Social Development and Gender Specialist; Tajikistan Millati Solim Project

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

THE REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL PROTECTION OF POPULATION

TAJIKISTAN MILLATI SOLIM PROJECT (P178831)

Selection of Social Development and Gender Specialist

Tajikistan Millati Solim Project is an investment project in the total amount of US$57.25 million, co-financed by the International Development Association (IDA) (US$40 million grant), the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF) (GFF country program grant of US$ 2.5 million and GFF Essential Health Services (EHS) grant of US$ 10 million), and the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Program (HEPR TF; US$4.75 million grant).

The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to improve the quality and efficiency of primary healthcare services (PHC) in selected districts and strengthen the national capacity to respond to public health emergencies. Project beneficiaries are Tajikistan citizens and residents who use PHC services and who benefit from the country’s health emergency response system. The beneficiaries include people of all ages, including those with or at risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), young children, pregnant women, adolescents, elderly people, and victims of gender-based violence (GBV). Project beneficiaries also include medical and non-medical staff of healthcare facilities, who will receive training and benefit from improved working conditions through the Project. Government officials and academia will benefit from the training and technical assistance.

The project consists of five main components:

i. Component 1: Quality Improvements of Primary Care through Primary Healthcare Strengthening

ii. Component 2: Efficiency enhancing reforms in the PHC network.

iii. Component 3: Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HEPR).

iv. Component 4: Project Management, Coordination, and Results Monitoring.

v. Component 5: Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC).

Objective of the Assignment: The Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan seeks to hire a qualified Social Development and Gender Specialist for the Project’s Technical Support Group (TSG) to ensure successful Project implementation based on the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) and in full compliance with the World Bank's Environmental and Social Management Framework and the existing legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Obligations and Responsibilities:

During the implementation of the assignment, the Social Development and Gender Specialist shall be guided by the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) requirements as well as the current legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan and shall ensure the effective implementation of the commitments outlined in the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) and Gender Action Plan. The Social Development and Gender Specialist will implement activities related to social risk management and gender commitments within the Project framework. The Social Development and Gender Specialist, in close coordination with the TSG’s Environmental Specialist, as necessary, shall undertake the following tasks:

In cooperation with the Environmental Specialist, prepare the Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP) for all selected district health centers (DHC), city health centers (CHC), and rural health centers (RHC) to carry out construction and rehabilitation works. ESMPs should be generated in Tajik and Russian to ensure full understanding by stakeholders.
Ensure public awareness of, maintain, and use a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) to resolve Project-related issues and complaints.
Coordinate the GRM implementation with relevant stakeholders at all levels (MoHSPP, State Health and Social Protection Supervision Service, regional health departments, and district/city health centers), maintain a grievance database, and report on GRM activities.
Organize and conduct training for the Project staff, including workers, medical staff, and other stakeholders on the following issues:
Social assessment.
Occupational health and safety.
Implementation of the provisions of the Labor Management Procedures and management of labor relations-related complaints.
Labor regulation procedures.
Monitoring compliance with the ESMP provisions and other social standards.
Develop, implement, monitor, and report progress (including developing case studies in collaboration with the World Bank) on the gender action plan for the project.
Prepare and implement an Action Plan on Fighting Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH).
Ensure that the Project’s gender aspects are mainstreamed.
Provide information to World Bank staff on project-related social issues during Project implementation support visits and upon request;
Prepare ARAPs/RAPs (Abbreviated/Resettlement Action Plans) for project-affected people in Russian with English languages.
Submit semi-annual/annual reports to the Project Coordinator and the World Bank task team on the progress of work and adequacy of measures taken to monitor compliance with the established social parameters during the implementation of the Project, identify deficiencies, and propose corrective measures.
Ensure that all developed materials in soft and hard copies are shared with the Project Coordination Group and the Project Coordinator upon implementation of activities; prepare a full list of deliverables under the social development/gender area of work and ensure official handover of the deliverables to the relevant units, at Project completion.

Qualification requirements:

University Degree in a social science discipline (anthropology, sociology, political economy, social development, gender studies, cadaster, or other related field).
At least 3 years’ experience of social development monitoring, including gender, in development projects.
Understanding of World Bank social and environmental standards and social development approaches, knowledge of relevant regulations and procedures of the Republic of Tajikistan.
Experience with Tajikistan's social institutions and awareness of their activities, especially in terms of citizen engagement, social protection, social inclusion, and gender issues, as well as their decision-making role at central, provincial, district, and local levels.
Good knowledge of Tajik and Russian, including report writing skills; knowledge of English will be an advantage.
Strong client orientation and solid computer skills (MS Office).

The Specialist will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (July 2016, revised September 2023) (Procurement Regulations).

Interested Specialist may obtain further information at the address below during office hours 09:00 to 17:00 (local time).

CVs with a cover letter with an indication of the position should be delivered to the address below by 17:00 (local time) January 26, 2024.

Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Republic of Tajikistan

Project Coordination Group for Tajikistan Millati Solim Project

Mr. Muhsinzoda Ghafur Muhsin, First Deputy Minister / Deputy Project Director

69 Shevchenko Street, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Tel: +992 550 45 45 55

Email: info@hsip.tj