Environmental & Social Risk and Impact Specialist for the Congo basin

Result of ServiceTo create positive impacts on tropical forest conservation and restoration, emission removals and reductions, job creation and biodiversity protection Work LocationKinshasa, DRC Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesUN Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP's Climate Change Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Under the Climate Change Division, UNEP’s Climate Finance Unit seeks to actively unlock and (re)direct public and private capital towards sustainable land use, using blended finance vehicles for deforestation-free soft commodity production, climate and nature investment, that lead to ‘net zero, nature positive’ and improved rural livelihoods. One key program of the Climate Finance Unit Is the Pro-Congo program that focuses specifically on supporting enterprises in targeted Congo Basin countries - the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo (RoC), Gabon and Cameroon. It does so through a combination of technical assistance, (reimbursable) grants, concessional loans that will create positive impacts on tropical forest conservation and restoration, emission removals and reductions, job creation and biodiversity protection. Pro-Congo aims to create an “engine of growth” by contributing in tangible ways to green economic development in the Congo Basin countries and by facilitating sustainable foreign and domestic private investment. In this context, UNEP is hiring a Consultant Specialist to bring expertise on Environment and Social (E&S) risk and impact management, specifically in support to the Pro-Congo program. Under the overall guidance of the Head of the Climate Finance Unit, the consultant will report to the E&S Lead and work in close collaboration with colleagues within the Climate Finance Unit, UNCDF, CAFI, and any other partner of the Pro-Congo project. Workplan Tasks and Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the E&S Lead of the Climate Finance Unit, the consultant will perform a number of specialized tasks that contribute to shaping and executing the E&S workstream of the Pro-Congo program. The consultant will also work directly with Pro-Congo partners (UNCDF, CAFI, regional development actors), and UNEP regional teams based in the Congo basin, and in UNEP Nairobi office. Provide quality E&S expertise to the Pro-Congo program, in line with UNEP, UNCDF, CAFI requirements: - Develop the Pro-Congo gender analysis, action plan and IP and LCs engagement plan - Develop the Pro-Congo E&S Management System, including the E&S policy and supporting tools - Support deal reviews and due diligence with E&S risk screening, E&S action plans, and impact reports - Support companies to account for, project, and monitor their carbon emission reductions potential - Support the development of topic analysis across all impact areas (climate, biodiversity, livelihood and gender, sustainable production) Support E&S capacity building, communications and knowledge management: - Support Capacity Building content development, including training material, factsheets, case studies, and other relevant products - Design and deliver capacity building workshops for SMEs in the region - Design and deliver consultation workshop with vulnerable communities - Run, analyse and synthesise key topics emerging from sustainable land use finance in the region, to produce topic analysis, briefings notes and action plans - Actively collect, monitor and analyze impact and performance data on the above activities, for reporting purposes to the Pro-Congo management unit - Support the E&S team as needed (attend regular team meetings; communications; Pro-Congo program reporting; work planning and strategizing; etc.) Qualifications/special skillsMasters degree or equivalent in environmental studies and/or development studies is required. A parallel qualification in business and finance is desired. At least five (5) years working experience in agriculture-forestry-land use systems, E&S risks and safeguards in land use finance, E&S impact monitoring and reporting, or related topics is required. Knowledge of international best practices in E&S risk and safeguards management, particularly in gender mainstreaming and IP and LCs inclusion, in the context of nature-based solutions investments is required. Field experience and good network in the Congo basin, specifically in the countries of the ProCongo project is required. Strong experience in impact data collection, analysis and reporting is desired. Excellent analytical, writing and presentation skills in English is required. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consulting position, fluency in oral and written English and French are required. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.