Social Policy ( Environmental Safeguard) Specialist, NO-3, For 364 Days, Kabul, Afghanistan (Open to Afghan Nationals)

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Tuesday 5 Jul 2022 at 19:25 UTC

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Contract

This is a NO-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-3 contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a Champion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbkJiMmvKqk

How can you make a difference?

Under the general guidance of the Chief of Social Policy, the Environmental Safeguards Specialist is accountable for providing technical support for the implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF) of two World Bank Funded projects under Health and Education[1], to ensure UNICEF compliance to agreements between the World Bank and UNICEF under the Environmental and Social Commitments Plan (ESCP). This includes technical support and managing (a) establishment and update of) instruments under the World Banks Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) including preparation of site specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs); (b) implementation of the environmental components of the ESCP and ESMF including the occupational and community health and safety measures; (c) ensure existing and emerging risks are mitigated/adequately addressed through rigorous monitoring and reporting of ESS compliance; d) ESF knowledge management and capacity building of project implementing partners and contractors/local suppliers. This encompasses both direct programmes work with Government, civil society partners, contractors as well as coordination with and support to UNICEF programme teams working on education, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, and with PME. (e) Support the effort for harmonized and coordinated approach of addressing ESS across the Afghanistan CO, in collaboration all sectors/sections as well as in support of efforts from Regional Office and Headquarters.


[1] Health Emergency Response Project and Emergency Education Response Project

Key Responsibilities

The major tasks and outputs related to the environmental aspects of the ESMF will include but not be limited to:

1. Preparation/update of ESF documents in compliance with the ESCP

  • In coordination with Social Safeguard Specialist, Environmental Health Specialist and concerned programme sectors, keep the ESMF up-to-date, ensuring that new and emerging risks are identified and addressed.
  • In coordination with Social Safeguard Specialist and concerned programme sectors, screen all sub-projects, adapt generic ESMP, prepare site specific ESMPs and other ESS instruments to ensure compliance the ESCP as appropriate.
  • Design/develop necessary documents, guidance notes, templates, with UNICEF and partners staff, affected communities and stakeholders,
  • Ensure the instruments prepared are aligned with the World Bank ESF and UNICEF’s internal procedures and policies, regulatory frameworks as well as the model UN approach.
  • Provide technical support, guidance, advice to the project teams, when applicable, (in design and implementation of ESS sensitive interventions).
  • Ensure that environmental risks screening of interventions is conducted as early as possible during programming
  • Ensure that the ESF requirements are cascaded down to implementing partners and contractors by providing training and capacity building as well as ensuring the relevant focal points for Environmental and Social Risk Management are in place.
  • Ensure that OHS provisions are adequately budgeted for staffed by contractors prior to start of any construction activities.

2. Implementation of the environmental aspects of the ESMF

  • Provide technical support during project implementation to ensure compliance to the ESCP, ESMF, ESMPs, Healthcare Waste management and Occupational Health and Safety Management plans.
  • Identify challenges, opportunities, and ensure optimal prioritization of needs for the development and implementation of the risks mitigation measures from the ESCP, ESMF and ESMPs.
  • In collaboration with other safeguards team members and chiefs of sectors, ensure that the terms and conditions as set in the project documents are in line with environmental safeguard principles and are adhered to.
  • In collaboration with other safeguards team members, ensure effective functioning and optimal utilization of the Grievance and Redressal Mechanism (GRM) to address environmental concerns from project activities
  • Roll-out supporting guidance and tools, when applicable to support ESF implementation.
  • Review bid documents to ensure environmental factors and mitigation measures are incorporated, and they are in harmony with the environmental safeguards’ requirements as stipulated in the relevant safeguard’s instruments.

3. Project Monitoring & Reporting

  • Develop a monitoring strategy and plan to ensure compliance to ESCP, ESMF and ESMPs, including monitoring UNICEF implementing partners and contractors’ compliance.
  • Prepare regular monitoring reports on the environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) performance of the project within the timeframe stipulated in the ESCP. The report must cover progress on implementation of the ESCP, status and implementation of the E&S instruments as well as a synthesis of the contractor’s quarterly reports.
  • Prepare incidents reports of any environment, social, health and Safety incidents as stipulated in the ESCP within the timeframe stipulated. Provide sufficient detail regarding the scope, severity, and possible causes of the incident or accident, indicating immediate measures taken or that are planned to be taken to address it, and any information provided by any contractor and/or Service Providers. Propose any measures to address it and prevent its recurrence.
  • Conduct Environmental safeguards Monitoring of projects, including regular and “spot-check” site visits, based on agreed mitigation measures and prepare detailed monitoring reports for internal and external stakeholders
  • Coordinate with E&S focal points at each of the NGOs and urban contractors regarding implementation of ESMF, ESMP and relevant provisions of the ESCP.
  • Review contracts with NGOs and contractors to ensure that all relevant aspects of the ESCP, including the ESMF are incorporated. Thereafter ensure compliance with the said provisions.
  • In collaboration with other safeguards team members, monitor and report regularly on progress on the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) and functioning of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)
  • Participate in all internal and external environmental safeguards’ meetings, to share lessons, identify opportunities and challenges in implementation.
  • Provide technical support to the project and result-based monitoring and evaluation.
  • In coordination with other safeguarding team members, contribute to regular reports on ESS instruments in line with the UNICEF Disclosure Policy
  • Ensure that environmental risks management are reflected in technical, progress and final reports.

4. ESS Knowledge Management, Capacity Building and Training

  • Take stock of lessons learned from previous projects, global regional and national best practices, and current UNICEF and WB principles guidelines and procedures to ensure environmental safeguard documents for the project remain up to date and current.
  • Capturing lessons learned, experiences and case studies from project implementation to inform capacity development trainings as well as address gaps and refine project procedures.
  • Develop and implement capacity building activities for UNICEF staff, partners and contractors where applicable through Development of Guidance, Training Materials and Delivery of Face-to-Face Training
  • Closely provide assistance and deliver capacity building training to the field teams to close knowledge/skill gaps and minimize the likelihood of risks to happen to sub projects
  • Carry out training on integrating safeguard principles including occupational (OHS) and Community Health and safety (CHS) in projects and interventions as needed.
  • Provide orientation to all field teams on safeguards issues.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education: An advanced university degree at master’s level or above in Environmental Studies or Environmental Economics or Natural Resource Management or relevant similar field is required.

*A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

Work Experience:

  • Five (5) years technical experience in environmental sustainability and in the design, implementation and monitoring of environmental impact assessments and management plans
  • Experience in similar roles as Environmental Safeguards Specialist is an advantage
  • Good writing and communication skills, including public speaking and presentations is preferred.
  • Experience working with UNICEF, World Bank Financed Projects or another UN agency is an asset.
  • Familiarity with emergency response is an asset.
  • Willingness to extensively travel to provinces in Afghanistan

Language Requirements: Fluency in English and other local languages is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable women are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org