Environmental and Social Safeguard Specialist

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Environmental and Social Safeguard Specialist (ESSS) is required to assist in the development process of an Environmental and Social Safeguards guideline, social screening and staff capacity building in consultation with the World Bank and PIU.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

1. Function / Expected Results: Analytical and Technical support;

• Assist in the review and development process of the current Environmental and Social Safeguards guideline in consultation with the World Bank and PIU to be used in the coming phase;
• Participate in social screening activities as well as review of grievance readdress mechanisms;
• Undertake an environmental and social risk categorization;
• Closely follow up the integration of safeguard assessment information and completion of safeguards self-screening Checklist during the project/program development process;
• Provide technical support during proposal development, project design, appraisal process and resource mobilization plan for the sub projects in all locations;
• 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;
• Assist in the development process of an Environmental and Social Safeguards guideline in consultation with the World Bank Country Office to be used by line ministries in the plan and implementation process of financed projects and programmes;
• Undertake an environmental and social risk categorization of proposals submitted to the office and project under implementation;
• Ensure that appropriate environmental and social mitigation measures are proposed and met;
• Undertake follow up monitoring to ensure that proposed mitigation measures are implemented according to an agreed upon environmental and social mitigation implementation plan;
• Closely follow up the integration of safeguard assessment information and completion of safeguards self-screening Checklist during the project/program development process;
• Prepare Environmental and Social safeguard Plans and ensure that such plans are approved by relevant authorities 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 guideline;
• Prepare report (monthly, quarterly, field monitoring) on the safeguard risks with appropriate actions to be taken for all sub projects and ensure that timely actions are taken;
• Closely provide assistance and deliver capacity building training to the sectors to close knowledge/skill gaps and minimize the likelihood of risks to happen to projects;
• Compile quarterly, biannual and annual reports on safeguards related issues and deliver to the programme as part of the M&E report;
• Handle additional assignments as directed by the Project Manager.

• Masters degree or advanced degree in Environmental Studies or Environmental Economics or Natural Resource Management or relevant field is required.
• Bachelor degree in Environmental Studies or Environmental Economics or Natural Resource Management or relevant field with additional 2 years relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the Masters degree.

• A minimum of 5 years experience in public works projects and/or development projects and/or emergency assistance and/or social development is required. 
• Skills in Project Management is required.

• Fluency in written and oral English is essential.

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: I-ICA 2
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

Nationals and Residents of South Sudan are encouraged to apply for this position, if the selected candidate is a national of the country s/he will be offered the position at the Local equivalent’.

• 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.
• 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
• 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.

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.