Environmental and Social Risk Management Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
The East and Southern Africa Multi-Country Office (ESAMCO) is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and manages a growing portfolio across East and Southern Africa. Established to oversee transactional projects in partnership with agencies such as UN-Habitat and UNEP, ESAMCO operates in multiple countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and Malawi. The Technical Services Unit (TSU), which is part of ESAMCO, provides multidisciplinary design, design review, and advisory services. The TSU team consists of permanent staff and over 80 retainer consultants, including architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, GIS specialists, CAD technicians, and other infrastructure practitioners. Their projects span Africa, Asia, and Europe, focusing on design, assessment, and advisory assignments for both horizontal and vertical infrastructure, as well as initiatives aimed at promoting environmental protection and community-driven development.

Job Overview:
The Environmental and Social Risk Management Advisor will play a crucial role within the Technical Services Unit (TSU) as the demand for environmental and social risk management support continues to grow, particularly for projects funded by the World Bank and other multilateral or bilateral partners. The advisor is expected to work independently and may need to travel as required, with travel costs covered by UNOPS in accordance with its policies. The role involves providing strategic advice on integrating environmental and social (E&S) considerations into project proposals and pipeline development, ensuring compliance with donor requirements while enhancing competitiveness and donor confidence. The advisor will also be responsible for preparing, reviewing, and overseeing various E&S instruments, advising project teams on stakeholder consultations, and ensuring that E&S performance indicators are effectively monitored and reported. Additionally, the advisor will deliver training and capacity-building initiatives on E&S tools and frameworks for project teams and new personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participate in the rollout of TSU Environmental and Social (E&S) risk management services to UNOPS projects, including the design and implementation of E&S instruments and systems in line with donor requirements.
• Provide strategic advice to business development and project teams on integrating E&S considerations into proposals and pipeline development.
• Prepare, review, and oversee project- and site-specific E&S instruments such as Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEP), Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), Resettlement Action Plans (RAP), and Biodiversity Management Plans (BMP).
• Advise project teams on screening, risk categorization, and stakeholder consultations, framing these as opportunities to strengthen partnerships with governments, donors, and communities.
• Verify the implementation of mitigation and corrective measures, including conducting spot checks and reporting, while guiding project teams on balancing compliance, cost efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
• Provide strategic oversight and input into the monitoring and reporting of E&S performance for assigned projects, ensuring that indicators and impacts are captured effectively.
• Communicate TSU services regionally and guide project leads on how E&S integration can enhance portfolio growth and positioning.
• Deliver training and capacity-building on E&S tools and frameworks for project teams and new TSU and UNOPS personnel.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Environmental or Social Science, or a related field. Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in Environmental or Social Science or a related discipline, combined with two additional years of relevant experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in environmental and/or social risk management analysis or implementation is required, with at least 4 years involving the World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework. A proven track record in conducting Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), preparing Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), and developing Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF) is essential. Experience in preparing other E&S instruments such as Labour Management Procedures and Resettlement Policy Frameworks is desirable, as is experience with rural infrastructure projects and other E&S policy frameworks.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Environmental or Social Science, or a related field, is required for this position. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental or Social Science or a related discipline may be considered if they have two additional years of relevant experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in environmental and/or social risk management analysis or implementation. At least 4 of those years must involve working with the World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework. Candidates should have a proven track record in conducting Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), preparing Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), and developing Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF). Experience in preparing other E&S instruments such as Labour Management Procedures and Resettlement Policy Frameworks is desirable, and preference will be given to candidates with experience in rural infrastructure projects.

Languages:
Fluency in written, reading, and spoken English is required for this position. Fluency in written, reading, and spoken French is desired, and knowledge of another official UN language is also considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The contract type for this position is an International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) - Retainer Contract, at the level of I-ICA 3 / ICS1

• The contract duration is one year, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability. It is important to note that retainer positions are not full-time; they are issued for a period during which the services of the individual contractor are required intermittently. The retainer contract will specify a 'unit price' per day worked, and payment will be made only after the completion of work. UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. Additionally, all UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, and must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNOPS conducts background checks on all potential personnel, and recruitment is contingent on the results of such checks.