Environment Expert

Terms of Reference (TOR) for Environmental Expert for Energy Transition Project (ETP)

in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI)

 

Position: Environment Expert	Consultant Source: National
Expertise Group: Social Sciences or related fields	TOR Keywords: Safeguards
Submission Deadline	June 2, 2025

 

Purpose of Assignment

1. The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) comprises over 1,000 islets, 29 low-lying atolls and five islands in the North Pacific, with an average elevation of about 2 meters above sea level. The country heavily relies on external aid, with around 40% of its gross domestic product coming from annual grants in 2021. The most significant of these is the Compact of Free Association with the United States that was renewed in March 2024 for the period 2024–2043. The Marshall Islands’ state-owned utility, Marshalls Energy Company (MEC), manages fuel imports, electricity generation, distribution, and retailing on Majuro, serving approximately 28,000 people (half of the nation’s population) and accounting for over 70% of the country’s electricity consumption. MEC also supplies fuel and electricity to some islands beyond Majuro.
2. The 2024 country program for RMI incorporates the Energy Transition Project (the Project), which is in line with the Pacific Approach 2021–2025 and ADB’s Energy Policy 2021. The project aims to enhance energy delivery in the RMI and provide support for long-term energy transition through infrastructure development, policy support, and capacity building. It meets the qualifying criteria for the Pacific Renewable Energy Investment Facility (PREIF) by supporting renewable energy, being a member of the 11 small Pacific Island countries (PIC-11), aligning with national energy master plans, and excluding environment category A projects. The design and implementation will follow best practices for small islands, including a phased approach for renewable energy integration and diversification.
3. The impact of the project is improved energy security for the Marshall Islands and movement toward RMI’s nationally determined contribution achieved. The project outcome is reliable electricity distribution and clean energy deployment in the RMI strengthened.

Objectives and Scope of Work:

4. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is committed to ensuring that its projects comply with the ADB Safeguards Policy Statement (SPS, 2009) and country safeguards systems (CSS). To achieve this, an Environment Expert (National) will be engaged during the project construction phase to:
5. Ensure compliance with ADB SPS and RMI CSS;
6. Minimize and mitigate adverse environmental impacts of the project; and

• Promote sustainable environmental practices during project construction.

 

5. The Environment Expert will be responsible for:
6. Ensuring that all project activities during the construction phase comply with ADB’s SPS and RMI CSS;
7. Assisting MEC in implementing and managing the environmental safeguards aspects of the project; and

• Preparing safeguards monitoring reports (SMR) to summarize environmental compliance and performance of the project.

Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Outputs

6. The Environment Expert will report directly to the Project Manager of the Project Management Unit (PMU). The specific tasks for this assignment will include, but are not limited to the following:

 

Compliance Monitoring

1. Assess construction/contractor environmental management plans and activities to ensure they align with ADB’s SPS and RMI CSS.
2. Conduct regular site inspections to monitor compliance with environmental safeguards, and occupational health and safety.

• Perform periodic project site compliance audit, including workers’ accommodation audits, to identify any deviations from the established environmental safeguards, community health and safety, and labor and working condition requirements.

1. Recommend and oversee the implementation of corrective actions for any identified non-compliance issues.
2. Engage with local communities and stakeholders to address environmental concerns and ensure compliance with safeguards requirements.
3. Assist the executing agency (EA) and implementing agency (IA) in stakeholders’ participation and consultation during project implementation and ensure disclosure of relevant information.

 

Environmental Management

1. Review and approve the contractor environmental management plan (CEMP) prior to civil work.
2. Assist MEC in implementing the CEMP, including mitigation measures and monitoring protocols.

• Identify areas for improvement and training needs with respect to project safeguards, prepare and submit training materials, and conduct the training workshop for the staff of the EA, IA, other stakeholders on environmental management and safeguard compliance.

1. Where required, assist MEC and the contractors in reviewing and updating the initial environmental examination (IEE) report to ensure it meets ADB’s SPS and national laws and regulation requirements.

 

Reporting

1. Support site visit and data collection to evaluate the actual performance of the project.
2. Prepare quarterly progress reports (QPR) and semiannual safeguard monitoring reports (SMR) summarizing environmental compliance and performance, including any incidents and corrective actions taken.

• Submit QPR and SMR to the project EA and IA, and ADB, incorporating all the comments from ADB. Liaise with the PMU and ADB to facilitate communication between them.

1. Maintain detailed records of all environmental monitoring and management activities.
2. Communicate findings and recommendations to project stakeholders, including ADB and RMI authorities.
3. Identify opportunities for improving environmental performance and incorporate them into future project activities.

Qualifications

7. Degree or training in environmental science, environmental studies, environmental engineering, environmental management, or related field, with demonstrated working experience in the energy sector and in the country context, preferably in projects funded by an international development community.
8. At least 10 years general experience in environmental management for construction sites, preferably in the energy sector, and a maximum of 7 years maximum specific experience relevant to assignment.

9. Regional/Country Experience

Required  Desired  Not Required