Region / Country: Latin America & Caribbean | Dominican Republic
Sector: Energy (Hydropower)
Services: Social Safeguards | Socioeconomic Studies | Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) | Social Risk Management
Client Type: State-owned energy utility

Project Overview

Provision of technical assistance for the preparation of Environmental and Social Studies under the Modernization, Rehabilitation and Repowering (MRR) Program for hydropower plants in the Dominican Republic, financed by the French Development Agency (AFD). The assignment aimed to strengthen the environmental and social management of the program through the development of socioeconomic studies and the preparation of an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), ensuring the identification, prevention, mitigation, and management of environmental and social risks and impacts associated with the planned interventions across 28 hydropower plants located in three macro-regions of the country.

The services were carried out in accordance with AFD Environmental and Social Standards and international good practice for infrastructure projects, including the IFC Performance Standards.

Role and Key Responsibilities

Role: Social Safeguards Specialist

• Lead the preparation of the social components of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF).
• Design the methodology for the socioeconomic characterization of communities located within the hydropower plants' areas of influence.
• Coordinate and supervise the collection, validation, and analysis of primary and secondary data for the socioeconomic studies.
• Develop social management tools for the identification, assessment, and management of social risks and impacts during the rehabilitation and repowering phases.
• Prepare social assessment procedures, risk management mechanisms, and guidelines for the development of project-specific safeguards instruments.
• Define measures for the prevention, mitigation, and monitoring of social impacts, including stakeholder engagement, land acquisition, grievance mechanisms, and labor-related aspects.
• Coordinate technical work with environmental specialists and multidisciplinary teams to ensure an integrated approach to environmental and social safeguards.
• Prepare and review technical deliverables, ensuring compliance with AFD requirements and international good practice.
• Provide technical assistance to the implementing agency to strengthen environmental and social risk and impact management throughout program implementation.

Project Scope

• 28 hydropower plants assessed.
• Coverage across three macro-regions of the Dominican Republic.
• Development of an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) to support the implementation of the investment program.