Social Officer – Lesotho Nutrition and Health System Strengthening Project (LNHSSP)

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Selibeng.com
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Kingdom of Lesotho

Ministry of Health

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

Job description

DEPARTMENT Project Implementing Unit ( PIU)
JOB TITLE Social Officer
PROJECT Lesotho Nutrition and Health System Strengthening Project (LNHSSP)
RESPONSIBLE TO Project Coordinator
DATE OF ISSUE 4th February 2020

I. Background

The Government of Lesotho (GOL) is planning to implement the Lesotho Nutrition and Health System Strengthening Project (LNHSSP) with the International Development Association’s (IDA) financial and technical support.  The proposed IDA-financed project aims to support the GOL in implementing a multi-sectoral approach to improve health and nutrition outcomes over a five-year period.

Hence the PIU seeks to engage the social safeguard officer to monitor implementation of guiding documents, conduct capacity building sessions and implement mitigating measures regarding social safeguards for this project.

II. Job Summary

The social officer will work for PIU to manage all social development aspects under the Project, in particular the integration of social assessments and community engagement (social assessment, worker and stakeholder engagement, labour management and grievance procedures) and monitor their implementation.

III. Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Social officer will ensure compliance with all social aspects of the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and Lesotho legal requirements. The specific tasks for the Social Specialist will include managing all social development aspects under the Project and ensure highest standard of quality in community engagement, project outreach and mitigation activities. The specific tasks of the social officer include, but are not limited to:

  1. Jointly with the Environmental Safeguards Specialist coordinates the mainstreaming of social issues in project design and implementation in accordance with the agreed environmental and social instruments: Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP); Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF); Labour Management Procedures (LMP); Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP);
  2. Serving as a focal point person on social issues including vulnerable groups who may be affected by the project and work closely with project partners to address any challenges;
  3. Facilitate the preparation of action plans and review implementation of social issues and preparation of any documentation and reports required by the project partners and the world Bank to ensure that Social issues have been adequately addressed and that the project is in compliance with the World Bank and Government of Lesotho social safeguard Policies;
  4. Provide expert advice to the PIU and project partners with regard to strategies and approaches to effectively and efficiently comply with relevant World Bank social standards and requirements;
  5. Coordinate and share information  with World Bank staff and consultants providing social and environmental safeguards cross-support;
  6. Promoting and contributing substantively to analyses and strengthening social aspects such as gender equality, child protection, Gender Based Violence (GBV), Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), HIV/AIDS and social inclusion under the project  in collaboration with the Gender Consultant;
  7. Continuous monitoring of social, equity and gender issues concerning the project and participate in assessment and evaluation of the social impacts of project interventions;
  8. Conducting awareness creation and sensitization of the communities on social, equity and gender dimensions of the project along with suggested safeguards;
  9. Advising the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and partners on major or sensitive matters relating to social impacts and risks during implementation;
  10. Advising and/or participating on project partners in the design and implementation of operational mechanisms that take into account social opportunities, impacts, constraints and risks of individual/sub projects;
  11. Implement the Project Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) as well as Stakeholders Engagement Plan (SEP);
  12. Ensuring that all social safeguards issues including implementation are assessed and reported in the periodical and in the Midterm Review and Project Completion Report;
  13. Undertake project site visits to assess and enforce compliance and make the necessary remedies; and
  14. Ensure including the necessary activities related to the social safeguards, such as trainings, studies, etc. in the project procurement plan.
  15. Manage labor and community grievance procedures under the Project

IV. Qualifications and Experience

  1. Master’s degree in Gender Studies or Development Studies or Sociology and Social development Sciences;
  2. At least 5 years’ professional experience in social assessment assignments and   implementation of social safeguards instruments;
  3. In depth knowledge of social and gender issues affecting rural and urban communities in developing countries;
  4. At least 5 years’ experience in working with social projects in health or related fields
  5. Experience in developing Social Safeguards instruments e.g. policy formulation, Social Impact Assessments (May need to show evidence);
  6. Experience in training and capacity building activities on social development and gender mainstreaming and analysis;
  7. At least 2 year’s practical experience with World Bank safeguards policies and their application in similar project is an added advantage.

V. Key Skills

  1. Ability to work independently and be creative and innovative; integrity and ability to work in a team;
  2. Good listener with demonstrated ability to present and win support for ideas as well as make effective and timely decisions;
  3. He/she shall have the overall responsibility for reporting progress on social safeguards and must possess adequate communication and documentation skills;
  4. Good mastery of standard computer applications: Microsoft Office Package;
  5. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; and
  6. Must be result focused and be able to work under pressure and tight deadlines.
  7. Ability to think strategically and conduct dialogue on social development policies and priorities, while maintaining a strong sense of realism with regard to in-country conditions and competing demands for resources.
  8. Team player with strong leadership abilities: experience in working with large teams of people from different background;
  9. Demonstrate ability to work independently with limited supervision on a wide range of social development activities, and achieving results;

VI. Reporting

The Social Safeguards Specialist will be reporting directly to the Project Coordinator.

VII. Duration

The duration of the assignment shall be 2 years subject to a probation period of four (4) months and satisfactory performance. The Contract may be renewed based on need and satisfactory performance.

VIII. Duty Station

The duty station shall be the Ministry of Health Head Office, Maseru, with frequent field visits to project sites.

IX. Remuneration

Successful candidates will be offered performance-based contract; subject to review after the first year with possibly of extension dependent on performance and availability of funds.

X. Application Instructions

CVs must be delivered in a written and hard Copy form to the address below, on or before 20th February, 2020, 1200 hour Local time.

Attn: Procurement Specialist

Procurement Unit, Ground Floor, Ministry Of Health Headquarters ,Corner Constitution Road & Linare Road P. O. Box 514, Maseru 100, Lesotho, Tel:(+266) 2732 3277

Only shortlisted and successful candidates will be contacted within two weeks from submission deadline. If you do not receive a call and email from us consider application not successful.

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