Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Senior Analyst

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-9 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 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-9 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

Project Information:

The project is located in Angola with an approximate team of 12 Staff. The project goal is to implement infrastructure for smallholder Agriculture development composed of markets and irrigation schemes.

Local Context: UNOPS has recently opened an office of permanent representation in Angola.

Sustainability is a key part of UNOPS strategic plan for the Angola Office. Therefore, improving Environmental Management performance by preventing or mitigating adverse impacts on the environment will support sustainability efficiency in delivering projects.

UNOPS is implementing an Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) aligned to the ISO 14001 standard to help identify and mitigate environmental impacts of its operations.

With this system, UNOPS intends to manage its environmental risks and impacts throughout the life cycle of projects in a systematic manner that leads to continuous improvement and development of local capacity.

Therefore, UNOPS intends to extend the application of the ESMS to all its operations and embed ESMS as a part of normal value creation in the UNOPS business cycle.

Additionally, UNOPS complies with the environmental policies and frameworks of its partners including several multilateral and bilateral donor institutions, governments and other stakeholders.

To ensure compliance with UNOPS own HSE systems and policies, environmental safeguards and policies of partners, UNOPS requires support from qualified Environment Specialists on a retainer basis.

The Environment Senior Analyst will be responsible for identifying interactions of the project with the environment, defining the associated impacts of these interactions and proposing mitigation measures as well as protocols for implementing them.

He/she/them may also be engaged in monitoring and reporting on UNOPS ESMS.

The Environment Senior Analyst will be responsible for assisting UNOPS to adopt and make use of the UNOPS ESMS and ensure compliance with stakeholder requirements including policies and frameworks of bilateral and multilateral donor agencies.

This will involve translations of all environment safeguard policies, requirements and laws into actionable mitigation options and operational documents and the development of plans for implementation of actions.

The Environment Senior Analyst is also expected to support the UNOPS Team with the revision of existing Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), and any related tasks, as well as the implementation and monitoring of the safeguards instruments. The consultants will be prepared to travel to any site in or around Angola.

The Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Senior Analyst will report to the Senior Project Manager.

The post is based in Luanda but may change to other locations within Angola depending on project needs.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Operations, Management and Implementation

• Identify challenges, opportunities, priorities and needs for the implementation of the ESMF (Environmental and Social Management Framework);
• Supervise consultancy works and review and assess products/services provided by consultants and experts counterparts and notify/advise the Project Manager on quality, and recommend appropriate actions to be taken for improvement as per the safeguard principles and guidelines;
• Advice on administrative measures and actions required for ensuring the compliance with requirements set in the ESMF before the validation and implementation of any site-specific activities;
• Analyze environmental and social developments and provide technical and substantive support in setting targets for the realization of the goal of building a climate resilient green economy;
• Ensure that UNOPS Health, Safety and Environmental Policies and Procedures are addressed and implemented throughout the civil works.
• Oversee and contribute to environmental safeguards components during the design development of infrastructure components of the Project;
• Coordinate the development of HSSE guidelines and operating procedures.
• Conduct risk assessment and enforce preventative measures on HSSE.
• Assist, organize, and conduct HSSE training for UNOPS project team, contractors, consultants, implementing partners, and other stakeholders.
• Support programme of documented HSSE inspections, audits, and checks.
• Assist and conduct a structured programme of health & safety training (including a well-developed induction program) for project staff, contractors, implementing partners, consultants, and other stakeholders.
• Support with all aspects of relevant health, safety & welfare at work legislation and communicate relevant changes to the stakeholders.
• Support the recording and investigation of incidents (including near misses) to determine the cause and to propose improvements to processes in the future.
• Prepare reports on incidents (including near misses) and compile statistical information to present to management on HSSE matters.
• Ensure a safe workplace environment is maintained at all times without risk to the health and safety of everyone including workers, UNOPS staff, other stakeholders, and the general public.
• Ensure that all Health & Safety policies, procedures, rules, and regulations are adhered to and are regularly reviewed, updated, and communicated.
• Trigger and oversee the implementation of environmental correction measures required;
• Ensure that appropriate environmental and social mitigation measures are proposed and met;
• Lead on developing and delivering a series of spot checks to ensure mitigation measures are properly implemented in line with the guideline;
• Assist in the roll-out of the Environmental and Social Management Framework in consultation with other stakeholders;
• Ensure that appropriate follow-on instruments and tools are applied – as laid out on the ESMF.
• Closely assist and deliver capacity-building training to the field teams to familiarize them with the ESMF and other regulations.

