Head – Social and Environmental Standards

Job title:

Head – Social and Environmental Standards

Company

United Nations Development Programme

Job description

:Provides leadership and ownership of the SES Policy

• Owner of SES Policy & Procedures: Ensure UNDP maintains a robust set of Social and Environmental Standards that is grounded in UN norms, standards and frameworks and are fully aligned with the equivalent policies of VF funds and other partners as necessary. Lead processes designed to verify the equivalency of various SES policies.
• Ensure SES System Integration: Ensure these standards are integrated into the UNDP’s broader operational frameworks, including programming, procurement, and reporting mechanisms. Ensure and support climate adaptation and resilience-building as integral components of SES considerations
• Strengthen Corporate SES Data Collection and Reporting: Collect data on the SES implementation for use within UNDP’s internal decision-making (e.g. Risk Committee) and external communication with donors, partners, and other relevant stakeholders. Include a focus on utilizing modern data analytics tools or platforms for better tracking and reporting SES implementation progress (SES Tracker).
• Risk Escalation: Monitor and facilitate the escalation of SES risks and issues to senior management.
• Policy Feedback and Innovation: Regularly review and update UNDP SES procedures based on lessons learned, evolving risks, and feedback from project teams and affected communities. Ensure engagement with affected communities and stakeholders to improve policy updates and ensure practical applicability. Support the adoption of technology and global best practices in policy revisions.
• Liaise with UNDP’s Accountability Mechanism: Coordinate with UNDP’s Office of Audit and Investigations, Head of Social and Environmental Compliance Unit (SECU) and the Lead Advisor for the Stakeholder Response Mechanism (SRM) on relevant policy issues.
• Follow-up on SES audit and evaluation actions: Ensure follow-up and delivery on any corporate SES management actions coming from relevant audits and evaluations.
• Management of global SES team: Manage, lead, and coordinate the Environmental and Social Safeguards and demonstrate cross-unit integration and teamwork;

SES Oversight and Advisory Support for Priority Programming and Escalated Risks

• CO SES Implementation Plans: Working with Regional Bureaus and Country Offices, support approaches for programmatic and strategic consideration of SES at the Country Office level.
• Screening, Assessments and Management Plans: Advise on the application of Social and Environmental Screening Procedures (SESP) and related assessments and management plans in UNDP interventions, specifically quality assurance/clearance of SESPs and SES instruments for Vertical Fund projects and other priority projects.
• Disclosure and Consultations: Provide advice on effective disclosure and consultation processes with potentially affected stakeholders.
• Compliance: Support programme teams and Country Offices on projects with escalated SES risks and lead enhanced SES oversight missions as necessary. Ensure the speed and transparency of escalated risk resolutions. Conduct preemptive reviews or risk assessments for high-priority projects and portfolios.
• SECU and SRM Cases: Provide SES advisory support in cases being reviewed or investigated by the OAI Social and Environmental Compliance Unit.
• Grievance Redress: Promote and advise on the development of project-level Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM) that address complaints about the potential social and environmental impacts of UNDP interventions. Promote digital platforms or innovative tools to enhance GRM accessibility and efficiency.

Lead SES Capacity and Learning

• SES Guidance and Tools: Continually adapt and build learning-based guidance materials to support effective and efficient implementation. Create a centralized knowledge repository (e.g., an online portal) for case studies, best practices, and tools.
• Training Programs: Develop and deliver training programs for the UNDP staff, partners, and local stakeholders to ensure they understand and can implement UNDP SES requirements.
• Internal Capacity Development: Lead SES capacity-building and institutionalization initiatives across UNDP. Facilitate peer-to-peer learning opportunities within the SES Community of Practice.
• Research and Experimentation: Follow global trends in social and environmental standards and pilot-test new approaches and tools.
• Generate Knowledge and Facilitate Exchange: Ensure strengthened collection of case examples and lessons learned with enhanced mechanisms for SES knowledge capture and sharing.

Lead SES Coordination, Communications, and Outreach

• Coordination across UNDP: Establish and maintain an “SES Oversight Network” of colleagues across UNDP supporting aspects of SES oversight and advisory support and build a wider SES Community of Practice.
• Coordination with partners: Coordinate with other UN agencies, international financial institutions, and relevant development partners and support efforts to align the social and environmental standards used in development progress.
• Integrated frameworks: Lead the integrated application of UNDP SES in joint programming initiatives with other development partners, including negotiation of SES aspects of partnership agreements.
• Internal Advocacy: Promote the importance of social and environmental standards within the UNDP operations. Promote specific campaigns or initiatives to embed SES awareness in the UNDP’s organizational culture.
• SES Awareness Raising: Engage in advocacy efforts to raise awareness about the SES internally and among the UNDP partners and other relevant stakeholders. Promote alignment with high-impact partners, such as governments, private sector entities, and civil society organizations, to broaden SES influence.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.Competencies:CoreAchieve Results:Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impactThink Innovatively:Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problemsLearn Continuously:Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiencesAdapt with Agility:Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demandsAct with Determination:Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater resultsEngage and Partner:Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaborationEnable Diversity and Inclusion:Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivityPeople Management:UNDP People: Management Competencies can be found on the dedicated .Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness: Effectiveness

• Project Quality Assurance

2030 Agenda: Prosperity: Inclusive Growth

• Social Impact Assessment

Business direction and strategy: Strategic Thinking

• Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans inline with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.

Business direction and strategy: Systems Thinking

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Management: Risk Management

• Identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks

Business Management: Portfolio Management

• Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity.
• Ability to balance the implementation of change initiative with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management

Business Management: Communication

• Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Required Skills and Experience:Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Management, Policy, and/or related fields is required. OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years (with a master’s degree) or 12 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in the field of environment and climate, with a focus on social and environmental standards, results management, monitoring and evaluation, and/or broader risk management is required.
• Direct experience in preparation and quality assurance of social and environmental safeguards instruments and addressing compliance/grievance cases is required.
• Direct experience in the development of policies, procedures, and corporate systems is required.
• Experience in managing and supporting globally disbursed teams is required.
• Previous work experience in the UN and/or UNDP is an advantage
• Experience working with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) is desirable
• Direct experience with Vertical Fund programming in UNDP is desirable
• Experience in leading communication and outreach on Social and Environmental Standards is an advantage.

Language:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Working knowledge of other UN languages is desirable.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.DisclaimerUnder US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Expected salary

Location

New York

Job date

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 23:03:02 GMT

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