SOCIAL SPECIALIST - (RESA) - ONE (1) YEAR FIXED TERM CONTRACT (X1) - GABORONE

Main purpose of the position

• To support the implementation, monitoring and reporting of social safeguards, social risk management and stakeholder engagement components of World Bank funded projects that are undertaken by Botswana Power Corporation in compliance with applicable environmental and social frameworks. The Social Specialist will lead stakeholder engagement, community relations, land access and resettlement planning, and support grievance resolution.

Job Responsibilities

• Participate in social safeguard policy/operation manual (OM) formulation and review.
• Implement BPC project action plans on GBV, SEA, SH and VAC, HIV/AIDs, and COVID-19, social impact mitigations as well as community and stakeholder consultations.
• Prepare and implement social safeguards service level performance standards for procuring works contractors and for projects construction.
• Supervise social safeguards consultants of different projects.
• Lead and facilitate as needed liaison and contact with clients, non-government organizations (NGOs), development partners, contractors and within BPC. including coordinating responses to NGO‘s complaints.
• Liaise with environmental specialists and consultants working on RESA, as needed.
• Participate in the implementation & carrying out SHEMS objectives safety, health and using established procedures.
• Contribute in the implementation of SHER management systems to achieve requirements of ISO 14001 & 45001 to ensure compliance with BPC’s integrated SHER performance standards and relevant statutory requirements.
• Review environmental and social management framework (ESMF), environmental and social management plans(ESMP), environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs), resettlement action plan (RAP), vulnerable community plans (VCPs) and other social safeguards project documents to ensure that project implementation is in compliance with the provisions of the instruments and with the requirements of the social safeguards policies of Government, BPC or any implementing development partner that have been triggered for a particular project.
• Supervise and monitor implementation of the social instruments (ESMP, ESIA, RAP, VCP, GRM) in accordance with respective guidelines and policies.
• Support implementing agencies in the review of documentation pertaining to social compliance including technical specifications review of on-site reports from Contractors etc, during project implementation.
• Prepare and deliver verbal and written presentations to BPC’s employees and management and public.
• Adhere to operational procedures and systems and make necessary recommendations.
• Implement and deploy systems and tools to ensure that knowledge is managed efficiently for continuous improvement.
• Conduct cash flow and progress forecasting during Design or Planning.
• Enforce consistent and equitable administration and compliance with functional/practice policies and standards.
• Implement and deliver required outcomes for a portfolio of contracts and negotiate service level agreements while planning, coordinating and supervising activities related to major contracts.
• Implement communication plan within established communication systems and procedures.
• Implement and deliver required outcomes for a portfolio of projects while reporting to management.
• Deliver prescribed outcomes for area of responsibility by working within established strategic planning systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science, Social Development, Sociology, Community Development, Anthropology, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Master’s Degree or training in Social Safeguards, Resettlement, or Monitoring & Evaluation is an added advantage.
• A valid drivers’ license is a requirement.

Experience

• At least five (5) years post qualification experience of which three (3) years will have been in a middle supervisory position in a related industrial environment.
• Knowledge of Botswana’s legal and institutional framework relating to land, labour, environmental regulation and public consultation.
• Experience with World Bank funded projects or similar international donor agencies is an added advantage.
• Fluent in speaking Setswana and be able to engage communities during consultation processes.

Competencies