Anunțuri de Angajare

Moldova Power System Development Project (PSDP)

Terms of Reference for

Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Specialist

1. General Context

Moldova Power System Development Project (PSDP) is financed by World Bank and implemented by Government of Republic of Moldova, according to the Financing Agreements No. 6380 – MD and 6381 – MD, signed between Republic of Moldova and International Development Association on September 26, 2020.

The objective of the PSDP is to increase capacity and improve reliability of the power transmission system in Moldova and include the following parts:

Part 1. Construction of Vulcanesti - Chisinau OHTL, including the following:

• Construction of approximately 158 km of 400kV Vulcanesti - Chisinau single circuit OHTL;
• Support through provision of consulting services for purposes of supervision of Parts 1 and 2 of the Project.

Part 2. Extension of two substations, including the

• Upgrade of 330 kV Chisinau substation; and
• Extension of 400 kV Vulcanesti substation.

Part 3. Strengthening of power dispatch and metering system, including the following:

• Upgrade of MoE`s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System/Energy Management System (SCADA/EMS);
• Upgrade of the MoE`s Meter Management System (MMS);
• Construction of a new headquarters (HQ) building for MoE, including a Central Dispatch Center (CDC); and
• Development of technical specifications for SCADA/EMS and MMS.

Part 4. Technical Assistance and Project Management, including the following:

• Support to MEPIU for Project Management activities and Operating Costs, including provision of consulting services;
• Support to MoE and MEPIU through the carrying out of Trainings;
• Carrying out an environmental audit of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) at Vulcanesti substation site; and
• Carrying out project audits.

2. Context of the assignment

The Project is classified in Category A and WB’s safeguards that are triggered during PSDP implementation are: OP/BP 4.01 - Environmental Assessment, OP/BP 4.04 - Natural Habitats, OP/BP 4.11 - Physical Cultural Resources and OP/BP 4.12 - Involuntary Resettlement.

The environmental and social safeguard documents for PSDP have been revised and developed under the ECAPDEV Grant No. TF0A6821 based on EBRD ES documents, in the period November 20, 2018 – March 20, 2020, and include: Safeguards Summary Note on Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA); Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF); Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP); Gender and Citizen Engagement Strategy and Institutional Assessment of Project Implementing Agencies.

MEPIU hired two Consultants to develop in parallel with the technical Design the Employer ESIA & Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) for the 400 kV OHTL and modernization of the Chisinau Substation. In this regard, Consultants developed the Employer’s ESIA & ESMP specific for sites for Vulcanesti-Chisinau 400 kV OHTL (as per affected districts, such as Chisinau Municipality (commune Bacioi), Ialoveni District, Hancesti District, Cimislia District, Leova District, Cahul District, Taraclia District and ATU Gagauzia) and for modernization of Chisinau substation.

A similar site-specific ESMP will be developed for the extension of the Vulcanesti substation.

Based on prepared site-specific ESIA & ESMP, the Contractors prepared their ESMPs (C-ESMPs) that shall be implemented and monitored during the construction works.

In this context, the Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Specialist (EOHS specialist) shall be responsible for the proper environmental risks and impacts management at the design, construction and operation stages.

3. Scope of work

The scope of work outlined below is not exhaustive and is intended only to provide a broad description of the assignment. The EOHS Specialist will be responsible for the overall implementation of the Project’s environmental requirements, including Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), management of potential impacts and risk mitigation plans and monitoring of all environmental aspects in line with the provisions of Environmental and Social (E&S) documents developed for the PSDP.

The EOHS Specialist shall ensure the Project complies with the provisions of all health and safety related documents and guidelines required under the WB safeguards and guidelines, such as timely preparation and implementation of Health and Safety requirements set out in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, including Project Health and Safety Plan and Community Health and Safety Plan among others, overseeing and reviewing the Contractors Health and Safety Management plans, method statements, risks assessments and safe work procedures as may be relevant. The Health and Safety Specialist will be present full-time through project implementation phase.

The Specialist will be required to take a lead in all EOHS management aspects under the PSDP, including:

1. Prepare, disclose and implement relevant site-specific instruments as indicated by the WB’s requirements;
2. Be responsible for the adequate preparation, review and implementation of Contractors` ESMPs, Occupational Health and Safety Plans, including incident notification and investigation procedure, Traffic Management Plan, Emergency Response Plan, firefighting plan, etc.;
3. Work closely with the responsible staff who will be assigned as the environmental expert of the works contractors, and share all information with them and ensure that the process continues.
4. Review, evaluate and analyze work environments and design programs and procedures for potential risks associated with environment and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)
5. Identify potentially hazardous materials and prepare mitigation plans to mitigate potential risks
6. Inspect workplaces for adherence to regulations on safety, health, and the environment.

