Safeguard Specialist

   Memo No.41.01.0000.126.07.024.2026-413                                                   Date: 03 November, 2026

Request for Expression of Interest (REOI)

The World Bank is supporting the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to better serve the poorest and most vulnerable populations by expanding coverage and strengthening delivery of the national social protection system for the poor through an IDA Credit of USD 200 million for the “Strengthening Social Protection for Improved Resilience, Inclusion and Targeting (SSPIRIT)” project. Key features of the initiative include, i) establishment and roll out of a Dynamic Social Registry (DSR), which will act as a central platform to improve the accuracy and efficiency of identifying and supporting beneficiaries; ii) strengthening Institutional Capacity for service delivery; iii) enhancing benefits adequacy of allowance programs; iv) strengthening skills development and complementary services; and v) providing tailored livelihood support to vulnerable group.

DSS intends to utilize a part of this credit to hire a Safeguard Specialist as an individual national consultant to ensure effective management of the Project.   

1. Safeguard Specialist (Package No. SD-03): 1 Position

Qualifications & Experience

1. At least a Master’s Degree from a reputed university in Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management, Sociology, or other Social Sciences;
2. At least Seven (07) years of relevant operational ES experience and proven track record in working on projects covering a broad range of environmental and social management and development issues.
3. Experience with World Bank projects would be preferred.
4. Ability to think strategically and conduct dialogue on environmental and social development policies and priorities, while maintaining a strong sense of realism with regard to context, conditions and competing demands for resources;
5. Experience of working with field level and local Government officials and local NGOs is highly desirable;
6. Excellent spoken and written Bengali and English skills.

• SSPIRIT, DSS now invites eligible applicant(s) to indicate their interest in providing the services mentioned above. The Applicants are invited for providing information in detail including their qualifications to perform the service (complete CV along with a description of the similar assignment, experience in similar position and conditions, general qualification etc.)

• A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Selection of Individual Consultants (SIC) method set out in the Procurement Regulations. The Procurement Regulations can be viewed at the World Bank’s external website: https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/178331533065871195-0290022020/original/Procurement Regulations.pdf

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn in particular to:

(i) Section III, paragraphs, 3.15, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, Sixth Edition, February 2025setting forth the World Bank’s policy on Conflict of Interest, and (ii) Section III, paragraphs, 3.20-3.25 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, Sixth Edition, February 2025 setting forth the World Bank’s policy on Eligibility, including the specific pre-requisite conditions to be met for the eligibility, on exceptional basis of Government officials and civil servants of the Borrower’s country under consulting contracts in the Borrower’s country.

• Individuals who are currently working as Safeguard Specialist/Environmental Specialist/Social Specialist on another World Bank-financed project may also compete in this selection process, but if they are selected, they will be required before signing the proposed contract to provide documentary evidence of having satisfactorily complied with their existing contract’s requirements with respect to early termination of the contract by the consultant, including advance notice period, to avoid disruption in implementation of that project.

• Expression of Interest shall have to be submitted to the address mention below (in person, by mail or through email: procurement.sspirit.dss@gmail.com) by 30 November, 2026 by 4:00 pm and be clearly marked as "Expressions of Interest for the position of (………….……………………..………)” in the email’s subject line or on top of the envelope.

• The client reserves the right to accept or reject any/all Expressions of Interest (EOI) or cancel the EOI process at any stage without assigning any reason whatsoever and without incurring any liability to the affected applicant(s).

• TOR can be found at the following website: http://www.dss.gov.bd/; further information in this regard could be obtained from the undersigned during office hours (9:00 AM to 4:00 PM BST).