UPMO-FCMC/ ESSD DPWH and relevant government agencies in information disclosure and meaningful consultations with affected households and communities;
•       Assist UPMO-FCMC in finalizing the land acquisition and resettlement plan based on the final detailed engineering designs of the subproject following the requirements of ADB (SPS, 2009) and the government's policies; and monitor the progress of preparation of the resettlement sites;
•         Conduct monitoring visits to the subproject sites to assess the compliance of land acquisition and resettlement plan implementation with the provisions of the agreed updated land acquisition and resettlement plan;
•            Develop monitoring template to be used by the regional office team for the preparation of semiannual safeguard monitoring reports to be consolidated by UPMO FCMC;
•              Support the UPMO-FCMC on the preparation and management of consolidated safeguard monitoring reports for submission to the EA and ADB;
•        Support the UPMO FCMC on the selection and recruitment of external monitoring consultant for RPs and REGDPs implementation;
•             Facilitate the recruited EMA to conduct monitoring and evaluation;
•         Review and validate the EMA findings and reports for LGUs, UPMO-FCMC and DPWH;
•        Assist UPMO-FCMC in monitoring the implementation of recommendation of External Monitoring Authority (EMA) reports;
•        Advise UPMO-FCMC and relevant agencies to resolve the issues related to land acquisition, resettlement and ethnic minority issues - if any;
•             Establish systems, including monitoring and evaluation indicators, and the monitoring data management system for the project;
•        Support the UPMO-FCMC on the quality of the safeguard reports (QPR, SSMR and EMA report) to meet ADB standards/requirements;
•            Assist relevant government agencies in carrying out assessment in case of any unanticipated impacts, and updating the safeguards documents or prepare corrective actions;
•            Assist UPMO-FCMC in the establishment and management of project GRM and provide training to relevant local level entry points for LAR GRM (i.e., barangay chairman or village heads) on grievance redress procedures and record keeping;

Required Qualifications:

•        The IP/Resettlement Specialist must have an undergraduate or higher degree in social sciences or relevant field.
•        Must have 15 years of relevant work experience in donor funded projects.
•        He/she must have experience working on 2 ADB financed projects in and fully familiar with ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement (latest edition).

All qualified candidates please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@Sheladia.com.

SHELADIA Associates is a multi-disciplinary international professional consulting firm with demonstrated experience in the successful management and implementation of development projects worldwide. SHELADIA believes practicality and sustainability in development projects require flexible resource management, active participation of all stakeholders, and a shared goal of strengthening institutions and operational systems to optimize available resources.

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.