Programme Specialist (Environmental & Social Standards), (P-3), Fixed Term, DAPM, New York, USA, #128970

The Environmental and Social Standards Specialist will be responsible for supporting the implementation of UNICEF’s Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) across the organization. The ESS are a set of mandatory requirements (expressed in regulatory framework documents: policy and procedure) that aim to ensure that UNICEF’s programmes and operations do not cause or contribute to adverse environmental and social impacts, and that they enhance positive outcomes for children and their communities.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, opportunities

The Division of Data, Analytics, Planning and Monitoring (DAPM) is responsible for driving, shaping and guiding UNICEF’s evidence-informed analysis, policy advocacy and advice, strategic planning, programme implementation, monitoring and organizational performance management. DAPM is enabling the organization to deliver on results in a more coherent and effective manner at headquarters, regional offices and country offices, based on data, evidence, and analysis and the application of human-rights based and results-based management approaches.

Within DAPM, the Programme Effectiveness Team leads, regulates and coordinates the development and issuance of organization-wide procedures, policies, standards, guidance, and tools to strengthen programme effectiveness across all contexts, including programme planning, implementation, monitoring, organizational performance management, knowledge management and organizational learning, at all levels. It liaises with UN agencies, funds and programmes, specialized agencies, other technical organizations and the UN Development Coordination Office in the development and application of programme planning, monitoring, and reporting policies and procedures; and coordinates with EMOPS, Programme Group and regional offices on provision of direct planning, monitoring and programme implementation support to countries responding to humanitarian contexts.

The post reports to Programme Manager, ESS, within the Risk Management in Partnership Implementation and Safeguarding Unit, of Programme Effectiveness Team (PET).

Purpose for the job: 

The Environmental and Social Standards Specialist will be responsible for supporting the implementation of UNICEF’s Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) across the organization. The ESS are a set of mandatory requirements (expressed in regulatory framework documents: policy and procedure) that aim to ensure that UNICEF’s programmes and operations do not cause or contribute to adverse environmental and social impacts, and that they enhance positive outcomes for children and their communities. The ESS specialist will:

1. Rollout and continuously strengthen the application of UNICEF’s ESS regulatory framework, including the development revision and update of required tools and systems.
2. Strengthen UNICEF staff and partner capacity to ensure the application of the ESS in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programmes and associated operations.
3. Ensure appropriate monitoring, reporting, and learning related to implementation of relevant ESS measures:
4. Support overall oversight and support compliance with ESS procedure and requirements
5. Engage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including UN agencies, donors, government entities and civil society, on the ESS issues and opportunities.
6. Perform other duties within the functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for effective and efficient functioning of ESS system.

How can you make a difference? 

1. Rollout and continuously strengthen the application of UNICEF’s ESS regulatory framework, including the development revision and update of required tools and systems.
   • Support the development, revision and update of ESS guidelines, tools, training materials and other resources, in line with UNICEF’s policies, procedures, responding to best practices and lessons learned.
   • Work closely with PET Units and functions, especially the Programme Implementation Unit and the CFRM function under risk management unit to ensure effective management systems are in place for implementation in existing programming and management tools and systems.
   • Support the development of tailored operational approaches, tools and checklists as needed, to respond to needs of operational environment and donor conditionality.
   • Support the dissemination and communication of ESS guidelines, tools, training materials and other resources to relevant stakeholders, including UNICEF staff, partners, donors and beneficiaries
   • Support the delivery of ESS training and capacity building activities to UNICEF staff and partners.
2. Strengthen UNICEF staff and partner capacity to ensure the application of the ESS in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programmes and associated operations.
   • Develop and ensure implementation of capacity strengthening and training plan on the ESS among UNICEF staff and partners, at global, regional, and country levels.
   • Support awareness raising of UNICEF staff and partners on the ESS as needed, at all levels
   • Support the design/development of training materials and tools on the ESS, that are tailored to the specific needs and contexts of UNICEF staff and partners.
   • Deliver training sessions and workshops on the ESS, using a variety of methods and techniques, online and virtually, ensuring that that are interactive, participatory, and learner cantered.
3. Ensure appropriate monitoring, reporting, and learning related to implementation of relevant ESS measures:
   • Develop and implement detailed monitoring plan to assess ESS performance, in collaboration with the Monitoring Unit
   • Support monitoring, recording and reporting, including tracing of incidents and response measures, and lessons learned.
   • Support the implementation of Complain Feedback and Redressal Mechanism,
   • Work with Monitoring Unit, to ensure adequate consideration of ESS in monitoring activities
   • Review monitoring reports/findings, including Third Party Monitoring reports, to ensure findings and lessons related considered in strengthening the implementation of ESS requirements in all UNICEF programmes and associated operation,
   • support proactive, analysis and reporting/sharing of ESS data and information, using the ESS tools and systems, and prepare regular and ad-hoc ESS reports, as required.
   • Support the identification, documentation and dissemination of ESS good practices, lessons learned and challenges,and receive and provide feedback and recommendations for improvement.
   • Facilitate learning and knowledge exchange on the ESS among UNICEF staff and partners, using platforms and mechanisms, such as communities of practice, online forums, newsletters, blogs, podcasts, etc., that are accessible, inclusive, and engaging.
4. Support overall oversight and compliance with ESS procedure and requirements
   • Support the provision of technical guidance and ongoing support to UNICEF staff and partners on the application of the Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of programmes and associated operations
   • Provide support and quality assurance function, including spot-checking screening tools and mitigation plans.
   • Support COs in identification of corrective actions and timely escalation, as needed, if there are potential compliance issues.
5. Engage and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including UN agencies, donors, governments, civil society, and affected communities, on the ESS issues and opportunities
   • Engage and collaborate with UN agencies, donors, governments, civil society, and affected communities to raise awareness and build capacity on the ESS framework and requirements.
   • Proactively share UNICEF’s experience, progress and challenges in risk management in partnership implementation and in safeguarding and influence other UN entities towards a more harmonized/aligned approach. 
   • Understand other agencies’ procedures and tools and apply knowledge in benchmarking and evolving UNICEF procedure and tools. 
   • Support the organization and participate in global, regional and local level consultation/interaction with partners on ESS. 
   • Deployment to support ESS implementation in County Offices with critical need, , including in humanitarian context.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Education: An Advanced University Degree (Master’s) in Environmental management, social sciences, international development or relevant areas.

• Work Experience:
  • A minimum of five (5) years relevant experience implementing environmental and social safeguards,  
  • Demonstrated experience supporting, advising and collaborating within public institutions on environmental and social safeguards,
  • Practical experience in the field of environmental and social assessments and monitoring
  • Relevant experience in producing various related reports, including environmental and social screenings, assessments and management plans
  • Experience in capacity strengthening and rollout of procedures, tools and environmental and social management systems
  • Excellent communication, inter-personal skills and skills in facilitation of online and face to face workshops, events and discussions.
  • Experience working in crisis contexts, on ESS, is a distinct advantage.  

  Candidate would also ideally have the following: 

  • Experience working with complex donor instruments and conditionalities on ESS
  • Ability to apply ESS framework in different contexts and downstream partners 
• Language Requirements:

  Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required. Knowledge of an additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) is considered an asset. 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

In this role, you will collaborate with colleagues across multiple locations. For effective collaboration, we encourage flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones while prioritizing staff wellbeing.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.