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

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 Social Safeguards Specialist is accountable for providing technical support for the implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF) of the two World Bank Funded projects for Health and Education[1], to ensure UNICEF compliance of 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 Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) including preparation of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP); (b) implementation of the social components of the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) and ESMF including but not limited to labor management procedures, stakeholder engagement, grievance handling in close coordination with the SEA/SH Specialists; (c) ensure existing and emerging risks are mitigated/adequately addressed through monitoring and reporting on environmental risks mitigation measures and identification of residual risks through the project implementation duration; 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 teams working on education, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, and with PME; (e) Support the effort for harmonized approach of addressing ESS across the Afghanistan CO, in collaboration with HQ and Regional Office.

[1] The Health Emergency Response Project and Emergency Education Response for Afghanistan Project

Key Responsibilities

The major tasks and outputs related to the social 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 Environment Safeguard Specialist, SEA/SH Specialist and concerned programme sectors, keep the ESMF up to date, ensuring that new and emerging risks are identified and addressed.
• In coordination with Environment Safeguard Specialist, SEA/SH Specialist and concerned programme sectors, adapt generic ESMP, prepare site specific ESMPs and other E&S instruments to ensure compliance with the ESCP as appropriate.
• Design/develop necessary documents, guidance notes, templates, in consultation with UNICEF and partners staff, affected communities and stakeholders,
• Ensure that the instruments prepared are aligned with the World Bank’s ESF and UNICEF’s internal procedures and policies, regulatory frameworks and the model UN approach.
• Provide technical support, guidance, advice to the project teams, when applicable (in design and implementation of ESF sensitive interventions).
• Ensure that social 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 social aspects of the ESMF

• Provide technical support during project implementation to ensure compliance to the ESCP, ESMF and ESMPs to ensure project benefits reach Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups and avert any potentially adverse effects from project interventions.
• Identify challenges, opportunities, and ensure optimal prioritization of needs for the implementation of the risks mitigation measures from the ESCP, ESMF and ESMPs.
• In collaboration with other safeguard team members and chiefs of sectors, ensure that the terms and conditions as set in the project documents are in line with social safeguard principles and are adhered to.
• In collaboration with other safeguard team members, ensure effective functioning and optimal utilization of the Grievance and Redressal Mechanism (GRM) to address social concerns from project activities
• Roll out supporting guidance and tools, when applicable to support ESF implementation.
• Review bid documents to ensure social factors and mitigations are incorporated, and they are in harmony with the social safeguards’ requirements and applicable instruments.
• Participate in social screening activities as well as review of grievance and redressal mechanisms.

3. Project Monitoring & Reporting

• Develop a monitoring strategy and plan to ensure compliance to ESCP, ESMF and ESMPs, including monitoring implementing partners and contractors’ compliance.
• Prepare regular monitoring reports on the environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) performance of the Project, including but not limited to the implementation of the ESCP, status of preparation and implementation of E&S instruments required under the ESCP, stakeholder engagement activities, and functioning of the grievance mechanism. This would include obtaining the contractor’s quarterly reports as well.
• Conduct Environmental and Social S 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 inter alia, the ESMF are incorporated. Thereafter ensure compliance with the said provisions.
• In collaboration with other safeguarding team members, monitor and report on progress on the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) and functioning of the Grievance Redressal Mechanism.
• Participate in all internal and external social 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 reporting on implementation of ESS instruments in line with UNICEF Information disclosure policy
• Ensure that social risks management are reflected in technical, progress and final reports.
• Monitor implementation of the Labor Management Procedures (LMP) by each of the Service Providers / contractors.
• Ensure prompt reporting of incident or accident related to the Project which has, or is likely to have, a significant adverse effect on the environment, the affected communities, the public or workers, including, inter alia, cases of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment (SH), and accidents that result in death, serious or multiple injury. 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.

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 social 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 social safeguard principles in projects and interventions as needed.
• Provide orientation to all field teams on social safeguards issues.

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

Education: An advanced university degree in Social sciences (anthropology, sociology, political economy, social development, etc.), 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 sustainability, social safeguards/standards and/or social development (voice and participation, gender, community-driven development, citizen engagement) and in the design, implementation and preferably monitoring of social/environmental impact assessments and management plans.
• Good writing and communication skills, including public speaking and presentations is preferred.
• Highly motivated team players with an eye for detail, understanding the bigger picture context of operations, and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Strong analytical skills and practical experience with participatory processes of stakeholder engagement and be able to integrate social development considerations in an operational context.
• This requires strong technical competency on social issues and safeguards, with demonstrated ability to contribute to project management.
• Knowledge and experience in addressing issues covered by UNICEF’s social safeguards policies or similar policies in other international institutions in complex and challenging settings, and across practices.
• Experience working in complex and challenging settings is highly desirable
• Experience with grievance redress mechanisms.
• Experience in areas of social inclusion such as gender; conflict, fragility, and violence; and disability. Knowledge on knowledge of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH), Gender Based Violence (GBV) will be added advantage.
• Experience working with UNICEF 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:

[Remove below text if not a child safeguarding elevated risk role]

[If applicable] This position has been assessed as an elevated risk role for Child Safeguarding purposes as it is either: a role with direct contact with children, works directly with child, is a safeguarding response role or has been assessed as an elevated risk role for child safeguarding. Additional vetting and assessment for elevated risk roles in child safeguarding (potentially including additional criminal background checks) applies.

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

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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.