The World Bank Social Protection System Strengthening Project (P170497) Concept Environmental and Social Review Summary Concept Stage (ESRS Concept Stage) Public Disclosure Date Prepared/Updated: 07/22/2019 | Report No: ESRSC00713 Jul 22, 2019 Page 1 of 9 The World Bank Social Protection System Strengthening Project (P170497) BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Country Region Project ID Parent Project ID (if any) Jamaica LATIN AMERICA AND P170497 CARIBBEAN Project Name Social Protection System Strengthening Project Practice Area (Lead) Financing Instrument Estimated Appraisal Date Estimated Board Date Social Protection & Jobs Investment Project 11/11/2019 2/11/2020 Financing Borrower(s) Implementing Agency(ies) Jamaica Ministry of Labour and Social Security Proposed Development Objective(s) Public Disclosure The Project development objectives are to strengthen the efficiency, performance, and inclusive coverage of social protection delivery systems. Financing (in USD Million) Amount Total Project Cost 40.00 B. Is the project being prepared in a Situation of Urgent Need of Assistance or Capacity Constraints, as per Bank IPF Policy, para. 12? No C. Summary Description of Proposed Project [including overview of Country, Sectoral & Institutional Contexts and Relationship to CPF] The proposed project will be implemented through three components. One component will be DLI-based, financing direct transfers . Component 1: Social Safety Net Delivery Systems Component 2: Polices and Strategies for Inclusive Social Protection Component 3: Inclusive Coverage Jul 22, 2019 Page 2 of 9 The World Bank Social Protection System Strengthening Project (P170497) Main activities include: establishment of a social registry for social assistance programs, strengthening of program intake and business processes of social assistance programs, strengthening of delivery systems for improved shock- responsive social protection, policy and strategy development, and analytic studies/assessments for more inclusive social protection programs and policies. The proposed project is envisioned to finance transfers to PATH conditional cash transfer households, through DLIs. D. Environmental and Social Overview D.1. Project location(s) and salient characteristics relevant to the ES assessment [geographic, environmental, social] The FY2014-19 Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) focuses on establishing the necessary conditions for broad-based, private-sector-led growth while improving public-sector efficiency and reducing vulnerability. The three pillars of the proposed operation are aligned with the three pillars of the CPS: (i) modernizing the public sector, (ii) creating an enabling environment for private-sector growth, and (iii) strengthening social and climate resilience. The proposed Project seeks to strengthen Jamaica’s Social protection (SP) system by addressing the critical performance constraints and supporting reliable Social Safety Nets (SSNs) to the poor and vulnerable. It aims to: (i) strengthened delivery systems of SSN programs; (ii) improve policies and strategies for more inclusive social protection; and (iii) inclusive social safety net coverage. Social assistance programs and active labor market programs are nationwide and provide assistance to participants around the country. The project will finance consultancy and non-consultancy services, operational costs, and procurement of equipment (computer, monitor, tablet, servers etc.). Public Disclosure Poverty and unemployment have been decreasing in recent years, but constraints remain to further poverty reductions and boosting of shared prosperity. Poverty declined from 21.1 percent in 2015 to 17.1 percent in 2016 and is highly concentrated in rural areas. Male youth unemployment rate for 20 -25 years of age is 18.2 percent while female unemployment rate for the same age is 27.8% in April 2018. The poverty rate for rural areas in 2015 was 28.5 percent compared to 14.3 percent in the Kingston Metropolitan Area (KMA) and 14.7 percent in other towns. Unemployment also fell from 13 percent in July 2017 to 8.7 in October 2018, and there was growth in total employment by 2.3 percent for 2017. Youth unemployment remains a major concern, at 18.2 percent 24.9 percent in October 2018, although this is an improvement from the 27.5 percent recorded in July 2017. Male youth unemployment rate for 20 -25 years of age is 18.2 percent while female unemployment rate for the same age is 27.8% in April 2018. There are other categories of vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities who account for 160,000 individuals or 5.7 percent of the population, according to the 2011 Census. The project will be implemented at the national level, throughout the 14 parishes. The project will not finance any new construction or reconstruction/rehabilitation of any civil works activities and the activities to be supported will are not expected to have any significant impact. D. 2. Borrower’s Institutional Capacity The proposed project will involve multiple agencies including Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), Ministry of Education, Youth and Information (MOEYI), Ministry of Local Government and Community Development (MLGCD), Jul 22, 2019 Page 3 of 9 The World Bank Social Protection System Strengthening Project (P170497) Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), The Human Employment and Resource Training Trust, National Training (HEART) Trust/NTA. The Social Security Division of MLSS has previous experience of successful implementation of Bank funded Social Projection Project (P105024). The Social Protection Division of PIOJ also gained experience through an earlier Social Projection Project. