HSTP 15 - Recruitment of Social safeguards Support officer (Contract duration of 36 months)

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)

Country: Republic of South Sudan

Project Name: Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP)

Loan/Credit/Grant No.: E287-SS

Assignment Title: Social Safeguards Support Officer

Reference No: SS-MOH-480419-CS-INDV

Place of assignment: Juba, South Sudan

• Background

The Government of the Republic of South Sudan (GRSS) has received a grant from the World Bank towards the implementation of the proposed South Sudan Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP). The HSTP aims to strengthen MoH capacity in management of health services and will contribute to the sustainability of the program. The project is to (i) provides a basic package of health and nutrition services based on the principle of continuum of care throughout the lifecycle (childhood, adolescence/adulthood, pregnancy, childbirth, postnatal period), and among the models of service delivery (including clinical care settings, outreach, and household and communities); and (ii) supports the primary care facilities nationwide with the basic inputs for maintaining their operational capacity.

The project will be implemented under a Project Management Unit (PMU) where technical assistance under the project management component is needed to support aspects such as third-party monitoring, M&E, implementation of Environmental and Social Standards, fiduciary capacity building, etc. The Project environmental rating is very high with substantial potential Environment, Health and Safety (EHS; ESS4) risks as well as Occupational and Community Health and Safety risks associated with all 4 project components. Therefore, the project will be implemented in line with project ESCP and ESMF and in full compliance with the World Bank’s relevant Environmental and Social standards and government’s legals and environmental policies and guidelines.

The Ministry intends to apply part of the proceeds of the grants towards procurement of Social Safeguards Support Officer to support Social Safeguards Officer in overseeing implementation of the project social safeguards and ensure the project is being implemented in full compliance with national, WBG’s ESSs and UN ESFs.

• Scope of services

• Participate in the consultations with relevant government stakeholders, i.e, Ministry of Gender, Child and Social welfare at national and the relevant state ministries; the Management Organizations and TPM, UN partners, civil society organizations, and project beneficiaries to streamline project coordination mechanisms and to ensure project implementation are in full compliance with Project ESF.

• Participate in preparing, consult upon, disclose, adopt and in the implementation of (a) Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) (including, as annexes) (b) Resettlement Framework (RF); and (c) Security Risk Assessment and Management Plan (SRAMP).

• Participate in the preparation, consult upon, disclose, adopt and implementation of site specific Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and corresponding Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) for health facility rehabilitation subprojects as set out in the ESMF; and ensure that contractors will prepare C-ESMPs in line with the ESMF and site specific ESIAs/ESMPs before commencement of any rehabilitation/construction activities.

• Participate in the preparation and support in the conducting of social assessment and development of its social development plan.

• Follow up with project procurement specialist to ensure incorporation of the relevant aspects of the ESCP, including the relevant E&S instruments; (ESIA, ESMP, LMP, MWMP and e-waste) and code of conduct into the ESHS specifications of the procurement bidding documents and contracts with MOs, contractors and supervising firms.

• Participate in the monitoring of the project implementation, focusing on performance on E&S safeguards instruments to ensure that the MOs and supervising firms comply and cause subcontractors to comply with the ESHS specifications of their respective contracts.

• Assist to promptly notify the Association no later than 5 day of any incident which has, or is likely to have, a significant adverse effect on the environment, the affected communities, the public or workers including, cases of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment (SH), or accident that has or likely to result in death, serious or multiple injury. The E&S Officer should simultaneously take an immediate remedial actions to response to the incident / accident and mitigate further damages while notifying the Association.

• Assist to notify the Association no later than 7 days of any referral submitted to the Dispute Avoidance and Adjudication Board (DAAB) to initiate a process of compliance review in relation to a contractor’s obligations to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), and/or sexual harassment (SH)

• Participate with management organizations in the designing of a detailed environment and social safeguards training plans as specified in the Project ESCP and ESMF’ capacity development plan.

• Assist in the implementation of the community engagement activities with responsive feedback loop. Ensure that women and girls can access community-wide activities and/or that specific activities developed to promote women’s economic and social empowerment.

• Use of project-level monitoring tools to track progress and inform unit reporting throughout the year.

• Carry out such tasks as may be requested by the Social Safeguards Officer or his/her designate.

Government officials or civil servants will not be considered unless: (i) they are on leave of absence without pay or have resigned or retired six (6) months prior to the date of the advert; (ii) their employment will not create conflict of interest.

• Duration:

The Social Safeguards Support Officer will be contracted for an initial period of twelve (12) months. This period is subject to extension based on satisfactory performance, availability of project funding and project needs. The position shall be based in Juba, South Sudan.

• Qualifications and Work Experience

The individual consultant will be selected in accordance with the Open National Selection of Individual Consultants method set out in the Procurement Regulations. The consultant will be selected based on the following criteria.

A. Educational Qualifications

• A bachelor degree in social studies, public health, anthropology, sociology, or any related field.

B. Professional Experience

• At least a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience working in the area of E&S Safeguards in either the public sector and/or projects financed by development partners and at least three (3) years of direct experience in similar or related position.

• Experience in providing high-level strategic and practical advice and technical support to donors, multilateral and community organizations, and policymakers on what works to prevent violence.

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in methods of community screening, data collecting and analyzing related to E&S safeguards.

• Sound English language capability (written and spoken) and report writing skills.

• Excellent computer skills and demonstrated knowledge and skills in using Microsoft Words Processor.

Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted for interviews.

• The Ministry of Health now invites eligible consultant to express their interest in providing above mentioned services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services and furnish their Curriculum Vitae (CV) and copies of their academic qualifications. Terms of reference (TOR) for this assignment can be obtain in person or by email at the address given below.

• The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated September 2023 Fifth Edition (Procurement in investment Project Financing; Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

• Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address given below from 9:00 to 16:00 Hrs. on working days (Monday through to Friday).

• Deadline for submission: The Expression of interest (EOI) and the CV completed in the prescribed form must be delivered to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by Monday, June 2, 2025, 17:00 Hrs. South Sudan time.

• Further details of this scope of the assignment are provided in the terms of reference (TOR), which may be obtained upon request in person or by email address to: [email protected] Copy: [email protected]

The packages must be clearly marked as “Application for Social Safeguards Support Officer” and submitted to the address below:

Adress:

The Project Manager

Ministry of Health

Ministerial Complex

POBOX 88

Juba, Republic of South Sudan

Email: [email protected] Copy: [email protected]