Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Specialist

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

UNDP Yemen Country Office manages a complex and large-scale programme portfolio implemented in a fragile and conflict-affected context. The portfolio spans early recovery, resilience, infrastructure rehabilitation, livelihoods, governance, climate and environmental sustainability, and service delivery, implemented through multiple funding windows and delivery modalities.

The Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) provides strategic oversight and quality assurance across all programme and project cycles, including compliance with UNDP policies, risk management frameworks, and donor requirements. A critical component of this oversight is the effective application of UNDP’s Social and Environmental Standards (SES) to ensure that all projects identify, manage, and mitigate social and environmental risks, while maximizing positive development impacts and safeguarding affected communities.

Given the scale, diversity, and operational complexity of the UNDP Yemen portfolio, there is a need for dedicated, specialized SES expertise to strengthen SES compliance across all projects, support project teams in risk screening and mitigation planning, and enhance institutional capacity for SES implementation. The SES Specialist will provide technical advisory support to programme and operations teams, ensure consistency with UNDP SES and related policies, integrate conflict sensitivity and fragility considerations given Yemen’s conflict-affected setting, and contribute to improving the overall quality, accountability, and sustainability of programme delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative, and the direct of Team Leader- PMSU, the SES Specialist will:

1. Provide technical advisory support on SES

• Provide technical advisory support on the application of UNDP Social and Environmental Standards (SES) across all UNDP Yemen projects, including risk screening, categorisation, and mitigation planning.
• Review and quality assure Social and Environmental Screening Procedures (SESP), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF), Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEP), Labour Management Procedures (LMP), Gender Action Plans (GAP), and other SES-related instruments.Support project teams in identifying, assessing, and managing environmental and social risks throughout the project lifecycle, including during design, implementation, and closure stages, including integration of conflict sensitivity, gender equality, and inclusion of vulnerable groups.
• Strengthen SES compliance for donor-funded projects, ensuring alignment with UNDP SES, UNEG norms, and applicable donor safeguards requirements.
• Provide technical support in integrating environmental and social safeguard requirements into procurement processes, including contractor bidding documents, contracts, and compliance monitoring. Conduct field monitoring missions to assess compliance with SES requirements, including occupational health and safety (OHS), labour conditions, community health and safety, and environmental risk mitigation measures

2. Facilitate capacity building and knowledge sharing

• Provide hands-on guidance and capacity building to programme and project staff on SES policies, tools, and good practices, including practical clinics and advisory sessions. Support PMSU in monitoring SES performance, tracking key risks and mitigation measures, and contributing to corporate reporting and audits related to social and environmental safeguards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of SES systems and processes within the Country Office, including lessons learned and good practices. Support the development and operationalisation of project-level Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRMs) and CO-level Stakeholders Redress Mechanism (SRM), ensuring accessibility, transparency, and alignment with UNDP SES requirements.

3. Develop strategic partnerships.

• Substantively contribute to the harnessing of effective partnerships and lead the identification and onboarding process for implementing partners.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships and strategic linkages with implementing and development partners, government officials, businesses, NGOs, other national and regional stakeholders, and beneficiaries to support and ensure accurate interpretation of project objectives and promote inclusive project implementation.
• Substantively contribute to project communications and visibility efforts. Make recommendations to the management team on activities with potential for scale-up, replicability and synergies.
• Provide technical support to the implementing partners and act as a liaison between UNDP and the partners.
• Support resource mobilization efforts and project development.

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 SES Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Support Unit Head and in close coordination with SES focal points, Programme Teams, projects and Operations.

Competencies

Core Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies :

Thematic Area Name Definition 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 Business Development Knowledge Facilitation Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange. Business Management Partnership Management Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies Business Management Risk Management Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks 2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness Effectiveness RBM standards and practices for programming 2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness Effectiveness Social and Environmental Standards

Required Skills and Experience:

Min. Education requirements

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Environmental Management, or a related field is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.