Back Environmental & Social Safeguards Specialist

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

Placing women’s rights at the centre of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. UN Women provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

UN Women in South Sudan supports the government in implementing commitments to international normative standards on gender equality and women’s human rights. The UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2022-2026 and the corresponding UN Women South Sudan Strategic Note (2022-2026), defining UN Women’s strategic engagement in South Sudan, focuses on strengthening the national structures and mechanisms for gender mainstreaming in policies, plans and budgets; supporting efforts to prevent and eliminate violence against women; promoting women’s economic empowerment; promoting policies and government investment in women’s empowerment and resilience building in the context of climate change, humanitarian crisis as well as threats to peace and security. UN Women works with a range of stakeholders in South Sudan, including the government, civil society and women’s organizations, youths, UN agencies, and donors, to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Currently, UN Women, in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare (MGCSW) and the Office of the Vice President (Gender and Youth Cluster), is implementing a project that aims to promote the social and economic empowerment of women and adolescent girls in South Sudan. The project called “South Sudan’s Women Socio and Economic Empowerment Project (SSWSEEP)”, is being implemented in 3 states, focusing on promoting women’s access to economic opportunities, protection and access to GBV information and services and also strengthening the capacity of the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare to effectively implement its mandate of promoting Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment. The project has four (4) components, namely: a) Community Empowerment Support to Women and Girls, b) Establishment of the Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Facility (WEOF), c) Scaling up services for Survivors of GBV and d) Institutional strengthening focusing on the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Gender and Youth Cluster, and related national institutions. 

The Environmental & Social Safeguards Specialist is responsible for executing the project’s environmental and social compliance requirements in accordance with the project’s Environmental and Social Commitment Plan, South Sudan national regulations, and related social and environmental instruments prepared for the project. The environmental and social safeguards specialist will work closely with the project teams at UN Women, MGCSW/PMU, and the responsible parties to effectively deliver the tasks. 

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the SSWSEEP Programme Manager, the Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist will be required to monitor and report on the SSWSEEP environmental and social safeguards risks, compliance with project instruments and guidelines, environmental and/or social screening, and staff, responsible parties and service providers’ capacity building in consultation with the Project Management Unit (PMU)
 

The Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) Specialist shall play a critical role in ensuring that the SSWSEEP is implemented in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, adhering to national regulations, UN Women requirements, and World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) requirements. 

Description of Functions:

Manage the implementation of environmental and social safeguards for the SSWSEEP to ensure Compliance:

• Closely supervise the implementation of environmental and social safeguards instruments as outlined in the SSWSEEP Environmental and Social Commitment Plan;
• Undertake targeted visits to subprojects to assess compliance and propose necessary remedies;
• Coordinate and monitor regular environmental and social safeguards capacity development of responsible parties, consultants, and service providers during project implementation, including project awareness, communication, and sensitization activities; 
• Supervise and coordinate the promotion and integration of social aspects such as gender, child protection, HIV/AIDs, social inclusion, and GBV/SEA/SH prevention and response, during project implementation;
• Work closely with the Social Development Specialist in the PMU and the Environmental Safeguards Specialist to ensure the full integration and harmonization between the environmental requirements and the social aspects;
• Coordinate and follow up with the Third-Party monitoring (TPM) agency on the site visit reports. Verify the deviations tracked by TPM, recommend and implement corrective actions. 

  Support the MGCSW to manage the Grievance Redress Mechanism:

  • Operationalization of the project’s Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM); 
  • Receiving social and environmental complaints relating to the SSWSEEP activities and ensuring that they are addressed in accordance with the project Grievance Redress Manual; 
  • Supporting/facilitating stakeholder engagement, and grievance management with project stakeholders, responsible parties, and vulnerable and marginalized groups who may be negatively affected by SSWSEEP activities. 

    Safeguards Monitoring & Compliance Oversight: 

    • Lead the systematic monitoring and reporting of project environmental and social safeguard obligations, ensuring adherence to all applicable frameworks and standards.

      Multi-level Compliance Management: 

      • Oversee the implementation of all environmental and social safeguard instruments while ensuring full compliance with National Policies, Regulations, Strategies, Standards, Plans, World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) requirements, and commitments outlined in the Environment and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP).

        Reporting & Documentation:

        • Coordinate the preparation of comprehensive progress reports, quarterly updates, and donor-specific documentation on environmental and social safeguards implementation and project milestone achievements.

          Knowledge Capture & Learning:

          • Systematically document best practices, innovative approaches, and lessons learned from environmental and social safeguards management for organizational learning and replication.

            Field-based Assessment & Verification: 

            • Conduct regular field visits to project sites to perform environmental and social audits, assess risks and impacts, and evaluate SSWSEEP performance against established safeguard criteria.

