Social Safeguards Specialist

Job Description

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Social Safeguards Specialist
Sector: Integrated Urban Services and Resilience Improvement
Position Type (full/part time): part-time
Duration/Level of Effort (long/short term):  long
Position Location (e.g. city, country, remote): Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands


SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
The services delivered under this project will strengthen the resilience of the population in Majuro and Ebeye through improved urban services, which will help households to better withstand and adapt to climate change impacts including extended drought, increased flood risk, storm surge, and sea-level rise. The project will enhance the water security of Majuro communities through the provision of a continuous potable piped water supply system. Improved solid waste management systems and upgraded sewage pumping stations will reduce the potential spread of vector-borne disease and improve oceans health. The sustainability and resilience of urban services will be further enhanced by building the institutional capacity and financial performance of utility service providers in Majuro and introducing 5-year operations and maintenance contracts with the private sector.

The project is aligned with the following impacts: (i) resilience of RMI and its environmental assets to the impacts of climate change and natural disasters enhanced; (ii) access of all Marshallese to potable drinking water and sanitation systems secured; and (iii) reliable infrastructure for effective management of waste, chemicals, and pollutants established. The project will have the following outcome: sustainability, circularity, and climate and disaster resilience of urban services in the RMI improved. The project has three outputs which are: (i) Output 1: Resilient and sustainable water and sanitation facilities and services in Majuro provided, (ii) Output 2: Circular economy and waste services delivery in Majuro enhanced, and (iii) Output 3: Climate resilience and road connectivity in Ebeye improved.


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Social Safeguards Specialist shall support key activities to ensure all required social safeguards due diligence is prepared in compliance with ADB Safeguard Policy Statement (2009), as well as in adherence to related local RMI laws.
• The Specialist will also lead in monitoring and reporting of social safeguards and prepare the semi-annual safeguards monitoring reports and provide inputs to project’s quarterly progress reports.
• The Social Safeguards Specialist shall also provide training and direction to the national safeguards officers.

JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education:

• Post graduate degree in social studies or related field

Minimum Experience:

• At least 10-years’ experience in preparing social safeguard planning instruments, administration of resettlement plans and requirements and monitoring and reporting of an entity’s performance against those requirements.

Essential Skills:

• Knowledge of working with multilateral development partner safeguard systems such as ADB and World Bank is preferred, with experience working in the Pacific region.

Language Proficiency: English
Employment Conditions: 2.0 person-months. Minimum Time Onsite: 75%. Three-year project.


APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates are encouraged to apply by 27 July 2025/as soon as possible.

For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

About the Organization

ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.