GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA

HOUSING RECOVERY PROJECT

Terms of Reference

Social Safeguards Specialist

Introduction 

An urgent and critical issue confronting Dominica is the recovery of its housing sector in the wake of Hurricane Maria which struck the island in September 2017. The hurricane devastated the country’s infrastructure, communities and households, along with the main productive sectors – agriculture and tourism. Prior to Hurricane Maria, it was already established that the country’s development was challenged by the vulnerability of its population and economy to natural disasters, which can impose large costs on the country’s fragile economy. The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica has embarked upon a broad range of housing recovery strategies aimed at increasing structural resilience in the housing sector and the built environment, thus reducing the vulnerability of citizens and the economy to natural disasters. 

Project Background 

The Commonwealth of Dominica has secured financing from the International Development Association (IDA) credit and a Crisis Response Window Grant for the Home Recovery Project (HRP). The HRP is one of the projects in the GoCD’s National Housing Repair and Reconstruction Programme portfolio. The HRP will contribute both to the recovery of housing for disaster-affected households and to improving the application of resilient building practices in the housing sector. The Project will finance support for housing recovery systems and capacity building, support for the reconstruction of houses, and project management and coordination. The project has a significant construction works component and other activities related to institutional strengthening and capacity building. It has been formulated in keeping with the GoCD’s National Housing Repair and Reconstruction Programme (NHRRP). The HRP is prepared as part of an overall development partner initiative to support medium- and long-term recovery in Dominica, and is part of a broader World Bank recovery portfolio comprised of two other operations: (i) an Emergency Agricultural Livelihoods and Climate Resilience Project; and (ii) an Additional Financing to the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project.  

A stand-alone Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will be established under the Ministry of Housing, Land and Water Resource Management (MoH) to be responsible for the timely implementation and execution of  the HRP program. The PIU will report directly to the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the MoH, and will liaise constantly with the technical divisions of the MoH and the Ministry of Planning (MoP) as well as the Housing Task Force (HTF), responsible for overseeing sector recovery. In the implementation of the Program, the Communications, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and the PIU staff will have support from a team of international experts, who will form an Implementation Support Team (IST), housed in the Ministry of Finance. This IST will have expertise in areas of World Bank procurement, social/environmental safeguards and financial management, and will serve as a shared resource across all World Bank financed Projects in Dominica.  

An essential component of the Project is the establishment of up to seven (7) Technical Assistance Centers (TACs) throughout the country to serve as satellite offices of the Physical Planning Division of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoP). These TACs will be the primary interface between the public/eligible beneficiaries/contractors and the implementing agencies. The PIU will oversee the operations at the TACs while the TACs support the PIU in the collection of the demographic information required for administering eligibility under the project, for undertaking technical assessments and carrying out development control functions. These Terms of Reference have been prepared to assist in the engagement of a Social Safeguards Specialist for the PIU. He/She will be responsible for all aspects of strategic coordination with the IST Environmental and Social Management Specialist on all social safeguards aspects of the project. 

Objectives

Some individual sub-project activities proposed under the HRP will lead to social impacts, particularly those with a focus on small civil works to be executed throughout the island, including in the Carib Territory, where the majority of the Island’s Carib/Kalinago population resides. The purpose of this consultancy is to provide social support to the PIU during project implementation to ensure compliance with the Bank’s Social Safeguard Policies and the laws of Dominica.The consultancy is also to ensure that other social impacts are identified and mitigated as necessary.

Responsibilities

During the preparation of sub-projects, proposed sub-project activities must be screened, scoped, and assessed for impacts on assets/access to assets, as well as whether the activity/sub-project will implicate the country’s Carib/Kalinago population. Once impacts are identified and determined the social specialist will be responsible for the implementation and documentation of mitigation measures as per the RPF and IPP.

