Background Information – Job-specific

Background Information – UNOPS

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. 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 organisations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS provides practical solutions and makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Background Information – Project Specific

UNOPS is implementing its newly established Social and Environmental Safeguards Framework (SESF). The main objective of the safeguards is to protect projects from inadvertently causing indirect harm to the environment and the communities that they support.

The UNOPS SESF covers the following thematic areas:

1. Human Rights
2. Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure
3. Grievance Redress and Accountability Mechanisms
4. Labour and Working Conditions
5. Community Health and Safety
6. Involuntary Resettlement and Physical Displacement
7. Indigenous Peoples
8. Cultural Heritage
9. Biodiversity, Habitats and Management of Natural Resources
10. Pollution Prevention and Waste Management

Therefore, UNOPS requires the services of Social Safeguards Advisors who will be on a retainer contract to carry out short-term work packages to support the full implementation of the UNOPS safeguards. The selected candidate (s) will be offered a contract for one year, renewable, depending on satisfactory performance, the needs of the organization, and the availability of funds.

Kindly note that Retainer positions are not full-time positions. They constitute a contract whereby the Retainer may be requested to provide a specific output/deliverable within a specified period of time, on short notice. When holding a retainer contract, individuals may receive ad-hoc requests from the UNOPS HQ units, project teams or country offices, and the quantity of requests will vary depending on the current needs. UNOPS shall have no obligation to obtain any minimum quantity of services from the Individual Contractor during the duration of the retainer ICA. It is possible to have multiple consultancy contracts with or outside UNOPS, as long as it is declared to the UNOPS Ethics Office. Read more about the ICA retainer modality here.

Under this contract type, tasks may vary in scope and duration – ranging from short-term assignments of a few hours at a time to longer blocks of time (e.g. several weeks or months full-time, and up to a year). Work may also vary with regard to the time zone/location. Whilst most assignments can be delivered working from home, some may require presence in HQ and/or international travel on occasion, including to remote or post-conflict environments. Whilst the successful incumbent can be based in different time zones, s/he should be able and willing to ensure a degree of time overlap with the teams ordering the retainer’s services.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Social Safeguards Advisor will be expected to execute work packages covering support for UNOPS teams during discussions with partners/donors, development of social and environmental safeguards instruments, capacity building, safeguards performance monitoring and managing complex social incidents, and complaints.

The Social Safeguards Advisor will work under the direction of the Senior Project Manager – Social and Environmental Safeguards and will be part of the overall Health, Safety, Social and Environment (HSSE) team.

 

Functional Responsibilities

1. Technical and Analytical Support

• 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.

2. Implementation Support

• 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.

3. Capacity Building and Training

• 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.

The Social Safeguards Advisor may also be assigned other related duties.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

An advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in a relevant subject such as Social Development, Sociology, Development Studies, Anthropology or other relevant discipline is required.

Experience:

• 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.

Language Requirements

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

 

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: ICA, Retainer
Contract level: IICA 3 (ISC11)
Contract duration: 1 year renewable, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds and organizational requirements

A retainer ICA will specify a unit price (e.g. amount per day actually worked). For budgetary purposes, a monetary limit will be specified at the time the ICA is awarded and issued.

UNOPS shall have no obligation to obtain any minimum quantity of Services from the Individual Contractor during the duration of the retainer ICA.

Payment will be made only after completion of assignments (if any) or reaching agreed milestones.

A retainer ICA does not accord any exclusivity to the Individual Contractor with respect to the Service

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

Additional Information

 

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions:

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.