Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Analyst (Retainer)

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-8 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-8 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

Kenya Multi-Country Office (KEMC) and Zambia Country Office

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMC/East and Southern Africa sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and Southern Africa. This includes transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and several island states.

In 2020 KEMC established an Office in Lusaka, Zambia. The Government of Zambia (GoZ) has prepared the Irrigation Development Support Project (IDSP, P102459, IDA Credit #48740) in the amount of SDR74.70 million (US$115 million), approved in April 2011 by the World Bank. The Project’s original objective was to increase yields per hectare and value of diverse products marketed by smallholders benefitting from investments in irrigation in selected sites served by the project.” Originally the project had four components (i) Irrigated Agriculture Support Services, (ii) Public Infrastructure; (iii) Private and Cooperative Investment; and (iv) Management and Coordination.

In March 2020, the government requested Additional Funding of US$ 30 million and a time extension of 24 months to allow: (i) the completion of the ongoing works under IDSP and cost replenishment (US$ 14 million); (ii) the implementation of Phase 2 of the remedial works for ten dams (US$ 15 million) and (iii) Drought Emergency Response (USD 1 million).

Ten dams have been built on selected rivers in Zambia as a part of the Zambia Water Resources Development Project (WRDP). These are all earth fill dams, with walls varying in height from 8 m and 10.7 m. Four of the dams were pre-existing and were rehabilitated while the remainder were new dams. Most of the construction was completed between 2016 and 2018. In late 2018, work was stopped due to persistently poor performance by the contractors. A performance review of dam safety and safeguard concerns, including a review of all safeguard instruments, was undertaken for each dam site to guide the requirements for completion of remedial work under the Additional Financing.

The dams now present risks to the local communities and the Government and the World Bank (“Funder”) want to have these dams secured and retrofitted. The remediation works will be financed by the WB through the IDSP. IDSP engaged UNOPS as implementing partner in a Phase 1 to provide services including planning (support of surveillance and emergency preparedness) for 10 dams and design, updating of environmental and social safeguards documentation to comply with WB social and environmental policies for 10 dams and tendering of the works for 10 dams. In Phase 2, UNOPS role will be implementing the identified solutions and lead on the remedial and rehabilitation works on the 10 dams. This will include ensuring the implementation measures of all environmental and social risk mitigation measures as laid out in the Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), which were prepared for each dam in Phase 1. Furthermore, UNOPS will ensure that the works are accompanied by strong stakeholder engagement and a solid Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) available for local communities to provide feedback and register their grievances in relation to the project.

UNOPS is looking to engage a skilled Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Analyst that works out of UNOPS Project Implementation team in Lusaka. Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Analyst will monitor and support the contractors’ implementation of social risk mitigation measures; will be responsible for the implementation of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan and the Grievance Redress Mechanism including the management of the relationship with communities at the dams sites.

The Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Analyst will work as part of the UNOPS Project Management Team in Lusaka, and will need to undertake frequent travels to the 10 dam sites.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, the Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Analyst is required to perform the following specific duties and responsibilities:

Technical Tasks

• Support in rolling out the implementation of Environmental and Social (E&S) safeguards tools for the remedial work on the 10 dams (ESMPs) in consultation with IDSP, local governments, and as part of project management.
• Where necessary, prepare new Abbreviated Resettlement Action Plans (ARAPs) or update existing ARAPs and ensure their implementation, including potential payments of compensation.
• Oversee, monitor and report on indicators in the ESMPs.
• Contribute to UNOPS reporting to IDSP.
• Ensure that appropriate E&S instruments and tools are applied by all implementers of the project.
• Trigger and oversee the implementation of social correction measures by contractors.
• Ensure that appropriate social mitigation measures are proposed and met.
• Undertake follow-up monitoring to ensure that proposed mitigation measures are implemented according to the ESMPs.
• Monitor field visits to sites, where applicable.
• Assist on developing and delivering a series of spot checks to ensure mitigation measures are properly implemented.
• Lead on implementing the stakeholder engagements as per the Stakeholder Engagement Plan in the ESMPs.
• Lead on the implementation / administration of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), as per GRM design.
• Report on stakeholder engagement and GRM.
• Handle additional assignments as directed by Project Managers.

Capacity Building

• Lead in organizing and where necessary implementing any trainings and awareness sessions for communities and authorities (as per ESMPs).
• Provide technical support to the project team as required.
• Carry out training and capacity building on E&S tools and frameworks, especially for new staff in the UNOPS Offices and among contractors.

Impact of Results

• All project activities are successfully support and monitored against the respective ESMPs, including understanding of the risks and impacts and implementation of mitigation measures.
• Successful correction measures are undertaken by UNOPS and constructors where mitigation measures have failed.
• High quality reporting as defined in the project tools.
• Improved staff capacity.

Education

• A Bachelor's Degree in Social Science or equivalent field is required.
• A Master’s Degree in Social Science or equivalent field will be considered an asset.

Experience

• Minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience in social development, gender equality and women’s empowerment is required.
• Previous experience with the design or implementation of social safeguards tools is desired.
• Experience with one E&S safeguards framework of at least one international organization / regional Bank is highly desired.
• Experience in Africa, preferably Zambia, is an asset.
• Experience working on rural infrastructure projects will be preferred.

Languages

• Fluency in read, oral and written English is required.
• Knowledge of local dialects is an asset.

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

• *****This is a local post. As such, it is only open to Zambian nationals or persons with valid residence permits*****
• *****This position is based in a family duty station*****

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA

Contract level: Local ICA Specialist

Contract duration: 12 Months renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.