Social And Environmental Safeguards (SES) Specialist

Organizational Context

The UNDP Yemen Country Office manages a large and complex program portfolio in a fragile, conflict-affected context. The Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) provides oversight and quality assurance, with a critical focus on applying UNDP's Social and Environmental Standards (SES). This role is essential for strengthening SES compliance, managing risks, and enhancing institutional capacity for SES implementation across diverse projects.

Job Purpose

The Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) Specialist will provide crucial technical advisory support to UNDP Yemen's programme and operations teams. The role ensures consistent application of UNDP SES policies, integrates conflict sensitivity, and mitigates social and environmental risks across the project lifecycle. By strengthening SES compliance, supporting risk screening and mitigation planning, and enhancing institutional capacity, the specialist contributes to improving the overall quality, accountability, and sustainability of programme delivery in a challenging operational environment. This position is key to maximizing positive development impacts and safeguarding affected communities.

Responsibilities

Provide expert technical advisory on the application of UNDP Social and Environmental Standards (SES) across all projects, including risk screening, categorization, and mitigation planning. Review and quality assure SES instruments such as SESP, ESMP, ESMF, SEP, and LMP, ensuring integration of conflict sensitivity, gender equality, and inclusion. Strengthen SES compliance for donor-funded projects and integrate safeguard requirements into procurement processes. Conduct field monitoring to assess compliance with SES requirements, including OHS, labor conditions, and community safety. Facilitate capacity building and knowledge sharing on SES policies and tools for programme and project staff. Support the development and operationalization of grievance redress mechanisms. Cultivate strategic partnerships with implementing partners, government officials, and other stakeholders, and contribute to resource mobilization and project development.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in social and environmental safeguards or risk management is required with a Master's degree, or 7 years with a Bachelor's degree. Experience with computers, office software, and web-based systems is necessary. Experience with UNDP SES, fragile contexts, UN agencies, and donor safeguard requirements is desirable.

Skills

Core Competencies: Achieve Results, Think Innovatively, Learn Continuously, Adapt with Agility, Act with Determination, Engage and Partner, Enable Diversity and Inclusion. Technical Competencies: System Thinking, Knowledge Facilitation, Partnership Management, Risk Management, RBM standards, Social and Environmental Standards. Fluency in English is required; working knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

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