Programme Specialist – Social and Environmental Standards and Accountability (Homebased) [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]

Overview

The Programme Specialist – Social and Environmental Standards and Accountability will strengthen the application of Social and Environmental Standards (SES) and accountability mechanisms across UNDP Afghanistan's programme portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and approve new Social and Environmental Screening Procedures (SESP) and enhance SESP screenings for projects.
• Monitor SESPs implementation and provide guidance to projects.
• Build capacities of staff, Implementing Partners, and Responsible Parties on SES principles.
• Ensure implementation of Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM) and strengthen Stakeholder Response Mechanisms (SRM).
• Coordinate and oversee GRM case handling and maintain the GRM dashboard.
• Provide advisory services and quality assurance for SESP screening and risk identification.
• Guide, review, and quality-assure Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) and Strategic Environmental and Social Assessments (SESA).
• Provide oversight and technical advice on SES risk management instruments.
• Develop, adapt, and contextualize SES guidance notes, tools, and templates.
• Design and deliver SES training programmes.
• Coordinate on SES matters with UN agencies, development partners, and other stakeholders.
• Advocate for consistent application of SES across programmes and projects.
• Lead SES awareness-raising and engagement activities.

Required Experience

Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional work experience in implementing environmental and social safeguards is required, including experience in the application and oversight of accountability mechanisms such as Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM) and Stakeholder Response Mechanisms (SRM). Demonstrated experience in applying SES policies into programmes and projects is required. Demonstrated experience in providing capacity building of personnel and partners on SES is required. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and working knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, as well as experience in the handling of web-based management systems is required.

Qualifications

Advanced University degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Studies, Social Sciences, International Development or related fields is required. Or A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination of an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

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