Social Policy Specialist (Social Safeguard), NOC, Temporary Appointment (until December 31, 2024), Kabul, Afghanistan #130041 (Open to Afghan Nationals Only)

Afghanistan Country Office is seeking an experienced Social Policy Specialist responsible for providing technical support for the implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF) of World Bank Funded projects and other projects requiring such support, to ensure UNICEF compliance of agreements between the World Bank and UNICEF under the Environmental and Social Commitments Plan (ESCP).

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a future

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbkJiMmvKqk

How can you make a difference? 

Under the general guidance of the Chief of Social Policy, the Social Safeguards Specialist is accountable for providing technical support for the implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF) of World Bank Funded projects and other projects requiring such support, to ensure UNICEF compliance of agreements between the World Bank and UNICEF under the Environmental and Social Commitments Plan (ESCP). This includes technical support and managing (a) update of Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) instruments including preparation of site specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs); (b) implementation of the social aspects of the ESMF including but not limited to labor management procedures, stakeholder engagement, grievance handling in close coordination with the SEA/SH Specialists; (c) regular monitoring and reporting of ESS compliance; d) ESS knowledge management and capacity building of project partners. This encompasses both direct programmes work with Government, civil society partners, contractors as well as linkages and support to UNICEF teams working on education, health, nutrition, water and sanitation.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

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

• In coordination with Environment Safeguard Specialist and SEA/SH Specialist, prepare site specific ESMPs to ensure compliance with relevant ESS instruments and the ESCP as might be required. 

2. Implementation of the social aspects of the ESMF:

• Identify challenges, opportunities, priorities and needs for the development and implementation of the ESCP, ESMF and ESMPs.

3. Project Monitoring & Reporting:

• Monitor UNICEF implementing partners and contractors’ compliance to ESCP, ESMF and ESMPs. Undertake site visits during project execution and operation to assess how social screening and mitigation measures are succeeding or have succeeded in minimizing impacts.

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 social safeguard documents for the project remain up to date and current.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD - Social Policy Specialist (Social Safeguard)

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

Minimum requirements:

• An advanced university degree in Social sciences (anthropology, sociology, political economy, social development, etc.), or relevant similar field is required.
• Five (5) years technical experience in sustainability, social safeguards and/or social development (gender, community-driven development, citizen engagement) and in the design, implementation and preferably monitoring of social/environmental impact assessments and management plans.
• Good writing and communication skills, including public speaking and presentations is preferred.
• Highly motivated team player with an eye for detail, understanding the bigger picture context of operations, and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Strong analytical skills and practical experience with participatory processes of stakeholder engagement and be able to integrate social development considerations in an operational context.
• Strong technical competency on social issues and safeguards, with demonstrated ability to contribute to project management. 
• Knowledge and experience in addressing issues covered by UNICEF’s social safeguards policies or similar policies in other international institutions in complex and challenging settings, and across practices.
• Experience working in complex and challenging settings is highly desirable.
• Experience with grievance redress mechanisms is an advantage.
• Experience in areas of social inclusion such as gender; conflict, fragility, and violence; and disability. Knowledge on knowledge of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH), Gender Based Violence (GBV) will be added advantage.
• Experience working with UNICEF or another UN agency is an asset.
• Familiarity with emergency response is an asset.
• Willingness to extensively travel to provinces in Afghanistan.
• Fluency in English and other local languages is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Eligible staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to IP TA positions in a duty station designated as L2/L3, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements, subject to approval by their Head of Office. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.