Under the direct supervision of the of the Project Manager , the Environmental and Social Safeguards Senior Associate will receive technical guidance from the HSSE Officer to ensures that the project activities are prepared and implemented in compliance with addressing the project’s Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), \ Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), subproject-specific E&S instruments and Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS). The Environmental and Social Safeguards Senior Associate will be required to travel across all project sites for monitoring and supervision purposes.
Summary of Key Functions
● Monitoring the Project MIS to ensure that the FPs are uploading the required ESS documents based on Project Operational Manual.
● Generate reports, conduct analysis and share findings with the FPs for ESS improvement.
● Conduct follow up monitoring visits to ensure that the FPs improved the ESS implementation, reporting and documentation.
● Complete 60-70 percent of field physical verification of the FPs’ ESS requirements during implementation.
● Record lessons learned from the field and deliver training to the FPs’ staff on a regular basis as required.
● Support the FPs with preparation of all project Environmental and Social instruments, including the E&S Management Framework (ESMF), Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS), Simplified ESMP, and any activity-specific E&S instruments.
● Support HSSE Officer for preparing E&S training materials and conduct training on Environmental and Social compliance aspects/issues for the UNOPS Team, Facilitating Partners, and other stakeholders.
● Support FPs to Conduct Environmental and Social Assessments where applicable and integrate findings into the E&S compliance and project components.
● Support FPs to ensure that the site-specific mitigation measures are prepared based on the E&S screening and field observations considering the Project ESMP
● To ensure the FPs prepared subproject-specific E&S mitigation measures, and ensure measures are included in partner Requests for Proposals, Bills of Quantities, and contractual agreements for the projects as required.
● Ensure that the Facilitating Partners maintain all proper documentation of E&S safeguards measures to confirm all due processes have been followed.
● Receive E&S reporting from Facilitating Partners and prepare E&S reports to UNOPS safeguard for submission to the KfW.
● Assist in the collection of environmental and social data and provide technical assistance in the preparation of site-specific mitigation measures. Regularly meet with FPs engineers regarding subproject ESS-related issues, grievances, and capacity-building requests.
● Conduct environmental and social safeguard monitoring and supervision of projects based on agreed mitigation measures and prepare detailed monitoring reports in designated format.
● Monitor ESS-related data in the project’s MIS database and make sure that related data is accurate.
● Support and follow up with FPs to respond to the Third Party Monitoring Agents’ reports on ESS-related issues.
● To ensure FPs and other stakeholders are oriented/trained on various safety, health, social, and environmental matters related to project implementation.
● To ensure the FPs inspect work sites and the ’ personnel on a regular basis to identify issues or non-conformity, and enforce necessary actions where unsafe acts or processes that seem dangerous or unhealthy are detected.
● Support and follow up with FPs to record and investigate incidents (including near misses) to determine the cause and to propose improvements to processes in the future and prepare reports on incidents (including near misses) and compile statistical information to present to upper management on HSSE matters.
● Support FPs to ensure a safe workplace environment is maintained at all times without risk to health and safety of everyone including workers, UNOPS staff, other stakeholders, and the general public.
● Provide regular reports to the HSSE Analyst on relevant environmental, social, health, and safety activities.
● Participate in regular site meetings/kick-off meetings and provide training to the contractors.
● Perform other related duties as required by the Project Manager.
Impact of Results
The effective and successful achievement of results by the environmental and Social Safeguards
Senior Associate ensures the project’s compliance with Environmental and Social safeguards
requirements It confirms UNOPS’ role as a key and trusted partner to the KfW, and UNOPS’ position
as a critical service provider, in all challenging work environments.
Monitoring and progress controls will be in accordance with work plans that the Supervisor and
incumbent will prepare at the beginning of the assignment.
Qualifications and Experience
Education
● Completion of Secondary education is required.
● A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) / or an advanced university degree (e.g. Masters) in Social Science, Development Studies, Community Development or other relevant discipline is preferred.
Work Experience
● A minimum of 7 years of experience in Environmental and Social safeguards or other related fields is required.
● Experience working with the World Bank, UN agencies or other donor agencies, government ministries, and/or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is valued.
● Experience with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) is a must.
● Experience in Occupational Health & Safety issues is required.
● Experience working in infrastructure, and vertical construction projects is an advantage
● Experience on Community Driven Development projects specially on cash for work projects is an advantage
● Knowledge of UN systems/policies/norms for social safeguards is an asset.
Languages
● Fluency in Pashto, Dari and English are required.
Competencies
- 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 one's 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 one’ 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.
