Oko Nola

Senior Socio Economic and GEDSI Specialist with extensive experience in environment and social safeguards management for donor-funded infrastructure projects. Specialized expertise in environmental impact assessments, contractor compliance monitoring, and community stakeholder engagement across major road and bridge improvement programs in Papua New Guinea.

Senior Socio Economic and GEDSI Specialist - Department of Works & Implementation – Environment and Social Safeguards Branch - PNG

(2020-01)

Manages environment and social safeguards for donor-funded roads and bridges projects including HRRIIP, BRIRAP, and SHHIP programs. Responsibilities include quarterly compliance monitoring, environmental management plan reviews, environmental permit applications, grievance management, training delivery, and safeguards reporting.

• Quarterly monthly Environment and Social Safeguards Compliance Monitoring to project sites to ensure contractor compliance with Environmental Management Plans and reporting procedures
• Review, verify and approve contractors environmental management plans, Quarry Management Plans (QMPs), HIV/AIDs Awareness Programs, Health and Safety Management Plans (HSMPs), and Traffic Management Plans (TMP)
• Assist in review of project scope and screening for potential environmental impacts at selected project sites
• Consult with Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) regarding environmental permit application processes and environmental impact determination under Environment Act 2000 and Environment (Prescribed Activities) Regulation 2002 (EPAR)
• Address grievances of local people relating to environmental damages and uncompensated crop and improvement losses
• Provide training on environment and social safeguards requirements to contractors, Department staff, and Project Management Unit staff on compliance issues
• Identify and propose additional mitigation strategies for 'Prescribed Activities' under Environmental Act 2002 to cover ADB safeguard policies (SPS 2009) and PNG country system requirements
• Support gathering of baseline environmental condition information (physical, biological, socio-economic) through site visits, surveys, and consultations with CEPA
• Support preparation and updates of Initial Environmental Examinations (IEEs) covering pre-construction, construction, and operations phases with detailed Environmental Management Plans (EMPs)
• Coordinate with PNG ADB Country Office safeguards officer to ensure integration of consultations, socio-economic baseline, and social/health impact assessments into environmental assessments
• Prepare monthly and six-monthly safeguards reports through Department of Works Environmental and Social Safeguards Branch for ADB country office submission
• Identify specific training needs and deliver capacity building trainings on environmental assessment and management aspects
• Assist contractors in applying for quarry permits from CEPA
• Ensure contractor compliance with quarry and base camp closure and decommissioning requirements with full revegetation using native vegetation
• Develop forms, Guidelines and Checklists for contractor compliance and submission on Health and Safety, HIV/AIDs, Quarry Extraction, Environmental Management Plans, Traffic Management Plans, and Camp site Management Plans
• Represent Department of Works in contributing information and data on Carbon Emissions from Infrastructure and Energy Sector for PNG's REDD+ Forest Reference Emission Level (FREL) and National Forest Monitoring System to Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA)

Senior Environmental Monitoring Officer - Department of Works & Implementation – Environment and Social Safeguards Branch - PNG

(2015-01 - 2019-12)

Oversaw environmental compliance monitoring for donor-funded roads and bridges projects. Managed environmental assessments, contractor compliance, and safeguards reporting.

Environmental Monitoring Officer - Department of Works & Implementation – Environment and Social Safeguards Branch - PNG

(2010-01 - 2014-12)

Conducted environmental monitoring for donor-funded roads and bridges projects, managing compliance assessments and environmental safeguards implementation.

Tutor for Introduction to Environmental Science, Course #: 2130 - School of Natural and Physical Science, University of Papua New Guinea – Port Moresby - Port Moresby, PNG

(2009-02 - 2010-01)

Provided tutoring in introductory environmental science courses.

Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science - University of Sydney (2003 - 2009)

Bachelor of Science - Environmental Science - University of PNG (1999 - 2002)