Job Description

Background information – East and Southern Africa Multi-Country Office (ESAMCO):

Based in Nairobi, Kenya, ESAMCO manages a growing portfolio across East and Southern Africa. Its operations centre in Nairobi oversees transactional projects in partnership with agencies such as UN-Habitat and UNEP, and operational projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, and Malawi.

Background information – Technical Services Unit (TSU):

The TSU, based in Nairobi under the Director of ESAMCO, provides multidisciplinary design, design review, and advisory services. The team includes permanent staff and more than 80 retainer consultants, such as architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, GIS specialists, CAD technicians, and other infrastructure practitioners.

Current and recent projects span Africa, Asia, and Europe. They include design, assessment, and advisory assignments for horizontal and vertical infrastructure, as well as initiatives promoting environmental protection and community-driven development.

Role of the Environmental and Social Risk Management Advisor:

The TSU has seen growing demand for environmental and social risk management support, particularly in projects funded by the World Bank and other multilateral or bilateral partners. To meet these requirements, the TSU is recruiting additional E&S consultants. The consultants are expected to work independently and undertake travel as required, with associated costs covered by UNOPS in accordance with its policies.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Analytical and Technical Tasks:

Participate and provide advice in the rolling out of TSU Environmental and Social (E&S) risk management as a service to UNOPS projects, including the design of E&S instruments and systems, and their implementation in line with donor requirements.
Advise business development and project teams strategically on integrating E&S considerations into proposals and pipeline development, ensuring that safeguards enhance competitiveness and donor confidence.
Prepare, review, and oversee project- and site-specific E&S instruments, including Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEP), Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), Resettlement Action Plans (RAP), and Biodiversity Management Plans (BMP).
Advise project teams on screening, risk categorisation, and stakeholder consultations, framing these not only as compliance requirements but also as opportunities to strengthen partnerships with governments, donors, and communities.
Advise on and verify the implementation of mitigation and corrective measures, including spot checks and reporting, and guide project teams strategically on balancing compliance, cost efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
Provide strategic oversight and input into the monitoring and reporting of E&S performance for assigned projects, ensuring that indicators and impacts are captured in ways that inform donor dialogue, portfolio learning, and decision-making.
Communicate TSU services regionally and provide guidance to project leads on how E&S integration can strengthen portfolio growth and positioning.

2. Capacity Building:

Deliver training and capacity-building on E&S tools and frameworks for project teams, as well as for new TSU and UNOPS personnel.

Impact of Results:

Relevant project activities related to E&S risk management are successfully implemented.
UNOPS personnel capacity in E&S risk management is strengthened.
UNOPS remains compliant with E&S obligations.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Environmental or Social Science, or a related field, is required.
A bachelor’s degree in Environmental or Social Science or a related discipline with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:

A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in environmental and/or social risk management analysis or implementation is required, with at least 4 of those years involving the World Bank's Environmental and Social Framework.
A proven track record in conducting Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), preparing Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), and developing Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF) is required.
Experience in preparing other E&S instruments such as Labour Management Procedures, and Resettlement Policy Frameworks (RPF) is desirable.
Candidates with experience in rural infrastructure projects will be given preference.
Experience with other E&S policy frameworks is also desirable.
Experience in preparing both environmental and social risk management instruments is desirable.

Language:

Fluency in written, reading and spoken English is required.
Fluency in written, reading and spoken French is desired.
Knowledge in another official UN language is desired.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) - Retainer Contract.
Contract level: I-ICA 3 / ICS11
Contract duration: One (1) year with possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

Retainer positions are not full-time positions. A retainer contract is issued for a period of time during which the services of the individual contractor are required intermittently. The individual contractor agreement on retainer basis, will specify a "unit price", per day worked. For budgetary purposes, a monetary cap will be determined when the contract is awarded and issues. Please note that the retainer contract will not provide for a minimum, and payment will be made only after completion of work.

As per UNOPS Policy, in duty stations where the NPO (National Professional Officer) category has been established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), a home-based contract must be issued as a Local ICA Specialist position. For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
It may be the responsibility of the selected candidate to make arrangements, to a standard deemed acceptable by UNOPS, for a secure internet connection, laptop and or equipment necessary for work (as defined by UNOPS).

Terms and Conditions

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.