Social and Environment Safeguards (SES) Specialist

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Jan 15

Applications are closed

Job
Full-time
Senior Level
Research & Development
Sustainability
Manila

Requirements

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Development Studies, Human Ecology, Sociology or Anthropology OR
A First-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in relevant field such as Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Development Studies, Human Ecology, Sociology or Anthropology combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Minimum 5 years of relevant experience (Master’s degree) or Minimum 7 years of relevant experience (Bachelor’s degree) at the national or international level in environmental and social impact assessment and / or management.
Minimum 2 years of working experience with international organizations and/or government and/or research institution, think tank and/or civil society organization.
Minimum 5 years of proven skills experience in designing and implementing comprehensive safeguards management plans and/or risk mitigation measures and providing safeguard assessments, and monitoring/ compliance reports
At least 5 years experience conducting EIA/IEE/SES studies for projects in the Philippines.
Minimum 5 years of proven skills in assessing social and environmental risks of policies, actions, infrastructures/equipment and devising risk mitigation measures, including but not limited to experience in the conduct of SES/ESS, environmental impact assessment (EIA), initial environmental examination (IEE), or development impact assessment (DIA), or preparing any studies/reports that are pre-requisites to the issuance of Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) or Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC), are preferred;
Minimum 2 years experience preparing documents to secure ECC or CNC in the Philippines is an advantage;
Minimum 2 years Experience working on SES/ESS/EIA systems of UN agencies or other international organizations is an advantage.
Verbal and written proficiency in English and Filipino

Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of Project Manager, the Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialist is responsible for the implementation of UNDP SES and the relevant national and donor policy frameworks, standards and guidelines.
Lead the development, updating, and implementation of social and environmental instruments under GEPP, including updating existing documents, managing social and environmental risks, development and quality assurance of risk mitigation measures, tools and management system:
Develop and update targeted management plans such as Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), Indigenous Peoples Plan (IPP), and relevant action plans for local communities, civil society, and informal sectors participation for Tier 1 and 2 cities and municipalities under SO2.
Lead the development of Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) on proposed policies, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for infrastructure/equipment, as applicable and prepare TOR for the conduct of EIA/SES for critical or highly specialized projects as deemed necessary by the PM;
Oversee/develop/coordinate implementation all safeguard related plans such as ESMP, IPP, and other SES related plan developed for Tier 1 LGUs;
Update the Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP) Checklist, required actions and measures and project risk logs;
With the Gender Equality, Disability Rights, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Specialist, assess presence of Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities within project sites and lead the conduct FPIC consultations with potentially affected IPs, if required in accordance with national contexts and preferences, as stipulated in the developed IPP and in coordination with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples;
Develop, lead and operationalize a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), including recommended GRM templates and forms and communication mechanism based on the existing government and UNDP mechanism;
Conduct quality assurance review for SE instruments (e.g. ESIAs) developed by external consultants or third-party consulting firms; and
Support partners in securing Certificates of Non-Coverage or related documents in case of government exemption/exclusion rules.
Ensure appropriate monitoring, reporting, and evaluation related to the implementation of relevant SES and ESMF measures:
Develop and implement detailed monitoring plan for SES and ESMF in collaboration with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (MERL) Specialist including indicators and preparation of SES and ESMF monitoring reports;
Support improved sub-project monitoring, recording and reporting, including tracking of incidents and response measures;
Ensure effectiveness of grievance mechanisms and that all grievances and responses are tracked; and
Monitor project Risk Log in project documents and Quantum, as necessary.
Strengthen the Project Management Unit and partners’ capacities and awareness related to SES and tools, and implementation and monitoring:
Develop and ensure implementation of a capacity development and training plan for the SES and ESMF for SO2 LGUs;
Provide trainings and orientation to PMUs, LGUs and relevant stakeholders on SESP, ESMPs and IPPs, and FPIC, as applicable;
Knowledge management and sharing:
Collect lessons learned and case examples to facilitate learning;
Develop training and communications materials on SES with the communications specialist.
Provide specialized environmental and social safeguards related inputs to feed into UNDP knowledge and learning systems.

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialist position?

The main purpose of the Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialist (SESS) position is to lead and strengthen the application of Social and Environmental Standards (SES) to prevent, mitigate, and manage social and environmental risks related to the implementation of SO2, which focuses on enhancing practices of the circular waste economy by local government units (LGUs) in collaboration with the private sector and civil society.

What are the key responsibilities of the SESS?

The key responsibilities of the SESS include developing, updating, and implementing social and environmental instruments, ensuring adherence to UNDP SES and relevant policy frameworks, conducting environmental and social assessments, and strengthening the capacities of project management units and stakeholders in relation to social and environmental standards.

What qualifications are required for the SESS position?

Candidates are required to have either an advanced university degree (Master's) in a relevant field such as Environmental Science or Sociology, or a bachelor's degree in a relevant field combined with additional qualifying experience. Additionally, at least 5-7 years of relevant work experience in environmental and social impact assessment and management is necessary.

Is experience with international organizations preferred for this role?

Yes, a minimum of 2 years working experience with international organizations, government bodies, or civil society organizations is preferred.

What languages are required for the SESS position?

Candidates must have verbal and written proficiency in both English and Filipino.

Are there opportunities for training and capacity development in this role?

Yes, the SESS will be responsible for developing and implementing a capacity development and training plan for local government units (LGUs) regarding social and environmental safeguards.

Will the SESS work independently or as part of a team?

The SESS will work as part of a team, collaborating with the Project Manager, Deputy Project Manager, project team, and external partners, while also being responsible for specific tasks related to social and environmental safeguards.

What kind of travel is expected in this position?

The SESS will have movements for meetings, consultations, and field missions, which will be coordinated by the project team, and will be expected to observe UN security rules and regulations while travelling within the Philippines.

How does UNDP ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion in its recruitment processes?

UNDP values diversity and ensures that people identifying as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply, promoting a 'leave no one behind' approach in its diversity efforts.

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