Social Safeguards Specialist, International Consultant Level 2 Khartoum, Sudan
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WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.
ABOUT WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
In pursuit of its goal to be a leader in environmental and social sustainability within the UN system, World Food Programme adopted a new Environmental Policy in February 2017, and an Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework (ESSF). The Policy and accompanying Framework commit the organization to avoid unintended harm to the environment, its beneficiaries, or any other affected populations as a result of its operations and programs, and to maximize environmental and social benefits. The ESSF contains three tools: a set of environmental and social standards, risk screening of activity design and mitigation/management plans (safeguards), and an environmental management system. Collectively, these three elements are known as WFP's Safeguards Framework (ESSF).
Amid a growing transition to a changing lives agenda and sustained attention to saving lives, the WFP Sudan Country Office remains cognizant to its commitments to effectively manage social risks arising from its ongoing and upcoming interventions. Optimally identifying and addressing possible social ramifications of its interventions on-ground is critical to ensuring sustainability of activities and promoting durable solutions to food insecurity nationwide. This has become even more so critical in view of an increased attention to poverty reduction, social protection, and humanitarian-development-peace nexus as part of the forthcoming Country Strategic Plan amid such a transitional context in Sudan, as well as the anticipated work towards Labor-Intensive Public Works, under the World Bank’s upcoming multi-year Sudan Resilient Safety Nets Project, for which the Country Office shall act as the Recipient and third-party implementing partner.
JOB PURPOSE
The Country Office seeks an experienced Social Safeguards Specialist to assess and determine potential social impacts of WFP activities on-ground and develop and monitor (implementation of) appropriate risk management measures using appropriate knowledge of WFP and its relevant donor partners’ safeguards policies. Reporting directly to the Head of Gender, Protection, Accountability to Affected Populations, and under the overall guidance of Head of Emergencies, the ideal candidate will perform the below activities and possess identified attributes.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)
Lead the development, review, integration and implementation of the social screening tools and other risk management instruments for the Country Office towards identified interventions, in particular the Environmental and Social Management Framework and others deemed necessary towards implementation of interventions in question
Provide overall technical social oversight in identified Projects, from preparation to implementation, with particular attention to managing risks associated with the delivery of social safety nets and other activities with any perceived social impacts
Conduct strategic assessment of social risks and impacts for all identified current and emerging interventions, including as part of the forthcoming Country Strategic Plan
Supervise, analyze and monitor the implementation of safeguards measures in line with WFP and its donor partners’ standards, including coordinating with implementing partners in planning, managing, monitoring and reporting on social risks and performance of Projects in question
Develop and propose corrective measures to enhance the execution of social safeguards instruments
Undertake regular visits to project sites to assess social impacts, verify social monitoring information provided, supervise contracted entities’ performance in handling specific social safeguards-related issues, and maintain records of social safeguards supervision in a systemic manner for further follow-up as needed
Provide periodic reporting on the implementation of social, health and safety standards for various interventions, in coordination with the identified Environmental Safeguards Specialist
Collate alerts and follow-up resolutions, including detailed reports, when necessary, on incidents and accidents occur that could jeopardize beneficiaries, vulnerable and/or affected communities and pose reputational risks to WFP, for both planned and existing interventions
Prepare and deliver trainings, technical assistance and additional capacity-building support to staff within Country, Area and Field Offices; as well as amongst implementing partners and external contractors on the identification and management of social risks, with particular attention to Labor Management Procedures, Occupational Health and Safety, Gender Based Violence/Sexual Exploitation and Abuse/Sexual Harassment, Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities, among others
Facilitate integration of social screening, risk management and monitoring into relevant bidding documents and contracts
Provide overarching advice and guidance to the Country Office on the application of social standards for operations on-ground as well as specific proposal development processes
Undertake additional relevant tasks as requested by the supervisor
KEY DELIVERABLES
Social screening tool(s), risk assessments, and instruments reflecting mitigation measures
Regular review and supervision on implementation of social safeguards, with corrective measures instituted in a prompt manner
Training on adherence to social standards for internal stakeholders and implementing partners
Reporting and presentation to donor partners and relevant stakeholders on social, health and safety performance
Strategic advice on reflecting social risks management into the forthcoming Country Strategic Planning
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The selected candidate is expected to have:
An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in one of the following areas: Social Studies, Political Science, International Studies, Human Rights, or related field
At least five years of progressively increasing experience undertaking and managing social risk management, social safeguards, Social Impact Assessments, or corporate sustainability
Proven analytical and problem-solving skills and proven ability to apply these in carrying out complex research and operational tasks, identifying issues, presenting findings and recommendations, and contributing to resolution of possible social risks to planned and upcoming interventions
In-depth understanding of social sustainability, relevant policy issues and linkages with food security in/across Sudan
Demonstrated experience and knowledge of social safeguards policies, particularly within WFP, UN and development financing institutions, and on complex safeguards measures
Prior work experience within UN, other international organizations as well as development finance institutions
Strong client orientation and proven capacity to work across multiple internal and external stakeholders, including civil society and community-based organizations
Excellent written and spoken English, and working knowledge of Arabic is desirable
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
11 February 2023
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WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment
WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.
