Environmental and Social Specialist for the AIIB Project

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SPECIALIST

1. Background

The Government of Uzbekistan (GoU), in collaboration with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB, the Bank), is undertaking the Expansion and Modernization of Public-School Infrastructure Project (the Project) to enhance the quality of education through the upgrading of school facilities across the country.

The Project consists of two main phases:

• Phase I: Upgrading the infrastructure and classroom capacity of existing schools.
• Phase II: Developing new school infrastructure in unserved and underserved regions.

The Project Evaluation Document (PED) supporting the project encompasses technical, legal, environmental, and social assessments, along with infrastructure gap analysis, investment priorities, financing modalities, cost estimation, and risk analyses. The environmental and social components are crucial to ensure compliance with AIIB’s ES Policy and ES Standards.

The Environmental and Social Specialist (Consultant) will play a critical role in ensuring that the Project adheres to international best practices and meets all environmental and social safeguards as an independent consultant providing expert support to MoPSE and AIIB.

2. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The Environmental and Social Specialist will be responsible for ensuring compliance with environmental and social (E&S) safeguards, managing related risks, and promoting sustainable development throughout the Project lifecycle, in alignment with AIIB's Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and relevant national legislation.

The project emphasizes climate resilience and green infrastructure development of public schools, including the use of rooftop solar panels, heat-preserving windows, rainwater harvesting, and other sustainable practices as highlighted in the Project Operations Manual (POM).

This Terms of Reference (ToR) serves as a comprehensive guideline for the responsibilities, qualifications, and expected deliverables of the Environmental and Social Specialist, ensuring the Project aligns with national and international standards and contributes to sustainable development in Uzbekistan.

3. SCOPE OF SERVICES OF THE SPECIALIST

The overall scope of the Environmental and Social specialist will ensure the project compliance with the overall national environmental and social requirements and the AIIB Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) for both phases. The E&S Specialist will supervise the environmental and social aspects of the project preparation and oversee the E&S Consultant’s work in environmental and social aspects including preparing project’s E&S Instruments. The E&S Specialist will ensure the preparation and implementation of the project in compliance with AIIB’s Environmental and Social Policy (ESP) and standards and other environmental and social documentation specified in the PPSF Grant Agreement. S/he will be responsible for coordinating with the Feasibility Study Consultant, E&S Consultant and AIIB on environmental and social matters about the project. The Specialist will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following key tasks:

• Prepare Terms of References (ToR) for the consultants that prepare environmental and social documentation as required by the AIIB, the Environmental and Social Management Planning Framework (ESMPF), the Resettlement Planning Framework (RPF), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Gender Action Plan (GAP) and Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) for the project, with AIIB’s guidance.
  • Assist the MoPSE, with selection of suitable consultants /firm to develop the E&S instruments.
  • Oversee and comment on the coordination between the environmental and social outputs from the E&S studies and the Feasibility Studies
  • Ensure that the project is compliant with the national environmental and social regulatory as well as AIIB ESP requirements.
  • Supervise the E&S consultant and ensure the quality and timely preparation of the above-mentioned environmental and social (including grievance redress mechanism) documentation.
  • Coordinate between consultants and MoPSE to ensure seamless collaboration on technical and environmental and social matters.
  • Develop an understanding of regulations on environmental and social issues, with particular reference to land acquisition, physical and economic displacement of people and compensation measures and gender issues adopted in the Republic of Uzbekistan and AIIB.
  • Ensure that the necessary environmental and social requirements have been incorporated into the works tender documents.
  • Carryout site visits with the specialists of ES consulting firm during the preparation of ES instruments and facilitate in collection of necessary data and arranging meetings with relevant stakeholders.
  • Oversee the consultants to identify the project-affected people, who would confront physical and economic displacement due to the project and report to AIIB.
  • Organize public consultation meetings on behalf of MoPSE with assistance of consultants.
  • Prepare documentation required by relevant authorities and obtain environmental and social permissions for the project.
  • Conduct constant communications with state and public authorities to ensure their coordination on the Project.
  • Participate in AIIB preparation missions, if necessary, and submit special and technical progress reports from time to time to the AIIB, if requested.

4. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in environmental sciences, environmental engineering, environmental management, social sciences or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 10 years of demonstrated experience in preparing/reviewing ES instruments and E&S management for infrastructure projects.
• Experience in the environmental and social assessment and management with AIIB or other multilateral development banks (MDBs) is required.
• Familiarity with relevant local environmental and social regulations, standards, and AIIB's environmental and social framework.
• Excellent communication and report writing skills. Proficiency in Uzbek, Russian, and English
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively in a time-sensitive environment

5. OTHER TERMS

• Duration of Assignment: Full-time for the duration of the Project with a probation period of 3 months.
• Reporting: The Environmental and Social Specialist will report to the Project Office Coordinator and provide updates to MoPSE and AIIB.
• Type of contract: time-based contract.
• Work Location: The Consultant will be based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and will work from the Project Office (PO) office located at the Ministry of Preschool and School Education (MPSSE). The assignment may require occasional travel to project sites within Uzbekistan, for which travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with project policies.
• Working Hours: The Consultant is expected to work full-time, adhering to the standard working hours of the MPSSE and PO. Flexibility in working hours may be required to meet tight deadlines and ensure smooth project implementation.
• Compliance: Adherence to the Grant Agreement, AIIB E&S Policy and Standards, and national environmental and social regulations.

6. SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CLIENT

The PO will be responsible for the provision of the following:

• Fully equipped office space, with access to the Internet, local telephone line, printing, photocopying, and document binding.
• Access to necessary documents; and
• Where the Environmental and Social Specialist is required to travel, to site or elsewhere in accordance with the PO instruction, all travel costs.