Environmental and Social Safeguards Officer

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Nairobi, UNOPS East and Southern Africa supports sustainable development across 14 countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe. Since 1995, UNOPS has expanded its footprint in Kenya, delivering services in project management, infrastructure, procurement, and financial management. Across the region, the office implements diverse, partner-funded initiatives that respond to national priorities. In Mozambique, this includes delivering specialized equipment (EU), supporting health services (UNICEF), promoting agro-processing (KOICA), and advancing peacebuilding efforts through a Multi-Donor Fund. UNOPS also supports agricultural input distribution and the Northern Crisis Recovery Project, both funded by the World Bank. In Malawi, efforts include developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres in partnership with the EU and the British Council. These initiatives reflect UNOPS’ commitment to strengthening national capacities, enhancing service delivery, and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.

UNOPS Mozambique is a trusted partner in advancing the country’s development priorities and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Working closely with the Government and development partners, UNOPS delivers a range of services—including project management, procurement, and capacity building—to support peacebuilding, expand access to essential services, and strengthen livelihoods. The office plays a vital role in implementing projects that foster resilience and sustainable development, particularly in communities affected by conflict and climate-related challenges. With a strong track record of delivering high-impact, results-driven initiatives, UNOPS continues to contribute to long-term, positive change for the people of Mozambique.

In January 2026, Mozambique experienced the most severe floods in recent years, significantly affecting the southern and central regions of the country. The agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors were particularly impacted, resulting in extensive loss of cultivated land, livestock mortality and displacement, and damage to irrigation systems and fishing infrastructure. These impacts have further exacerbated the socioeconomic vulnerability of rural communities in Mozambique.

In response, the Government of Mozambique, with financing from the World Bank, requested UNOPS to support the implementation of a flood response project valued at USD 66 million. The project will focus on the procurement and distribution of emergency agricultural inputs, fisheries equipment, veterinary supplies, and vaccines in 6 most affected provinces - Maputo, Gaza, Zambezia, Tete, Sofala and Manica. UNOPS plans to set up a project team of approximately 26 personnel to support the implementation of the project. The project personnel composition include Project Management, Risk Management, Fiduciary Management, Results Management, Technical Supervision and Support Services. 

As part of the donor requirements set out in the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), environmental and social (E&S) instruments are currently developed to mitigate environmental and social risks and impacts of the Project. In addition, UNOPS’ HSSE requirements stipulate a series of compliance issues specifically regarding Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) and infrastructure activities. 

The Environmental and Social Safeguard Officer is to ensure that all Project activities are aligned with donor Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) and UNOPS OSH requirements. 

The Safeguard Officer will be operating as part of the team, managing, and ensuring the implementation of all environmental and social standards and the occupational health and safety requirements during the project life cycle. S/he must be able to apply with/out direction, the duties, and responsibilities of the project success criteria.

E&S and OHS Compliance Monitoring

Monitor and report on assigned E&S standards and OHS requirements established by donors and UNOPS.

Support implementing partners in incorporating approved E&S standards and OHS into contracts.

Monitor the application of approved E&S instruments and mitigation measures by implementing partners, recording implementation gaps and following up on required actions.

Participate in scheduled spot checks and monitoring visits to implementing partners’ sites.

E&S and OHS Compliance Monitoring

Support implementing partners in monitoring and reporting on E&S screening processes for subprojects, in accordance with established procedures.

Conduct initial completeness and procedural compliance checks of environmental permitting documentation prepared by implementing partners; track submission and approval status; and follow up on outstanding requirements and identified issues.

Compile baseline information and draft defined technical sections of the Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), the Manual of Good Environmental and Social Practices or Simplified Environmental and Social Studies, using approved templates as appropriate to the categorization of each subproject.

Assist with routine authorized updates to relevant E&S instruments, including Labour Management Procedures, Waste Management Plans, GBV Risk Action Plans, OHS procedures and plans, Chance Find Procedures and Pest Management Plans, as applicable.

Support the implementation of the approved Resettlement Policy Framework, monitor potential land-related issues, and facilitate appropriate follow-up to prevent or resolve disputes.

Support the establishment and effective functioning of Project Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRMs), monitoring their application and identifying areas requiring improvement.

E&S Reporting and Corrective Action Follow-up

Track implementation of agreed corrective measures by implementing partners, escalating significant or unresolved issues to the supervisor or relevant technical counterpart.

Compile quarterly and annual reports on E&S risks, impacts, mitigation measures and implementation progress, based on monitoring findings and information provided by implementation partners.

Identify challenges, opportunities, priorities and implementation needs relating to project E&S instruments, and propose practical measures to address identified gaps and improve effectiveness.

Implementing Partner Support and Capacity Building

Assist in preparing and delivering approved training materials and defined capacity-building sessions on E&S standards, gender considerations, prevention of gender-based violence (GBV) and prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH), and applicable OHS requirements, tools and frameworks.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor within the scope of the position.

Required:

A Bachelor's Degree in environmental and social studies or related subject(s) in combination with an additional two (2) years relevant experience is required;

or

Master’s Degree in environmental and social studies or related subject(s) or other relevant disciplines is required

Required

• A minimum of 2 years of progressively experience in environmental management, or social development or gender equality and women’s empowerment are required.
• Experience in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems is required.

Desired

• Direct experience with World Bank projects or the United Nations Health, Safety, Social and Environment Management Systems is an added advantage;
• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.