The Environmental and Social Risk Management Specialist will be responsible for ensuring the identification, assessment, and management of environmental and social (E&S) risks across the MPA SET4Jobs Program. This includes oversight of gender equity, grievance redress, stakeholder engagement, and the prevention and mitigation of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH). The Specialist will ensure all program activities are implemented in full compliance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and applicable national regulations.

• Duties and Responsibilities

2.3.1 Environmental and Social Safeguards Management

1. Ensure program activities comply with the World Bank ESF standards, Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), national regulations, and IUCEA institutional guidelines;
2. Support the preparation, implementation, review, and monitoring of E&S instruments, including Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEPs), and Labor Management Procedures (LMPs);

• Assess program activities for environmental and social risks, recommend appropriate mitigation measures, and conduct periodic audits and field monitoring missions;

1. Track project progress against E&S indicators to ensure alignment with ESS and ESCP commitments and flag any areas of non-compliance for timely corrective action;
2. Provide technical guidance and hands-on support to participating countries and institutions on E&S safeguards requirements and implementation;
3. Prepare regular, high-quality safeguards compliance reports for IUCEA and the World Bank, covering E&S implementation progress, incidents, and corrective actions;

• Coordinate E&S activities with relevant stakeholders, including government counterparts, implementing partners, and civil society organizations.

2.3.2 Capacity Building and Training

1. Develop training materials, guidelines, and reference documents to build the capacity of project teams, implementing partners, and beneficiary institutions on E&S safeguards requirements.
2. Deliver at least four safeguards-related training sessions per year, covering topics such as E&S risk identification, stakeholder engagement, grievance redress, and SEA/SH prevention.

• Provide ongoing technical support and mentoring to project teams and partners on safeguards principles, tools, and best practices.

1. Identify capacity gaps within partner institutions and design targeted capacity-building interventions to address them.

2.3.3 Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)

1. Establish, operationalize, and continuously monitor a functional Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) to ensure complaints and feedback from project-affected persons and stakeholders are addressed effectively and within agreed timelines;
2. Ensure the GRM is accessible, confidential, and sensitive to the needs of vulnerable groups, including women and youth;

• Maintain accurate GRM records and prepare periodic GRM reports covering grievance trends, resolution rates, and outstanding issues;

1. Ensure that at least 90% of registered grievances are resolved within agreed timelines.

2.3.4 Prevention and Mitigation of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH)

1. Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of a SEA/SH Action Plan and related risk mitigation measures across all program activities and participating institutions;
2. Conduct SEA/SH risk assessments at program inception and periodically throughout implementation, including during field missions, and integrate findings into E&S instruments and implementation plans;

• Ensure that SEA/SH prevention and response requirements are incorporated into all relevant project documents, including ESMPs, SEPs, Codes of Conduct, LMPs, and contractual agreements with implementing partners and service providers;

1. Establish and maintain safe, confidential, and survivor-centered reporting channels for SEA/SH incidents, ensuring affected persons are informed of their rights and available support services;
2. Coordinate with local service providers, survivor support organizations, and government authorities to ensure timely access to medical, psychosocial, legal, and other support services for SEA/SH survivors;
3. Develop and deliver regular SEA/SH awareness-raising and prevention training for project staff, implementing partners, beneficiaries, and community stakeholders;

• Ensure mandatory SEA/SH Codes of Conduct are signed by all project staff, consultants, and contractors prior to project engagement, and that enforcement mechanisms are in place;

• Monitor compliance with SEA/SH commitments across all program sites and participating institutions and report any incidents or concerns in accordance with World Bank disclosure and reporting requirements;

1. Maintain strict confidentiality of SEA/SH case information and ensure all case management follows a survivor-centered, do-no-harm approach;
2. Liaise with the World Bank’s SEA/SH focal point and Task Team Leader to escalate cases and ensure appropriate follow-up actions are taken.

2.3.5 Gender, Social Inclusion, and Cross-Cutting Risks

1. Develop and monitor strategies to promote the meaningful participation of underrepresented groups including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and rural populations in program activities;
2. Support the integration of climate change mitigation and adaptation measures into program design and implementation, particularly within the green skills sector.

2.3.6 Other Duties

1. Perform any other duties assigned by the Project Coordinator that are consistent with the scope of this position.

• Minimum Requirements for the Job

1. Academic and Professional Qualifications

An Advanced University Degree (master’s level) in environmental science, environmental engineering, environmental management, Natural Resource Management, Social Science, Sociology, Development Studies or an equivalent relevant field is required.

1. Work Experience

1. At least 5–8 years of relevant professional experiencein environmental and social safeguards management with demonstrated experience on World Bank-funded or equivalent donor-funded projects;
2. Sound working knowledge of the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), including ESS1 through ESS10;

• Professional certification in Environment and Social Risk Management framework, Occupation Health and Safety (OHS), Gender Based Violence (GBV), or related areas is desirable;

1. Demonstrated experience in preparing and implementing, and monitoring E&S instruments such as ESIAs, ESMPs, SEPs, and LMPs;
2. Proven experience in stakeholder engagement, social inclusion, and gender mainstreaming, and GBV/SEA/SH risk management;
3. Experience working in the education, TVET, or skills development sector is an added advantage;

• Experience conducting field audits and monitoring missions across multiple sites and /or countries is an asset;
  1. Skills and Competencies

1. Strong understanding of environmental and social risk management principles and the World Bank ESF;
2. Demonstrated knowledge of SEA/SH prevention and response frameworks, survivor-centered approaches, and do-no-harm principles

• Excellent analytical, coordination, and problem-solving skills;

1. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across diverse cultural and institutional contexts
2. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively across diverse cultural and institutional contexts.
3. Ability to work independently and collaborativelyeffectively in multi-country and multicultural environments;

• Proficiency in technical report writing documentation and data management ;
• Knowledge of climate change mitigation and adaptation in the context of development programming
  • Performance Indicators

The Specialist’s performance will be assessed against the following key indicators:

1. Timely development, implementation, and updating of all required E&S instruments, including the SEA/SH Action Plan
2. Delivery of at least four safeguards related training sessions per year, including dedicated SEA/SH awareness and prevention training.

• Full compliance of program activities with World Bank ESF requirements and ESCP commitments

1. 100% timely reporting of all E&S incidents, including SEA/SH cases, in accordance with World Bank disclosure requirements.
2. Implementation of mitigation actions for at least 90% of identified E&S risks including SEA/SH risks, within planned timeframe;
3. Timely submission of all safeguards and GRM reports to IUCEA and the World Bank;

• At least 85% of planned E&S activities completed within each reporting period;
• A functional GRM is operational, with at least 90% 90% of registered grievances resolved within agreed timelines;

1. Number of institutions and stakeholders trained on safeguards; demonstrated improvement in safeguards application;
2. Measurable increase in the participation of women, youth, and underrepresented groups in program activities;
3. Demonstrated integration of climate mitigation and adaptation measures in program interventions;

• All project staff, consultants, and contractors have signed and are adhering to the SEA/SH Code of Conduct prior to engagement.