Overview
The Social and Environmental Standards Analyst will be responsible for ensuring compliance with UNDP's Social and Environmental Standards (SES) across all portfolios and projects in Ukraine. The role involves project-level review, clearance, and providing technical guidance to ensure alignment with both UNDP corporate requirements and Ukrainian regulatory frameworks.
Tasks Summary
- Lead and support the application of Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP).
- Advise on the coordination/integration of UNDP SES requirements with Ukrainian legislation.
- Provide technical guidance to project teams and CO SES Committee.
- Support project teams in identifying and managing emerging risks.
- Serve as the SES focal point for projects flagged with Substantial or High SES risk.
- Provide oversight to the design and implementation of environmental and social instruments.
- Monitor projects for emerging social and environmental risks.
- Develop and maintain SES monitoring systems.
- Serve as the technical advisor to the CO SES Committee.
- Facilitate risk-based escalation protocols for grievances and SES non-compliance cases.
- Advise on compliance with UNDP’s Gender Equality Strategy.
- Capture and document challenges, emerging trends, lessons learned and best practices.
- Provide inputs to corporate reporting requirements.
- Guide project teams on best practices for stakeholder consultations.
- Ensure alignment of stakeholder engagement strategies with UNDP policy and Ukrainian law.
- Ensure vulnerable groups are considered in risk assessments, engagement processes, and benefit sharing.
- Oversee the design and implementation of project-level Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRMs).
- Lead the technical coordination of the CO-level SRM.
- Contribute to the resolution of complaints or grievances referred to the SES Committee.
- Monitor the functionality and performance of GRMs.
- Maintain and update the SRM case registry.
- Participate in global and regional SES networks.
- Coordinate with other UN agencies, IFIs, donors, and civil society actors.
- Contribute to policy dialogue and knowledge exchange efforts.
- Design and deliver training sessions, workshops, and clinics for project staff and colleagues.
- Support the CO in developing SES-specific SOPs and internal procedures.
- Develop tailored learning materials, checklists, templates.
- Strengthen the role and capacity of the CO SES Committee.
- Design and deliver targeted training sessions on gender equality in the context of SES.
- Support focal points engaged in SES-related work.
Experience Requirements
- Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in the application of environmental and social standards, safeguard policies, risk management systems, or related compliance functions in development, industrial, infrastructure, or public sector projects.
- Demonstrated ability to develop or review key safeguard instruments (SESP, ESIA, ESMP, GRM, SRM), and contribute to their implementation, monitoring, and institutionalization.
- Proven experience in the application of international safeguard standards (e.g., UNDP SES, IFC Performance Standards, EBRD PRs) and Ukrainian environmental and labor safety legislation, including the Law on Environmental Impact Assessment, Law on Labor Protection, and other regulatory acts.
- Experience with institutional coordination or advisory support to SES/ESG committees, stakeholder engagement, and public consultation procedures in line with Ukrainian law and UNDP policy.
- Demonstrated experience in capacity development, training, and facilitation of learning on SES-related topics for diverse stakeholders.
Qualification Requirements
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Management, Environmental Policy, Social Sciences, Occupational Health and Safety, Sustainable Development, or a related field is required.
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of master’s degree.