Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Specialist - Social and Environmental Safeguards

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Tuesday 17 May 2022 at 23:59 UTC

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Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-10 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 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-10 contracts.

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.

Background Information - Job-specific

In December 2021, the World Bank approved the US$50 million Yemen Emergency Lifeline Connectivity Project (YELCP) with objectives to provide climate resilient road access and employment and entrepreneurship opportunities to food insecure rural population of Yemen. YELCP will be implemented through the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in partnership with the Rural Access Program (RAP) as a local implementation partner. The financing instrument of the project is Investment Project Financing with an operational life of three years and eleven months. The last twelve (12) months are set aside for management to carry out the Defects Notification Period (DNP).

The Project will finance the rehabilitation of lifeline rural access roads in selected areas in Yemen to contribute toward addressing road access to food and other humanitarian needs, and unemployment, whilst laying the foundation to (i) build resilience to climate change induced vulnerabilities, (ii) reduce gender gaps, and (iii) build the capacities of RAP and RMF through a dedicated capacity building program.The Project has four components as follows:

Component 1: Rural and Village Access Roads Improvement and Maintenance

Sub-Component 1.A: Rehabilitation of Lifeline Rural Access Roads

Sub-Component 1.B: Employment-Intensive Road Maintenance

Component 2: Strengthening Management Capacity of Transport Sector Public Institutions

Component 3: Project Implementation and Monitoring Support, Studies and Preparatory Activities

Component 4. Contingent Emergency Response

The project will be implemented in Yemen during the conflict, and as it involves rehabilitation of lifeline corridors and rural access roads, numerous risks are considered. The project's implementation strategy will thus carefully balance a series of significant considerations, guided by informed contextual analysis and local political economy dynamics. The programming will be conflict-sensitive in every step. The overall risk to the achievement of the Project’s development objectives is ’High’ as the Project will be implemented in a challenging conflict context.

Besides its long experience working in FCV context globally, UNOPS has a strong presence in Yemen and the capacity to reach out to the most affected beneficiaries. With years of experience working in Yemen, UNOPS has demonstrated strong capacity and readiness to implement investment projects in extremely challenging circumstances. UNOPS has preparedness and mobilization mechanisms in place, which enable optimal emergency procurement, and is well informed about the market response locally and internationally.

UNOPS will implement the Project through its Yemen Country Office in Sana’a and the Operational Hub in Amman. A dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) will be established to provide support in project management, technical aspects, procurement, financial management and financial sector aspects, communications, (M&E), social and environmental issues, logistics, administration, information technology (IT), and security will be handled by the Sana’a Office with close support on a day-to-day basis from Amman. UNOPS global staff will be drawn in on a need basis. Project oversight will come from UNOPS Regional Office and Operational Hub in Amman, as well as UNOPS headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Functional Responsibilities

Under direct supervision of Project manager, the Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Specialist will be responsible for providing the technical support ensuring the safeguard requirements are met throughout the project implementation period in compliance of the WB safeguard frameworks and UNOPS requirements. Main functional responsibilities shall be as mentioned below but not limited to:

A. Analytical and Technical support:

  • Undertake an environmental and social risk categorization of proposals submitted to the project under implementation;
  • Ensure that appropriate environmental and social mitigation measures are proposed and met;
  • Update and report on the implementation and progress of the Project Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) and Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP);
  • Report and undertake follow up monitoring to ensure that proposed mitigation measures are implemented according to site-specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs);
  • Closely follow up the integration of safeguard assessment information and completion of safeguards self-screening Checklist during the project development process;
  • Prepare Environmental and Social Management Plans based on the project Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and ESCP and ensure that such plans are cleared by the World Bank team before implementation;
  • Lead on developing and delivering a series of spot checks to ensure safeguards policies are properly implemented at grassroots level in line with the Project safeguard framework and plans;
  • Prepare report on the safeguard risks with appropriate actions to be taken for all project activities and ensure that timely actions are taken;
  • Provide technical support during Project Design, Appraisal process and resource mobilization plan for the project;
  • Provide substantive advice on safeguard issues in order to promote enhanced investment on building a climate resilient green economy;
  • Closely provide assistance and deliver capacity building trainings to local implementing partners and contractors/suppliers to close knowledge/skill gaps and minimize the likelihood of risks to happen to during project implementation;
  • Compile quarterly, biannual and annual reports on safeguards related issues and deliver to the Project Manager as part of the M&E report;
  • Handle additional assignments as directed by the project Manager.

B. Operations, Management and Implementation:

  • Identify challenges, opportunities, priorities and needs for the development and implementation of the project’s safeguard plans and implementation at all levels;
  • In collaboration with the project team, make sure that the terms and conditions set for project development in line with safeguard principles are adhered to;
  • Advice on administrative measures and actions required for ensuring the compliance with requirements set regarding environmental and social safeguard measures prior to the validation and implementation of the project 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;
  • Prepare quarterly and annual reports to be submitted to the Project Manager on the implementation and progress of all safeguard plans with a special view to capturing lessons learned and best practices for improving the performance of the project and maintaining safeguard standards;
  • Undertake quarterly monitoring and evaluation of project activities against standards of the safeguard guideline.

C. Capacity Building:

  • Provide support and direct technical assistance to develop environment and social safeguard responsive climate smart strategies and plans;
  • Provide technical support to the project and result based monitoring and evaluation;
  • Carry out training on integrating safeguard principles in climate change programme.
  • Perform other related duties as required and advised by the Project Manager.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) 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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: - Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Resource/Environmental Economics, Natural Resources Management or relevant scientific discipline is required. - Bachelor´s Degree with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

Experience: - 5 years of progressive relevant operational experience and proven track record in working on projects covering a broad range of resettlement and social development issues, is required. Priority will be given to the candidate who worked with The World Bank funded project with similar work experience. - Previous experience with UN/ international organizations is an asset; - Computer literate and familiar with Office applications (in particular, Word and Excel) is required.

Language: - Excellent command of Arabic and English language (oral and written) is required.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA Specialist Contract level: LICA 10 Contract duration: 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 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.
  • Sana'a is a non family duty station.
  • This is a local postion open for nationals only.
  • 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.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.unops.org