1. Be responsible, together with Social Specialist, for the implementation of Project’s E&S documents, specifically ESIA, site-specific ESMPs and C-ESMPs and other site-specific documents;
2. Ensure compliance with applicable EOHS requirements specific for the planned activity under the Project, coordinate and receive permits and legal document from central and local public authorities;
3. Verify that Contractors had taken suitable measures with regard to the OHS of its workers (provision of protective personal equipment (PPE), potable water, lodging, first aid kits, fire extinguishers), site safety, and accident prevention measures;
4. Monitor the works activities to ensure the compliance with the national legislation and WB’s requirements related to potential environmental and OHS risks and impacts management, including but not limited to: soil compaction and soil restoration; landscape degradation; handling and storage of hazardous materials and wastes; soil and construction waste disposal; work camp/temporary yard operation and location; trees etc., as well as the measures to avoid or mitigate the potential OHS risks for the workers (provision of protective personal equipment (PPE), potable water, lodging, first aid kits, fire extinguishers), site safety, and accident prevention measures;
5. Work closely with site-specific ESMPs coordinators and ensure compliance monitoring of all environmental, social and OHS requirements of national regulations and of development partners.
6. Make sure workplaces are equipped with firefighting equipment, first-aid supplies, and other emergency items
7. Organize the periodic site-visit in order to monitor the implementation of the adopted measures for the environmental and OHS risks avoidance or mitigation. Documents and report the site-visits results and propose the corrective actions if needed. To monitor the proper implementation of the required corrective actions.
8. Recommend safety improvements to protect workers, and educate employees on how to prevent health problems through the use of safety training programs
9. Investigate accidents to identify their causes and find ways to prevent them in the future.
10. Review contractor’s monthly health and safety performance reports and compile a monthly project health and safety report to be submitted to Manager Environment and Safety;
11. Assist MEPIU in maintaining and managing the project’s Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), ensuring that grievances related to environmental issues are effectively addressed and documented.
12. Inspect the works carried out under the Project during the Defects Liability Period (DLP).
13. Prepare Progress Reports on the implementation EOHS aspects to WB (as required – distinct reports or as part of the general reporting on Project implementation progress);
14. Participate under the Works` Completion and Operational Acceptance procedures as member of the Reception Commission.
15. Participate under the WB Supervision Missions for the Project and provide the necessary support in organizing meetings, public consultations, discussions and site visits, as needed;
16. Structure and archive the documentation related to the EOHS aspects within the Project accordingly (in electronic format and on paper), in compliance with MEPIU Internal Regulations;
17. Other tasks assigned by the Project Coordinator and MEPIU Director.

4. Required qualifications and experience

1. University degree in environment or natural sciences, engineering or other relevant fields.
2. A Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety as mandatory add on to the existing qualification.
3. Certified trainings in OHS a certified training in construction health and safety will be an added advantage.
4. A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in EOHS management or related fields. The experience in the implementation of projects financed by World Bank or other International Financing Institutions will be an advantage.
5. Knowledge of National Environmental and OHS legislation and regulations. Be familiar with World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) and OHS Guidelines.
6. Proven experience in environmental and OHS risks management.
7. The applicant should be fully conversant with all applicable Health and Safety requirements for the construction/civil industry, and the international best practices.
8. The applicant should be familiar with the Occupational Health and Safety acts as well as other pertinent legal instruments.
9. Fluency in Romanian and Russian. Knowledge of English language will be an advantage.

Duration and Location of Employment

The EOHS Specialist will be based in Chisinau as an MEPIU’s independent consultant on full-time basis. The EOHS Specialist will be expected to travel to the Project implementation sites and other relevant sites throughout project implementation. The planned duration of service of the EOHS Specialist is foreseen to start in June 2025.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and a cover letter to the email address mepiu@mepiu.md with the subject line: – [Name of the vacant position], by May 28, 2025, 17:00.

Please note that applications/documents received after the deadline will not be considered.  

Only complete applications submitted before the deadline will be evaluated. Selected candidates will be invited for an interview.

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