Description
About IFDC
The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is a public international organization that advances soil health and strengthens agricultural systems through science-based innovation. For over 50 years, IFDC has translated research into practical solutions that improve nutrient use efficiency, restore degraded soils, strengthen local agricultural markets and expand opportunity for smallholder farmers, especially women and youth.
We work with farmers, governments and private sector partners to build resilient farming systems that produce nutritious food, improve livelihoods and safeguard natural resources for future generations.
OurValues**
We are guided by four core principles:
Collaborate - We work across teams, countries and partners to create lasting impact.
Include - We promote equity and meaningful participation for women, youth and underrepresented groups.
Act with Integrity - We steward resources responsibly, uphold transparency and remain accountable to the communities, partners, staff and donors who place their trust in us.
Scope of Services
The overall objective of this consultancy is to ensure that project activities are planned and implemented in a manner consistent with IFAD's SECAP and applicable national environmental and social guidelines. The consultant will work to identify potential social, environmental, and climate risks and impacts, and ensure that appropriate preventative, mitigation, and monitoring measures are incorporated into project design and implementation. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Rapid SECAP Compliance Assessment:
The consultant will conduct a structured review of IFDC's current environmental and social safeguard infrastructure and the project design, including:
- Review of the project's Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) and assessment of their alignment with IFAD SECAP standards;
- Assess IFDC's existing environmental and social policies, procedures, and management systems against IFAD SECAP requirements;
- Review of planned project activities against SECAP's nine standards: biodiversity conservation; resource efficiency and pollution prevention; cultural heritage; Indigenous Peoples; labour and working conditions; community health and safety; physical and economic resettlement; financial intermediaries and direct investments; and climate change;
- Identify activities that may cause significant environmental, health, or safety hazards as defined under SECAP, with particular attention to prohibited uses of funds;
- Assess IFDC's capacity to implement, monitor, and report on environmental and social safeguards;
- Review IFAD's mainstreaming themes that is youth, gender, nutrition, environment, and climate and how they are integrated into the current project design.
Gap Analysis and Guidance
Based on the assessment findings, the consultant will:
- Prepare a gap analysis mapping current practices and project design against IFAD SECAP requirements and relevant national guidelines for environmental and social impact assessment;
- Develop a prioritized, time-bound action plan for addressing identified gaps and strengthening safeguard systems;
- Provide guidance on determining appropriate mitigation measures for identified negative social, environmental, and climate impacts;
- Advise on the implementation of environmental and social safeguards as defined in the ESMF and RPF;
- Provide guidance on procurement implications of SECAP requirements as relevant;
- Advise opportunities to maximize development gains by incorporating environmental, social, and climate solutions throughout the project cycle.
System Design Support and Tools Development
The consultant will support IFDC and the project team in establishing compliant safeguard systems, including:
- Draft or revise the project's Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) as needed, consistent with the ESMF;
- Develop screening tools and checklists for assessing environmental and social risks of project activities at the sub-project or activity level;
- Prepare templates and guidance for SECAP implementation quarterly reporting to be submitted to IFAD as required;
- Establish procedures for timely reporting of serious incidents related to environmental, social, health, and safety practices, consistent with IFAD's Incident Procedure;
- Provide guidance on IFAD's Enhanced Complaints Procedure, including how affected people may file complaints regarding SECAP non-compliance;
- Support the development of staff orientation materials on SECAP obligations and safeguard responsibilities.
Follow-On Support (As Needed)
Subject to satisfactory performance and project needs, the consultant may be engaged for follow-on support including:
- Provide capacity building for IFDC and project staff on SECAP implementation and environmental and social risk management;
- Review and quality assurance o