Programme Officer (Environmental and Social Safeguards Officer - ESS)

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories worldwide. The organization is dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence. UNICEF is known for its commitment to promoting the rights of every child, which is not just a job but a calling for its employees. The organization prides itself on providing diverse opportunities for personal and professional development, fostering a culture that helps staff thrive, and offering an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Job Overview:
The Programme Officer (Environmental and Social Safeguards Officer - ESS) will play a crucial role in providing technical support for the implementation of Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF) for World Bank-funded projects and other relevant initiatives. This position is essential to ensure UNICEF's compliance with agreements established between the World Bank and UNICEF under the Environmental and Social Commitments Plan (ESCP). The officer will be responsible for supporting the implementation and management of the ESS framework, analyzing and following up on grievances received through the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), and engaging stakeholders while building their capacity. This role requires a proactive approach to ensure that environmental and social safeguards are effectively integrated into project planning and execution, thereby contributing to the overall mission of UNICEF to protect children's rights and promote their well-being.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the implementation and management of the Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) Framework, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Analyze and follow up on grievances received through the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), ensuring timely and effective resolution.
• Engage with stakeholders, including community members, local authorities, and partner organizations, to build capacity and promote understanding of environmental and social safeguards.
• Collaborate with project teams to integrate ESS considerations into project design, implementation, and monitoring.
• Develop training materials and conduct training sessions for staff and partners on ESS principles and practices.
• Prepare reports and documentation related to ESS activities, ensuring accuracy and professionalism in all outputs.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of ESS implementation, providing recommendations for improvement.
• Stay updated on best practices and developments in environmental and social safeguards within the humanitarian context.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in international development, data analytics, business administration, financial management, social sciences, public administration, statistics, planning, or development management, or in other relevant areas of study. Additionally, candidates should have excellent interpersonal skills, be culturally and socially sensitive, and demonstrate the ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a diverse range of partners. Familiarity with communication tools and approaches for development is essential, as is the ability to adapt professionally in challenging environments. Experience in training and developing training materials is required, along with accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. Candidates should also have experience in report writing in English for UN and donor audiences, and experience working with UNICEF or another UN agency is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
A university degree in relevant fields such as international development, data analytics, business administration, financial management, social sciences, public administration, statistics, planning, or development management is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support the implementation of environmental and social safeguards in UNICEF projects.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of relevant professional work experience is required, specifically in areas related to environmental sustainability, the design and implementation of environmental impact assessments, and management plans. Candidates should also have experience coordinating grievance redress mechanisms in humanitarian programs, as well as familiarity with Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) and Protection Mainstreaming. Experience in training and development of training materials is also necessary, along with a proven track record of report writing for UN and donor audiences. Previous experience working with UNICEF or another UN agency is advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish, is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
This position is a fixed-term appointment based in Kabul, Afghanistan. UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages all candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply. The organization offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Candidates should be aware that UNICEF does not charge any processing fees at any stage of the recruitment process. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and adherence to UNICEF's standards and principles is expected.