Consulting Services for Third Party Monitoring Agent (TPMA) for Project Level Compliance Monitoring on Implementation of Environmental and Social Safeguard (Contract ID No.: EHRP/NRA/S/CQS-01/2076-77)

Project Description

EHRP Central Level Project Implementation Unit – Grant Management and Local Infrastructure (CLPIU-GMaLI) under the NRA is currently delivering housing grant to beneficiaries through banking system, managing information system and is responsible for environmental and social safeguard management and overall safeguard compliance monitoring & evaluation of the project. As per the requirements of Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), project level Environmental and Social safeguard monitoring of undergoing safeguards activities in earthquake housing reconstruction program has to be carried out from an Independent Third Party agency.

The main objective of the Independent Third Party Monitoring is to evaluate the level of compliance with the World Bank funded EHRP project’s environment and social safeguard instruments (ESMF) independently. Third party compliance monitoring ensured and evaluated process, documentation and implementation of environmental and social compliance in stages of project level activities. Based on its assessment, and as deemed necessary, the Consultant recommended interventions to improve performance.

Assignment Description

Reviewed and monitor compliance of environmental and social safeguard activities implemented by DLPIUs for the support of beneficiaries of EHRP. • Reviewed the effectiveness of Environmental and social site verification/consultation process, site specific ESMPs, and construction completion reports based on mitigation measures implemented in Municipality/Rural Municipality level and procedures prescribed in the EHRP’s ESMF. • Reviewed the institutional role played by DLPIU and CLPIU - to put in place for implementation of the ESMF/ESMP. • Conducted field visit and carried out data collection works of 1031 households and 96 sub-projects on sample basis in 14 districts during Phase-1 and 1417 households and 145 sub-projects on sample basis in 22 districts during Phase-2. • Reviewed Environmental and Social safeguard process/ audits/ quarterly compliance monitoring and reporting of outputs and social auditing. • Reviewed the nature of grievances submitted by earthquake victim from the social and environmental perspectives. • Identified constraints/difficulties that have been encountered in the process of implementation of ESMF/ESMP. • Provided clear guidance on ways to strengthen on-going monitoring of the project to maximize learning and improve the implementation of safeguard activities. • On the basis of above, assess overall quality, adequacy and effectiveness of safeguard activities from the perspective of EHRP beneficiaries. • Assessed the activities performed by Social Technical Assistant (STA) team. • Suggested further instruments required to compliance the E & S safeguard implementation and documents the best learning practices. • Identify constraints/ difficulties that have been encountered in the process of implementation of ESMF/RPF/VCDF provisions • Conducted field visit and carried out data collection works of 272 households on sample basis • Conducted Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Stakeholder Consultation and Site Inspection of the houses under construction on sample basis. • Review of compliance such as preparation of screening reports and their general quality as well as their implementation quality. • Reviewed Environmental and Social safeguard process and audits • Prepared comprehensive project level assessment report on environmental and social performance. • Provided state of compliance on undergoing or completed environmental and social management works as provisioned in ESMF/RPF/VCDF documents and Monitoring indicators of ESMF/RPF/VCDF; and • Developed monitoring and evaluation frameworks, periodic, Performance monitoring, and final evaluation of the project. • Prepared and submitted Final Report