Safeguards Specialist

Safeguards Specialist | UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme

Safeguards Specialist

UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme Nairobi National CON level Speaks English, French

Application deadline: March 23, 2026

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Summary by Impactpool

The Safeguards Specialist position at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) focuses on ensuring the effective implementation of the Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF). The role involves delivering training sessions, conducting rigorous reviews of Safeguard Risk Information Forms (SRIFs), and contributing to UNEP reporting. The specialist will also engage in capacity building for project management teams and ensure that environmental and social risks are properly managed throughout project life cycles. This position is based in Nairobi and requires a strong background in project management and safeguard policies.

Candidate Requirements:

High school diploma required

Supplemental training in environment or development field desirable

Minimum five years of experience in programme/project management

Experience with safeguard policies and risk management planning required

Working experience in international organizations desirable

Knowledge of UNEP environmental and social safeguards desirable

Excellent project design and evaluation skills required

Fluency in English required, knowledge of another UN language advantageous

Result of Service

• Effective Training and Workshops: Delivery of well-structured, high-quality training sessions and workshops focused on safeguard risk management.
• Timely SRIF Clearance: Ensuring the prompt clearance of Safeguard Risk Information Forms (SRIFs) following rigorous reviews for consistency and quality. These reviews are conducted either by safeguard officers or external consultants/specialists.
• Contribution to ESSF Implementation: Overall contribution to the successful implementation of the UNEP Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF), including the development and enhancement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the production of training materials as well as monitoring of ESSF proper implementation during the whole project life cycle.
• Contribution to UNEP reporting: Provide contributions to regular and ad-hoc UNEP and UN reports, audit recommendations and other documents.
• Extracts relevant data from IPMR for QAS analysis and usage. Work Location Nairobi Expected duration 6 Months Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP’s Policy and Programme Division (PPD) is responsible for coherence, strategic planning, overseeing Results-based Management (RBM) and quality assurance (project reviews and oversight), gender and safeguards, performance review and monitoring. To ensure the highest standards of project quality and alignment with UNEP's strategic frameworks, the PPD operates a robust review function at various stages of project development, from concept stage, through implementation and closure. This position is in PPD at the Nairobi Duty Station and reports to the Head of Project Review and Oversight Unit (PRO Unit, with delegated authority. The unit serves as secretariat and focal point for all concept and project reviews and leads the development and effective implementation of UNEP’s quality assurance mechanism including safeguards review. This position is in the Quality Assurance Section (QAS), Policy and Programme Division, in UNEP at the Nairobi duty station. The quality assurance is mandated, inter alia, with the work towards integrating gender-responsive approaches and safeguards into the design and implementation of UNEP programmes and policies, guided mainly by the UNEP’s Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework (ESSF). It provides guidelines and support to ensure all UNEP interventions meet the highest standards of environmental integrity and social responsibility and are aligned with all other relevant UN policies and programmes. The focus of this position is on ensuring that ESSF standards are meaningfully and properly integrated at all stages of programme and project interventions: from the concept note, to the implementation, monitoring, reporting (impact measurement) and evaluation (whole project life cycle).This includes performing screenings and assessments on two dimensions: (1) identifying, understanding, and managing potential environmental and social risks and impacts associated with UNEP's programmes and projects, and (2) assessing the extent of gender mainstreaming within the context, implementation, outcomes, and budget portions of the project documentation. The individual contractor will be also engaged in the capacity building of project management teams and advising them on the proper implementation of the ESSF and monitoring of its implementation. Under the direct supervision of the Head, Quality Assurance Section (QAS), Policy and Programme Division (PPD), the consultant will provide the following ultimate result of service:
• Effective Training and Workshops: Delivery of well-structured, high-quality training sessions and workshops focused on safeguard risk management.
• Timely SRIF Clearance: Ensuring the prompt clearance of Safeguard Risk Information Forms (SRIFs) following rigorous reviews for consistency and quality. These reviews are conducted either by safeguard officers or external consultants/specialists.
• Contribution to ESSF Implementation: Overall contribution to the successful implementation of the UNEP Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF), including the development and enhancement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the production of training materials as well as monitoring of ESSF proper implementation during the whole project life cycle.
• Contribution to UNEP reporting: Provide contributions to regular and ad-hoc UNEP and UN reports, audit recommendations and other documents.
• Extracts relevant data from IPMR for QAS analysis and usage Qualifications/special skills Completion of high school diploma is required. Supplemental training in environment or development field, law, environmental science, or impact assessment is desirable. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in programme/project management, operationalization of safeguard policies, and safeguard risk screening, impact assessment and risk management planning is required.. Working experience in an international organization such as the United Nations or another international organization is desirable. Knowledge of environmental and social safeguards of UNEP or other UN entities is desirable. Excellent knowledge and experience of project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in an environment and/or development context is required. Good drafting skills are desirable. Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. Additional Information Not available. No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

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Summary by Impactpool

The Safeguards Specialist position at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) focuses on ensuring the effective implementation of the Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF). The role involves delivering training sessions, conducting rigorous reviews of Safeguard Risk Information Forms (SRIFs), and contributing to UNEP reporting. The specialist will also engage in capacity building for project management teams and ensure that environmental and social risks are properly managed throughout project life cycles. This position is based in Nairobi and requires a strong background in project management and safeguard policies.

Candidate Requirements:

High school diploma required

Supplemental training in environment or development field desirable

Minimum five years of experience in programme/project management

Experience with safeguard policies and risk management planning required

Working experience in international organizations desirable

Knowledge of UNEP environmental and social safeguards desirable

Excellent project design and evaluation skills required

Fluency in English required, knowledge of another UN language advantageous

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