Environmental and social safeguards Manager

About WEE-RDP/MRRD:

Thy key objective is The overall objective of the assignment is to providing advisories  of WEERDP beneficiaries especially SMEs, EGs, VSALs and other groups across the targeted area be in compliance with legal requirements, verify supporting evidence (sufficient, relevant & reliable), comment on performance and transparency (economy, efficiency & effectiveness in line with social and environmental safeguard), indicating that WEERDP has an approved Environmental and Social Safeguards Management Framework (ESMF) that defines the management procedures that allow the Program to “avoid, mitigate, or minimize adverse environmental and social impacts” of supported activities and enterprises. 

Summary of Duties: 

The Environmental and Social Safeguards Unit Manager will serve to advice on Environmental and Social Issues related to WEERDP. The Environmental and Social Safeguards Unit Manager will act as a developer of Child Labor Strategy for rural enterprise improvement, where supported SMEs and EGs should be helped to gradually phase out use of child labor, Grievance Redressal Strategy which will develop the transparency and better working  environment and reducing of the corruption, improving service delivery and enhancing overall project effectiveness in the WEERDP program, Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for the management of environmental and social issues under rural enterprise development sector. 

The Manager of the Environmental and Social Safeguards unit will formulate and supervise the Safeguards Implementation Unit.; The incumbent will be responsible for providing necessary mitigation measures for potential negative environmental and social impacts of enterprises and overall program activities awareness campaign, conducting environmental and social trainings and assessment of enterprises, handling the Grievance Redress Mechanism. He/she will be responsible for capacity building including, preparing/reviewing the training module, training plan etc.

The Unit Manager is also responsible to coordinating environmental and social activities and initiatives with relevant government agencies, WB safeguards personnel and overall defining Environmental and Social responsibilities of the program all level.

Job Description:

Duties and Responsibilities:

Develop and strengthen strategies for Environmental and Social Safeguards to ensuring that each subproject and activities under the project is subjected to the Project ESMF process and procedures.;
Be responsible for strategic advice on  Environmental and Social Safeguards measures to the WEERDP senior management;
Establish plans and develop programs for the Safeguards Implementation Unit (SIU) considering the needs of WEERDP in key areas of concerns;
Manage and supervise the Safeguards Implementation Unit (SIU) programs and staff;
Review subproject and activity plan, design, cost, and bid/deed documents to ensure environmental factors and mitigations are incorporated, and subproject/ activity documents and environmental documents are in harmony.
To identify the potential environment and social safeguards (ESS)issues after reviewing the enterprises to be supported by WEERDP  and take action to mainstream ESMF in to WEERDP’s operation;;
Provide mitigation measures and technical assistance and requirements for the potential negative environmental and social impact including preparation of site/project specific ESMPs.
Providing timely, technical environmental and social training/material to WEERDP staff and clients, and awareness raising of clients in relation to their immediate requirements;
Coordinating environmental and social commitments and initiatives with relevant government agencies;
Coordination of all social and environmental activities through-out the project cycle from conceptualized to operation and mainstreaming;
Overall monitor of ESSMF implementation across all stages of sub-project implementation;
Produce update reports for World Bank on ESMF mainstreaming and status of safeguards implementation throughout the WEERDP project;
Monitor that WEERDP, supported enterprises are complying with existing National Laws such as Labor Law, Environmental Law , Law on Land Expropriation (LLE) and other related laws and regulations;
Provide technical advice all concerned professionals as well as entrepreneurs in adopting suitable, cost-effective, socio-cultural, and environmentally sensitive EMS designs, where the local residents receive the maximum benefits the least disturbance in their day-to-day lives;
Define Environmental and Social responsibilities of the all level of program by providing presentation and comprehensive reporting.
Mainstreaming the Grievance Redress Mechanism within WEERDP program. And strengthening functionality of GRM, including establishing of central GRM database to enable grievances tracking and review. Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Knowledge/Experience, Qualifications/Skills And Abilities:

Knowledge/Experience:

At least 5 years of experience in Environment, Social or related field
Good management skills for staff, systems, and planning.
Ability to manage a diverse staff of national and international professionals, as well as administrative staff.
Must be able to work under pressure, pay attention to details, demonstrated initiative, be assertive yet diplomatic, dependable, and ability to get along well

Qualifications/Skills:

Bachelor Degree in a related field (Environment studies, Natural Resources Management, Sociology) is required and Master is prefer.

Excellent computer skills using SPSS, Excel (especially statistical functions), Word, Access, PowerPoint, Internet, and more importantly, data analysis computer programs.
Excellent communication, team working and problem solving skill;
Fluency in written and spoken Dari, Pashto and English;

Ability to work in a high pressure environment;
Ability to multi-task and work under pressure;
Ability to work independently and also as an effective team member;
Professionalism in appearance and demeanor;
Willingness to enhance knowledge through training and personal initiative; and
Willingness and ability to travel to the Provinces in Afghanistan based on requirement. Reporting Relationships:

Reporting Line

Reports to the Executive Director.

Submission Guideline:

Interested Afghans with the required qualifications and experience should submit their applications electronically through vacancies.hrcsd@mrrd.gov.af
While submitting your applications please mention the Title of the position plus Vacancy Number in the subject of the e-mail; please do NOT submit any other supporting documentation or educational certificates with your application. If you are short listed you will be asked to submit electronic copies of your educational certificates and if you are invited to written test you will be required to present the original certificates. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date of the position. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for written test Note: In the interests of open and fair competition and a merit based selection process applicants are advised that lobbying for a position , whether by the applicant or by any person acting on his or her behalf, shall result in the immediate disqualification of the candidate from further consideration. Applicants are strongly advised to inform potential supporters of this restriction which shall be strictly enforced.

Please don’t forget to type the Vacancy Announcement Number (1646/020/HRCSD/WEE-RDP/MRRD) in Subject while applying online. Application without vacancy number will not be accepted. 

The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is highly committed to increase women’s participation in government sector therefore women are highly encouraged to apply.

Submission Email:

vacancies.hrcsd@mrrd.gov.af