Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Senior Associate (Social Development)

Contract

This is a LICA-7 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 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA-7 contracts.

Background Information - Afghanistan

Afghanistan Established in 1995, UNOPS has been working in Afghanistan to build better lives for girls, boys, men and women living in the country. By offering efficient, professional, and agile services, UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) supports partners' contribution to the humanitarian response and development of the country.

Prior to August 2021, UNOPS AFCO was implementing projects in a range of sectors, including infrastructure, procurement, capacity building to ministries, and environmental protection, among others, on behalf of the Government of Afghanistan and the donor community.

Today, in response to the increased humanitarian needs and partner requests, the UNOPS AFCO portfolio supports humanitarian initiatives and basic human needs, including managing cash for work projects, supporting humanitarian actors, procuring emergency supplies, and administering inter-agency communications and accountability centre for all humanitarian actors in the country.

Background Information - Job-specific

Project Information

The project was established due to the significant, ongoing drought exacerbating water access issues which has created an emergency situation in rural areas across southern and central Afghanistan. Inadequate availability of efficient irrigation contributes to the food insecurity crisis. The project objective is to improve access to the quality of water supply and surface water irrigation services in selected rural and drought affected areas and regions.

The project will finance the provision of off-grid solar systems and, where applicable, emergency energy efficient equipment to support surface water irrigation in the selected areas. This will include installation of solar pump systems, and battery systems in high priority areas. These solar water pump systems will be installed to supply for irrigation to meet the needs of farmers pumping the surface water in identified rural areas. Solar pumps used for irrigation purposes will only pump surface water from rivers that have permanent water bodies and not from seasonal rivers.

Job-Specific Information

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager, the Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Senior Associate (Social Development) ensures that the project activities are prepared and implemented in compliance with addressing the the project’s Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), and subproject-specific E&S

instruments. The Social Safeguards Senior Associate will be required to travel across all project sites for monitoring and supervision purposes.

Functional Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to:

• Support compliance with all project Environmental and Social instruments, including the E&S Management Framework (ESMF), Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) and any activity-specific E&S instruments.
• Conduct training on Environmental and Social compliance aspects/issues for the UNOPS Team and the Private Energy Service Companies (PESC)s.
• Conduct Social Assessments where applicable and integrate findings into the E&S compliance and project components.
• Assist with the preparation of subproject specific E&S mitigation measures, ensure measures are included in partner Request for Proposals, Bills of Quantities and contractual agreements.
• Ensure that the Facilitating Partners and contractors maintain all proper documentation of E&S safeguards measures to confirm all due processes have been followed.
• Receive E&S reporting from Facilitating Partners and contractors and prepare E&S reports for submission to the World Bank.
• Conduct monitoring and supervision field trips to subproject sites.
• Monitor ESS-related data in the project’s MIS database and make sure that related data is accurate.
• Respond to Third Party Monitoring Agents’ reports on ESS related issues.
• Set up and implement the Project Grievance Redress Mechanism.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a. Education

• Completion of Secondary education is required.
• A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) / or an advanced university degree (e.g. Masters) in Social Science, Development Studies, Community Development or other relevant discipline is preferred.

b. Work Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in social safeguards or other related fields is required.
• Experience working with the World Bank, UN agencies or other donor agencies, government ministries, and/or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are valued.
• Knowledge of environmental safeguards compliance is desirable.
• Knowledge of UN systems/policies/norms for social safeguards is an asset.

C. Language Requirements:

• Excellent knowledge of both written and oral English is required.
• Fluency in Pashto and/or Dari 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

This VA is open only for Afghan nationals under CTG contract modality not UNOPS ICA.

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.