Social Risk Management Specialist (Homebased - Retainer)

Job Description

Dutystation: Home based

Functional responsibilities

1. Analytical and Technical Tasks:

• Support the rolling out of TSU Environmental and Social (E&S) risk management as a service to UNOPS projects, including the design of E&S instruments and systems, and their implementation in line with donor requirements.
• Support the business development and project teams in integrating E&S considerations into proposals and pipeline development, ensuring that safeguards enhance competitiveness and donor confidence.
• Contribute to the preparation and quality assurance of project- and site-specific E&S instruments such as Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs), Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEPs), including stakeholder consultations and coordination with specialist retainers where required.
• Support project teams with screening and social risk categorisation, ensuring appropriate instruments and tools are applied by all project implementers.
• Support project teams in the implementation of social risk mitigation and corrective measures, including triggering actions where needed and conducting spot checks to confirm compliance.
• Support monitoring and reporting on E&S performance, including tracking indicators, compiling inputs on impacts and mitigation measures, and contributing to project and donor reports.
• Support the design and implementation of project Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM) to strengthen accountability and stakeholder engagement.

2. Capacity Building:

Contribute to capacity-building efforts by helping deliver training on E&S tools and frameworks for project teams, new TSU staff, and UNOPS personnel.

Impact of Results:

• Relevant project activities related to E&S risk management are successfully implemented.
• UNOPS personnel capacity in E&S risk management is strengthened.
• UNOPS remains compliant with E&S obligations.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in social science, or a related field, is required.
• A bachelor’s degree in a related discipline with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in social development work is required, with at least 3 of those years focused on social risk management tasks.
• Experience with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework is required.
• Proven track record in stakeholder consultations and grievance redress mechanisms is required.
• Experience in preparing other E&S instruments such as Labour Management Procedures, and Resettlement Policy Frameworks (RPF) is desirable.
• Candidates with experience in rural infrastructure projects will be given preference.
• Experience with other E&S policy frameworks is also desirable.

• Proficiency in English is required.
• Proficiency in French is desirable.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

About the Organization

TOGETHER, WE BUILD THE FUTURE

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.

Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

We are proud of our people and embrace diversity and are committed to equal employment opportunities. Our workforce brings together approximately 160 nationalities, represented by over 5,000 UNOPS personnel as well as some 7,800 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners. Spread across 80 countries from a range of backgrounds, and languages and have different gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities.

We encourage women and candidates from underrepresented groups in UNOPS to apply. These include candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.