Social Safeguards Advisor

Dutystation: Home based

Functional responsibilities

• Provide strategic guidance and oversight to ensure integration of social and environmental safeguards in project proposal development, design and implementation;
• Lead the project-level social and environmental planning and impact assessment and guide on how to mitigate the risks and impacts effectively;
• Drive the development, review and update of safeguard instruments for the management of relevant social aspects for specific projects;
• Lead the review and update of specific social elements of the UNOPS SESF to align with global best practices as may be needed;
• Research, analyze and present information during independent monitoring and compliance review functions and prepare comprehensive reports and recommendations to inform decision-making.

• Support the Safeguards Project Manager in overseeing the implementation of the UNOPS social safeguards in projects;
• Advise on administrative measures and actions required for ensuring compliance with social safeguards requirements prior to validation and implementation of project activities;
• Advise and support UNOPS in addressing complex social complaints and concerns.

• Develop, implement and evaluate capacity building and training programs on social safeguards to close knowledge /skills gaps among project personnel and contractors;
• Develop, review, and/or update processes, guidance, templates, and other tools to align with best practices and support UNOPS personnel and contractors in effectively applying social safeguard standards in projects.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• The candidate should have at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience developing and implementing social safeguard standards instruments in development projects.
• Experience working in developing countries, post-conflict and/ or post-disaster contexts will be an added advantage.
• This position shall support World Bank-funded projects; therefore, at least three (3) years of experience implementing the World Bank’s Environment and Social Framework (ESF) is required.

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