• Handle additional assignments as directed by the Project Manager

  2. Analytical and Technical support

• Provide technical advice to project developers and programme managers on what needs to be included in project proposals to embed HSSE management into new projects.
• Support the production and review health, safety, social and environmental management plans, on a regular basis and ensure these are up to date at all times.
• Support project staff, contractors, consultants, implementing partners and other stakeholders on various safety, health, social and environmental related matters related to project implementation.
• Support the Programme/Projects’ teams in raising awareness on health and safety issues among project staff, consultants, contractors, implementing partners and other stakeholders and within UNOPS in general, working closely with the UNOPS country team, Regional and Head Quarter HSE Unit.
• Maintain records of project files and other supporting documents of environmental mitigation measures

• Support the Project Manager in the compilation, consolidation and analysis of environmental relevant data related to the project(s).

  3. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Carry out training and capacity building on environmental tools and frameworks, especially for new staff in the UNOPS Offices and for implementing partners;
• Lead and conduct initiatives on capacity development and knowledge building for Environment, including network development, plans, learning plans and activities, procurement practice information and best practice benchmarking;
• Oversee team’s contributions to Environment knowledge networks and communities of practice including collaborative synthesis of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in Environment;
• Guide team’s collection of feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about Environment processes and best practices and utilize productively;
• Ensure all project activities are successfully supervised and monitored against the ESMF, including understanding of the risks and impacts and implementation of mitigation measures
• Ensure successful correction measures are undertaken by UNOPS and all partners where mitigation measures have failed

• Improved staff capacity

  4. Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Undertake monitoring and evaluation missions, as defined in the ESMF, to capture all risks and impacts and ensure that mitigation measures are implemented.
• Conduct supervision and monitoring field visits to all physical construction sites; including of spot checks to ensure mitigation measures are properly implemented in line with the ESMPs, BMPs, and UNOPS Policies and Procedures with regard to the environment;
• Undertake follow-up monitoring to ensure that proposed mitigation measures are implemented according to the ESMF and site-specific ESMPs;
• Oversee, monitor and report on environmental and social screening processes of site-specific activities as conducted by implementing partners and the UNOPS Mutare Office.
• Oversee, monitor and report on indicators in the ESMF
• Monitor and supervise the implementation of all environmental safeguards tools for the works (Environmental and Social Management Plans – ESMPs – BMPs and Biodiversity Management Plans) in consultation with local governments, and as part of the UNOPS project management unit
• Prepare quarterly and annual reports to be submitted to the World Bank and other stakeholders with a special view to capturing lessons learned and best practices for improving the performance of the Project and maintaining safeguard standards – as per outline provided in the ESMF

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: Master's Degree in Environmental Management, Environmental studies, or a related field with a combination of two additional years of relevant experience is required;

Bachelor Degree in Environmental Management, Environmental studies, or a related field with a combination of four additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of Master degree

Experience:

Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in Environmental Management is required.

Candidates with experience working on rural infrastructure projects will be preferred.

A proven track record of experience managing health and safety in construction, manufacturing, mining, or similar production environments is an asset.

Experience in health & safety and environment management is an asset.

Good working knowledge of MS Office applications (Word, Excel)

Language:

Fluency in both Portuguese and English language is required.

Knowledge of both written and oral French is desirable

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.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. 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.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local individual contractor Agreements (LICA) Contract level: LICA9/ICS9 Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

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

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background information - DR Congo

Located in Kinshasa, DRC the UNOPS Hub in Central Africa (CDMCO) covers eleven countries. The office has developed strong working relations with the international partners, UN agencies including UN Missions and Governments of Central Africa over the years. It provides technical support and capacity building in strategic development areas including infrastructure rehabilitation and development across health, education, public works, governance/public administration sectors; procurement, project management and sectoral advisory services; peace and security, environmental preservation and protection among others.

Local Context: UNOPS has recently opened an office of permanent representation in Angola.

Sustainability is a key part of UNOPS strategic plan for the Angola Office. Therefore, improving Environmental Management performance by preventing or mitigating adverse impacts on the environment will support sustainability efficiency in delivering projects.