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) has an established grievance and appeals system for the PATH project which has been operational since the program’s establishment in 2002. However, the institutional capacity with regard to consultation and overall environmental and social risk management is limited. By appraisal, the Bank will further assess the functionality of the GRM and how it can be improved. II. SCREENING OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL (ES) RISKS AND IMPACTS A. Environmental and Social Risk Classification (ESRC) Moderate Environmental Risk Rating Moderate The proposed project will not support any civil works and procurement of major equipment. However, it will finance consultancy and non-consultancy services, operational costs and procurement of mainly Information Technology (IT) related equipment (computer, monitor, tablet, servers etc.). The expected environmental risk of the proposed project is not significant. However, the implementing agency needs to address the e- waste in an appropriate manner. Considering the issue of e-waste management and monitoring requirement, the environmental risk associated with the project is estimated to be ‘moderate’. Social Risk Rating Moderate Public Disclosure The Social Risk Rating is Moderate. This is because the project’s target beneficiaries are mostly from poor and/or vulnerable households. The project will take pro-active measures to expand its reach (e.g. in remote rural areas, some challenging urban environments). As a result, some social analysis will be undertaken to enhance targeting and a SEP will be prepared with attention to accessibility of the GRM. The project will not finance physical works and thus there will be no land acquisition and or economic displacement impacts as result of land take or restriction to land. The project does not involve activities that have a high potential for harming people. The potential risks on human populations are predictable and expected to be reversible; and low in magnitude. There is a low probability of serious adverse effects and the risks and impacts can be easily mitigated in a predictable manner. B. Environment and Social Standards (ESSs) that Apply to the Activities Being Considered B.1. General Assessment ESS1 Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts Overview of the relevance of the Standard for the Project: The standard is relevant to the project. The project is expected to contribute to sustained impact on human capital built among the poor, vulnerable and other at-risk populations. The Project is expected to have a significant positive social outcome as it will finance systems strengthening to improve effectiveness and efficiency of Social Safety Net (SSN) programs, as well as support overarching policies and strategies to make Social Protection (SP) more inclusive. The project is expected to contribute to sustained impact on human capital built among the poor, vulnerable and at- risk populations. The improved delivery systems and coordination in the medium to long-term are expected to result Jul 22, 2019 Page 4 of 9 The World Bank Social Protection System Strengthening Project (P170497) in sustained efficiency gains in administrative costs as well as improved effectiveness through reduced leakages and duplication. It may be noted that all technical assistance activities planned under component 2 will integrate the principles and objectives of all relevant Environmental and Social Standards. The Borrower as part of the project preparation will carry out an Environmental and Social assessment and develop an Environmental and Social Commitment Plan to be agreed with the Bank and containing the measures and actions to ensure compliance with the Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs). The ESA will comprise of a rapid assessment to identify factors hindering reaching hard-to-reach groups and other special risk groups in poor households. The Implementation and Completions Results Report from a previous Social Protection Project (P105024) and recent assessment of coverage gaps in January 2019 highlighted to need to improve coverage of poor households including those with children, elderly and persons with disabilities, as well as the importance of strengthening monitoring and evaluation at various intake points. The assessment will identify any social risks and how they can be mitigated. The target population is from poor, vulnerable households who are reached through various social safety programs including conditional cash transfers. The following areas are proposed under the ESA. Public Disclosure a) Rapid Social Assessment of Vulnerability on Targeting. A rapid Social Analysis to identify special risk factors that could impact targeting and coverage, such as remoteness in rural area, and outreach in violence afflicted contexts. Additionally, the potential risks and issues related to Gender Based Violence (GBV) will be assessed. b) ESA will include the include an inventory of electronic equipment to be replaced, measures for appropriate final disposal and written record of inventory and disposal. Areas where “Use of Borrower Framework” is being considered: None. ESS10 Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure The standard is relevant. The main stakeholders are: Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MLSS), Ministry of Education, Youth and Information (MOEYI), Ministry of Local Government and Community Development (MLGCD), Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), The Human Employment and Resource Training Trust, National Training (HEART) Trust/NTA, vulnerable groups including Programme of Advancement through Health and Education (PATH) beneficiary families, unattached youth, and Persons with disabilities (PwDs), other community members, non- governmental organizations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) engaged with the target groups. The borrower will submit a stakeholder engagement plan (SEP). The environmental & social assessment will inform the stakeholder engagement plan (SEP). The SEP will be prepared in a manner that is accessible and culturally Jul 22, 2019 Page 5 of 9 The World Bank Social Protection System Strengthening Project (P170497) appropriate, considering measures to ensure that access and inclusion of any vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups during the Project. The SEP will outline a) who the key stakeholders are; b) how they are to be engaged; c) how often the engagement will occur throughout the project; d) how feedback will be solicited, recorded and monitored over the project; e) who will be charged/responsible with this engagement; f) timeline for this engagement, and so on. The Bank will review the adequacy of the SEP, and that must be prepared as soon as possible and cleared by appraisal. The process of stakeholder engagement will begin during preparation and continue into implementation. The Borrower will assess the Grievance Redress Mechanism in place for the PATH component to receive and facilitate the resolution of concerns and grievances. This will build on the experience of the GRM and lessons learned from similar