UNDP is establishing a global roster of expert consultants to support implementation of our Social and Environmental Standards (SES), deadline for applications is Friday, August 7:
http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=58123
Background
UNDP’s Social and Environmental Standards (SES) underpin our commitment to mainstream social and environmental sustainability in our Programmes and Projects to support sustainable development.
The objectives of the standards are to:
Strengthen the social and environmental outcomes of Programmes and Projects;
Avoid adverse impacts to people and the environment;
Minimize, mitigate, and manage adverse impacts where avoidance is not possible;
Strengthen UNDP and partner capacities for managing social and environmental risks;
Ensure full and effective stakeholder engagement, including through a mechanism to respond to complaints from project-affected people.
The SES are comprised of an Overarching Policy and Principles, Project-Level Standards, and a Policy Delivery Process. The overarching policy and principles at the core of the SES are: (i) human rights-based approach to development programming; (ii) gender equality; and (iii) environmental sustainability.
A key mechanism to ensure these standards are applied is through UNDP’s project-level Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP) which is a requirement for all proposed projects with a budget of $500,000 or more. The objectives of the SESP are to: (a) Integrate the SES Overarching Principles (human rights, gender equality and environmental sustainability); (b) Identify potential social and environmental risks and their significance; (c) Determine the Project's risk category (Low, Moderate, High); and (d) Determine the level of social and environmental assessment and management required to address potential risks and impacts.
UNDP’s SES and SESP came into effect January 1, 2015. The challenge now is to ensure successful implementation and strengthened capacities of staff to apply the standards.
To support implementation of the SES a Roster of Social and Environmental Standards Experts will be established. Experts will need to demonstrate extensive experience in at least one (preferably multiple) of the thematic areas listed below:
- Human Rights (including human rights based approach and human rights impact assessment);
- Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (including gender mainstreaming and gender analysis);
- Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Natural Resource Management (including mitigation and use of offsets, protected areas, forests, water);
- Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction (including climate risk analysis, disaster risk, greenhouse gas emissions);
- Community Health and Safety (including infrastructure safety, health impacts, emergency preparedness);
- Labour Standards (including familiarity with ILO standards, decent work);
- Cultural Heritage (including chance find procedures, physical and intangible cultural resources);
- Displacement and Resettlement (including Resettlement Action Plan, livelihoods);
- Indigenous Peoples (including Free, Prior and Informed Consent, Indigenous Peoples Plans);
- Pollution Prevention and Resource Efficiency (including pollution prevention plans, waste management, hazardous materials);
- Social and Environmental Screening and Assessment (including Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment, Environmental and Social Management Plans).
The duties and responsibilities detailed below are a representative, but not exhaustive, list of potential activities.
Specific Terms of Reference will dictate the scope of work and the selection of experts from the vetted roster for each of the assignments. Key areas of support and activities will include:
Development of guidance and tools
- Provide inputs in area(s) of expertise to the development of guidance and tools to support implementation of the SES;
- Support the elaboration of case studies;
- Support the development and delivery of trainings for staff, including webinars, the development of online training content, and support to face-to-face trainings;
- Support the development of learning materials, including case studies and documentation of lessons learned.
- Technical and advisory support related to implementation of the SES
- Review draft SESP reports and related assessments and management plans and provide advice on how to further strengthen the quality.
- Support the conduct of assessments and development of management plans.
- Support implementation and monitoring of management and mitigation activities.
- Institutional arrangements will be agreed if a contract is formalized. The hired consultants will report to, seek approval/acceptance of outputs as specified in the contract.
Duration of the Work: (If selected for roster and then selected for a specific project)
One year initial with possibility of extension up to two additional years subject to satisfactory performance.
Competencies
- Specific technical expertise in at least one of the SES thematic areas listed above;
- Highly organized with strong analytical and research skills;
- Excellent analytical, writing, advocacy, presentation, and communications skills;
- Ability to prepare succinct, analytical publications and reports;
- Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
- Demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Masters degree in field related to international development, with specific academic background related to social and environmental sustainability.
Experience:
- At least 10 years of experience related to social and environmental standards and impact assessment in an international development context;
- Experience developing and conducting training related to social and environmental standards;
- Experience or strong familiarity with the work of UNDP and/or other multilateral, bilateral and civil society development partners.
- Familiarity with the UN System, in particular UNDP.
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