Social and Environmental Standards (SES) Analyst, NPSA-8, DS - Kyiv, National Position

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the development arm of the United Nations, UNDP supports strategic capacity development initiatives to promote inclusive growth and sustainable human development. Through partnerships with national, regional, and local governments, civil society, and the private sector, UNDP strives to support Ukraine in its efforts to eliminate poverty, develop people’s capacity, achieve equitable results, sustain the environment, and advance democratic governance. 

In Ukraine, UNDP has been working since 1993 with the Government and local authorities, with partners across the UN system, with civil society and with local communities to help identify and develop targeted solutions to the country’s development challenges.  We work in close collaboration with key ministries, departments and agencies in a robust, integrated manner in three thematic priorities/portfolios: Inclusive Growth, Democratic Governance, and Energy and Environment.

UNDP’s Social and Environmental Standards (SES) (www.undp.org/ses) underpin the sustainable development results that UNDP supports. UNDP’s revised Social and Environmental Standards (SES) guide its programming to be risk-informed, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable. The UNDP Ukraine Country Office is implementing a comprehensive SES Action Plan to institutionalize SES compliance across all portfolios and projects, aligning with UNDP corporate requirements and ensuring meaningful stakeholder engagement and risk management.

As part of the SPP RBM Team, the SES Analyst will be responsible for project-level review and clearance at relevant milestones in the project cycle – including during both the design and implementation of projects. The SES Analyst will serve as the focal point in ensuring compliance of UNDP Ukraine portfolios with the Social and Environmental Standards (SES), while aligning project implementation with Ukrainian regulatory frameworks, particularly in environmental impact assessment, labor protection, industrial safety, and stakeholder engagement. Leveraging strong familiarity with both International Financial Institutions policies and Ukrainian law, the SES Analyst will contribute to embedding sustainability, risk mitigation, and social inclusion into development programming. The SES Analyst will work closely with programme and project colleagues in the Ukraine CO and in the Regional Hubs.

The incumbent will accelerate gender equality and women’s empowerment within all implementations and promote UNDP’s mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance to any kind of discriminatory and abusive behaviour, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

Duties and Responsibilities

1.    Technical Oversight of SES Implementation and Compliance

•     Lead and support the application of Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP), ensuring compliance with UNDP SES and Ukrainian legislation, particularly in risk categorization and stakeholder notification procedures.
•     Advise on the optimal coordination/integration of UNDP SES requirements with the applicable requirements under the Ukrainian legislation with a view to ensuring adequate implementation of the SES in UNDP supported actions and their integrated co-financing.
•     Provide comprehensive technical guidance to project teams and CO SES Committee during all stages of the project cycle (formulation, implementation, and closure) to ensure compliance with SES requirements.
•     Support project teams in identifying and managing emerging risks during implementation, including advising on re-categorization or revision of management plans where necessary.
•     Serve as the SES focal point for projects flagged with Substantial or High SES risk, providing second-layer oversight and advising programme teams on appropriate mitigation actions.
•     Provide oversight to the design and implementation of the environmental and social instruments (e.g., Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Environmental and Social Management Plan, Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment, Environmental and Social Management Framework), ensuring that they meet both UNDP requirements and Ukrainian Environmental Impact Assessment procedures, technical documentation standards, and risk assessment methodologies. Facilitate the identification and implementation of the management measures, required by SES.  
•     Monitor projects for emerging social and environmental risks, ensuring early identification and compliance with internal rules and procedures and Ukrainina legislation.
•     Develop and maintain SES monitoring systems, tracking project-level risk ratings, mitigation compliance, and institutional capacity gaps in alignment with both UNDP corporate requirements and Ukraine’s monitoring and environmental audit regulations 
•     Serve as the technical advisor to the CO SES Committee, including case review preparations, technical briefings, and follow-up actions. Ensure integration of SES findings, SESP outcomes, and grievance data into Committee discussions and bi-annual reports
•     Facilitate risk-based escalation protocols for grievances and SES non-compliance cases, including referrals to the SES Committee, UNDP SES team, Social and Environmental Compliance Unit, or national authorities, as appropriate.
•     Advise on compliance with UNDP’s Gender Equality Strategy and the integration of gender and inclusion perspectives into SES processes.
•     Capture and  document challenges,  emerging trends, lessons learned and best practices from UNDP SES implementation in Ukraine, including alignment with national legislation, to contribute to internal learning and future programming guidance.
•     Provide inputs to corporate reporting requirements (e.g. Results-Oriented Annual Report, evaluations, and donor reports) related to SES, including lessons learned and case studies.

