Environment and Social Safeguards Specialist, P-3, TA (364 days), Kinshasa, DRC

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 120,483 USD and 157,764 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Hope

How can you make a difference?

Under the general guidance of the Programme Manager P4 in Kinshasa, the Environment and Social Safeguards Specialist is accountable for providing technical support for the implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF) of the World Bank Funded projects, to ensure UNICEF compliance of agreements between the World Bank and UNICEF under the Environmental and Social Commitments Plan (ESCP). This includes technical support and managing (a) establishment and update of instruments under the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) including preparation of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP); (b) implementation of the social components of the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) and ESMF including but not limited to labor management procedures, stakeholder engagement, grievance handling in close coordination with the PSEA Specialist; (c) ensure existing and emerging risks are mitigated/adequately addressed through monitoring and reporting on environmental risks mitigation measures and identification of residual risks through the project implementation duration; d) ESF knowledge management and capacity building of project implementing partners and contractors/local suppliers This encompasses both direct programmes work with Government, civil society partners, contractors as well as coordination with and support to UNICEF teams; (e) Support the effort for harmonized approach of addressing ESS across the DRC CO, in collaboration with HQ and Regional Office.

1. Preparation/update of ESMF documents in compliance with the ESCP

• In coordination with concerned programme sectors and the PSEA Programme Manager, keep the ESMF up to date, ensuring that new and emerging risks are identified and addressed.
• In coordination with concerned programme sectors and the PSEA Programme Manager, screen all sub-projects, adapt generic ESMP, prepare site specific ESMPs and other ESS instruments to ensure compliance the ESCP as appropriate.
• Design/develop necessary documents, guidance notes, templates, with UNICEF and partners staff, affected communities and stakeholders,
• Ensure the instruments prepared are aligned with the World Bank ESF and UNICEF’s internal procedures and policies, regulatory frameworks as well as the model UN approach.
• Provide technical support, guidance, advice to the project teams, when applicable, (in design and implementation of ESS sensitive interventions).
• Ensure that environmental and social risks screening of interventions is conducted as early as possible during programming
• Ensure that the ESF requirements are cascaded down to implementing partners and contractors by providing training and capacity building as well as ensuring the relevant focal points for Environmental and Social Risk Management are in place.
• Ensure that the necessary provisions are adequately budgeted for staffed by contractors prior to start of any construction activities.

2. Implementation of the environmental aspects of the ESMF

• Provide technical support during project implementation to ensure compliance to the ESCP, ESMF, ESMPs.

• Identify challenges, opportunities, and ensure optimal prioritization of needs for the development and implementation of the risks, mitigation measures from the ESCP, ESMF and ESMPs.

• In collaboration with the PSEA Programme Manager and section chiefs, ensure that the terms and conditions as set in the project documents are in line with environmental and social safeguard principles and are adhered to.
• In collaboration with the PSEA Programme Manager and section chiefs, ensure effective functioning and optimal utilization of the Grievance and Redressal Mechanism (GRM) to address social and environmental concerns from project activities
• Roll-out supporting guidance and tools, when applicable to support ESF implementation.
• Review bid documents to ensure social and environmental factors and mitigation measures are incorporated, and they are in harmony with the social and environmental safeguards’ requirements as stipulated in the relevant safeguard’s instruments.

3. Project Monitoring & Reporting

• Develop a monitoring strategy and plan to ensure compliance to ESCP, ESMF and ESMPs, including monitoring implementing partners and contractors’ compliance.
• Prepare regular monitoring reports on the environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) performance of the Project, including but not limited to the implementation of the ESCP, status of preparation and implementation of E&S instruments required under the ESCP, stakeholder engagement activities, and functioning of the grievance mechanism. This would include obtaining the contractor’s quarterly reports as well.
• Conduct Environmental and Social Monitoring of projects, including regular and “spot-check” site visits, based on agreed mitigation measures and prepare detailed monitoring reports for internal and external stakeholders
• Coordinate with E&S focal points at each of the NGOs and urban contractors regarding implementation of ESMF, ESMP and relevant provisions of the ESCP.
• Review contracts with NGOs and contractors to ensure that all relevant aspects of the ESCP, including inter alia, the ESMF are incorporated. Thereafter ensure compliance with the said provisions.
• In collaboration with the PSEA Programme Manager, monitor and report on progress on the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) and functioning of the Grievance Redressal Mechanism.
• Participate in all internal and external social safeguards’ meetings to share lessons, identify opportunities and challenges in implementation.
• Provide technical support to the project and result-based monitoring and evaluation.
• In coordination with the PSEA Programme Manager, contribute to regular reporting on implementation of ESS instruments in line with UNICEF Information disclosure policy
• Ensure that social risks management are reflected in technical, progress and final reports.
• Monitor implementation of the Labor Management Procedures (LMP) by each of the Service Providers / contractors.
• In coordination with the PSEA Programme Manager, ensure prompt reporting of incident or accident related to the Projects which has, or is likely to have, a significant adverse effect on the environment, the affected communities, the public or workers, including, inter alia, cases of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment (SH), and accidents that result in death, serious or multiple injury. Provide sufficient detail regarding the scope, severity, and possible causes of the incident or accident, indicating immediate measures taken or that are planned to be taken to address it, and any information provided by any contractor and/or Service Providers.

4. ESS Knowledge Management, Capacity Building and Training

• Take stock of lessons learned from previous projects, global regional and national best practices, and current UNICEF and WB principles guidelines and procedures to ensure environmental and social safeguard documents for the project remain up to date and current.
• Capturing lessons learned, experiences and case studies from project implementation to inform capacity development trainings as well as address gaps and refine project procedures.
• Develop and implement capacity building activities for UNICEF staff, partners and contractors where applicable through Development of Guidance, Training Materials and Delivery of Face-to-Face Training
• Closely provide assistance and deliver capacity building training to the field teams to close knowledge/skill gaps and minimize the likelihood of risks to happen to sub projects
• Carry out training on integrating environmental and social safeguard principles in projects and interventions as needed.
• Provide orientation to all field teams on environmental and social safeguards issues.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree in Social sciences (anthropology, sociology, political economy, social development, etc.), or relevant similar field is required.
• Five (5) years technical experience in sustainability, social safeguards/standards and/or social development (voice and participation, gender, community-driven development, citizen engagement) and in the design, implementation and preferably monitoring of social/environmental impact assessments and management plans.
• Good writing and communication skills, including public speaking and presentations is preferred.
• Highly motivated team players with an eye for detail, understanding the bigger picture context of operations, and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Strong analytical skills and practical experience with participatory processes of stakeholder engagement and be able to integrate social development considerations in an operational context.
• Strong technical competency on environmental social issues and safeguards, with demonstrated ability to contribute to project management.
• Knowledge and experience in addressing issues covered by UNICEF’s environmental and social safeguards policies or similar policies in other international institutions in complex and challenging settings, and across practices.
• Experience working in complex and challenging settings is highly desirable
• Experience with grievance redress mechanisms.
• Experience in areas of social inclusion such as gender; conflict, fragility, and violence; and disability. Knowledge on knowledge of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH), Gender Based Violence (GBV) will be added advantage.
• Experience working with UNICEF or another UN agency is an asset.
• Familiarity within an emergency/post-emergency context is desirable.
• Fluency in English and French is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are:

ii) Competencies (Required)

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.