Job Title:  Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialist – GCF   

Organisation: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

Placement Organization: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About US:

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. We work with partners to integrate qualified, highly motivated and well-supported UN Volunteers into development programming and promote the value and global recognition of volunteerism. UNV is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and reports to the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board.

About UNDP:

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations’ global development network. UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience to sustain development results.

Job Summary:   The Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialist will work as part of the PMU (Project Management Unit) of the GCF project under the joint direct supervision and guidance of the National Project Coordinator and UNDP NCER Team Leader.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the development and review of instruments, checklists, guidelines, and tools relevant to the implementation of environmental and social safeguards in compliance to donor (GCF, UNDP) and Government of Uganda requirements.
• Participate in project implementation in relation to all social and environmental issues including safeguards; facilitate the preparation of safeguard monitoring plans and review implementation of social and environmental issues, preparation of all documentation and reports required by the project Implementing Partner and Responsible Parties and UNDP to ensure that social and environmental issues have been adequately addressed and that the project is in compliance with the UNDP and Government of Uganda Safeguards.
• Review the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) of the project, identify gaps, and recommend remedial actions, including updating of the ESMF of the project.
• Support the PMU to conduct the necessary assessments to identify potential environmental and social risks of project investments and interventions, ways to avoid negative environmental and social impacts where possible, and where risk avoidance is not possible, to identify appropriate mitigation and management measures, in line with UNDP’s Social and Environmental Standards.
• Update the Social and Environmental Screening Procedures (SESP) for the project in line with the UNDP Social and Environmental Standards, ensuring that all risks related to non-compliance on SES are adequately and timely flagged and addressed.
• Prepare and share technical briefs, reports on the compliance of SES in the implementation of the project.
• Support the quality control of M&E products including monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, ensuring that SES issues are adequately addressed.
• Update the project risk log monthly.
• Provide support to the NCER portfolio and UNDP Uganda Country Office on social and environmental safeguards compliance related issues according to UNDP Corporate requirements.
• Accomplish other tasks related to social and environmental safeguards as per the needs of the project assigned by National Project Coordinator and NCER assigned by the Team Leader (NCER,

Outputs and results

• The Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialist will report to the National Project Coordinator on GCF related tasks and the Team leader (NCER) on NCER portfolio and UNDP related tasks. In addition to the regular tasks, the officer shall be responsible for providing/preparing the following documents and reports:
• Updated Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF).
• Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) for all project investment sites.
• ESMP Monitoring Reports.
• Grievance Redress Mechanism Register and related reports for all project sites (at all levels).
• Incident Register and related reports for the project.
• Analytical and trend reports on compliance with social and environmental standards for the project, NCER portfolio and UNDP Country Office including implications and recommendations for corrective actions.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
• As the focal person for the social and environmental standards compliance, the safeguards specialist will work closely with all other members of the PMU.

Age

• 18 – 80

Required experience

• 3 years

Nationality

• Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
• Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

• 3 years

Languages

• English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in Environmental Sciences or Natural Resources Management or other relevant disciplines.
• A Masters degree in related fields is an added advantage.

Competencies and values

• Risk Management: Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks.
• Monitoring and evaluation:
• Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively
• Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.
• Ability to make independent judgement of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of clients, current and upcoming.
• Knowledge and understanding of monitoring evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools.
• Ability to make independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks.
• Effectiveness:
• Social and Environmental Standards
• Systems and tools for managing risk.
• Results-Based Management:
• Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• Nature:
• Ecosystems and Biodiversity Programme; protected and conservation areas and systems.
• System thinking:
• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall processor system, and to consider how altering element can impact on other parts of the system

Skills and experience

• At least 3 years of professional work experience at national or international level carrying out social and environmental screening in line with SES guidelines, or other relevant programme experience.
• Practical experience in implementing Social and Environmental safeguard policies for UNDP or other international development agencies.
• Excellent technical skills/ experience in socio-economic and environmental research and project performance assessment.
• Experience in gender analysis, mainstreaming and gender reporting.
• Experience in creating and managing SES performance monitoring plans and leveraging performance monitoring data for improving social and environmental compliance for ongoing projects.
• Broad knowledge and understanding of environmental science, climate change adaptation; climate resilience, energy and its policy implications would be an added advantage.
• Experience in working with a range of stakeholders including government, private sector, civil society organizations in sustainable energy and climate change related issues.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/ internet familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
• Have affinity with or interest in cross cutting developmental programmes in line with the creation of sustainable economic growth and human development.

Area(s) of expertise

• Development programmes, Energy and environment , Natural and life sciences

Driving license

• –