Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialist [Open to internal and external applicants]
Overview
The Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialist will assist with compliance at program, project, and investment transaction levels with UNCDF Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) throughout project design and implementation.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct and coordinate SES screenings and SES assessments, including preparing pre-screening and full screening documentation, and reviewing consultant work.
- Identify potential environmental and social risks requiring specialized expertise and review quality standards for deliverables.
- Provide quality assurance for baseline data collection and impact assessments, including ESIAs and SESAs.
- Analyze safeguards, legal frameworks, and provisions to identify gaps and recommend remedial measures.
- Establish and maintain standards for data collection and stakeholder engagement in the assessment process.
- Prepare and/or provide quality assurance for draft and final deliverables such as ESIA, SESA, PEAR.
- Prepare analysis reports, summary reports, and presentations of key issues and conclusions from technical assessments.
- Advise on or coordinate the preparation of management frameworks/plans (including ESMF, ESMP, Indigenous Peoples Plan, Land Acquisition Plans, Resettlement Plan, Livelihoods Plan).
- Advise on or coordinate the preparation of Stakeholder Engagement Plans, incorporating Grievance Redress Mechanisms.
- Determine procedures and methods for risk avoidance, reduction, and mitigation.
- Provide technical support on SES standards to ensure effective implementation and monitor the implementation of SES management plans.
- Advise on and conduct spot checks on stakeholder engagement plans and processes.
- Establish and maintain a project-level Grievance Redress Mechanism.
- Quality-assure and revise screenings, conduct assessments, and develop or update management plans of active projects.
- Commission and conduct environmental and social audits of projects and prepare management action plans.
- Develop capacity by training project teams and partners on SES requirements.
- Document lessons learned and contribute to creating and delivering modular training packages.
- Provide on-the-job, demand-driven capacity development support.
- Analyze data and case evidence to extract relevant lessons on policy implementation and advocate for policy changes.
- Integrate regional perspectives into executing policy and strategic initiatives.
- Offer surge capacity for program/project management at the regional level when necessary.
- Contribute to the execution of corporate and regional initiatives as required.
Required Experience
A minimum of 5 years (with Masters degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in the development and review of environmental and social safeguards at National or International level is required. Experience in applying social and environmental due diligence in project level implementation and management is required. Experience and knowledge of the UNDP/UNCDF’s Project Management (PPM) and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) is highly desired. Knowledge of and experience applying the UNDP SES or similar frameworks is an asset. Experience and knowledge of Oracle Cloud applications are an advantage. Proven track record of writing and analytical reporting is a distinct advantage. Demonstrated experience in data management and use of data visualization software / applications including MS Office are a distinct advantage.
Qualifications
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Social Science, or Development Studies or Environmental Sciences, or related field is required, or A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional Certifications in Programme/Project management are advantageous.