Environmental Safeguards Officer -Retainer

3. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

UNOPS undertakes a number of infrastructure projects in the Africa region. The purpose of this role would be to provide inputs where these projects have impacts that are social in nature, particularly where donors and governments have safeguards regimes in place or in development.

The consultant will be prepared to travel to any site in or around the countries under KEMC as required and as UNDSS permits.

4. Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Analytical and technical tasks:

• Participate in the development of environmental and social safeguards tools, including Environmental and Social Management Frameworks or Plans.

• Roll out the implementation of Environmental and Social (E&S) safeguards tools in

• consultation with governments, donors and implementing partners and as part of project management;

• Monitor and report on environmental and social screening processes of site-specific activities;

• Oversee, monitor and report on indicators in the E&S safeguards instruments;

• Ensure that appropriate E&S instruments and tools are applied by all implementers of a project;

• Trigger and oversee the implementation of environmental correction measures by implementing partners;

• Ensure that appropriate environmental mitigation measures are proposed and met;

• Undertake follow-up monitoring to ensure that proposed mitigation measures are implemented according to the E&S safeguards instruments;

• Conduct supervision and monitor field visits to sites, where applicable;

• Assist on developing and delivering a series of spot checks to ensure mitigation measures are properly implemented in line with the guideline;

• Compile reports on E&S impacts, and mitigation measures, as per E&S safeguards instruments;

• Handle additional assignments as directed by Project Managers;

• Advice governments on E&;S safeguards

Capacity Building

• Provide technical support to projects as required;

• Carry out training and capacity building on E&S tools and frameworks, especially for new personnel in the UNOPS Offices, governments and other potential implementing partners

Impact of Results 

• All project activities are successfully supervised and monitored against the respective E&S

• frameworks, including understanding of the risks and impacts and implementation of mitigation measures

• Successful correction measures are undertaken by UNOPS and all partners where mitigation measures have failed

• High quality reporting as defined in the project tools

• Improved staff capacity

• A university Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant experience  in Environmental Science or other relevant discipline may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree. 
• An advanced University Degree in relevant discipline is an asset.

• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in environmental management is required;
• At least 1 year of experience with the design or implementation of environmental safeguards tools is required;
• At least 1 year of experience with environmental risk analysis and risk mitigation strategies is required;
• Candidates with experience working on rural infrastructure projects will be an asset.

• 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 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.

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)

Contract level: LICA 8 (ICS 8) Retainer

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.