The consultant is expected to implement, and report upon, the activities described in the IPP and RPF. Specifically, the consultant will:

• Assist the Environmental and Social Management Specialist of the IST in the preparation of technical and operations safeguard plans for approval and implementation;
• Assist the Environmental and Social Management Specialist of the IST and the PIU Project Manager in preparation of reports (monthly, quarterly, annual) on safeguards risks with appropriate actions for project implementers and stakeholders;
• In consultation with the Environmental and Social Management Specialist is the IST, execute a knowledge gap assessment and build capacity of implementers to close identified gaps and minimize livelihood risks;
• Screen and scope (examine and evaluate) all activities proposed by individual subprojects to evaluate and assess the potential social risks or impacts and to determine which mitigation measures are needed;
• Screen and scope proposed projects for the presence of indigenous peoplesin accordance with the World Bank’s Operational Procedures (OP 4.10);
• Implement and report upon the Indigenous Peoples Plan in full consultation with the Carib Council and Ministry of Carib Affairs;
• Implement and report on the Project Grievance Redress Mechanism, as outlined in the Project Operations Manual
• Conduct consultations with the relevant project beneficiaries on a regular basis to ensure that issues are addressed in a timely manner and that project beneficiaries are kept abreast of development;
• Conduct field supervision, monitoring and inspection of individual sub-projects to ensure compliance with the mitigation measures required, to ensure compliance with World Bank policies, and to insure compliance with the laws of Dominica.
• Report on project activities and social issues/concerns as they arise to serve as documentation of compliance and to support periodic reporting to the PIU.

Minimum Required Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in social sciences (geography, anthropology, sociology, economics, law) or related discipline. A Master’s Degree would be an asset.
• Demonstrated experience of a minimum of 5 years in the field of social development, project planning and project implementation.
• Qualitative research skills and experience in community consultation would be an asset.
• Knowledge of World Bank Social Safeguards policies would be an asset.
• Work experience in the Caribbean would be an asset, specifically in Dominica.

Required Skills:

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organization and time management skills;
• Ability to work in teams within a collaborative mode;
• Integrity and confidentiality;
• Advanced computer (PC) skills, especially in Microsoft Office or related software;
• Strong Analytical and Report Writing Skills;
• Fluency in English Language with excellent written and oral communication and listening skills.

Reporting Arrangements

The Consultant will report directly to the Project Manager of the Housing Recovery Project/Project Implementation Unit, Ministry of Housing.

Terms of the Assignment/Contract Duration

The Consultancy is expected to be awarded for a period of duration of one year, and will be renewed subject to satisfactory performance reviews. The assignment is expected to commence in July 2018 and is to be renewable annually as the HRP project continues through its project cycle. The Consultant shall be engaged on full time basis, eight hours a day, and five days a week. A six (6) month probation period will be included.

Expression of Interest

Interested applicants whose qualifications and experience are in line with the Terms of Reference are invited to submit their CV and a letter of motivation / application stating suitability for the position on or before Friday 15^th June 2018 to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and 3 professional references.

Fred Esprit

National Housing Coordinator,

Ministry of Housing, Lands and Water Resource Management

GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA

HOUSING RECOVERY PROJECT

Terms of Reference

Communications, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Introduction 

An urgent and critical issue confronting Dominica is the recovery of its housing sector in the wake of Hurricane Maria which struck the island in September 2017. The hurricane devastated the country’s infrastructure, communities and households, along with the main productive sectors – agriculture and tourism. Prior to Hurricane Maria, it was already established that the country’s development was challenged by the vulnerability of its population and economy to natural disasters, which can impose large costs on the country’s fragile economy. The Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica has embarked upon a broad range of housing recovery strategies aimed at increasing structural resilience in the housing sector and the built environment, thus reducing the vulnerability of citizens and the economy to natural disasters. 

Project Background 

The Commonwealth of Dominica has secured financing from the International Development Association (IDA) credit and a Crisis Response Window Grant for the Housing Recovery Project (HRP). The HRP is one of the projects in the GoCD’s National Home Repair and Reconstruction Programme portfolio. The HRP will contribute both to the recovery of housing for disaster-affected households and to improving the application of resilient building practices in the housing sector. The Project will finance support for housing recovery systems and capacity building, support for the reconstruction of houses, and project management and coordination. The project has a significant construction works component and other activities related to institutional strengthening and capacity building. It has been formulated in keeping with the GoCD’s National Housing Repair and Reconstruction Programme (NHRRP). The HRP is prepared as part of an overall development partner initiative to support medium- and long-term recovery in Dominica, and is part of a broader World Bank recovery portfolio comprised of two other operations: (i) an Emergency Agricultural Livelihoods and Climate Resilience Project; and (ii) an Additional Financing to the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project.  

