REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Country: Republic of Tajikistan

Project Name: Managing Glacier Loss and Water Security Project

Grant Number: 9258-TAJ (EF)

Executing Agency: Agency for Hydrometeorology of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan

Vacant Position: Environmental, Health and Safety and Social Safeguards Specialist 

The deadline for submitting documents is August 12, 2026, 17:00 local time.

Terms of Reference for Environmental, Health and Safety and Social Safeguards Specialist

A.              Background

The Government of Tajikistan has received a $3.00 million grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR) for the implementation of the “Managing Glacier Loss and Water Security Project”. The project will improve Tajikistan’s resilience to glacial loss melt and reduce the vulnerability of natural and social systems to cryosphere glacier-related risks.

The project has three outputs:

(i)       Digital systems for cryosphere and hazard warning established;

(ii)     Capacity of staff for cryosphere end-to-end unified data observation, management, and analytical system strengthened; and

(iii)    Community-focused early warning system for cryosphere hazards improved. This output will be financed by the attached technical assistance grant.

The project is implemented by the Agency for Hydrometeorology of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan (Hydromet).  

A project implementation group (PIG) has been established under the supervision of the Hydromet. The PIG is responsible for the overall project implementation, including management, procurement, day-to-day administration, monitoring and reporting.

The implementation period of the project is 3 years from January 2026 to January 2029.

B.             Objective of the Assignment

         The Environmental, Health and Safety and Social Safeguards (EHSS) Specialist in the PIG will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the ADB Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS, 2009) and applicable national environmental and social safeguards requirements, including the regular verification that project activities remain consistent with the Category C environmental and Involuntary resettlement classification. This will be done through conducting limited field checks, and reporting if unforeseen safeguard issues arise. The specialist will work closely with Hydromet and Environmental and Social (E&S) consultant, serving as a counterpart and focal point for coordination. This will include the timely provision of relevant data and information, as well as facilitating the E&S consultant’s activities and stakeholder engagement, as necessary. S/he will also coordinate with other government entities and contractors, as required.

C.              Responsibilities and Scope of Work 

         Her/his activities are expected to include but not be limited to:

(i) Environmental Oversight

·   Monitor prefab room installation at Navobod (50 m² total)

·   Oversee equipment installation at five monitoring posts

·   Ensure waste management and spill prevention

·   Photo documentation and compliance verification

(ii) Community Relations

·   Conduct information meetings at the project locations

·   Facilitate consultations ensuring >40% women participation

·   Monitor local employment (>30% target from local communities)

·   Support stakeholder feedback collection and analysis

·   Monitor for any unforeseen social impact, including the need for any physical or economic displacement and land acquisition.

·   Serve as a local focal point for GRM, receive, register and report on complaints and queries of communities

·   Work with four jamoats: Vankala, Ver, Navobod, and Suchan,

(iii) Health & Safety/OHS

·   Develop work safety and high-altitude work safety protocols

·   Coordinate emergency response planning

·   Ensure proper PPE for workers during site setup and equipment installation and rehabilitation at the sites

·   Monitor safety training for workers

·   Confirm availability of first aid kits and communication for emergencies.

(iv) Reporting & Compliance (10%)

·   Verify that vendors and contractors adhere to environmental and social standards, requiring necessary documentation and assessments, and ensuring their compliance throughout project execution

·   Inform PIG Director and team, and ADB about identified safeguards compliance issues

·   Prepare monthly progress summaries, including on community engagement

·   Provide inputs to quarterly ADB safeguards reports

·   Operate grievance mechanism (two-level system) and serve as a focal point for grievance receipt and registration.

·   Maintain safeguards and GRM databases and trend analysis

D.             Reporting

The EHSS Specialist will report to the Project Director. He/she will work closely with the project team, Hydromet and the consultants. He/she will submit reports on a monthly basis in a format acceptable to the Project in Tajik and English languages. She/he will also be responsible for final input to the safeguards section in the Project’s Quarterly Progress Reports (QPRs).

E.              Minimum Qualification Requirements

1. A Bachelor’s degree, preferably Master’s degree in environmental and/or social science, natural resources management, economics studies, business administration, international relations, ecology, agricultural or civil engineering or related fields;

2. At least 3 years of experience in the related field;

3. Familiarity with environmental, health and safety, social and other safeguards standards of multilateral financial institutions, especially the Asian Development Bank, and their practices is considered as an advantage;

4. Working experience in interacting with local and national authorities and communities;

5. Fluency in written and spoken Tajik and Russian languages and the knowledge of English language; and

6. Professional user of PC and office equipment.

F.              Place of Work

The EHSS Specialist will be based in the PIG office in Dushanbe and as needed to travel within Tajikistan.

Specific Monitoring locations:

·        Navobod Station - Shugnon District (prefab installation)

·        Demiona Post - Navabad Jamoat (land travel required)

·        Vuj Post - Navabad Jamoat (land travel required)

·        Ved/Tangev Post - Ved village (land travel required)

·        Okmahmad Post - Navabad Jamoat (land travel required, female operator)

·        Monem Post - Monem village (wildlife safety priority)

·        Glacier monitoring point - TBD during implementation

G.             Duration of Assignment

It is expected that the EHSS Specialist will commence to perform the assignment on August __, 2026. The contract will be signed for one year, with the possibility of extension. This assignment is renewable annually based on the specialist’s performance and project needs.

H.             Payment Terms

Salary is established according to the staffing schedule of the Project under the Hydromet at the established rate in accordance with the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan dated July 1, 2025 No. 386.

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Qualified applicants are requested to send their resumes via e-mail: tajmglow@gmail.com

Please, include the position title in the subject of the email.

Please, note that your resume should be prepared and sent in the template accepted by the Executing Agency in English (CV ADB Format). The CV must not exceed five (5) pages.

For further information, please contact us between 9:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday.

Agency for Hydrometeorology of the Committee for Environmental Protection under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan

13/1 Bobojon Gafurov Street (84th microdistrict), Dushanbe, Tajikistan (1st floor, room #10 or #11).

The deadline for submitting documents is August 12, 2026, 17:00 local time.