Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialist [Open to internal and external applicants]

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

General Assembly Resolution 2186 (XXI) decided to “bring into operations the United Nations Capital Development Fund as an organ of the General Assembly which shall function as an autonomous organization of the United Nations.” The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) assists developing countries, especially least developing countries, in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants, loans, and guarantees. UNCDF’s vision is to help mobilize and catalyze an increase of capital flows for SDG impactful investments to Member States to address the most pressing development challenges facing vulnerable communities in these countries and thereby contribute to sustainable economic growth and equitable prosperity.

UNCDF’s organizational set up includes an Investment and Implementation Division (IID), Investment and Finance Oversight Division (IFOD), Operations and Oversight Division (OOD) and a Directorate of the Executive Office. UNCDF staff and personnel are located in regional hubs based in Dakar (Senegal), Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand) with sub-regional presence in a number of locations in the Caribbean and Pacific Regions. UNCDF is led by an Executive Secretary based out of New York, USA. Pursuant to General Assembly resolution 2321(XXII, para 1.a), the Administrator of the UNDP performs the function of the Managing Director of UNCDF. UNCDF is overseen by an Executive Board comprised of UN Member States.

UNCDF’s Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) support UNDCF’s commitment to integrate social and environmental sustainability into our programs, projects, and investment transactions that promote sustainable development.

A key mechanism for ensuring the application of the SES is the project-level / transaction-level Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP), which is mandatory for most proposed projects/transactions. The objectives of the SESP are to: (a) integrate the SES Overarching Principles (leave no one behind, human rights, gender equality, sustainability and resilience, and accountability); (b) identify potential social and environmental risks and their significance, along with mitigation strategies and options; (c) determine the project/transaction's SES risk category (Low, Moderate, Substantial, High); and (d) outline the level of social and environmental assessment and management needed to address potential risks and impacts during the implementation phase of UNCDF-supported programs, projects, and investment transactions.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Risk Manager, the SES Specialist will assist with compliance at the program, project, and investment transaction levels with the UNCDF SES (which fully aligns with UNDP’s SES standards) throughout project design and implementation (from cradle to grave). This support is essential to ensure that selected programs, projects, and investment transactions in development avoid potential social and environmental risks and, when avoidance is not feasible, guarantee that proper assessments are conducted. Management measures are established to effectively manage risks during the implementation phase. It is critical that all UNCDF-supported initiatives adhere to their Environmental and Social Management Plan/Framework (ESMP/ESMF) and fully comply with UNCDF’s SES standards (which align with UNDP’s SES standards) throughout the entire project cycle.

1) Conduct and coordinate SES screenings and SES assessments:

• As part of UNCDF's project/investment transaction cycle process, prepare pre-screening (concept stage) and/or full screening (development stage) documentation related to UNCDF projects/investment transactions.
• Oversee the quality of consultants' work to support the preparation of these documents.
• Identify potential environmental and social risks that require specialized expertise or other considerations.
• Review and maintain quality standards for draft and final deliverables, including, but not limited to, the completed SESP template with all supporting documents/evidence, as appropriate.
• Provide quality assurance for baseline data collection and oversee the quality of impact assessments, including Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), Strategic Environmental and Social Assessments (SESA), targeted assessments, etc., as identified through the SESP screening, in coordination with the IID.
• Analyze safeguards, legal frameworks, and provisions in UNCDF initiatives to identify gaps and recommend remedial measures.
• Establish and maintain standards for remote and/or on-the-ground data collection for SES standards as needed.
• Set standards for stakeholder engagement in the assessment process to ensure the quality of UNCDF’s necessary stakeholder engagements.
• Prepare and/or provide quality assurance for draft and final deliverables, including, but not limited to, ESIA, SESA, PEAR, etc., with all supporting documents, technical chapters, and evidence, as appropriate.

2) Advise and coordinate the development of SES management plans and management frameworks:

• Advise on or coordinate the preparation of management frameworks/plans (including ESMF, ESMP, Indigenous Peoples Plan, Land Acquisition Plans, Resettlement Plan, Livelihoods Plan, etc.) identified through SESP screening and informed by SES assessments.
• Advise on or coordinate the preparation of Stakeholder Engagement Plans, which incorporate the design of project Grievance Redress Mechanisms.
• Identify any potential issues that may necessitate additional specialized expertise or other considerations.
• Determine procedures and methods for risk avoidance, reduction, and mitigation throughout the project cycle.
• Prepare draft and final deliverables, such as ESMP, ESMF, and/or other technical management plans, along with all necessary supporting documents, technical chapters, and evidence.

3) Provide implementation support and advice to UNCDF teams:

• Provide technical support to UNCDF’s IID on SES standards to ensure effective implementation and monitor the implementation of SES management plan(s).
• Advise on and conduct spot checks on stakeholder engagement plans and processes, strategies, and consultations to identify and/or verify risks and advise on FPIC, disclosure, etc.
• Establish and maintain a project-level Grievance Redress Mechanism that is appropriate to the scale of the project’s potential adverse risks and impacts.
• Quality-assure and revise screenings, conduct assessments, and develop or update management plans of active projects when necessary.
• Quality-assure draft and final SES documentation for projects (e.g., ESIA, ESMP, ESMF, IPP, RAP, SEP, relevant ToRs, etc.) to ensure they meet technical standards and requirements.

4) Facilitate capacity development and knowledge sharing.

• Develop capacity by training project teams and partners on SES requirements to which all UNCDF initiatives must adhere.
• Document lessons learned, including instances where things did not proceed as planned, along with exemplary models of SES implementation.
• In close collaboration with relevant teams at the Regional Hubs and HQ, contribute to creating and delivering modular training packages that enhance capacity in SES areas.
• Provide on-the-job, demand-driven capacity development support to staff and personnel in your area of expertise. Analyze data and case evidence to extract relevant lessons on policy implementation and advocate for necessary policy changes with HQ teams.
• Integrate regional perspectives into executing policy and strategic initiatives at the regional level within their areas of responsibility, supporting the key results, outcomes, and outputs of the UNCDF Strategic Framework.
• Offer surge capacity for program/project management at the regional level when necessary or as the Supervisor advises.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Organization.

• Located in the Corporate Risk Unit, the Specialist will report to, and be directly supervised by the Chief Risk Manager;
• The Specialist will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment;
• Given the global scope of the work to be undertaken during this assignment, the IPSA holder is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability taking into consideration different time zones.

• Achieve Results - LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively - LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously - LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility - LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination - LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner - LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Business Direction & Strategy - Systems Thinking:

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Management - Portfolio Management;

Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity.

Business Management - Customer Satisfaction/ Client Management:

• Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns

Business Management - Working with Evidence and Data:

• Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions, and supporting decision-making.

Business Development - Knowledge Facilitation:

• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness - Effectiveness:

• Social and Environmental Standards

Business Management - Risk Management:

• Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Social Science, or Development Studies or Environmental Sciences, or related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years (with Masters degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in the development and review of environmental and social safeguards at National or International level is required
• Experience in applying social and environmental due diligence in project level implementation and management is required.
• Experience and knowledge of the UNDP/UNCDF’s Project Management (PPM) and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) is highly desired.
• Knowledge of and experience applying the UNDP SES or similar frameworks is an asset.
• Experience and knowledge of Oracle Cloud applications are an advantage.
• Proven track record of writing and analytical reporting is a distinct advantage.

Language:

• Fluency in English is required

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.