Programme Specialist (Environment and Social Safeguard), (P3), Juba, South Sudan – Temporary Appointment (364 days) (Open to Non-South Sudanese)

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For every child, Future

The South Sudan faces significant challenges that adversely affect its human capital with one of the lowest Human Capital Index (HCI) scores at 0.31 (2020). Acute malnutrition remains a major public health emergency in South Sudan, over half of South Sudan’s population experienced high levels of acute food insecurity. The country has the highest neonatal mortality globally at 39.63 per 1,000 live births. About 71 percent of the population residing over 5 km from the nearest health facility. South Sudan has the highest maternal mortality ratio globally at 1,223 per 100,000 live births. Notably, only 38 percent of facilities offering Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) are partially functional and caesarian sections are only available in major urban areas, accounting for only 1 percent of all deliveries.

UNICEF SSCO is currently implementing projects funded by the World Bank (WB) for health (“CERHSP” and “Health Sector Transition Project (HSTP)”) to improve access to the basic health and nutrition package across the country. The project requires to deliver the outputs in accordance with the environmental and social obligations, as per the Environmental and Social Standards (“ESSs”) of WB. It is also required to identify all parts of the E&S Obligations relevant to the Delivery of Outputs to be carried out by the Implementing Partners and/or Contractors, which may include, inter alia, requirements for codes of conduct, security risk assessment and management, reporting on E&S implementation, and incident and accidents notification and reporting.

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, WASH, the Programme Specialist (Environment and Social Safeguard) will ensure that UNICEF Environmental and Social Safeguarding standards (ESS) are complied with and monitored throughout UNICEF programme cycle. These tasks will be performed in line with the contractual requirements included in the respective Environmental and Social Commitments Plan (ESCP) agreed with the World Bank, KFW Germany and other donors across various UNICEF projects. The incumbent will be responsible for the adequate implementation and monitoring of the relevant instruments related to the Risks and ESS Management component. 

Key Accountabilities includes:

Environment and Social Safeguard Risk management for the projects 

• Elaborate all relevant Risks and Environmental and Social Safeguarding (ESS) management tools, including by ensuring compliance with the Environmental and Social Commitments Plans (ESCPs)
• Lead the development of ESS plan and instruments that includes Environment and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) and the environment and social management plans (ESMP)
• Project Implementation, Monitoring, Reporting and Accountability
• Capacity Building and Training of UNICEF staff and partners on ESS

Institutionalization of ESS policy in UNICEF South Sudan country office 

• Apply ESS policy throughout the country programme
• Finalize country specific ESS roll out plan for South Sudan country office
• Lead implementation of the country specific ESS roll out plan

Environment and Social Safeguard Risk management for the projects 

• Support the elaboration of all relevant Risks and Environmental and Social Safeguarding (ESS) management tools, including by ensuring compliance with the existing Environmental and Social Commitments Plans (ESCPs)
• In coordination with the Programme, Operations, and PME sections, prepare the needed Risks and Environmental and Social Safeguarding (ESS) site-specific management tools, in line with the project-level one, by relying as much as possible on the existing instruments (e.g., technical assessments, screening checklists, community planning tools, etc.).
• In coordination with the Programme, Operations, and PME sections and IPM/HACT and supply colleagues, ensure that the relevant mitigation measures are embedded in the PCA/PD and Cover Letters with the Implementing Partners and in the contracts with the service providers, and that they receive relevant capacity building.
• In coordination with the Programme, Operations, and PME sections, ensure that the reporting and monitoring of the relevant ESS standards and mitigation measures is embedded in the existing monitoring mechanisms (e.g., TPM, FMM, etc.).
• In coordination with the AAP and Complaints and Feedback Mechanism Officer, support the management of the Complaints and Feedbacks Mechanism: revise the protocols (categorization, timeframe, etc.), follow up on open grievances, provide quality assurance on the closure of the complaints, train the Call Center agents and UNICEF colleagues, work with SBC on the dissemination of the CFM information at community level, etc.
• Participate in all relevant programmes’ and operations’ meetings to ensure compliance with ESS.
• Draft any other additional necessary risk management instruments, guidance notes, monitoring tools, reporting templates, as per the office’s needs.
• Provide ESS technical support, guidance, advice to UNICEF’s team.
• Contribute to the revision, finalization and roll out of UNICEF global ESS Policy and Procedures at country level.
• Share best practices and lessons learnt with UNICEF ESS Community of Practice.

Project Implementation, Monitoring, Reporting, and Accountability 

• Provide technical support during project implementation to ensure its compliance with ESS standards.
• Ensure that the identified mitigation measures are implemented by UNICEF and their partners – both IPs and service providers.
• Include formulating a roll-out plan, developing supporting guidance and tools, when applicable to support environmental and social safeguarding implementation.
• Take stock of lessons learned from previous projects, global regional and national best practices, and current UNICEF and WB principles guidelines and procedures to ensure environmental and social safeguarding tools for the project remain up to date.
• Conduct reporting/verification and monitoring activities to ensure that proposed mitigation measures are implemented according to ESS and to constantly reassess the relevant risks.
• Report and address all safeguarding issues on the ground through the appropriate channels.
• Monitor UNICEF, partners’ (both IPs and service providers), and donors’ compliance with ESS.
• Ensure complaints and feedbacks received through the available mechanism are adequately addressed (especially when related to harm to the community or the environment).
• Ensure a prompt incident reporting and management according to the donors’ contractual requirement (for WB, ref. to ESCP).

Capacity Building and Training 

• Provide support and direct technical assistance to develop environmental and social safeguarding strategies and plans.
• Support to develop and implement ESS capacity building activities for UNICEF staff and partners (MoH, IPs and Contractors) where applicable, including TPMs and CFM staffs, in coordination with respective leaders.
• Provide technical support to the project and result-based monitoring and evaluation.

Institutionalization of ESS in South Sudan country office 

• Apply ESS throughout the country programme inline to UNICEF ESS policy and procedures and technical guidance.
• Finalize ESS roll out plan for South Sudan country office
• Lead implementation and monitoring of ESS roll out plan

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

Minimum requirements:

Education:

An advanced university degree is required in one of the following fields: risk/project management, strategic planning, social studies, environmental/civil engineering or public health (with proven knowledge on social standards), or another relevant technical field.

Work Experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience in risk informed programming and management, or programme management that include:
• Experience in social and environmental sustainability and design, implementation and preferably monitoring of social and environmental impact assessments and management plans.
• Experience in occupational health and safety, social behavioral change, community engagement, gender.

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Experience in training and development of training materials is required.
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing is required.
• Experience in report writing in English for UN and donor audiences is required.
• Experience working in a developing and emergency environment is required, and in South Sudan an asset.
• Experience in working with UNICEF, or another UN agency is an asset.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobshiringnearme.org UNICEF.

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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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.

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.

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