The Environmental Safeguards function is responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and monitoring environmental risks and impacts associated with GREAT-TDP activities, ensuring compliance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework and applicable Zambian environmental requirements.
Key functions
- Identifies, assesses and coordinates the management of environmental risks and impacts associated with project activities and subprojects.
- Conducts environmental and social screening of subprojects at the earliest opportunity and determines the appropriate environmental assessment and management requirements in accordance with the ESMF and applicable regulations.
- Coordinates and oversees the preparation, review and implementation of environmental safeguards instruments, including ESIAs, ESMPs, EPBs, Biodiversity Management Plans, Cultural Heritage Management Plans and Emergency Response Plans.
- Ensures compliance with the ESCP, ESMF, World Bank Environmental and Social Standards, Zambian environmental legislation, ZEMA requirements, applicable Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines (EHSGs) and Good International Industry Practice (GIIP), including facilitating required clearances and approvals.
- Reviews contractor and implementing entity environmental management plans, including C-ESMPs and HSMPs, and ensures that approved mitigation measures are effectively implemented throughout pre-construction, construction, operation and decommissioning.
- Undertakes regular environmental compliance monitoring, tracks environmental performance and maintains subproject environmental monitoring and tracking systems to identify issues and facilitate timely corrective action.
- Provides technical guidance to integrate climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability and no-net-loss biodiversity principles into project planning, design and implementation.
- Prepares periodic environmental safeguards reports in accordance with project requirements and serves as the focal point for environmental accidents and incidents, including coordinating or overseeing investigations and corrective actions.
- Supports destination planning and SESA processes, coordinates consultations and environmental-related meetings with stakeholders and implementing partners, and facilitates timely responses to environmental concerns and enquiries.
- Provides technical support, awareness and capacity building to PIU staff, supervising engineers, contractors, implementing partners and other stakeholders on environmental safeguards requirements, including the ESF, ESMF, ESCP, OHS requirements and applicable national regulations.