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Social Safeguards Specialist

Pemba

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Pemba
  • Grade: Mid level - IICA-3, International Individual Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Social Affairs
    • Poverty Reduction
    • Nuclear Technology
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Job-specific

Background: The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations Organizations. 

Project Background: The project ‘Mozambique Northern Crisis Recovery Project’ will be based in and around the City of Pemba in Cabo Delgado Province supporting the resettlement of IDPs from temporary settlement sites to 20 relocation sites. The project will support both IDPs and Host communities. The project comprises of 4 main components: 

Component 1: psychosocial social support and community peace building; and enhancing State-society trust and confidence. 

Component 2: provision of agriculture and fisheries inputs, cash for work programs for youth and women and the provision of kits for micro and small business development; and training on entrepreneurship and business management.

Component 3: the restoration of basic services, small works for agriculture production, education and health infrastructure and the construction or rehabilitation of school and health infrastructure and community services and amenities in temporary and relocation sites and host communities. 

Component 4: strengthening of technical capacity of government authorities and local governments for conflict management. This component will also support project implementation, financial management, procurement, safeguards, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation. 

The project will be implemented in collaboration with government authorities and will be guided by the various programme guidelines provided by the World bank- as the funding source. 

The project team is expected to contain management staff, Safeguards and Monitoring and Evaluation staff and infrastructure staff and will require significant stakeholder and partner coordination and management.

Functional Responsibilities

Purpose and Scope of Assignment 

The Social Safeguards Specialist will work jointly with an Environmental Safeguards Specialist in ensuring monitoring and supervision of safeguards compliance of all project components; and ensuring reporting on safeguards risk mitigation measures. The team will further be supported through a Community Development Specialist and a GBV/SEA Specialist.

Analytical and technical tasks:

  • Participate in the amendment of existing environmental and social safeguards tools, where necessary. 

  • Assist the Infrastructure and other teams with the preparation of activity-specific safeguards instruments.

  • Roll out the implementation of Environmental and Social (E&S) safeguards instruments in close consultation with the government, donor and implementing partners and as part of the project management team;

  • Monitor and report on social screening processes of site-specific activities;

  • Oversee, monitor and report on social indicators in the E&S safeguards instruments;

  • Ensure that appropriate E&S instruments and tools are applied by all implementing partners;

  • Trigger and oversee the implementation of social correction measures by implementing partners;

  • Ensure that appropriate social mitigation measures are proposed and met;

  • Undertake follow-up monitoring to ensure that proposed mitigation measures are implemented according to the E&S safeguards instruments;

  • Conduct supervision and monitor field visits to sites, where applicable; 

  • Develop and deliver a series of spot checks to ensure mitigation measures are properly implemented in line with the guideline;

  • Compile regular reports on E&S impacts and mitigation measures, as per E&S safeguards instruments;

  • Ensure the implementation of a dedicated Project Grievance Redress Mechanism;

  • Lead on land screening exercises where necessary;

  • Lead on Social, Context and Conflict assessments where necessary;

  • Contribute to general project reporting requirements;

  • Handle additional assignments as directed by Project Managers;

Capacity Building:

  • Advice government partners on E&S safeguards implementation;

  • Provide technical support to sub-projects as required;

  • Carry out training and capacity building on E&S tools and frameworks, especially for new staff in the UNOPS Office, government partners and other implementing partners.

Impact of Results:

  • All project activities are successfully supervised and monitored against the respective E&S framework, including understanding of the risks and impacts and implementation of mitigation measures;

  • Successful correction measures are undertaken by UNOPS and all partners where mitigation measures have failed;

  • High quality reporting as defined in the project tools;

  • Improved staff capacity;

  • The Project complies with all E&S standards.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education 

Minimum Qualification:

  • A Masters Degree in Social Science or other relevant discipline

Work Experience

  • Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in social development and/or gender analysis is required;

  • At least 4 year of experience with the design or implementation of social safeguards tools is required

  • Experience with social risk analysis and risk mitigation strategies is required

  • Experience with land and resettlement issues are an asset

  • Familiarity with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) is an asset

  • Experience with stakeholder consultations and grievance redress systems are an asset

  • Research, report writing, evidence based data and information and analytical skills will be an added advantage

  • Candidates with experience working on rural infrastructure projects will be preferred.


Key Competencies

  • Ability to work to meet tight schedules in a stressful environment and varied cultural context

  • Good team player attitude

  • Ability to perform with professionalism, integrity and commitment to project demands

  • Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines

  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written

  • Excellent written and spoken English and Portuguese


Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the Organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the Organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement - IICA
Contract level: ICS 11 (IICA 3)
Contract duration: 1 Year ICA renewable – ‘subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’
  • This position is NOT based in a family duty station
  • This is a local post. As such, it is only open to Mozambique Nationals or persons with valid residence permits.
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 
This vacancy is now closed.
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