Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Manager

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Job Description

Project Overview

Millennium Challenge Account-Zambia II (MCA-Z II), with funding from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), is procuring consulting services for selected sections of the T5 road and the R185a/D274 loop road in Zambia. The assignment covers feasibility study, outline design, environmental and social impact assessment and management planning, works procurement support, review of Design-Build contractor documents, and optional construction monitoring and post-construction services under the FIDIC Yellow Book. The Base Period comprises Phases I and II, with Phases III and IV included as options; Phases V and VI cover optional construction monitoring and the defects notification period.

Project Overview

The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Manager will lead the environmental and social workstream and coordinate preparation of the E&S Scoping Report, ESIA, project-specific ESMPs, associated management plans, stakeholder-engagement inputs, permitting support, and environmental and social requirements for the works bidding documents. The position will work within an integrated multidisciplinary team and coordinate closely with engineering, social analysis, resettlement, health and safety, and specialist baseline teams.

*Professional engagement is contingent on project award and client approval.

Responsibilities

• Lead E&S scoping, development of the ESIA terms of reference, baseline-study planning, impact and risk assessment, mitigation planning, and preparation of the ESIA/ESIS and project-specific ESMPs.

• Confirm compliance with Zambian environmental requirements, MCC Environmental Guidelines, applicable IFC Performance Standards, World Bank Group EHS Guidelines, and MCC Counter-Trafficking in Persons requirements.

• Manage environmental and social specialists and integrate biodiversity, natural resources, water, noise, air quality, cultural heritage, labor, community health and safety, stakeholder engagement, and social-analysis inputs.

• Coordinate development and refinement of the Initial, Preliminary, and Outline Design Corridors of Impact with engineering and resettlement teams.

• Lead coordination with ZEMA, MCA-Z II, MCC environmental and social performance teams, the Resettlement Consultant, and other project consultants.

• Oversee public consultation and stakeholder-engagement planning and confirm that findings inform design, mitigation, ESMPs, and Employer’s Requirements.

• Lead preparation of framework health and safety action plans, emergency preparedness and response plans, grievance-mechanism provisions, labor-management requirements, and other required subplans in coordination with relevant specialists.

• Coordinate Client and ZEMA review comments, presentations, field-verification visits, and finalization of approval-ready environmental and social documentation.

• Support review of contractor C-ESMPs and related documents during Phase IV and confirm alignment with the approved ESIA, permits, and Employer’s Requirements.

Skills & Abilities

• Leadership of complex ESIA and ESMP assignments for major infrastructure.

• Strong knowledge of IFC Performance Standards and internationally financed project requirements.

• Environmental and social risk assessment, mitigation hierarchy, management planning, and permitting.

• Management of multidisciplinary baseline teams and integration with engineering design.

• Stakeholder engagement, regulatory coordination, technical writing, and presentation skills.

• Strong English-language writing, quality-control, and team leadership capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, social science, or another relevant discipline.

• 10 years of post-qualification experience.

• 10 years of participation in ESIA and ESMP preparation for infrastructure-development projects in sub-Saharan Africa in compliance with IFC or similar international performance standards.

• Experience as an E&S Team Leader working within an integrated multidisciplinary team on ESIA and ESMP preparation for two infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa funded by MCC or a similar international organization.

• Fluency in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience preparing road-sector ESIAs and project-specific ESMPs in Zambia or broader Southern African Development Community (SADC), including coordination with ZEMA.

• Experience integrating IFC PS1-PS6 and PS8 requirements, social analysis, resettlement coordination, health and safety, TIP-risk management, and stakeholder engagement.

• Experience translating ESIA/ESMP commitments into enforceable Employer’s Requirements for Design-Build contracts.

Amount of Travel Required

20% - 40%
Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.
Additional Pay Range Information

CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate’s salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.
Additional Compensation

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.
Visa Sponsorship Available

No - We are not open to sponsoring for this position
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