Environmental and Social Officer

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI) (CONSULTING SERVICES - INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT) Country: Lebanon Name of Project: Green Agri-Food Transformation for Economic Recovery (GATE Project) Loan No.: IBRD 95760-LB Assignment Title: Environmental and Social Specialist - Sub-Component 1.2 Reference No.: LB-KAFALAT-545262-CS-INDV 1. The Republic of Lebanon The Green Agri-Food Transformation for Economic Recovery Project (GATE Project - P180334), financed by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), is implemented by the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR). Under Sub-Component 1.2, Kafalat S.A.L. has been designated as the implementing agency responsible for SME lending activities, pursuant to a Subsidiary Agreement with CDR. Sub-Component 1.2 aims to provide direct lending to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operating in the agri-food and agri-tourism sectors in Lebanon, thereby contributing to the overall objective of the GATE Project to improve the resilience of farmers and SMEs in the agri-food sector through enhanced access to finance. Kafalat S.A.L. intends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to engage an individual consultant to serve as Environmental and Social (E&S) Specialist for Sub-component 1.2 of the GATE Project Management Unit (PMU). 2. Objective of the Assignment The objective of this assignment is to ensure that the SME Lending Window under Sub-Component 1.2 is implemented in full compliance with the GATE Project Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), the World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), applicable Lebanese environmental and social regulations, the approved Lending Manual, and the Project Operations Manual (POM). The E&S Specialist will be the day-to-day lead for all environmental and social safeguards matters under Sub-Component 1.2, supporting Kafalat in integrating E&S requirements into the full SME lending cycle and fulfilling Kafalat's obligations under the ESCP,