              Performance Tracking & Collaboration:

              • Partner closely with the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) officer to maintain comprehensive records on environmental and social safeguard performance of staff, implementing partners, and service providers in accordance with ESCP requirements.

                Institutional Reporting Support: 

                • Provide technical inputs and contributions to organizational donor reports and UN Women institutional reporting requirements.

                  Comprehensive Record Management:

                  • Maintain detailed environmental and social safeguards databases and documentation systems that demonstrate sub-project compliance with national policies and World Bank standards, including incident tracking and accident reporting protocols.

                    Capacity Building and Training:

                    📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

                    ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

                    • Capacity Building & Training: Deliver comprehensive training programs and technical support to project personnel, community stakeholders, and local implementing partners on environmental and social safeguard protocols and best practices.
                    • Community Outreach & Materials Development: Create and distribute culturally sensitive educational resources and awareness-raising materials that address key environmental and social considerations relevant to project communities.
                    • Risk Management & Problem Resolution: Collaborate extensively with the Project Management Unit (PMU) to identify, assess, and resolve environmental and social risks, impacts, and sensitive issues arising from SSWSEEP implementation.
                    • Documentation & Knowledge Management: Prepare, analyze, and update technical documents, policy briefs, and stakeholder presentations pertaining to environmental and social safeguard frameworks and compliance.
                    • Stakeholder Engagement & Representation: Serve as UN Women's designated representative in strategic meetings, policy forums, and consultations focused on environmental and social safeguard matters.
                    • Inter-institutional Coordination: Facilitate seamless communication and information exchange between UN Women, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare/PMU, and the World Bank to ensure effective coordination on social safeguard implementation and monitoring.

                      Impact of Results:

                      • Environmental and Social safeguards satisfactory or above satisfactory rating from the World Bank No harm to people and the environment from the SSWSEEP.

                        Deliverables:

                        • Social and environmental screening document reviewed and in place;
                        • Functional Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM);
                        • Implementation of environmental and social risk management instruments as per the Environment and Social Commitment Plan;
                        • Represent UN Women in all environmental and social safeguards meetings;
                        • All staff and field teams are knowledgeable of Environmental and Social Commitment Plan requirements for the SSWSEEP;
                        • Implementation of sub-projects in compliance with the ESCP;
                        • Regular Reporting on environmental and social safeguards requirements. 

                          Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

                          This is an office-based consultancy, with filed travel

                          Competencies :

                          Core Values:

                          • Integrity;
                          • Professionalism;
                          • Respect for Diversity.

                            Core Competencies:

                            • Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
                            • Accountability;
                            • Creative Problem Solving;
                            • Effective Communication;
                            • Inclusive Collaboration;
                            • Stakeholder Engagement;
                            • Leading by Example.

                              Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

                              Functional Competencies:

                              • Strong knowledge of Women's Economic Empowerment;  
                              • Strong knowledge of environmental and social risk management and the World Bank’s ESF requirements; 
                              • Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with government representatives and project donors;
                              • Strong knowledge of gender mainstreaming principles and practices in environmental and social safeguards, protection, and accountability to affected populations 
                              • Strong negotiating skills; 
                              • Knowledge and understanding of the UN system and familiarity with inter-governmental processes will be an asset; 
                              • Strong IT skills, including databases, extranet, and office software packages. 
                              • Strong analytical and interpersonal skills 
                              • Ability to negotiate and interact with implementing partners to ensure compliance with the national and project-specific Environment and Social Risk Management polices and instruments. 
                              • Knowledge of National, World Bank, and UN Women environment and social, legal, and policy requirements 
                              • Experience in working in fragile and conflict-affected environments 

                                Required Qualifications

                                Education and Certification:

                                • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Management, Development Studies, Community Development, Natural Resources Management/ Conservation Biology from a recognized University/Institution; or 
                                • A first-level University degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the related fields with an additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration instead of a master’s degree.

                                  Experience:

                                  • A minimum of 5 years’ experience as an environment and social safeguards specialist in development projects and/or emergency assistance and/or social development is required. 
                                  • Experience in oversight and monitoring of the implementation of environmental and risk management plans at the project level. 
                                  • Experience in gender equality and women's empowerment. 
                                  • A project/program management certification would be an added advantage. 
                                  • Previous experience with the UN or World Bank-funded projects is desirable. 
                                  • Knowledge of environmental safeguards and best practices is an asset. 

                                    Languages:

                                    • Fluency in English is required.
                                    • Knowledge of any other UN official is an asset.

                                      Statements :

                                      In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

                                      Diversity and inclusion:

                                      At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

                                      If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

                                      UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

                                      Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.