Social Specialist (local)

TERMS OF REFERENCE

SOCIAL OFFICER (Local) - (FULL-TIME) Preparation for Fiji Energy Transformation Project Project Preparation Unit (PPU) | Energy Fiji Limited (EFL) World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) Name of Project Fiji Energy Transformation Project

Implementing Agency Energy Fiji Limited (EFL)

Assignment Title Social Officer (Local) - (Full-Time)

Organisational Unit Project Preparation Unit (PPU)

Primary Framework World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF)

Duty Station / Coverage PPU office, with regular field visits across Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni

Reporting Line Environmental and Social (E&S) Specialist; PPU Project Manager on overall project matters

Expected Commencement As soon as possible

Table of Contents Table of Contents. 1

1. Introduction and Background. 3

2. Objective of the Assignment 3

3. Scope of Work. 3

3.1 Stakeholder Engagement and Community Liaison. 3 3.2 Indigenous Peoples Planning Framework (IPPF) 3 3.3 Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) 4 3.4 Negotiated Land Agreement Due Diligence. 4 3.5 Gender and Vulnerability. 4 3.6 Labor and Working Conditions - Social Dimensions. 4 3.7 Coordination with Government Line Ministries and Agencies. 5 3.8 Capacity Building. 5 3.9 Reporting and Coordination. 5

4. Methodology and Approach. 5

5. Key Deliverables and Indicative Timing. 6

6. Assignment Duration and Work Programme. 6

7. Required Qualifications and Experience. 6

7.1 Education. 6 7.2 Professional Experience. 6 7.3 Skills and Competencies. 7

8. Reporting and Working Arrangements. 7

9. Application Requirements. 7

1. Introduction and Background

The Fiji Energy Transformation Project is proposed as a USD 230 million World Bank-supported initiative aimed at accelerating renewable energy, modernizing the power grid, and reforming the energy sector to attract private investment. Key interventions include large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage system (BESS) parks of 50 MW or more each, grid evacuation infrastructure, transmission line upgrades, and modernization of existing power stations across Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, and Taveuni. The project’s environmental and social risks have been classified as Substantial under the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF). A significant portion of land in the project area is held under customary iTaukei tenure and managed through the iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB). Many affected communities are iTaukei Fijians who qualify as Indigenous Peoples under ESS7. The project may also involve economic and physical displacement linked to land acquisition for solar parks, transmission lines, and associated infrastructure, triggering ESS5 on Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement. The Social Officer will be embedded within the PPU and will work under the day-to-day supervision of the Environmental and Social (E&S) Specialist, who has overall leadership of the project’s E&S function. The Social Officer will work in close coordination with the Environment Officer. Together, these positions constitute the project’s E&S team and are jointly responsible for delivering the suite of ESF instruments required for project appraisal and for supporting implementation thereafter.

2. Objective of the Assignment

The objective of the assignment is to support the timely preparation of all social-related ESF instruments required for appraisal, ensure ongoing and meaningful stakeholder engagement throughout project preparation and implementation, and serve as the PPU’s primary liaison with government line ministries and agencies responsible for land, indigenous affairs, and social protection.

3. Scope of Work

3.1 Stakeholder Engagement and Community Liaison a. Lead the preparation, implementation, and updating of the project’s Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), in close coordination with the E&S Specialist, who will review and finalize the instrument. The SEP must include: A project-wide grievance redress mechanism (GRM), including a reporting structure for complaint escalation and resolution within specified timeframes. A dedicated pathway for Sexual Exploitation and Abuse / Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) complaints, including resolution or escalation timeframes. Differentiated engagement approaches for iTaukei communities, women, and other vulnerable groups. A disclosure schedule compliant with ESF requirements.

b. Serve as the PPU’s primary point of contact for community-level consultations across project sites on Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, and Taveuni. Coordinate field consultation logistics with the Environment Officer so that environmental and social consultations are sequenced and, where possible, combined to minimize the burden on communities. c. Maintain a consultation log recording meetings, attendees disaggregated by gender and community role, issues raised, and follow-up actions. Share the log with the E&S Specialist and Environment Officer on a fortnightly basis. d. Ensure that Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes are properly documented for all iTaukei communities in the project’s area of influence, in accordance with ESS7 and applicable Fijian law. 3.2 Indigenous Peoples Planning Framework (IPPF) a. Lead the preparation of the Indigenous Peoples Planning Framework (IPPF) in accordance with ESS7. The IPPF must: Liaise with the EFL Lands Team to identify all iTaukei communities and landowning units (mataqali) in the project’s area of influence. Set out a methodology for social assessment and FPIC at the site-specific level. Define entitlements and culturally appropriate benefit-sharing mechanisms. Establish culturally sensitive grievance and feedback channels. Address gender dynamics and vulnerabilities within iTaukei communities.

b. Coordinate with the E&S Specialist to ensure consistency between the IPPF, the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF), and the SEP, so that the instruments present a coherent and non-contradictory framework for comm