A stand-alone Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will be established under the Ministry of Housing and Lands (MoH) to be responsible for the timely implementation and execution of  the HRP program. The PIU will report directly to the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the MoH, and will liaise constantly with the technical divisions of the MoH and the Ministry of Planning (MoP) as well as the Housing Task Force (HTF), responsible for overseeing sector recovery. In the implementation of the Program, the Communications, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist and the PIU staff will have support from a team of international experts, who will form an Implementation Support Team (IST), housed in the Ministry of Finance. This IST will have expertise in areas of World Bank procurement, social/environmental safeguards and financial management, and will serve as a shared resource across all World Bank financed Projects in Dominica.  

An essential component of the Project is the establishment of up to seven (7) Technical Assistance Centers (TACs) throughout the country to serve as satellite offices of the Physical Planning Division of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoP) and MoH. These TACs will be the primary interface between the public/eligible beneficiaries/contractors and the implementing agencies. The PIU will oversee the operations at the TACs while the TACs support the PIU in the collection of the demographic information required for administering eligibility under the project, for undertaking technical assessments and carrying out development control functions. These Terms of Reference have been prepared to assist in the engagement of a Communications, Monitoring and EvaluationSpecialist for the PIU. He/She will be responsible for all aspects of strategic communications for the project, and managing and overseeing the monitoring and evaluation frunction of the project at all levels. 

Objectives

The Communications, Monitoring and EvaluationSpecialist will design and carry out a communications strategy to ensure public awareness, understanding and buy-in of the Project activities and ensure dissemination of information to potential beneficiaries and affected households. The Specialist will serve as the direct supervisor of the communications strategy and its implementation, in close coordination with the Government and World Bank. Additionally, the Specialist will establish a results-based monitiroing approach, monitor data quality, track the progress of activities, contribute to staff capacity building initiatives, provide strategic information to the PIU Project Manager for evidence-based decision making, and coordinate with technical divisions of the MoH and MoP to implement specific project interventions.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop an information and communications strategy for the Housing Recovery Project informed by communication needs beneficiaries, Government, and the World Bank, and monitor its implementation;
• Hold consultations with various audiences and stakeholder analyses to ensure stakeholders participate in effective ways to inform the design and development of the communications strategy;
• Conduct public opinion research and assessment of public attitudes and key stakeholders on issues related housing recovery and reconstruction in general, and the Project in particular;
• Supervise the implementation of communications campaigns during Project implementation, tailored to different audiences, and ensure campaigns reach hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations. Campaigns should include various media delivery mechanisms, including radio, print, megaphone delivery, television, social media, billboards, to ensure broad reach;
• Continuously assess beneficiary perception of the HRP’s implementation and activities, including but not limited to, customer service evaluation of services provided at TACs and beneficiary satisfaction among housing recovery subsidy recipients;
• Continually assess the quality of the communication campaigns, ensuring lessons feed into subsequent media campaigns;
• Develop media highlights and materials documenting Project progress for dissemination locally and beyond;
• Work closely with local media including government information service, private media outlets; social media outlets;
• Advise key project stakeholders on trends, news developments, or changing/unexpected circumstances related to information and communications needs and determine appropriate strategic responses to address them;
• Serve as the principal point of contact for the communications related to the Project, including development of press releases, organization of press conferences and responding to media questions related to the Project;
• Participate in World Bank missions and other meetings to assess the implementation progress of the Project;
• Perform other tasks and orders required and confirmed for successful implementation of the Project.
• Develop and implement the project monitoring and evaluation plan to define standard operating systems and guidelines for M&E, reporting, and related services;
• Establish guidelines on project monitoring and evaluation for the different project components, sub-components and activities;
• Identify and define information requirements of components concerning planning, monitoring, and evaluation;
• Develop and monitor performance indicators in conjunction with PIU management, and the MoH and MoP technical teams and agree on reporting requirements;
• Assess training needs relevant to monitoring, evaluation, and management information systems;
• Coordinate and undertake field visits to monitor data collection approaches to ensure compliance with operational procedures;
• Provide strategic inputs/information and assist the Project Manager in preparing periodic (monthly, quarterly and annual) programmatic and management reports to the MoH, Housing Task Force, and the World Bank;

Minimum Required Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum years of relevant experience: Masters degree (Communications, Public Affairs, Journalism, Marketing, or other related field) and a minimum of 5 years' relevant experience, or a Bachelor's and 8 years of experience.
• Thorough knowledge of and practical experience in a full range of communications approaches, tools and methodologies essential to planning, executing, and monitoring communications strategies e.g., media operations, social marketing, opinion research, audience outreach, message targeting, and so on;
• In-depth knowledge of Dominica’s social, political and development issues with strong current knowledge of key constituencies, their operations, policies, practices and priorities;
• Ability to plan and successfully implement a comprehensive communications programme in support of defined objectives;
• Demonstrated political awareness and ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and to otherwise cultivate effective, productive client relationships/partnerships;

