National Consultant – Environment and Social Safeguard Consultant (For Bangladeshi nationals only)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, a champion. 

Following a refugee influx in 2017, there are currently about one million Rohingya living in 34 refugee camps in Cox’s Bazaar and Bhasan Island. More than half of this population (55%) are children, while 52 percent are women and girls. Overall, about 80 percent are women and children in the Rohingya refugee population. The Rohingya refugees rely entirely on humanitarian assistance for protection, food, water, shelter, and health, and they are living in temporary shelters in highly congested camp settings. While basic services have been provided, children still face disease outbreaks, malnutrition, inadequate educational opportunities, neglect, exploitation, violence, child marriage, and child labour. Cox’s Bazar is one of Bangladesh’s most impoverished districts, with Teknaf and Ukhiya, which host the highest concentration of refugees, ranking among the most socially deprived upazilas prior to the refugee influx. The arrival of the Rohingya has significantly exacerbated the existing challenges faced by the local population. As such, the host community has also been socially and economically affected by the refugee influx, with reduced income reported.

UNICEF is working closely with the Government of Bangladesh to support Implementation of World Bank funded projects for the Rohingya refugees and host communities in Cox’s Bazaar and Basan Char covering health, nutrition, education, child protection and water and Sanitation. UNICEF was subcontracted by the Government of Bangladesh to implement subprojects under the World Bank’s ISO project for health, nutrition, education and child protection and under the World Bank’s HELP project for water and sanitation. 

How can you make a difference? 

Under the general guidance of the Chief of Social Policy Evaluation, Analytics and Research (SPEAR), the Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) Consultant is accountable for providing technical support for the implementation of the Environmental and Social Safeguards instruments of the World Bank Funded projects to ensure UNICEF compliance to agreements between the Government and UNICEF under the Standard Form of Agreements (SFAs). This includes technical support and managing (a) establishment and update of) instruments under the World Banks Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) including preparation of site specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) as applicable; (b) implementation of the relevant ESS instruments including the occupational and community health and safety measures; (c) ensure existing and emerging risks are mitigated/adequately addressed through rigorous monitoring and reporting of ESS compliance; d) ESF knowledge management and capacity building of project implementing partners and contractors/local suppliers. This encompasses both direct programmes work with Government, civil society partners, contractors as well as coordination with and support to UNICEF programme teams working on education, health, nutrition, child protection, water and sanitation. (e) Support the effort for harmonized and coordinated approach of addressing ESS across Bangladesh Country Office, in collaboration all sectors/sections/field offices as well as in support of efforts from Regional Office and Headquarters.

Key Tasks/ Responsibilities

The selected consultant is expected to work under the direct supervision of the Chief SPEAR; and s/he will primarily be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Preparation/update of ESS documents in compliance with the SFAs

• Keep the ESS instruments up to date, ensuring that new and emerging risks are identified and addressed.
• In coordination programme sectors and PSEA focal persons, ensure ESS instruments/provisions are cascaded are cascaded to partners to ensure compliance the SFA as appropriate.
• Design/develop necessary documents, guidance notes, templates, with UNICEF and partners staff, affected communities and stakeholders,
• Ensure the instruments prepared are aligned with the World Bank ESF and UNICEF’s internal procedures and policies, regulatory frameworks as well as the model UN approach.
• Provide technical support, guidance, advice to the project teams, when applicable, (in design and implementation of ESS sensitive interventions).
• Ensure that environmental and social risks screening as applicable of interventions is conducted as early as possible during programming.
• Coordinate with PIU to ensure implementing partners and contractors are provided training and capacity building as well as ensuring the relevant focal points for Environmental and Social Risk Management are in place.
• Ensure that OHS provisions are adequately budgeted for staffed by contractors prior to start of any construction activities.

2. Implementation of the environmental aspects of the ESMF

• Provide technical support during project implementation to ensure compliance to the ESS instruments as detailed in the SFA.
• Identify challenges, opportunities, and ensure optimal prioritization of needs for the development and implementation of risks mitigation measures from the ESS instruments as applicable.
• In collaboration with chiefs of sectors, ensure that the terms and conditions as set in the project documents are in line with environmental and social safeguard principles and are adhered to.
• In collaboration with SBC section, ensure effective functioning and optimal utilization of the Grievance and Redressal Mechanism (GRM) to address environmental and social concerns from project activities.
• Roll-out supporting guidance and tools, when applicable to support ESS implementation.
• Review bid documents to ensure environmental factors and mitigation measures are incorporated, and they are in harmony with the environmental safeguards’ requirements as stipulated in the relevant safeguard’s instruments.

3. Project Monitoring & Reporting

• Develop a monitoring strategy and plan to ensure compliance to ESS requirements, including monitoring UNICEF implementing partners and contractors’ compliance.
• Support preparation of regular monitoring reports on the environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) performance of the project within the timeframe stipulated in the SFA. The report must cover progress on implementation as well as a synthesis of the contractor’s quarterly reports.
• Support preparation of incidents reports of any environment, social, health and Safety incidents as stipulated in the SFA. Provide sufficient detail regarding the scope, severity, and possible causes of the incident or accident, indicating immediate measures taken or that are planned to be taken to address it, and any information provided by any contractor and/or Service Providers. Propose any measures to address it and prevent its recurrence.
• Support ESS monitoring of projects, including regular and “spot-check” site visits, based on agreed mitigation measures and prepare detailed monitoring reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate with ESS focal points at each of the NGOs and contractors regarding implementation of relevant provisions of the ESS.
• Review contracts with NGOs and contractors to ensure that all relevant aspects of the ESS are incorporated. Thereafter ensure compliance with the said provisions.
• Support regular monitoring and reporting on progress on the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) and functioning of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)
• Participate in all internal and external ESS meetings, to share lessons, identify opportunities and challenges in implementation.
• Provide technical support to the project and result-based monitoring and evaluation.
• In coordination with programme teams, produce regular reports on ESS instruments in line with the UNICEF Disclosure Policy
• Ensure that environmental risks management are reflected in technical, progress and final reports.

4. ESS Knowledge Management, Capacity Building and Training

• Take stock of lessons learned from previous projects, global regional and national best practices, and current UNICEF and WB principles guidelines and procedures to ensure ESS documents for the projects remain up to date and current.
• Capture lessons learned, experiences and case studies from project implementation to inform capacity development trainings as well as address gaps and refine project procedures.
• Develop and implement capacity building activities for UNICEF staff, partners and contractors where applicable through Development of Guidance, Training Materials and Delivery of Face-to-Face Training
• Closely provide assistance and deliver capacity building training to the field teams to close knowledge/skill gaps and minimize the likelihood of risks to happen to sub projects.
• Provide orientation to all field teams on safeguards issues.

Please go through the following TOR for more details:

ESS Consultant_TOR.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• An advanced university degree at Masters level or above in Environmental Studies or Environmental Economics or Natural Resource Management or relevant similar field is required.
• Five (5) years technical experience in leading environmental and social safeguarding in development projects which includes the design, implementation and monitoring of environmental impact assessments and management plans.
• Experience in similar roles as Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist is an advantage.
• Good writing and communication skills, including public speaking and presentations is preferred.
• Experience working with UNICEF, World Bank Financed Projects or another UN agency is an asset.
• Familiarity with emergency response is an asset.
• Fluency in English and other local languages is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

To view our competency framework, please visit here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks: 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

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