Environmental Specialist- Home based (multiple retainer contracts) , Multiple positions

The Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) management unit falls under the UNOPS SSC Group. It is responsible for supporting the development and implementation of environmental and social management good practices in UNOPS projects and operations. The HSSE unit also helps to set the environmental and social management policy and strategic direction of UNOPS in line with the UN common system standards and international best practices. 

A key component of the work of the HSSE unit is to provide tools and advice to make UNOPS projects more environmentally and socially sustainable throughout their project life cycle. This support includes carrying out or coordinating the carrying out of environmental and social due diligence and developing appropriate environmental and social frameworks for managing the projects. The environmental and social management for UNOPS projects also involves monitoring performance and addressing deviations from expectations. 

UNOPS is embarking on a process of adopting safeguards, based on international best practice, tailored to UNOPS and the range of projects it delivers. On environmental matters, UNOPS is looking for technical expertise for preparing and/or implementing projects that may have impacts relating to i) pollution prevention, waste and hazardous materials management, water conservation, resource efficiency; ii) biodiversity, ecosystems and sustainable natural resources management, fisheries/forestry; iii) climate change and GHG emissions. The assignments may require short or long term travel to field locations in UNOPS operational sites depending on operational needs. 

Therefore, UNOPS requires the services of environment specialists that shall be on retainer contracts to carry out short term work packages when required. 

Please note that the selected candidates who will successfully undergo the assessments will be offered a contract for 1 year (renewable) but proposed a work package only when a specific opportunity arises.

Functional Responsibilities May Include (but are not limited to):

• Identify project environmental impacts and risks
• Review the local regulatory requirements as well requirements emerging from compliance with UNOPS and/or donor agency safeguards frameworks and policies
• Support project implementation, including carrying out due diligence, environmental screening or monitoring as required
• Provide technical advice to project developers on what needs to be included in project proposals to ensure alignment with UNOPS environmental standards (currently under development) and/or donor standards
• Carry out training on environmental standards in line with UNOPS and/or donor standards and best practices
• Assist Project and field offices to establish monitoring of environmental performance through  inspections, meetings, reporting and internal auditing
• Assist field offices to embed environmental issues into the processes of design and construction of infrastructure
• Developing and/or implementing plans and frameworks such as Environmental Management Frameworks, Environment Management Plans or Environment Impact Assessments, among others
• Carrying out environmental due diligence of partners, contractors and suppliers prior to commencement of project work to ensure that the ones with unsatisfactory performance are not engaged. 

Education: 

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant subject, preferably such as Environmental Science, Natural Science, Environmental Engineering, Sustainability or Environmental Management is required
• An additional 2 years of relevant work experience in combination with a relevant first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) may substitute for the requirement for a Master’s degree

Experience: 

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in environmental management and environmental monitoring (environmental assessments, risk-based  assessments, implementation) is required, specifically in one (or more) of the following areas: i) pollution prevention, waste and hazardous materials management, water conservation, resource efficiency; ii) biodiversity, ecosystems and sustainable natural resources management, fisheries/forestry; iii) climate change and GHG emissions
• Knowledge and working experience with the World Bank ESF and/or UN Model Approach is an asset
• Experience with drafting of impact assessments and plans such as ESIAs, ESMPs and ESMF, etc. is an asset
• Relevant experience working in developing countries is an asset

Language Requirements: 

• Full working knowledge of English
• Knowledge of either French or Spanish is an asset

• Contract type: ICA
• Contract level: I-ICA 2
• Contract duration: 1 year, renewable upon satisfactory performance and budget availability

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

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.