and previous projects. If significant changes are made to the SEP after consultations, a revised SEP should be publicly disclosed prior to appraisal. B.2. Specific Risks and Impacts A brief description of the potential environmental and social risks and impacts relevant to the Project. ESS2 Labor and Working Conditions The standard is relevant given that the project will engage with contracted workers for equipment transportation and installation and will hire different specialized consultants for developing and designing different types of systems/procedures, policies/strategies and capacity development. Public Disclosure The PIU will hire direct workers as consultants in the PIU, however the number will be few (about 8 including a procurement specialist, M&E specialist) and the relevant provisions of the ESS2 will apply. The project does not intend to be engaged with primary supplier and community workers. If any of the workers are government civil servants , whether full-time or part-time, they will remain subject to the terms and conditions of their existing public-sector employment agreement or arrangement, unless there has been an effective legal transfer of their employment or engagement to the project. ESS2 will not apply to such government civil servants, except for the provisions of Protecting the Work Force Occupational Health and Safety. A Labor Management Procedure (LMP) will be developed for this project. The LMP should set out and document the way workers will be managed (working conditions, terms and conditions of employment, measures to prevent and address harassment, provisions for non-discrimination and equal opportunity in the work place, occupational health and safety for workers, etc.). The LMP will also include a dedicated Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) separate from the Project level GRM. Further to that, LMP will consider the occupational health and safety aspects when working in remote rural areas and/or challenging urban environments. Jul 22, 2019 Page 6 of 9 The World Bank Social Protection System Strengthening Project (P170497) ESS3 Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management The standard is considered relevant as the project involves procurement of equipment and issues related to disposal of the e-waste. It will incorporate e-waste guidelines in project operation manual. In addition, it will promote the energy efficient equipment to be procured under the project. However, the project will not involve any activities with potential risks or impacts associated with other environmental pollution. ESS4 Community Health and Safety The standard is not relevant considering no physical intervention of the project at community level. There is no potential health and safety risks and impacts on communities. ESS5 Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement The project will not fund civil works and no impact on private land and assets are anticipated from project activities. ESS5 is not considered relevant. ESS6 Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources As the project will not support any civil works or procurement of major equipment, the standard is not relevant. Public Disclosure ESS7 Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities The standard is not relevant. There are no groups in Jamaica which meet the requirements of under the standard. ESS8 Cultural Heritage The standard is not relevant. The project will not finance civil work and no interaction with tangible or intangible cultural heritage is expected. ESS9 Financial Intermediaries The standard is currently not relevant, as there are no FIs involved in the project. B.3 Other Relevant Project Risks None C. Legal Operational Policies that Apply OP 7.50 Projects on International Waterways No OP 7.60 Projects in Disputed Areas No Jul 22, 2019 Page 7 of 9 The World Bank Social Protection System Strengthening Project (P170497) III. WORLD BANK ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL DUE DILIGENCE A. Is a common approach being considered? No Financing Partners None. B. Proposed Measures, Actions and Timing (Borrower’s commitments) Actions to be completed prior to Bank Board Approval: Preparation of Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA) prior to appraisal. The ESA will comprise a rapid social analysis to inform the Stakeholder Engagement Plan. Preparation, consultation and disclosure of the Stakeholders Engagement Plan (SEP) will enhance the identification of potential beneficiaries of the Program and a Grievance Redress Mechanism for the project. A Labor Management Plan (LMP) for direct reports and direct workers. Preparation of Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP). Possible issues to be addressed in the Borrower Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP): The ESCP will likely address, at a minimum, commitments related to the following: Public Disclosure Environmental and Social Assessment. An inventory of electronic equipment to be replaced, measures for appropriate final disposal and written record of inventory and disposal. Establishment of a project Grievance Redress Mechanism. Finalization and implementation of Stakeholder Engagement Plan. Preparation of Labor Management Plan (LMP). Inclusion of e-waste guidelines in project operational manual. Monitoring and reporting of e-waste throughout project cycle . Capacity building of implementing agency on environmental and social risk management. C. Timing Tentative target date for preparing the Appraisal Stage ESRS 30-Sep-2019 IV. CONTACT POINTS World Bank Contact: Junko Onishi Title: Sr Social Protection Specialist Telephone No: 1-202-458-46 Email: jonishi@worldbank.org Jul 22, 2019 Page 8 of 9 The World Bank Social Protection System Strengthening Project (P170497) Contact: Asha M. Williams Title: Social Protection Specialist Telephone No: 202-458-5450 Email: awilliams5@worldbank.org Borrower/Client/Recipient Borrower: Jamaica Implementing Agency(ies) Implementing Agency: Ministry of Labour and Social Security V. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20433 Telephone: (202) 473-1000 Web: http://www.worldbank.org/projects VI. APPROVAL Task Team Leader(s): Junko Onishi, Asha M. Williams Public Disclosure Practice Manager (ENR/Social) Maria Gonzalez de Asis Recommended on 11-Jul-2019 at 23:30:3 EDT Safeguards Advisor ESSA Noreen Beg (SAESSA) Cleared on 28-Jun-2019 at 16:23:24 EDT Jul 22, 2019 Page 9 of 9