Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) and Social Safeguards Specialist

The ongoing conflict in Yemen has caused significant disruptions to the supply chain and to the overall availability of services. In light of the reduced or even absent provision of public services, communities have adopted various coping strategies, including using alternate water and energy sources, relying on alternate service providers and community-based service delivery initiatives to address the shortfall.

Physical damage to infrastructure and the lack of functionality in one sector often spills over into other sectors with significant consequences on both the access to, and quality of services, that are often interrelated. For example, in some cities, the lack of functionality in the water sector is tied most directly to the lack of electricity rather than to physical damage to water infrastructure. As a result, wastewater continues to overflow into streets, which in turn has significant implications for the health and transport sectors. Similarly, the absence of electricity across many cities in Yemen is not solely tied to infrastructure damage of energy facilities but rather to the lack of fuel, amongst others due to severe transport limitations and access constraints. These cross-sectoral linkages demonstrate the need for an integrated, multi-sectoral approach that provides synergies and responds to the multi-faceted needs on the ground. UNOPS is undertaking a multi-sectoral engagement aimed at restoring urban services mainly in energy, urban roads, WASH and municipal services in targeted cities in Yemen using an integrated approach.

UNOPS is currently implementing the following World Bank funded projects to address the above-described issues.  This list of projects is expected to grow:

• Yemen Integrated Urban Services Emergency Project YIUSEP II-AF

• To restore access to critical urban services and strengthen resilience to shocks in selected cities within the Republic of Yemen.

• 19 urban cities with Integrated Approach to Service Delivery

• Yemen Emergency Human Capital Project (YEHCP) & AF

• To Improve Access to Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) and Strengthening Local Systems,

• Restoring Access and Improving Quality to WSS Services in Selected Urban and Rural Areas

• Emergency Support for WASH Interventions in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic and Flash Floods 

• Enhancing Capacity Building of Water and Sanitation Institutions at the Local Level 

• Yemen Emergency Electricity Access Project YEEAP-II

• To improve access to electricity in rural and peri-urban areas through providing off-grid PV Solar systems for critical service facilities (clinics, schools and water wells);

• To provide people with access to electricity for households via MFIs

• Solar market development and strengthening of existing institutions.

• Provide COVID 19 Isolation Centers with Solar systems.

• Strengthening Resilience through Enhancing Health Service Facilities in Yemen I-II-III

• Yemen Life connectivity Emergency Project 

• Rehabilitation of Health Storage Warehouses in Yemen 

• Yemen Life Connectivity Emergency Project 

• To provide climate resilient road access and employment and entrepreneurship opportunities to the food insecure rural population of Yemen.

• Service Delivery to 15 urban cities

• Strengthening Resilience through Enhancing Health Service Facilities in Yemen

• Strengthening the resilience of local health service providers and targeted local communities through increasing access to health facilities for the most vulnerable population and coping with COVID-19 pandemic in Yemen by establishing COVID-19 isolation units according to UNOPS Design Manual for Buildings and the WHO Practical Manual for Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) Treatment Center. 

• Contributes to enhancing the capacity building of staff working in these health facilities and isolation units through providing training in different areas of needs.

• Rehabilitation of Health Storage Warehouses in Yemen

• Strengthening preparedness and surveillance including early detection and response measures to communicable diseases, outbreaks and epidemics including COVID-19, 

• Increasing access of vulnerable populations including IDPs to the Minimum Health Service Package, supporting the health system and community resilience at all levels, and, 

• Strengthening the health system and operational support to health facilities.

The Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) Specialist will report directly to the Programme Manager and will ensure full coordination with the Multi-country office and Regional HSSE Specialist, Programme team and Project team members.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Manager, the HSSE Specialist will ensure that World Bank funded projects implemented by UNOPS in Yemen meet the requirements of the ten Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) under the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) of the World Bank, as well as the Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines (EHSG) of the World Bank Group.  The specialist will also facilitate compliance with the UNOPS Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) system, including UNOPS’ Policy on HSSE management, as well as the guidelines, templates and procedures developed under this system for occupational health and safety, environment and social.

