Environmental Safeguards Specialist

NATIONAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE COMMITTEEIntegrated Social Protection for Resilience and Opportunity (INSPIRE-O)Credit /Grant No: P512324Date of Issue: 6th November 2026EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR POSITIONS UNDER THE INTEGRATED SOCIAL PROTECTION FOR RESILIENCE AND OPPORTUNITY (INSPIRE-O)The Government of Malawi (GoM) through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NGFC) has received financing from the World Bank Group and the Malawi Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund supported by the European Union, Ireland, the United Kingdom through FCDO, Germany through KIW, Iceland, and Norway towards the cost of Integrated Social Protection for Resilience and Opportunity (INSPIRE-O). The NGFC intends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under the contract to recruit various specialists and/officers on a three – year contract, renewable annually based on performance and availability of financial resources or as mutually agreed by both parties.NGFC, therefore, invites applications from suitably qualified and interested candidates to fill various positions available at the NGFC Offices:Environmental Safeguards Specialist (1 position)Position OverviewThe Environmental Safeguards Specialist is a senior technical expert within the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC). The primary role is to lead in the identification, assessment, and management of environmental risks and impacts for the INSPIRE-O projects. The Specialist will be responsible for ensuring that all project activities are planned and implemented in an environmentally responsible manner, in full compliance with Government of Malawi regulatory framework, the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), and the project’s Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP). This includes promoting positive environmental outcomes, managing risks related to pollution, biodiversity, and resource efficiency, and ensuring the effective implementation of environmental management instruments.Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe Environmental Safeguards Specialist’s role encompasses the following key result areas, with core responsibilities including but not limited to:Environmental Risk Assessment & ManagementLead the identification, assessment, and monitoring of environmental risks and impacts associated with all project activities, ensuring compliance with the World Bank ESF (particularly ESS1, ESS3, ESS4, ESS6), Government of Malawi regulations, and the project’s ESCP.Oversee the preparation and implementation of site-specific environmental safeguards instruments, including Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Contractor’s Environmental and Social Management Plans (CESMPs), and other relevant plans.Ensure that all environmental safeguards instruments are developed in a participatory manner, costed, and integrated into project design, procurement documents, and contracts.Provide technical oversight to local authorities in conducting environmental screening and in the preparation of relevant environmental safeguards documentation.Ensure the effective implementation of the Pest Management Plan (PMP) where applicable and promote sustainable land and water resource management practices.Support the environmental screening and monitoring of microenterprise activities financed through cash grants, tools and equipment, including application of project eligibility requirements and exclusion criteria and management of waste, pollution, hazardous materials, resource-use and community health and safety risks.Compliance Monitoring & SupervisionDevelop and implement a robust internal administrative tracking system for the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) to monitor the progress of project activities in meeting environmental safeguard requirements.Conduct regular site visits and spot checks to monitor contractors’ compliance with site-specific CESMPs, Labor Management Procedures (LMPs), Codes of Conduct, and other environmental requirements.Review CESMPs and provide feedback to local authorities and contractors.Prepare non-compliance reports and track the implementation of corrective and remedial actions to ensure closure.Promptly identify, document and internally escalate environmental incidents and accidents in accordance with the ESCP timelines, and support appropriate investigation, preparation of corrective action plans and follow-up to verified closure, in coordination with the Social and OHS Specialists.Coordinate the preparation of periodic Environmental Compliance Monitoring Reports and ensure their timely submission.Capacity Building & SupportDesign and deliver, or arrange for the delivery of, an environmental safeguards capacity building program for NLGFC, local authorities’ staff, contractors, and other relevant stakeholders.Provide technical support and on-the-job coaching to local authoritie