Social Development Advisors- Home based (multiple retainer contracts)

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) management unit falls under the UNOPS Shared Services Centre (SSC) Group. It is responsible for supporting the development and implementation of HSSE good practices in UNOPS projects and operations in line with UNOPS policies, UN common system standards and international best practices.

A key component of the work of the HSSE unit is to provide tools and advice to make UNOPS projects more socially sustainable throughout their project life cycle. Therefore it is necessary to carry out social development due diligence and to establish appropriate social development frameworks for managing the projects. The social development aspects of UNOPS projects also involves monitoring performance and addressing deviations from expectations.

UNOPS is embarking on a process of adopting safeguards, based on international best practice, tailored to UNOPS and the range of projects it delivers. On social matters, UNOPS is looking for expertise in the areas of i) labor and working conditions; ii) community health, safety and security (including dam safety, security personnel and human rights); iii) grievance redress and accountability mechanisms; iv) stakeholder engagement and disclosure of information.

Therefore, the organisation requires the services of senior social development experts that shall be on retainer contracts to carry out short term work packages when required.

Please note that the selected candidates who will successfully undergo the assessments will be offered a contract for 1 year (renewable) but proposed a work package only when a specific opportunity arises.

Functional Responsibilities

Functional Responsibilities May Include

• Assisting the Director of SSC and the Head of the HSSE unit, in shaping the strategic direction and policies of UNOPS in social development matters. This may include issues specific to labor and working conditions on UNOPS projects, community health and safety matters, stakeholder engagement and grievance redress, etc.
• Developing key guidance, templates and other management tools and instruments as required, to enhance the ability of UNOPS personnel and teams to plan and implement social management activities in their projects
• Carrying out or coordinating the carrying out of project due diligence including social screening and impact assessments
• Developing and/or implementing plans and frameworks such as Social Impact Assessments, Community Health and Safety Assessments, Grievance Redress Mechanisms and Stakeholder Engagement Plans, among others
• Developing and implementing training programmes to develop the capacity of partners and UNOPS personnel in implementing UNOPS social development requirements.
• Carrying out social development due diligence of partners, contractors and suppliers prior to commencement of project work to ensure that the ones with unsatisfactory performance are not engaged
• Carrying out or coordinating the monitoring of social development performance during project execution.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant subject such as preferably Social Development, Sociology, Development Studies or Anthropology is required.
• An additional 2 years of relevant work experience in combination with a relevant first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) may substitute for the requirement for a Master’s degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in a social development role is required (with an advanced university degree).
• Demonstrable experience in the management of some of the following areas is an asset: i) labor and working conditions,; ii) community health, and safety and security (including dam safety, security personnel and human rights);, iii) grievance redress and accountability mechanisms;, iv) stakeholder engagement and disclosure of information.
• Experience in drafting of impact assessments and plans such as ESIAs, GRMs, SEPs, etc. is an asset.
• Knowledge and working experience with the World Bank ESF and/or UN Model Approach is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Full working knowledge of English.
• Knowledge of either French or Spanish is an asset.

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. 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: ICA
• Contract level: I-ICA 3
• Contract duration: 1 year, renewable upon satisfactory performance and budget availability

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
• 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.

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.