Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist – Kampala – Government of Uganda

About US:
The Government of Uganda has received a grant from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) as support towards the implementation of the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) through the Uganda Teacher and School Effectiveness Project (UTSEP). The Project Development Objective is to support the Government in improving teacher and school effectiveness in the public primary education system, by enhancing teacher competences, effort and resourcing; strengthening governance and provision of facilities at schools; and providing technical assistance for implementation support and capacity building.

About UTSEP Project:
The Ministry has prepared the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) and Indigenous Peoples Planning Framework (IPPF) as instruments to guide the avoidance or mitigation of any adverse social and environmental impacts, resulting from implementation of UTSEP. As part of the implementation arrangements, the Ministry is expected to provide oversight and ensure adherence to the provisions of these instruments.

Job Summary: The Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist will support various interventions implemented under UTSEP comply with environmental and social policies, laws and regulations governing both Uganda and IDA. The incumbent will mainly responsible for determining, to what extent the Environmental and Social Safeguard Policies of Government of Uganda and the World Bank are being followed during implementation of such activities as: construction of school infrastructure, capacity building initiatives, implementation of IT related activities; level of compliance with regard to the provisions in the National Environment Management Act Cap. 153, Occupational Health and Safety; and other cross cutting issues such as Gender and HIV/ AIDS

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
· Ensure that all project interventions comply with the projects’ ESMF, RPF, IPPF and social assessments.
· Responsible for the development of the Environmental and Social Safeguards compliance monitoring framework for integration in the comprehensive monitoring tools for the project.
· Equip the project implementation team with progress made and challenges faced in the implementation of Environmental and Social Safeguards at each of the monthly progress review meetings.
· Provide technical support to the Ministry team with respect to approaches used to ensure compliance to environmental and social safeguards measures as indicated in the ESMF, RPF and IPPF.
· Carry out stakeholder engagement and consultations on all project activities as required.
· Support the collection, analysis and utilisation of environmental and social safeguards information at National, Local Government, institutional and community levels.
· Take part in field monitoring of project activities especially construction of school facilities to assess level of compliance with Environmental Impact Assessments (ElAs), Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs) and Best Environmental Practices (BEP) as contained in the Environmental Management Plans; and site meetings to provide environmental and social inputs regarding the project.
· The incumbent also determines the scope and magnitude of likely resettlement effects, compile likely losses of residential lands and assets, agricultural lands, business and income opportunities, affected communal assets and public building; including management of all project information that relates to environmental and social safeguards from the respective beneficiaries for discussion in meetings or project missions.
· Ensure that safeguards and cross cutting issues are included in technical designs, tender documentation and project budgets as agreed between MoESTS and the World Bank Task Team
· Actively coordinate and support preparation of periodic project progress reports with adequate input on project performance on environmental and social safeguards
· Carry out periodic training and capacity building of key UTSEP implementers at National, Local Government, institutional and community levels on implementing environmental safeguards under the project, including orienting them on the application of the ESMF, RPF and IPPF; using project availed opportunities for cost efficiency.
· Ensure that there is adequate environmental and social safeguards records and documentation are kept (including photographs.) of works and other interventions and adequate documentation of stakeholders consultations and land affirmations
· Ensure that Environmental and Social Safeguards Compliance Certificates are issued prior to final completion certificates for all civil works.
· Render support in developing TOR for the environmental and social impact assessment studies (including ToRs for RAPs) for specific UTSEP activities where required,
· Support and lead in the development of respective ESIAs and RAPs as defined in the ESMF, RPF and IPPF where required, p) Guide Management on strategies for strengthening implementation of environmental and social safeguards measures
· Generate specific outputs (deliverables) as determined form time to time in the respective projected work plans for each quarter
· Work closely with National Environmental Management Authority and Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in matters pertaining to environment and lands respectively.

Key Performance Indicators:
· Environmental and Social Safeguards monitoring and reporting tools.
· Monthly progress reports on performance of environmental and social safeguards.
· Capacity building plan for project implementation teams on environmental and social safeguards.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
· The applicant must hold at least a Master’s Degree in Environment and Natural Resources Management, and or Sociology from a recognized institution, with a matching experience of at least 10 years in the field of Environmental and Social Impacts.
· Additional experience in dealing with social issues as well as management of land acquisition, resettlements and rehabilitation; preparation of resettlement action plans or implementation relating to infrastructure construction programs, gender analysis and provision of culturally appropriate social benefits are desirable.
· Familiarity with Uganda’s legal and regulatory framework for the sectors of education, environment and lands, as well as World Bank’s Operational Policies on environmental and social
· Extensive knowledge of supporting a comprehensive and balanced approach to environmental and social safeguards management is required including scoping screening, research, risk assessment, planning, project development and implementation, monitoring and reporting.
· Computer literacy i.e. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite applications and any environ-mental/social analytical packages.
· Membership in related professional association(s) will be an added advantage.

Personal Competencies:
· Ability to independently and effectively plan, organise, manage and evaluate important and complex projects for individual and team work.
· Demonstrated ability to make quick and good judgement.
· Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
· Excellent interpersonal skills, including diplomacy and tact.
· High level of honesty, integrity and versatility.
· Ability to work with minimum supervision and deliver under pressure.
· Able to work in rural settings with multi-disciplinary teams.

How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send their applications addressed to:

The Ag. Commissioner, Human Resource Management,
Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Sports,
4th Floor, Embassy House, Kampala. Uganda

Deadline: 10th October, 2015

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