Required Skills:

• Proven planning and organisational skills:       strong conceptual and research/analytical skills, with the ability to think strategically and rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations;
• Exceptional ability to write and edit for a wide range of communication products as well as for the Internet, with experience conveying complex ideas in a clear, direct and lively, (non-academic) style;
• Effective interpersonal skills; proven experience in working both as a leader and a member of the team;
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentational skills. Spoken and written fluency required in English;
• Strong computer skills; ability to use common software packages, e.g., Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, as well as the Internet.

Reporting Arrangements

The Consultant will report directly to the Project Coordinator of the Housing Recovery Project/Project Implementation Unit, Ministry of Housing.

Terms of the Assignment/Contract Duration

The Consultancy is expected to be awarded for a period of duration of one year, and will be renewed subject to satisfactory performance reviews. The assignment is expected to commence in July 2018 and is to be renewable annually as the HRP project continues through its project cycle. The Consultant shall be engaged on full time basis, eight hours a day, and five days a week. A six (6) month probation period will be included.

Expression of Interest

Interested applicants whose qualifications and experience are in line with the Terms of Reference are invited to submit their CV and a letter of motivation / application stating suitability for the position on or before Friday 15^th June 2018 to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and 3 professional references.            

Fred Esprit

National Housing Coordinator,

Ministry of Housing, Lands and Water Resource Management

The Ministry of Public Works, Water Resource Management and Ports wishes to inform the general public that the low crossing at Macousherie has been compromised and vehicles traversing this route are hereby informed that the maximum weight restriction of the existing bridge crossing at Macousherie is 5 tons

THIS WEIGHT CATEGORY INCLUDES:

CARS

PICK-UP TRUCKS

SMALL BUSES

5 TON TRUCKS OR BELOW

The ministry further wishes to assure the motoring public that urgent action is being taken to undertake the necessary corrective measures for rapid reinstatement of the low concrete crossing. The patience and understanding of the general public in adhering to the stipulated maximum weight limit is solicited.

Any inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.

PLEASE BE GUIDED ACCORDING

Ministry of Public Works, Water Resource Management and Ports 

11^th EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT FUND

EU DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

VACANCY NOTICE

The overall objective of the Office of the National Authorising Officer (NAO) is to ensure the efficient and effective utilisation of European Union (EU) development assistance in support of the implementation of the Commonwealth of Dominica’s development strategies and policies.

A vacancy exists within the Office of the National Authorising Officer (NAO) for the European Development Fund, for the position of Programme Engineer. The successful candidate will be expected to perform his/her tasks in a dynamic and proactive manner, in accordance with European Commission (EC) procedures.

The Programme Engineer shall provide technical support to the NAO for the effective an efficient management of the infrastructure project portfolio. Specific assignments shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

ü  Feeder Road Rehabilitation

ü  B-Envelope for Rehabilitation post Hurricane Maria

ü  Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Programme

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

The Programme Engineer should have a profile as follows:

1. A first degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline
2. Post-graduate training and/or certification in a related field
3. Specialised training in project design, appraisal and management
4. Five years professional experience
5. At least three years’ experience in management, supervision or implementation of civil engineering projects

Duties and Responsibilities

ü  Review all existing designs, cost estimates and other relevant documents for supervision and works to ensure that the main objectives of the project have been considered;

ü  Conduct supervision and oversight for the various work programmes.

ü  Assist in the planning, co-ordination and administration of all aspects of programme management, public/private sector representatives, civil society and other relevant agencies for the purpose of project/programme monitoring and co-ordination;

ü  Enable tendering procedures as per Practical Guide for European Union External Actions through the appraisal, preparation and submission of project dossiers, and in the issuance, examination and award of service, supply and works contracts;

ü  Prepare and submit reports in addition to carrying out any other tasks requested by the NAO.

Applications should be sent under confidential cover, along with the names of three (3) references, to:

The National Authorising Officer

Office of the National Authorising Officer

3^rd Floor – Financial Centre

Kennedy Avenue

P.O. Box 1102

Roseau

Commonwealth of Dominica

Or Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 4:00pm, Friday 27^th April 2018.