As a Senior Safeguards Officer (Social) you will independently provide technical support to (i) ensure that assigned sovereign and nonsovereign projects under processing and implementation comply with ADB's safeguard requirements; (ii) contribute to the interdepartmental policy discussions in the area of social safeguards, (involuntary resettlement and indigenous peoples), consultation and participation and engagement with civil society; and (iii) develop related knowledge products and services for use by ADB's borrowers and clients.
Responsibilities:
Ensure the adoption, implementation, and monitoring of ADB's safeguards policies into projects by conducting due diligence, independent and comprehensive analysis, and evaluation of project design and implementation, review of safeguard documents and overall safeguards performance of a project at all stages of the project cycle.
At concept review stage, the teams contribute to the sector by assessing the potential safeguards impacts at project identification, conducting due diligence, preparing safeguards categorization forms, and preparing terms of reference of consultants.
During due diligence, conducts a preliminary and detailed review of environmental and social impact assessment reports, environmental and social management systems, resettlement plans, indigenous peoples plan, and audits.
Advise borrower/clients on the incorporation of safeguards in the design and implementation of projects, and on requirements and methods to enhance the quality of multiple safeguards plans to ensure compliance.
Lead safeguards review missions for assigned projects by compiling relevant project data; visit the project site, document meetings with the borrower/client, consultants and affected persons; provide input in the preparation of back to office reports; conduct a desk review of progress reports, monitoring reports; recommend actions and measuring and evaluating compliance of projects.
Review relevant ADB policies, operations manuals, staff instructions, guidelines, and handbooks and suggest measures to ensure consistency with policy requirements.
Help develop knowledge products and services, including the formulation of policies and preparation of handbooks, best practice manuals, by reviewing project design and implementation experiences, working with project practitioners and subject-matter experts, and external stakeholders including civil society.
Update the safeguards team's database of projects to reflect the compliance status of projects, contribute to online project data sheets and information documents, and communicate with line division staff to upload the required safeguards documentation for projects on the ADB website.
Participate in multiple communities of practice and networks, to keep informed of guidelines and processes of other development banks and share information with OSFG on developments.
Contribute and support the preparation of budget, activity plans and work programs.
Support the engagement of staff consultants required to support OSFG in monitoring compliance with ADB's environmental safeguards requirements.
Supports the administration of TA projects related to environmental safeguards by managing progress of TA implementation, contracting consultants, supporting and implementation of conferences and workshops by formulating budget, activity plans and work programs, among other tasks.
Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in anthropology, sociology, social science, or related fields; preferably with Master's Degree or equivalent.
At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in a social safeguard-related field; (involuntary resettlement and indigenous peoples); and at least 4 years of supervisory experience.
Familiarity with relevant safeguard policies and safeguard requirements.
Proficiency in assessment and other related safeguards planning (resettlement and indigenous peoples plans and frameworks).
Familiarity with social safeguards risks associated with project processing and administration.
Develop partnership internally and externally in a multicultural environment.
Written and verbal proficiency in English and a local language (as applicable).
Experience in complex social issues in Northeast India and states with indigenous peoples.
Experience in grievance redress mechanisms including GRMs incorporating IP concerns.
