Environmental and Social Capacity Development in the Road Sector

The project was delivered by a multi-disciplinary team of national and international experts. The consultants’ roles was to assist in strengthening the capacity of the ESD central office and provincial offices with regard to implementing and managing social and environmental procedures within the road sector, and developing effective road construction monitoring procedures. This project was carried out in close cooperation ESD and other line agencies and stakeholders.
The project was carried out over a period of three years and institutionalised a dialogue between key stakeholders at policy level around environmental and social issues. National and international long-term advisors supported the ministry in harmonizing government and donor procedures and guidelines for road projects that are acceptable to all state agencies, donors and civil society alike, in incorporating environmental and social safeguards into project planning cycle and in strengthening the overall technical and operational capacity of ESD. A broad range of state and private sector actors at central, provincial and district level benefited from these comprehensive capacity development inputs. Short-term experts assisted the permanent staff in curriculum development and teaching aid design, standardizing of planning and monitoring systems, resettlement action plans, ethnic minority development plans and social action plans. ORGUT advisors also assisted in developing procedures for community consultation and public disclosure of environmental and social concerns.
This project used a “two-track approach”, which means that implementation and development (of guidelines and procedures etc.) ran in parallel to each other. Systems, manuals, procedures etc. were delivered to the stakeholders and launched through training sessions while the development process continued to refine these tools. Of particular importance was the feedback from the participants and the follow up of their abilities. In addition, to assisting ESD to undertake the tasks in the Plan of Operation, the consultants assisted the Director in coordinating the division’s work with other projects and major stakeholders outside of Ministry of Public Works and Transport.
Specific tasks carried out by the TA team include:
1) Preparing a detailed Operational Manual for ESD including specific management and technical procedures such as mandates, organizational structure, administration procedures, information systems and reporting procedures, personnel and HR development, budgeting and financial management, definitive roles of staff in the management of the social and environmental processes associated with road projects;
2) Environmental and social requirements incorporated in full project cycle: Planning Stage, Design and Bid Preparation, and Construction. Effective 3rd party management of Resettlement Action Plans / Ethnic Minority Plans /
Social Action Plans contracted to specialist organisations and implemented on behalf of ESD;
3) Planning and developing a professional development program, curriculum and teaching support materials, designed to strengthen cognitive, practical and reflexive competencies within ESD and Department of Roads staff, other agencies such as Science, Technology and Environment Agency, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, NGO’s and also within contractors, as required.;
4) Training containing components of basic training, technical E & S training, and Training of Trainers targeted towards ESD and DoR Staff, other Agencies, NGOs and Contractors, in order for ESD to carry out its mandate and responsibilities;
5) Developing standardised E & S procedures and monitoring systems;
6) Developing procedures for community consultation and public disclosure;
7) Developing generic ToR for NGOs and donors to carry out specific activities required for mitigation of impacts in cooperation with local agencies / mass organisations, ie. including HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, preventative health programs, and sustainable natural resource extraction; and
8) Review and revision of ESD regulation “Regulation on Environmental Impact Assessment of Road Projects” (2004) to reflect lessons learned through this project.