Health, Safety, Social and Environmental Analyst - Environmental Management

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 the Government Republic of Zambia (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 ended 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  GZB and World Bank policies. There are imminent risks posed by the 10 dams in their current state, and the objectives are both short-term (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 finalize the Detailed Design and procurement award for the remaining three (3) dams (Chibalashi, Katembula and Chikowa).

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Environmental Analyst is responsible for all aspects of the environment during the project life cycle. S/he is expected to apply with/out direction, the duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria, given below:


Analytical and Technical  Support

• Monitor and supervise the implementation of all environmental safeguards tools for the remedial work on 7 dams (Environmental and Social Management Plans – ESMPs - - BMPs and Biodiversity Management Plans) in consultation with IDSP, local governments, and as part of the UNOPS project management unit

• Oversee and contribute to environmental safeguards components during the design development of infrastructure components of the Project; 

• Ensure that UNOPS Health, Safety and Environmental Policies and Procedures are addressed and implemented throughout the civil works.  

Trigger and oversee the implementation of environmental correction measures required 

• Conduct supervision and monitoring field visits to all physical construction sites; including of spot checks to ensure mitigation measures are properly implemented in line with the ESMPs, BMPs and UNOPS Policies and Procedures with regards to the environment; 

• Compile monthly and quarterly environmental reports as part of the environmental and social safeguards reporting of the project to IDSP and fulfill internal reporting requirements to UNOPS 

• Maintain records of project files and other supporting documents of environmental mitigation measures

• Support the Project Manager in maintaining the following: (I). Project Document Archive, 

• Support the Project Manager in the compilation, consolidation and analysis of  environmental relevant data related to the project(s).

Operations 

• Identify challenges, opportunities, priorities and needs for the implementation of the ESMPs, BMPs and UNOPS Policies and Procedures with regard to eEnvironment; 

• Supervise the environmental components of design consultancy works and review and assess products/services provided by consultants and experts counterparts and notify/advise the Project Manager on quality, and recommend appropriate actions to be taken for improvement.

• Advise on administrative measures and actions required to ensure the compliance with requirements set in the UNOPS PMM prior to the validation and implementation of any site-specific activities; 

• Capture lessons learned and best practices for improving the performance of the environmental performance of the Project.

• Undertake monitoring and evaluation missions, as required by the UNOPS PMM, to ensure capturing of all risks and impacts, as well as ensuring that mitigation measures are implemented; 

Staff development 

• Develop and deliver staff development and training programs for UNOPS personnel and design consultant, contractor and public bodies focal points, including on the E&S instruments of the project 

• Ensure that all UNOPS personnel receive briefings upon initial arrival, local environment training in line with the ESMPs, BMPs and UNOPS Policies and Procedures, and that personnel are kept informed of matters affecting environment; 

• Maintain up-to-date instructions and training for personnel on the implementation of the ESMPs and BMPs

 Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing 

Lead and conduct initiatives on capacity development and knowledge building for Environment, including network development, plans, learning plans and activities, procurement practice information and best practice benchmarking; 

• Oversee team’s contributions to Environment knowledge networks and communities of practice including collaborative synthesis of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in Environment; 

• Guide team’s collection of feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about Environment processes and best practices and utilize productively; 

• A Bachelor's Degree in environmental or related subject(s) is required; or

• A Technical/Professional Diploma in environmental, studies or related subject(s) in combination with an additional 4 years relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the Bachelor's degree; 

• Certificate of completion of secondary/high school in combination with an additional 6 years’ relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a Bachelor's degree;.

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

• A minimum of 4 years of progressively responsible experience in Environment management 

• Min of 1 year of experience in a leadership role is required; 

• Direct experience with the World Bank’s Operational Policies (OPs) is an advantage 

• Experience with the preparation of assessments/plans in accordance with a recognised body/methodology is an added advantage; 

• Proficiency in computer skills including MS office is an added advantage;

• Excellent knowledge of both written and oral English 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.

1. Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
2. Contract level: ICS9 (LICA 9)
3. Contract duration :‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMC) 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.