Environment and Social Safeguards Specialist

​​Requisition ID: 3787 
Grade: ISA-Specialist 
Country: Home Based 
Duty Station: Home Based 
Category: International Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: NonStaff-When Act. Employed
Contract Duration: 63 days (over period)

Application Deadline: 16-May-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)  

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of ISID, however, applies in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

The Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for UNIDO’s relations with Member States and all external partners, including through the Policymaking Organs. It plays a central role for interaction and collaboration with traditional and non-traditional donors; oversees the regional bureaus as well as the network of established field offices, liaison offices and Investment and Technology Promotion Offices; and supports the implementation of particularly complex projects, programmes and special assignments, thus also fulfilling an important role in safeguarding their quality and the reputation of the Organization 

The Division of ITPOs and Institutional Partnerships (GLO/ITP) will link UNIDO’s Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs) with international corporate partners and use the ITP network to forge, in collaboration with IET/PPP and GLO/FLS, partnerships with development partners. It will engage in match-making and partnership development at corporate, institutional and political levels to support developing countries and countries with economies in transition in becoming attractive investment locations resulting in increased levels of investments and, through investors and partners that the ITPOs bring to the table, engage in technology exchange partnerships that enable them to adopt new technologies for sustainable industrial development. 

The Project is managed by the Division of ITPOs and Institutional Partnerships (GLO/ITP), which harnesses different types of partnerships at corporate, institutional and political level to support developing countries in their endeavor to become attractive investment locations resulting in increased levels of investments (foreign direct investment, impact investments, domestic investments) as well as technology exchange and adoption.

The Division expands its Investment and Technology Promotion Network by closely interlinking UNIDO’s Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs) with investment promotion agencies (IPAs) and international corporate partners. 

UNIDO’s international network of Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs) are located in Tokyo, Japan; Rome, Italy; Shanghai and Beijing, China; Seoul, the Republic of Korea; Moscow, the Russian Federation; Manama, Bahrain; Lagos, Nigeria; and Berlin and Bonn, Germany.   

UNIDO ITPOs have contributed to reducing development imbalances, by brokering investment and technology agreements between developed, developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Located in both hemispheres, the specialized network of UNIDO ITPOs opens up opportunities for investors and technology suppliers to find potential partners and offers unique services to both entrepreneurs and business institutions. 

PROJECT CONTEXT

Project ID #240001: Industrial cooperation programme in the Global South through technology transfer from Japan (so-called Global South project) 

Developing and emerging countries, known as the Global South, account for three-quarters of the world’s population and are now encountering a diverse range of immediate challenges to address under the current volatile geopolitical situation. Many of the challenges are common to developed countries but some issues are endemic to the Global South, for example food insecurity, access to resources, inequality and poverty, which require more know-hows, resources and capacities to resolve qualitatively and quantitatively.

Therefore, developed countries are encouraged to provide support to the Global South with an aim at strengthening economic competitiveness and resilience of the countries in the Global South and achieving mutual benefits, thereby tackling complex global challenges. 

Under the leadership of the 2023 Group of 20 (G20) host country India, the Voice of Global South Summit 2023 was held online on 12-13 January 2023. It was widely recognized that the challenges typically faced by the Global South include environmental conservation; climate change; shortage of food, fuel and fertilizer; energy security; renewable energy; alternative energy; supply chain diversification; infrastructure development; development of digital public goods in the financial and health sectors; and vocational training and human resource development. 

The Global South also faces severe shortages in investment flows. The annual investment gap currently stands at 4 trillion USD and that it has increased from an earlier estimated 2.5 trillion USD (pre-COVID). More than 50% in the 4 trillion number are required for the energy transition (2.2. trillion), another 700 billion are needed annually to revamp agro-food systems in low- and middle- income countries and to put an end to hunger (currently 735 million people face hunger globally) and 500 billion annually are required for water and sanitation investments.

