Position: Social Safeguards Specialist

Organization: National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)

Location: Delhi

Responsibilities

The Social Safeguards Specialist will be required to assist both the PMU (NIUA) and the participating cities across the country. The responsibilities of the incumbent will include, but will not be limited to:

• Provide technical expertise on key issues related to Social Impact Assessment (SIA), on sustainability risks in the design, preparation and implementation considering best industry practices and standards (AFD E&S guidelines are aligned on the World Bank guidelines);
• Identify all key potential social impacts and risks of the urban infrastructure projects being developed under the CITIIS program and ensure that their magnitude and significance are well understood by all stakeholders;
• Critical review/ validation of the Social safeguards documentation submitted along with the Detailed Project Report (DPR);
• Train and handhold the E&S Nodal Officers in the participating local governments (Smart City SPVs) in developing and delivering the Social Safeguards Commitment Plan (SSCP), Social Impact Assessment (SIA), Social Safeguards Management Plan (SMP), Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), Gender Action Plan (GAP) and Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) measurement and monitoring in close coordination with the Environmental Safeguards Specialist;
• Develop guidelines/toolkits wherever required to ensure that Social inclusion and assessment is an integral part of planning, preparation, and implementation of various project activities and its proper monitoring as per the agreed guidelines;
• Based on the assessments, work with E&S Nodal Officers in the participating cities to ensure plans are developed and steps taken to ensure that projects will comply with AFD’s Policy / Guidelines on Environmental and Social Sustainability (ESS);
• Provide technical assistance to participating local governments (Smart City SPVs) in specific policy and project formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation related to gender equality and women empowerment;
• Ensure quarterly, bi-annual and annual reporting is timely done to the stakeholders;
• Work with colleagues and the management to foster strategic alliances and partnerships for sharing lessons and best practices as well as to develop opportunities for building capacities with local governments, internal staff and other specialists;
• Extensive travel to the participating cities for on-ground monitoring, reporting and capacity building;
• Report on and disseminate good practices and generated knowledge; and
• Liaison with relevant state and regulatory agencies.

Reporting:

The Social Safeguards Specialist shall work closely with the program team and report to the Program Director - CITIIS at NIUA, New Delhi.

Skills and Qualifications

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in a social sciences, economics, gender issues, or other development-related fields;
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience; with at-least 5 years of experience in conducting Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and developing Social Safeguards Management Plans (SSMP), Gender Action Plans (GAP) for urban infrastructure projects;
• Excellent drafting, documentation and communication skills;
• Proven record on similar work at local, regional or national level;
• Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically;
• Good in personal organization, planning and priority setting;
• Values the continuous improvement and learning;
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

References: Please provide name and contact information of three references.

Remuneration: As par with the industry standards, depending on experience and skills and fitment with NIUA remuneration structures. Proof of past remuneration (last received salary/monthly contract payment) would be required.

Application process: Submit CV and cover letter through the NIUA portal.