The incumbent must foster a culture of attention to health, safety, social and environmental risks in all the phases of project preparation and implementation.

Specifically, He/ She will:

• Supervise the work of the E&S risk management officers assigned to the different projects

• Monitor the E&S risk management performance of implementing partners, as indicated in the partnership agreements

• Oversee the preparation of all environmental and social (E&S) risk management instruments required by the World Bank during the preparation of new projects to be implemented by UNOPS in Yemen, including incorporating of World Bank review comments into drafts.  The instruments might include amongst others:

• ESS1.  Environmental and Social Commitment Plans (ESCP), Environment and Social Commitment Plans, Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA)

• ESS 2.  Labor Management Procedures, including the management of health and safety risks

• ESS 4.  Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH) Prevention and Response Plans and Security Management Plans (SMP)

• ESS 5.  Resettlement Frameworks and Resettlement Plans

• ESS 10.  Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEP)

• Ensure that subprojects (project activities) are prepared in accordance with the project specific E&S risk management instruments, by:

• Overseeing the preparation of subproject specific E&S risk management instruments, such as ESMPs and subproject ESIAs, by E&S officers, as well as implementing partner staff and consultants.

• Controlling that subproject specific E&S risk management instruments are prepared according to the templates or ToRs agreed with the World Bank.

• Overseeing the submission of subproject specific E&S risk management instruments to the World Bank for review, supervising responses to review comments, and ensuring that review comments are taken into account until the instruments are cleared by the World Bank

• Maintaining an up-to-date database for each project that shows the preparation status of subproject specific E&S risk management instruments

• Identifying bottlenecks in the preparation of subproject specific E&S risk management instruments, and implementing corrective measures to limit preparation delays

• Verifying that project specific Environmental, Social, Health and Safety (ESHS) requirements (annexed to each project ESMF) are included in bidding documents and contracts, including LMP and SEP requirements

• Supervising the review and approval of Contractor ESMPs by project E&S officers to confirm that they are in accordance to the project ESHS requirements, the subproject specific instruments, as well as the UNOPS’ guidelines

• Ensure that subprojects are implemented in accordance with the project specific risk management instruments (as per the ESCP), and with the subproject specific E&S risk management instruments, more specifically by:

• Ensuring that staff from UNOPS of the implementing partners monitor and control the E&S performance and compliance of contractors (in accordance with their respective contractor ESMPs and the ESHS requirements) through regular field visits and spot checks, and that they report back to the HSSE Specialist

• Ensuring that contractors regularly report on their E&S risk management performance as indicated in the ESHS requirements

• Coordinating the management of significant incidents and accidents, including the notification to the World Bank, and the preparation of corrective action plans

• Initiate, organize and oversee capacity building actions required to successfully meet the E&S risk management requirements of the ESF

• Providing capacity building trainings to UNOPS staff, implementing partner staff, and to Project contracted entities (including NGOs)

• Organizing and oversee the preparation, production and distribution of training manuals and awareness materials

• As necessary, coaching and mentoring UNOPS’ project specific E&S risk management officers

• Ensuring that contractors provide induction training to all workers

• Revise and update the office Business Continuity Plan for UNOPS offices in Yemen from a health and safety perspective to ensure a safe workplace environment without risk to the health of personnel.

• Advanced university degree is required, preferably in health and safety management, natural science, engineering Environmental Science/ Environmental Economics, Natural Resources Management or relevant scientific disciplines is required. 

• Bachelor degree in combination with an additional 2 years' of relevant work experience (7 in total) can be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental and social risk management is required

• A minimum of 4 years is required of direct involvement in the preparation, supervision or implementation of E&S risk management measures in the context of large projects or facilities

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience is required of working according to the environmental and social risk management requirements of UN agencies, bilateral donors and International Financial Institutions 

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in managing and coaching a team of E&S specialists is required, with an emphasis on organization skills, leadership and problem solving

• Direct involvement in health and safety inspections, incident investigation, and training facilitation is highly desired

• High proficiency with software/ platforms related to the position’s field of expertise is highly desired

• Experience in working with the G-Suite platform including, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides is an asset

• 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.

• Sana'a is classified as non- family duty station.

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.