Job Vacancy For Environment and Social Safeguard Specialist

The African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) is a pan-African economic policy institute supporting Africa’s long-term growth through transformation. We produce research, offer policy advice, and connect key stakeholders so that African countries are better positioned for smart, inclusive, and sustainable development. Based in Ghana, we offer African-led solutions to some of Africa’s most critical development issues.

Project Background

• In 2017, the World Bank established the “Think Africa Partnership” (TAP) Program with the objective of building a knowledge to policy action pipeline. The TAP is a multi-donor Trust Fund for the Africa Regions and is the Africa Regions’ flagship trust fund translating knowledge into economic policy action to promote economic transformation across the continent. TAP is an African-centered initiative to better equip African scholars, institutions, and chief economic advisors with the tools, knowledge, and networks to address local development challenges with home grown solutions. TAP furthermore aims to strengthening production and uptake of knowledge and research to enhance the formulation and implementation of evidence-based policy.

• ACET has been a strategic partner of the TAP since its inception. TAP and ACET receive numerous requests to support African governments on their economic transformation agenda. In this pursuit, ACET regularly produces key knowledge products, such as the African Transformation Report, the African Transformation Index, as well as numerous multi-country studies exploring national and regional progress towards economic transformation. ACET has also been endorsed by the G20/Compact with Africa initiative (CwA) Ministers of Finance to support implementation of CwA in Africa. It is also supporting private sector development through its business incubator program, ACET Business Transform (ABT), working with Small and Medium Enterprises in Ghana with plans for expansion to several African countries in the coming years. Increasingly these requests also address governments’ COVID-19 recovery strategies, where countries would benefit from cross-country peer learning, and for access to the African knowledge community to develop and refine these plans. In 2022, ACET will enter a new phase in which the TAP partnership will become even more central to our activities.

Description of the Environment and Social Safeguard Specialist Role

• During the TAP project implementation, the Specialist will provide environmental and social safeguard oversight and capacity building to ensure that project activities are in line with applicable national legislation, World Bank Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) and good environmental and social management practices. The specialist will engage with a wide range of partners, stakeholders, and beneficiaries in multiple countries across the African continent, and report to the Chief Operating Officer.
• In addition to environmental and social specialisation, we are seeking a candidate who ideally, is also capable of performing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse /Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) functions, i.e., prevention of any form of sexual abuse, exploitation, and harassment. While not a firm requirement for the role, candidates with SEA/SH experience are highly encouraged to apply.
Scope and Duration of services
• The proposed assignment includes the tasks delineated in the table below. The anticipated duration of the tasks is for 100 to 120 days over the course of a 38-month implementation period between May 2022 and June 2025.
• Most key deliverables and tasks will be required on a quarterly or biannual basis. Some tasks will require ad hoc support based on project implementation and business needs. These will be anticipated as much as possible based on ACET’s work plans and procurement strategy.

Tasks

1) Monitor, follow up, update (if necessary) and assist the ACET TAP Implementation Unit (ATIU) on the implementation of the:

• Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP);
• Project’s Labor Management Procedures (LMP);
• Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) for the Project, consistent with ESS10, which includes measures to, inter alia, provide stakeholders with timely, relevant, understandable, and accessible information, and consult with them in a culturally appropriate manner which is free of manipulation, interference, coercion, discrimination, and intimidation.
• Update, consult upon and disclose the SEP as necessary during project implementation.

2) Develop specific screening instrument, and screen project proposed interventions against potential environmental and social risks.
3) Support the ATIU to update ACET’s Code of Conduct (CoC) and oversee signing of the CoC by employees, consultants and with selected partners as necessary.
4) Conduct a Training Needs Assessment of staff on their knowledge of E&S
• prepare, conduct, and oversee trainings on E&S risks management throughout the life of the project.
5) Organize regular staff information sessions to ensure institutional awareness and compliance as well as staff meetings to provide updates on occupational health and safety regulations and inform of any potential staff policy alterations.
6) Participate in joint implementation support mission
• follow up comments and recommendations regarding E&S risk management and undertake measures as necessary.
7) Assist the ATIU to prepare and submit to the Bank regular monitoring reports on the environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) performance of the Project, including but not limited to:
• the implementation of the ESCP, status of preparation and implementation of E&S documents required under the ESCP
• stakeholder engagement activities
• functioning of the grievance mechanism(s)
8) Advise the ATIU on the following issues related to ACET’s business practices and project implementation:
• preparation of TORs, papers, studies, or reports which include E&S issues.
• waste management issues related to the project, institute and implement relevant mitigation measures.
• procurement of environmentally friendly tools and equipment necessary for the project implementation such as energy efficient office hardware devices, and fuel-efficient vehicles.
• measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and related health risks.
9) Undertake other assignments as necessary in support of achieving the aims of this project.

Ideally, the position holder would also be requested to undertake the following (SEA/SH) tasks:

1) Monitor, follow up, update (if necessary) and assist the ACET TAP Implementation Unit (ATIU) on the implementation of the:
• the project’s SEA/SH Action Plan, Accountability and Response Framework.
• Project’s Grievance Mechanism (GM), as described in the SEP, and the GM for project workers, as described in the LMP, including specifically handling GBV complaints following a survivor centered approach.
2) Conduct a Training Needs Assessment of staff on their knowledge of SEA/SH risks
• prepare, conduct, and oversee trainings on SEA/SH risks management throughout the life of the project.
3) Participate in joint implementation support mission
• follow up comments and recommendations regarding GBV/SEA/SH risks management and undertake measures as necessary.

Deliverables

• Prepare quarterly, and annual work plans and achievement reports on the scope of activities
• Inputs into, and review of an updated Code of Conduct to be approved by the ACET
• Training materials on E&S standards and process (and SEA/SH if applicable)

Qualification, Skills, Knowledge, and Competencies:

Required

• A minimum of a BA, but preferable an MA in social science, sociology, social work, or other relevant social discipline.
• At least 5 years of work experience as a E&S specialist.
• Excellent communications, report-writing skills in English, and a high level of computer literacy are essential.
• Ability to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders including, government, the private sector, project beneficiaries and civil society.
• Agility and the ability to simultaneously work with multiple projects at different scale, size, and with varying timelines.
• Experience of working in policy research projects similar to ACET’s business model.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, analytical, problem-solving, communication and team skills.
• Ability to operate in a multi-cultural environment, to travel and work under challenging circumstances.

Desirable

• Experience in GBV prevention and response, social and sexual exploitation/sexual harassment management, mitigation, and preparation of plans therein.
• Experience in gender, community sensitization on gender and women/children’s rights.
• Experience in World Bank project social and environmental risks management.
• Additional languages, in particular French and/or Portuguese.

WORKING AT ACET

The position will be employed as ACET staff, with a 6-month probation period, located either locally or remotely. ACET offers competitive salaries.

ACET is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to inclusion and diversity in the workplace. We have a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination and harassments of any kind.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Please send your application to the ACET Human Resource Manager at:

hr@acetforafrica.org

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work
• CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects
• Contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation, and overall suitability to this TOR.

Closing Date: 06 May, 2022

Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be held either virtually or in-person if the candidate is based in Ghana.