ESP Specialist-Environment

Position: ESP Specialist-Environment
Division: Environment and Social Performance
Reports to: Manager – EHS
Band: C

Background & Project Description

Millennium Challenge Compact was signed on September 14, 2017 between the United States of America, acting through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a United States government entity, and the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, acting through its Ministry of Finance. The Compact aims to increase the availability and reliability of electricity, maintain road quality, and facilitate power trade between Nepal and India helping to spur investments, and accelerate economic growth. The Compact Agreement is currently in implementation stage and is valid for a period of five years from the date of Entry-Into-Force (EIF), i.e. 30 August 2023.
Pursuant to the agreement, the entity charged with implementing the project has been established as the Millennium Challenge Account Nepal (MCA-Nepal). This position will assume a critical role in the success of Electricity Transmission Project (ETP) of MCA-Nepal. The Government of Nepal has designated the ETP as a National Pride project and designed to increase domestic electricity consumption by improving both availability and reliability of electricity in the nation’s grid, increase investment powered by more reliable electricity and increase government revenues, by exporting surplus electricity.

Position Objective

The Environmental & Social Performance (ESP) Specialist, under the supervision of Manager – EHS is responsible for lawful, timely, and socially responsible for all support required to ensure prompt site access to contractors including permissions, comprehensive tree census and tagging, supervised felling where permitted, implementation and verification of compensatory (like-for-like) plantation while ensuring full compliance with GoN forest laws, International Finance Corporation (IFC) Standards other MCA/MCC environmental and social requirements. This position requires close coordination and collaboration with contractors, district/provincial/central GoN forest authorities, Community Forest User Groups and MCA Project Teams.

Duties and Responsibilities

Operations

•  Engages MCA-Nepal Staff, MCC Staff, and other government counterparts to effectively integrate environmental and social considerations into project planning, development, and implementation, including Terms of Reference, work plans, designs, supervision contracts, budgets, timelines, and monitoring mechanisms.
• Coordinates closely with all MCA-Nepal Staff in the project team and government counterparts to ensure proper oversight of the implementation of all Compact-funded activities, including participating in field missions.
• Ensures that all forest-related project activities (tree inventory, permits, felling, plantation) comply with GoN rules, the Forest Act/Regulations, and MCA/MCC standards.
•  Serves as the primary liaison with Ministry of Forest and Environment, Department of Forest and Soil Conservation. Divisional Forest Offices, Provincial Forest Directorates, Municipalities/RMs, and CFUGs.

Forest Access, Permissions & Coordination

• Prepares and submits documentation for obtaining forest land-use permissions and tree-cutting permits.
• Facilitate joint site inspections with DFO, CFUGs, municipalities, project engineers and other government agencies.
• Avails and tracks all permits and ensure that trees are cut down with due approvals.
• Resolves field-level issues related to access, boundary clarifications, community coordination, and forest protection.

Planning

•  Reviews Contractors’ Environmental, Social, Health and Safety Management Plans for forest related components and advise contract manager for updates where required.
• Supports Manager-EHS to ensure dissemination and implementation of tools as per approved plans.
• Actively contributes to preparing operational plans for tree census, tagging, felling and compensatory plantation for each transmission line contracts.

Monitoring & Implementation Support

• Provides support to MCA-Nepal Contract Managers to identify, manage, mitigate and monitor Forest Clearance related risks and impacts.
• Coordinates forest access and permit processes, supervise tree census, tagging, GIS mapping, and ensure all tree felling, management of forest products including timber, firewood, biomass and site clearance associated activities follow GoN approvals, safety standards, and permit conditions.
•  Plans, coordinates, and monitors like-for-like compensatory plantation—including species selection, nursery sourcing, planting, maintenance, and survival verification—ensuring compliance with GoN and MCA requirements.
• Ensures contractors’ adherence to approved Environmental, Social, Health and Safety Plans; track compliance across project stages maintaining documentation, databases, and GIS records for reporting and audit.
• Coordinates with the MOFE, DOFSC, DFOs, CFUGs, municipalities, local communities, and contractors to resolve field-level issues, support grievances related to tree cutting/compensation/plantation and facilitate smooth implementation of forest-related activities.

Job Specification

Requirements (Education, Experience, Technical Competencies)

•  Bachelors’ Degree (Required) and Advanced (Master’s Degree or higher preferred) from a recognized institution in the following or equivalent fields: Natural or Social Sciences, Forestry, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Planning, Environmental Management;
•  Demonstrated five (5) years cumulative experience (notwithstanding whether earned before, after or during pursuit of required academic qualification) in environmental and social impact assessments, and implementation of ESP requirements on infrastructure projects that adhere to international EHS standards;
•  Familiarity with international environmental and social guidelines and policies, including IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability;
•  Excellent written and spoken English

Preferences:

• Practical experience in tree census, tagging, compensatory plantation, and forest permit processes in Nepal.
•  Exposure to hydropower or transmission line projects.
• Experience liaising with government line agencies, CFUGs, local governments, and stakeholders.
•  Experience in preparing or monitoring ESHS plans is an advantage.
•  Strong knowledge of Nepal’s Forest Act/Regulations, forest clearance procedures, and compensatory plantation rules relevant to transmission lines.
•  Proficiency in GIS and field mapping tools.
•  Strong reporting skills in Nepali and English

. This Position Description is subject to revisions/updates as necessary to ensure alignment to the organization’s strategic direction and structure. Revisions to the description are subject to applicable Human Resources policies and procedures, and official versions of each Position Description are maintained by Human Resources.