Environmental and Social Safeguards Officer

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Job Description

Solomon Islands Electricity Authority (SIEA) trading as Solomon Power is a state-owned enterprise established under the Electricity Act 1969 and governed by the State-Owned Enterprises Act 2007 and the associated regulations. Solomon Power owns, maintains, and operates the country’s national electricity grid. Solomon Power generates, transmits, distributes and sells electricity in the Solomon Islands.

The Tina River Hydropower Development Project (TRHDP) aims to enhance energy security and access through the development of a 15 megawatt hydropower facility. The TRHDP comprises of four (4) components; Component 1 – Hydropower Facility; Component 2 – Access Roads; Component 3 – Transmission Lines & Component 4 – Technical Assistance. The Environmental and Social Safeguards Officer will oversee compliance with environmental and social safeguards for Component 3, rural electrification initiative under Community Benefit Sharing Project – a program under Component 4 and provide timely support with Planning team. The position role primarily reports to Project Managers Special Projects and Project Management Unit (PMU) for Component 3 and where necessary to the Manager Planning to ensure that all planning and project activities comply with applicable environmental and social safeguards policies, standards, and legal requirements, minimizing negative impacts on communities and the environment while maximizing project benefits and outputs.

Outcomes

Organisational Stakeholders
1. Environmental Safeguards
Monitor and ensure compliance with environmental social management plan (ESMP) and construction environmental social management plans (CESMPs), and relevant national and international environmental standards. Conduct regular field inspections and audits of project sites to ensure adherence to environmental guidelines. Manage environmental monitoring programs, including data collection, analysis, and reporting. Identify potential environmental risks and propose mitigation measures during construction.
2. Social Safeguards
Oversee the implementation of social impact assessments and the abbreviated resettlement action plans (ARAP) and gender action plan (GAP) in accordance with project guidelines. Ensure that all stakeholders, especially affected communities, are adequately informed and consulted throughout the projects’ cycle. Monitor the implementation of grievance redress mechanisms and ensure timely resolution of complaints. Facilitate capacity-building initiatives for local communities to enhance their understanding of the project’s social safeguards.
3. Reporting and Documentation
Prepare and submit periodic environmental and social safeguards reports to the direct reports as necessarily required and relevant stakeholders. Maintain accurate records of all safeguards activities, including monitoring data, consultations, and grievances. Contribute to project reports, ensuring that environmental and social safeguards aspects are adequately covered.
4. Stakeholder Engagement
Liaise with government agencies, local authorities, community leaders, and key project stakeholders to ensure smooth project implementation. Organize and participate in community consultations, awareness campaigns, and training sessions where necessary. Foster positive relationships with communities to support the successful implementation of project activities.
5. Capacity Building
Lead and support training to project staff, contractors, and community members on environmental and social safeguards policies and best practices as and when required prior and during implementation. Promote knowledge sharing and capacity building within the PMU and among stakeholders as and where necessary.
6. A healthy, safe and OHS compliant Solomon Power
Promoting a culture of safety; and security and environmental awareness Taking reasonable care of own health and safety and for the safety of other people, including people working under incumbents’ supervision or direction who may be affected by his or her acts or omissions at the workplace is ensured Compliance with lawful direction given by Solomon Power with respect to health and safety matters under current Safety acts and regulations
7. Environmental protection is prioritized at all times
Ensure adherence to the requirements of the environmental systems Ensure compliance with specific environmental management procedures applicable to their work Complied with any direction given by any person employed by Solomon Power fulfilling the requirements of the environmental systems Accepted the authority to report, enhance and assist in the management and function of the environmental systems
8. Solomon Power’s organizational values and standards promoted and upheld at all times
Alignment of organization values and strategic direction supported and appropriately assisted Organizational values and good corporate governance practices are upheld and complied with at all times Deliverables are complied with the prevailing laws and organisational policies and procedures. Environment aligning deliverable to organisational values and strategic direction supported. Organisational values and good corporate and governance practices are complied with whilst delivering outcomes. Company policies and procedures including safety rules adhered to at all times. Teamwork and good working relationships with managers and work colleagues are ensured.

Responsibilities - Critical Competencies

Competence	Description
Business
Risk Management	Analyse and manage risk.
Systems and Procedures	Develop and/or apply procedures to assist the organisation achieve its goals.
Documentation	Communicate using formal business writing.
Communication	Exchange information through verbal communication
Professional
Compliance	Comply with relevant laws and the policies and procedures of the organisation.

Qualifications

Qualification	Discipline	Notes
Preferred
Degree	Environmental Science, Natural Science, Social Science

Work Knowledge and Experience

1. At least 5 years of experience in environmental and social safeguards, preferably in the energy or infrastructure sectors.
2. Knowledge and experience of international environmental and social safeguards standards, such as those of the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) or other development agencies.
3. Experience in stakeholder engagement and community consultation.
4. Strong analytical, communication, and report-writing skills.
5. Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
6. Familiarity with the local context and language(s) is an advantage.

Requirements

Language Proficiency
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
Regulatory Compliance Requirements
Police Clearance
Medical Clearance

Interactions

Interaction	Comments
Internal
Manager Planning
Special Project Team
General Manager Special Project
Other SP staff members as and when required
External
External service providers and advisors
Donor Agencies
Customers
Consultants and Contractors

Attributes

Attribute	Definition
Behavioural Styles
Accountable	Assumes full responsibility for own actions and identifies with the success or failure of own part of the overall work/goal.
Detail oriented	Attends to the small elements of a task/activity, ensuring completeness and accuracy.
Energetic	Constantly active and driven to put in effort. Works hard to promote an enterprise.
Integrity	Adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
Punctuality	Completes a required task or fulfils an obligation before or at a previously designated time
Reliable	Is able to be trusted to do what is expected or has been promised, puts in a great amount of effort believing in the value of work.
Interpersonal Styles
Forthright	Speaks out frankly without hesitation, showing a direct manner.
Objective	Impartial and honest in dealings with others, eliminating own feelings and view to reach a balanced judgement.
Perceptive	Shows keen insight and understanding of issues or situations.
Realistic	Shows concern for facts and reality, rejecting the impractical.
Team Oriented	Enjoys being with others as part of a group or team.
Thinking Styles
Analytic	Able to separate things into their constituent elements in order to study or examine them, draw conclusions, or solve problems.
Challenger	Queries, tests information/beliefs and provokes thought.
Concrete thinker	Focuses on the tangible experiences of actual things or events.
Decisive	Reaches conclusions, promptly and firmly.
Disciplined/Systematic	Is controlled in conduct, shows an orderly pattern of behaviour, following a methodical and thorough approach.
Numerate	Shows abilities in quantitative thought and expression.
Reflective	Takes a thoughtful and deliberative approach.
Well organised	Controls tasks in a well thought out and critical manner.