SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT MANAGER

China Henan International Cooperation Group Ltd (CHICO) has contracted with the Malawi Roads Authority (RA) for the execution of civil works on Lot 4 of the Project for the Rehabilitation and Widening of the M1 Road, being the 66.5 km section between Kacheche in Mzimba district and Chiweta in Rumphi district. The Project is being implemented with financial support from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Union (EU).

The Project is obliged to comply with the requirements of the ElB’s Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) which include a Standard for Stakeholder Engagement.

To support this commitment CHICO wishes to engage a suitably qualified and experienced Community Liaison Officer (CLO). This is a senior position with a fulltime duration of approximately two years. Based in the Contractor’s Lusimbo camp in Rumphi district, the CLO shall work under the direction of the Safety, Health and Environment Manager (SHE Manager).

This is a challenging job opportunity and is not for the feint-hearted. We are looking for a dynamic and self-motivated person who can, among others:

General

• Establish and maintain constructive working relationships with local community leaders, representatives and groups and act as the principal communication channel between communities and CHICO in respect of social issues.
• Establish and maintain constructive working relationships with local authorities and institutions (district and regional), non-governmental institutions and other external entities with respect to social issues and act as the focal point in CHICO for such issues.
• Ensure that communities are kept well informed about project developments and receive timely feedback on issues and concerns raised.
• Identify opportunities for community members to participate in works-related and promote and oversee such participation.

• Identify social impacts arising from the works and collaborate with other members of the SHE team to manage such impacts.
• Appraise the SHE Manager and the Project Manager on a daily/ weekly basis of community-related developments and issues and be proactive in resolving issues and improving community liaison.
• Engage with community members, leaders, CHICO, local authorities, etc. in respect of complaints and incidents arising from the execution of the works.
• Negotiate land access or acquisition where required.

Specific

• Implement the Contractor’s Social Management Plan and other relevant management plans.
• Identify social risks for specific works-related activities and provide avoidance or mitigation solutions.
• Collaborate closely with all members of the SHE team and the CHICO technical team.
• Supervise and provide guidance to Assistant CLOs.
• Represent CHICO at meetings/ forums, when required.
• Attend weekly SHE meetings.
• Attend community and local government meetings as requested.

• Organise and lead public meetings as directed by the SHE Manager.
• Organise regular meetings of the Project Liaison Committee and record minutes.
• Manage the grievance redress mechanism for communities (including records) and participate in the management of the grievance redress mechanism for employees.
• Provide induction training (and retraining) to employees and subcontractors with respect to HIV/ AIDS, GBV, SEA/SH, child protection, cultural heritage management (chance finds) and other topics as directed by the SHE Manager
• Identify locations of cultural heritage/ significance that may be at risk, develop protection plans and oversee implementation.
• Identify opportunities for corporate social responsibility initiatives and take a proactive role in the planning and implementation of such initiatives.
• Collaborate, as requested by the Section Resident Engineer, with service providers carrying out awareness raising programmes within the affected communities.
• Supervise and monitor service providers carrying out awareness raising programmes among CHICO employees.
• Arrange and maintain documents and records pertaining to social issues.
• Maintain a register of community-and social-related accidents and incidents.
• Submit monthly progress reports on achievements versus planned activities, including corrective action required.
• Submit monthly reports on any impacts of the works on the local communities.

The applicant must:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in social science or other equivalent degree that is backed up by relevant work experience.
• Have at least seven years of work experience, of which at least three years should be in a similar position on large construction projects.
• Be fluent in English and Chitumbuka/ Chichewa.

Applicants should send their Curriculum Vitae (CV) with a covering letter and copies of their professional qualification certificates, by 27th January, 2024, to: dhayward.lot4she@gmail.com

The CV should clearly demonstrate experience in the job requirements described above. Applications from women and differentially abled persons are encouraged.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for interviews which shall take place in either Lilongwe or Rumphi. Applicants who have not been contacted by 3rd February, 2024 should, unfortunately, consider their application unsuccessful.