Social and Environmental Safeguards Officer [Open to internal and external applicants]

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

Aligned with UNDP’s mission to end of poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, promote effective governance, and enhance sustainable environmental governance, UNDP Uganda has been collaborating with the Government, Stakeholders and the People to contribute to Uganda’s Sustainable Development. Supporting Uganda’s priorities in this regard is advanced in line with Uganda’s Vision 2040, the Tenfold Growth Strategy and the National Development Plan IV (NDP IV – 2025/26 – 2029/30).

In 2026, UNDP is starting the implementation of a new five-year Country Program Document (CPD) for Uganda 2026-2030 anchored on a youth and women focus and adopting digital transformation in its implementation. The CPD directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the period 2026 - 2030 which positions the United Nations system in Uganda to contribute to national development efforts and to support the Government of Uganda to achieve the 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

UNDP’s Country Program Document (CPD) will be operationalized through three transformative portfolios with an elevated focus on ensuring youth and women are central to Uganda’s National Transformation Agenda. These Portfolios are: i) Fostering Transformative Growth and Innovation portfolio, seeking to empower youth and women, including those at risk of being left behind to access new market opportunities, enter the job market, and use new tech to stimulate economic growth. ii) Sustainable Management of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Resilient Development seeking to fostering climate-resilient development, contributing to implementation of global and national environmental commitments, promoting innovative solutions for conservation and restoration, and mobilizing green and climate financing. iii) Transformative Governance, Political Environment and Partnerships, where together with state and non-state partners and employing digital transformation, UNDP will seek to strengthen governance, legislative and justice systems, promote people-centered service delivery and advocate for wider application of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. Gender and Youth portfolios will be at the center of this work during 2026 to 2030..

UNDP is in the process of recruiting a Social and Environmental Safeguards Officer to lead the development and implementation of social and environmental management frameworks, other social risk management plans for the all the projects across the Country Office.

Objective/Purpose of the Assignment:

Under the leadership and supervision of the Team Leader (Monitoring Support Unit), the Safeguards Officer will serve as the main focal person for all safeguards related activities for the CO projects. The safeguards officer’s responsibility is to coordinate and support implementation of all safeguards related issues ensuring that activities are implemented in accordance with the UNDP social and environmental standards.

Scope of Work

The Social and Environmental Safeguards Officer will work as part of the MSU ( Management Support Unit).

Functions / Key results expected

• Support the development and review of instruments, checklists, guidelines, and tools relevant to the implementation of environmental and social safeguards in compliance with UNDP and Government of Uganda requirements;
• Participate in project implementation in relation to all social and environmental issues including safeguards; facilitate the preparation of safeguard monitoring plans and review implementation of social and environmental issues, preparation of all documentation and reports required by the project Implementing Partner and Responsible Parties and UNDP to ensure that social and environmental issues have been adequately addressed and that the project is in compliance with the UNDP and Government of Uganda Safeguards; 
• Review the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) of the project, identify gaps, and recommend remedial actions, including updating of the ESMF of the project;
• Support the MSU to conduct the necessary assessments to identify potential environmental and social risks of project investments and interventions, ways to avoid negative environmental and social impacts where possible, and where risk avoidance is not possible, to identify appropriate mitigation and management measures, in line with UNDP’s Social and Environmental Standards;
• Update the Social and Environmental Screening Procedures (SESP) for the project in line with the UNDP Social and Environmental Standards, ensuring that all risks related to non-compliance on SES are adequately and timely flagged and addressed;
• Prepare and share technical briefs, reports on the compliance of SES in the implementation of the project;
• Support the quality control of M&E products including monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, ensuring that SES issues are adequately addressed;
• Update the project risk log monthly; 
• Provide support to UNDP Uganda Country Office on social and environmental safeguards compliance related issues according to UNDP Corporate requirements.

Individual outputs and results

The Social and Environmental Safeguards officer will report to the Team leader (MSU) and shall be responsible for providing/preparing the following documents and reports:

• Updated Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF);
• Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) for all project investment sites;
• ESMP Monitoring Reports;
• Grievance Redress Mechanism Register and related reports for all project sites (at all levels).
• Incident Register and related reports for the project;
• Analytical and trend reports on compliance with social and environmental standards for the all CO projects.

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

Competencies

Cross-Functional/Technical competencies

Business Management

• Risk Management
  • Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks.
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• Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, program, 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 program management and results;
  • Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, program 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, program, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results;
  • Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness 

• Effectiveness 
  • Social and Environmental Standards;
  • Systems and tools for managing risk.

2030 Agenda: Planet

• Nature

  • Ecosystems and Biodiversity Program: Protected and Conservation Areas and Systems.

Business Direction and Strategy

• 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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

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

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years (With a master’s degree)  or 4 years(with Bachelor’s degree) of experience  related to social and environmental safeguards and/or impact assessment in an international development context.

Required Skills:

• Sound understanding of key software packages (MS Office)

Desired Skills:

• 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.

Languages:

• Fluency in English (spoken and written) is required;
• Knowledge of local language is desired

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

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