Health, Safety and Social Environmental Associate

Background Information – Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMC)

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMC sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and South Africa. This includes primarily transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and several island states.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Zambia Water Resources Development Project’s (WRDP) Project Development Objective (PDO) supported the implementation of an integrated framework for the development and management of water resources in Zambia. The project, financed by the World Bank (USD 50 M), became effective on December 24, 2013 and closed on November 30, 2018. The project consisted of three main components: A) water resources management; B) water resources development; and C) institutional support. The project was implemented by the Zambian Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection (MWDSEP).

Despite the efforts of both GRZ and the World Bank; for an array of reasons, WRDP was closed in 2018, with non-compliance issues in regards to social and environmental safeguards, and dam safety issues unresolved. Since its closure, the World Bank and GRZ have worked together to address these outstanding issues. In March of 2020, UNOPS was engaged in ISDP Phase 1 to provide services including: planning (support of surveillance and emergency preparedness) for 10 dams and design, updating of environmental and social safeguards instruments to comply with World Bank  social and environmental policies for 10 dams and tendering of the works for 10 dams.  The agreement for IDSP Phase 1 is scheduled to end on 31 January 2023

The goal of the project in Phase 2 is to protect local communities in the impacted area of 10 dams across Zambia and to comply with environmental and social safeguards in accordance with the Government of Zambia and World Bank policies. There are imminent risks posed by the 10 dams in their current state, and the objectives are both short (mitigate identified risks to the local communities and their livelihoods) and long-term (implement infrastructure works to remediate the dams to make them safe).

Due to the urgency in implementing the solutions, it has been agreed to split Phase 2 into two overlapping sequential stages that allows to implement the solution for seven (7) dams (Ngolongozya, Makaba, Ndondi, Nachibanga, Kawiko, Nabowa and Kanyika) while working in parallel to finalise the Detailed Design and procurement award for remaining three (3) dams (Chibalashi, Katembula and Chikowa

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Associate is responsible for supporting the Lead Engineers in  all aspects of health, safety and environment during the project life cycle. The HSSE Associate  is responsible for performing the following duties:



Analytical and Technical  Support

• Assist the Lead Engineers in the roll out of the Environmental and Social Management Framework in consultation with the Project Manager

• Be the focal point for all Health and Safety matters and assist the Lead Engineers in developing the HS plan.

• Help the Lead Engineers coordinate the environmental and social screening processes of site-specific activities.

• Monitor and report on site-specific ESMPs for activities conducted by the UNOPS field Offices.

• Assist in coordination of the implementation, monitoring and reporting of Environmental and Social Management Tools including Labor Management Procedures (LMP), Gender Based Violence Action Plan, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Prevention Action Plan and Child Protection Action Plan.

• Carry out a series of spot checks to ensure mitigation measures are properly implemented in line with the guideline.

• In collaboration with the Reporting and M&E Associate, compile weekly, monthly, quarterly and/or annual reports on Environmental and Social aspects as per outline in the ESMP or may be required by the Project Manager.

Operations Management and Implementation

• Identify challenges, opportunities, priorities and needs for the implementation of the site specific ESMPs.

• Assist the PM and Lead Engineers in reviewing and assessing products/services provided by consultants and  counterpart experts..

• Advise on administrative measures and actions required for ensuring the compliance with requirements set in the site specific ESMPs.

• Prepare reports to be submitted to the PIU and other stakeholders.

Capacity Building 

• Provide technical support to the UNOPS  field Offices and field engineers.

• Carry out training and capacity building on Health and Safety matters, environmental and social management tools and plans, for staff, contractors and community Workers.

• Completion of Secondary education is required

• A Bachelor’s Degree in  environmental and social studies or equivalent disciplines from an accredited university is desirable and will be accepted in lieu of the respective years of experience

• A Minimum of 6 years experience in Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and Health & Safety Management is required

• A minimum of one year experience working with environmental law is required

• A minimum of one year experience working with national governments is required

• Knowledge of Zambia government environmental assessment processes and procedures is required.

• A minimum of one year experience in infrastructure and interacting with civil society organisations is an asset

• A minimum of one year experience  in civil and construction works especially earthworks, dams etc is required.

• Direct experience with the United Nations Health, Safety and Environment Management Systems is an asset.

• Excellent knowledge of both written and oral English language is required.

• 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.

Kenya

The UNOPS Kenya office manages more than 60 projects in around 10 countries of eastern and southern Africa. UNOPS in Kenya helps partners achieve their project goals in sectors including: governance, education, health, the environment, grant management and rural development.