And while more is needed, global foreign direct investment flows in 2022 went into the opposite direction and saw a 12% decline down to 1.3 billion USD. Besides these severe levels of under-investments, matters are exacerbated by global imbalances of global investment flows. While the global flows of FDI were at 1.3 trillion USD, for instance, the whole continent of Africa has only recorded inflows of 45 billion USD. The imbalance is even more staggering when looking at the 46 least developed countries, which received less than 2 per cent of global FDI but they represent around 880 million people, which represents a 12% share in world population.1, 2 

UNIDO is the specialized agency in the UN system, mandated to achieve inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID), while possessing the functionality and experience to promote Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Goal 9. To this end, the Government of Japan has requested UNIDO to support the sustainable industrial development of the countries in the Global South through investment promotion, new businesses development and technology transfer from Japan, by assisting in and strengthening cooperation between Japanese companies and partners of the Global South. It will eventually contribute to the overall industrial development and economic growth in the entire region of the Global South. 

The main objective of the Project is to support the development of new businesses in countries of the Global South, in the form of demonstrations, through cooperation and co-creation between Japanese companies and partners of the Global South by providing effective and innovative technological solutions possessed by Japanese companies to address challenges currently faced by the Global South countries.

The expected outcomes are to generate new businesses and employment opportunities in Global South countries through technology transfer and skills development from Japan, which include (but not limited to) fostering of innovation, strengthening of resilient value chains, and establishment of networks of industrial infrastructure in the implementation countries. To this end, the project will award grant funding to Japanese companies to be selected based on the selection and qualification criteria articulated in the Call for Proposals to apply for the grant funding. 

DUTIES

The Environment and Social Safeguards Specialist will work under the general supervision and guidance of the Project Manager/PM (GLO/ITP/JPN) and in close coordination with the Project Management Unit (PMU).  The Environment and Social Safeguards Specialist will perform the following duties: 

Main Duties 

Concrete/measurable Outputs to be achieved 

Location 

1. Desk review of existing literature and studies. 

• Familiarize with UNIDO Environmental and Social Safeguards Policies and Procedures (ESSPP) and their practical examples including good practices. 

Home-based 

1. Develop an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) of the project in coordination with the PMU. 

• The ESMF of the project developed and cleared by UNIDO ESS team. 

Home-based 

1. Aggregate and verify the Environment & Social (E&S) screening check sheets prepared by all the applicants for the grant. 

• The E&S screening check sheets from the applicants verified. 

Home-based 

1. Guide and help the applicants to complete the E&S screening check sheet, where needed. 

• The E&S screening check sheets from the applicants well prepared. 

Home-based 

1. Classify the risk category of E&S screening check sheets submitted by the applicants. 

• The risk category of E&S screening check sheets classified. 

Home-based 

1. Coordinate with the PMU to inform the results of E&S screening (the risk category of the proposals) o selected applicants. 

• The results of the E&S screening check informed to the selected applicants. 

Home-based 

1. Verify ESIA and/or ESMP developed by the selected applicants as per the Risk Category. 

ESIA and/or ESMP (where required) completed to; 

• identify potential adverse environmental and social impacts of demonstration projects with the aim to avoid, reduce or offset them. 

• identify and seize opportunities of demonstration projects to maximize positive impacts and synergies  

Home-based 

1. Guide and help the applicants to complete ESIA and/or ESMP as per UNIDO’s and host country’s ESSPP. 

Home-based 

1. Keep close coordination with the PM and Project Management Unit (PMU). 

• The PM and PMU well informed and updated about the tasks of the Expert.  

Home-based 

1. Participate in online coordination meetings with UNIDO ESS Team and other relevant Divisions/Units when requested. 

• The Expert well updated about the whole picture of the project. 

Home-based 

1. Prepare and submit an End-of-Assignment Report 

• End-of-Assignment report 

Home-based 

1. Any other relevant tasks assigned by the PM. 

Home-based 

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in engineering, sciences, economics, agro-industries, industrial engineering, business administration, international relations or other relevant discipline with specialization in environmental and social safeguards is required. 

Technical and Functional Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years practical experience in methodologies necessary of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) as well as Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP) in the various industrial sectors. 

• Sound knowledge of environmental mitigation and monitoring plans 

• Sound knowledge of legislation and policies that will affect the environmental Management 

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency in written and spoken other UN languages (i.e. Arabic, Spanish, French, Russian, and Chinese) is desirable. Fluency in written and spoken Japanese is an asset. 

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core Values 

WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially. 

WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner. 

WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.

Key Competencies 

WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity. 

WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world. 

WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work. 

WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another. 

This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal.
Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

Visit the UNIDO website for details on how to apply: www.unido.org

NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level. 

Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: [email protected]