Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates) 

Tier 2: Staff holding UNDP temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts and Expert and Specialist UNVs with host entity UNDP

Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates.

Background

Since 2017, Cabo Delgado in Mozambique has experienced escalating violence from Non-State Armed Groups, rooted in long-standing socio-economic marginalization that has been intensified by resource discoveries. The conflict exacerbates poor access to services, high illiteracy (60% vs 40% nationally), and extreme youth unemployment (youth joblessness is 2-3 times higher than adult rates). Women and girls are especially vulnerable due to limited education and high gender-based violence, while institutions struggle to deliver services amid ongoing unrest.

With funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB), UNDP, in collaboration with the Government of Mozambique, has begun implementing a project titled ‘Resilient Investment for Socio-Economic Empowerment, Peace and Security (RISE-PS)’. The project's primary aim is to create employment opportunities and improve access to basic social services in Cabo Delgado for youth, women, and displaced populations, thereby promoting peace and resilience. The project includes four objectives: (i) improving access to community-driven social infrastructure by rehabilitating selected gender-sensitive facilities in conflict-affected communities; (ii) increasing skills, entrepreneurship, and resources for self-employment and income-generating activities among youth and women; (iii) supporting private sector development and market access; and (iv) enhancing ADIN’s ability to guide and coordinate conflict sensitivity and peace-focused development initiatives in northern Mozambique.

The AfDB has classified the project as Category 2 (medium risk) due to potential direct but mostly reversible and short-term environmental and social impacts, particularly from labor-intensive works and SME village construction. This aligns with Mozambique Decree 54/2015, under which national authorities have assigned it Category B, consistent with the Bank’s Integrated Safeguard System.

Duties and Responsibilities

Based upon the above background, UNDP is planning to recruit a Project Analyst – Environmental & Social Safeguards for the RISE-PS project. The incumbent will have the following roles and responsibilities: 

1. Ensure that all project activities adhere to rigorous environmental and social safeguards as per the disclosed E&S plan, including measures to address non-anticipated risks and impacts occurring during project implementation; 
2. Develop and implement comprehensive policies and procedures to mitigate potential negative impacts as stipulated in the project ESIA and comply with the measures in the FA-ESMP for managing and monitoring E&S risks and impacts associated with project establish the project-level Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) at the onset of the implementation, making it known by all the stakeholders and maintaining it functional over the project's lifecycle; 
3. Conduct thorough assessments and preparing management plans in line with national and international standards. This commitment to sustainability is integrated throughout the project's lifecycle, from the initial planning stages to implementation and beyond; 
4. Actively engage with local communities and stakeholders, overseeing sensitization campaigns and addressing concerns and promoting inclusive participation to ensure that the project's benefits are shared equitably, and its impact is positive and enduring; 
5. Uphold accountability and ensures that the project not only achieves its objectives but also contributes to a healthier environment and a more equitable society through regular monitoring and transparent reporting on environmental and social performance;
6. Prepare quarterly E&S measures implementation reports and coordinate the conduct of E&S performance audit by an independent E&S safeguards expert to be submitted annually and no later than the end of the first quarter of the following year.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Analyst – Environmental & Social Safeguards will be based in the PMU established in ADIN’s Office in Pemba, Cabo Delgado and work under the direct supervision and guidance of the Head of Pemba Sub-Office/RISE-PS Project Manager.

Competencies

Core

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Risk Management:

• Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; 
• Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results;
• Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming;
• Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks.

Results-Based Management:

• Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. 
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

Effectiveness:

• Systems and tools for managing risk.

Nature:

• Ecosystems and Biodiversity Programme. 
• Protected and Conservation Areas and Systems.

System 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.

Knowledge Facilitation:

• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced University degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Sciences or Natural Resources Management or other relevant disciplines is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Applicants with master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. 
• Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national and/or international level in social and environmental safeguards and/or impact assessment in an international development context.

Desired Skills:

• Sound understanding of key software packages (MS Office); 
• Prior experience with UNDP projects would be an asset;
• Ability and experience to work within a multidisciplinary and multicultural team;
• Experience in working with a range of stakeholders including government, private sector, Civil Society organizations on sustainable energy and climate change related issues; 
• Practical experience in implementing Social and Environmental safeguard policies for UNDP or other international development agencies;
• Experience of carrying out social and environmental screening in line with SES guidelines;
• Experience in gender analysis, mainstreaming and gender reporting;
• Excellent technical skills/experience in socio-economic and environmental research and project performance assessment;
• Experience in creating and managing SES performance monitoring plans and leveraging performance monitoring data for improving social and environmental compliance for ongoing projects; 
• Broad  knowledge and understanding of environmental science, climate change adaptation; climate resilience, energy and its policy implications would be an added advantage.

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in English and Portuguese (spoken and written) is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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