Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Expert - Pharmaceutical Value Chain

Organizational Context

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is a specialized agency promoting industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization, and environmental sustainability. UNIDO's mission, aligned with the Lima, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh Declarations, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development in Member States. This mission supports the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and SDG-9, focusing on resilient infrastructure, industrialization, and innovation. UNIDO's Medium-Term Programme Framework (MTPF) 2026-2029 emphasizes fair and sustainable supply chains, innovation for food security, clean energy, and climate action. Cross-cutting priorities include industrial policy, skills development, digitalization, gender equality, youth empowerment, circular economy, and private sector investment. UNIDO operates through four enabling functions: technical cooperation, analytical and research services, normative functions, and partnerships for knowledge and technology transfer. The Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS) oversees strategies for sustainable industrial development related to environment, energy, MSMEs, and digitalization, contributing to SDG achievement through policy advice and capacity development. The Division of MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME) enhances MSME competitiveness by modernizing businesses, transferring technologies, improving product quality, and developing market and value chain readiness.

Job Purpose

To identify, assess, and translate environmental, social, and climate-related risks and opportunities associated with MSME participation in selected pharmaceutical value chains under the ATCMA ECOWAS Programme into actionable safeguard instruments, including an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF).

Responsibilities

Under the guidance of UNIDO Industrial Development Officers and in collaboration with the ATCMA ECOWAS Programme expert, the consultant will: familiarize with UNIDO ESS Policy and project documents; prepare an Inception Note detailing methodology, work plan, and consultation plan; collect baseline environmental and social information for selected value chains; review legal, institutional, and policy frameworks; identify and analyze environmental and social risks and opportunities; assess safeguards capacity gaps and formulate recommendations; develop Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMFs); conduct validation workshops with stakeholders; and integrate findings into a Final ESMF & ESIA Report.

Work Experience

Minimum seven (7) years of demonstrated experience in conducting ESIAs and/or developing Environmental and Social Management Frameworks in industrial, pharmaceutical, health-related, or regulated manufacturing contexts. Proven experience integrating climate risk, resilience, resource efficiency, clean production, and circular economy principles into development programming or industrial value chains. Demonstrated experience with pharmaceutical manufacturing or related health-product value chains. Experience in occupational health and safety, waste management, environmental controls, and regulatory compliance in regulated manufacturing. Experience working with MSMEs or emerging manufacturers in pharmaceutical or health-related value chains. Proven ability to translate safeguard requirements into practical, implementation-ready recommendations. Experience working in Africa or similar socio-economic contexts.

Skills

Core values: Integrity, professionalism, respect for diversity. Core competencies: Results-orientation, accountability, planning, organizing, team orientation. Key competencies: Cooperation, emotional intelligence, receptiveness, effective planning and management, accountability, effective communication, trust-building, innovation, continuous improvement, knowledge sharing. Specific skills: Environmental and social impact assessment, environmental and social management framework development, pharmaceutical value chain analysis, risk assessment, capacity building, stakeholder engagement, report writing, analytical skills.

Explore related opportunities