2.    Stakeholder Engagement, Grievances and Coordination

•     Guide project teams on best practices for meaningful, inclusive, and culturally appropriate stakeholder consultations in line with UNDP policy.
•     Ensure alignment of stakeholder engagement strategies with both the UNDP Stakeholder Engagement Plan and Ukrainian public consultation laws and procedures, especially for high-impact projects involving land use, resource extraction, or vulnerable populations (e.g., IDPs, war-affected communities).
•     Ensure that vulnerable groups, including women, internally displaced persons (IDPs), minorities, and people with disabilities, are considered in risk assessments, engagement processes, and benefit sharing.
•     Oversee the design and implementation of project-level Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRMs),where applicable, ensuring accessibility, responsiveness, and integration with the Stakeholder Response Mechanism (SRM).
•     Lead the technical coordination of the CO-level SRM and serve as the primary focal point for eligibility assessments, resolution pathway development, and trend analysis. 
•     Contribute to the resolution of complaints or grievances referred to the SES Committee 
•     Monitor the functionality and performance of grievance redress mechanisms (GRMs), provide technical advice for improvement, and ensure appropriate documentation and reporting of cases.
•     With support from  SES Committee, prepare case summaries and advising on responses to grievances related to Substantial and High Risk project;
•     Maintain and update the SRM case registry, including eligibility screening outcomes, resolution plans, follow-up actions, and lessons learned.
•     Participate in global and regional SES networks and support cross-learning with other Country Offices and the Regional Hub.
•     Coordinate with other UN agencies, IFIs, donors, and civil society actors to promote alignment and coherence in safeguard practices.
•     Contribute to policy dialogue and knowledge exchange efforts on safeguards, inclusion, and responsible development practices.
3. Capacity Building and Institutional Development

•     Design and deliver training sessions, workshops, and hands-on clinics for project staff, implementing partners, and CO colleagues to strengthen internal capacities on SES implementation.
•     Support the CO in developing SES-specific SOPs and internal procedures for mainstreaming safeguards, aligning with UNDP’s SES Toolkit and relevant Ukrainian regulatory norms for environmental permitting, workplace safety, and construction supervision.
•     Develop tailored learning materials, checklists, templates, to support day-to-day operationalization of SES processes.
•     Strengthen the role and capacity of the CO SES Committee by advising on technical aspects of SES role, clarifying escalation pathways for high-risk projects, and integrating national legal obligations into the committee's TOR.
•     In cooperation with  UNDP Ukraine Gender Analyst/Advisor, Design and deliver targeted training sessions for project teams and implementing partners on gender equality in the context of SES, including how to apply UNDP’s Gender Equality Strategy within environmental and social safeguards.
•     Support focal points engaged in SES-related work within UNDP projects or partner institutions.
 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
 

Under direct supervision of SPPRBM Team Lead and overall guidance of Deputy Resident Representative (Program), and in close collaboration of Oversight and Compliance Analyst,  the SES Analyst is responsible for ensuring the compliance of the CO with the UNDP Social and Environmental Standards (SES) and the due implementation of SRM and GRM mechanisms. 

Competencies Core Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements  Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible  Act with Determination:  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination  Cross-Functional & Technical competencies  Thematic Area Name Definition Business Direction & Strategy Effective Decision Making

Legal research 

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements:

Min. years of relevant work experience:    

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

Required Language(s): 

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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