Environmental and social management framework (ESMF)

Environmental and social management framework (ESMF) is a confirmation statement that the intervention of a policy/ program/ project qualifies the minimum environmental and social criteria through avoiding or reducing impacts or implementing mitigations measures. ESMF documents propose costs to manage environmental and social impacts/risks. When ESMF is correctly addressed, it gives an opportunity in reducing, mitigating, offsetting of potential adverse environmental and social impacts and enhance positive impacts projects, activities, policies and /or regulations.

The consultant will develop an ESMF that addresses the following issues:

• Recommend strategies and procedures to implement the framework throughout the REDD+ process in view of adopting measures that prevent adverse environmental and social impacts.
• Recommend a simple screening methodology to monitor the activities
• Recommend a simple monitoring and evaluation system for the social and environmental impacts of the REDD+ process, with monitoring indicators and a corresponding evaluation procedures and methodology.
• In order to avoid duplication of efforts, the consultant will take into consideration the monitoring indicators developed as part of the REDD+ process.
• Recommend a stakeholder consultation mechanism for the monitoring and evaluation of the REDD+ process. Summary of ESMF outputs presented below:

Taking into account the public consultation, the consultant will make concrete recommendations to increase the understanding of forest management and strengthen the involvement of forest dependent people, placing particular emphasis on indigenous groups, women, NGOs and other civil society institutions and the private sector during implementation and monitoring of the REDD+ process.
The draft ESMF will have to be publicly disclosed and disseminated through a major consultation event. Comments generated will be addressed when finalizing the ESMF.
Preparation of the final ESMF will contain specific sections addressing the requirements of Government of Ethiopia’s applicable safeguard policies.
Task1. Development of an Environmental and Social Management Frame-work (ESMF), and a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF)
Task 2.1: Development of an Environmental and Social Management Frame-work (ESMF)
In the ToR given, both the ESMF and RPF are a stand-alone report. The ESMF will utilize the result from the SESA. In addition to results from the SESA, ESMF will be developed by reviewing of relevant documents such as the R-PP document, literature in REDD Policies, laws and proclamations, environmental and social assessment guidelines, the WB safeguard policies and Consultations with Key Stakeholders.

Development of a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF)
The RPF will be developed through two main processes: intensive review of the legal framework in the country and generation of relevant data and information using PRA tools (mainly key informant interview and focus group discussions). The RPF ensures that any possible adverse impacts of proposed REDD+ project activities are addressed through appropriate mitigation measures, in particular, against potential impoverishment risks. The RPF minimize risks by avoiding displacement of people without a well-designed compensation and relocation process; minimizing the number of project affected people, compensating for losses incurred and displaced incomes and livelihoods; and ensuring resettlement assistance or rehabilitation, as needed, to address impacts on peoples livelihoods and their well-being
Task 2. An outline of capacity building actions for the entities responsible for implementing the ESMF
The capacity building needs will be assessed using PRA tools from the federal to the community levels. Once the needs identified, capacity building actions for implementing entities of the ESMF will be prepared. The action plan will have the details of the training topics, the target groups and required resources. While ESMF outlines capacity building actions for the effective ESMF implementation, it will build the capacity of those who involve in the delivery of this assignment (through information provision, data collection, etc.) through provision of training, disclosure of the same at workshops, consultative meeting. The client (MEF/ REDD+ Secretariat) will also made assign expert who closely work with the consultants to acquire the knowledge and experience in the process.

Task3. Required technical assistance
The technical assistance needs will be assessed using PRA tools (mainly questionnaire). The assessment will include existing technical capacity and needs for training. The focus will be on the implementation capacity. This will include how the private and public entities support the ESMF implementation, what institutional gaps do exist and how these gaps be filled. The possible technical needs of partner or collaborating organizations on the ground (civil society) will be assessed.

Task 4. Outline of the budget for implementing the ESMF
Outline of the budget for implementing the ESMF will be prepared for three major components. The first is the capacity building budget which will be used to train stakeholder before the start of project activities on the ground. The second is the budget for the implementation of the ESMF itself. The third budget description will be for the implementation of mitigation measures to be identified during the ESMF preparation

Task 5. Provisions for Monitoring and Evaluation
The monitoring and evaluation of the ESMF implementation will focus on two aspects. The first will be on the implementation process monitoring, which is basically monitoring of implementation of mitigation measures after getting approval from the respective bodies. The process itself will be monitored by a safeguard specialist. This will be described starting from the community level intervention to the regional and federal level approval and implementation procedure. The second will be on results monitoring focusing on compliance of policies in the ESMF and application of the recommended standards.

Task 6. Dispute resolution mechanism
The dispute resolution mechanism will be looked at two dimensions. The local and indigenized system of dispute resolution and the formal institutional procedures. The local and indigenous system is based on communities‟ dispute resolution culture which is given priority while formal institutional dispute resolution procedure focuses regional and federal laws and proclamations. Both local and legal dispute resolution mechanisms will be assessed and documented in the final report.
Task 7. Preparation of a final draft ESMF and the Resettlement Policy Framework
The ESMF and RPF documents will be prepared as stand-alone documents with the appropriate contents and details. The ESMF will be structured with clear demonstration of the legal framework, the identification of positive and negative impacts and mitigation measures, identification and assessment of the triggered safeguard policies, the Environmental and Social Management Plan procedures, implementation procedures and monitoring and evaluation procedures. The RPF will be structured and contain the legal and institutional framework (acquisition and valuation of land, rural land administration and policies, entitlements and compensation, dispute resolution and grievance redress mechanisms), compensation for land and other assets.