Establishing Environmental and Social Compliance Review Procedures and Supporting Their Implementation

In March 2012, UNDP launched a brief overarching policy statement making environmental sustainability, including climate change resilience, a cross-cutting issue for all UNDP programmes and projects; and a complementary environmental and social screening procedure to determine whether a project requires further assessment. The inclusion of environmental and social safeguards into UNDP’s Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures necessitates the introduction of a compliance mechanism to address breaches in these safeguards. UNDP seeks to build on its Office of Audit and Investigations (OAI) in order to develop the reporting, assessment, and investigations dimension of such a mechanism. OAI provides UNDP with an effective system of independent and objective internal oversight that is designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of UNDP’s operations in achieving its development goals and objectives through the provision of internal audit and related advisory services, and investigation services. OAI has sole responsibility for conducting investigations within UNDP, conducting investigations into several types of allegations, including: procurement fraud; corruption and bribery; and staff misconduct and any other misconduct, such as willful, reckless or grossly negligent disregard of UNDP regulations, rules, and administrative instructions. In doing so, OAI has established systems allowing for the reporting of issues, the systematic assessment to determine receivability and the objective investigation of allegations to determine whether those allegations are factually based in order to provide a decision maker with appropriately evidenced recommendations. These systems are to be adapted for the reporting, assessment and investigation of issues referred under the Environmental and Social Compliance Review Mechanism. UNDP will phase the roll out of its compliance mechanism. The mechanism in its first or ‘interim’ phase, will address complaints regarding UNDP REDD+ projects funded by the World Bank-hosted Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) ‘Readiness Fund’, in line with the FCPF Common Approach to Environmental and Social Safeguards for Multiple Delivery Partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

In close cooperation with the Office of Audits and Investigations, the Environment and Energy Group and the Lead Compliance Officer, the consultant will undertake the following activities: Make recommendations on the development of operational procedures and protocols for implementing UNDP’s Compliance Mechanism, in its interim phase; Support the work of the Lead Compliance Officer for UNDP’s Compliance Mechanism; Receive and review eligibility of claims; Refer claims that are ineligible for compliance review to the appropriate window in the UNDP grievance mechanism; Prepare training and outreach materials explaining the compliance review process both to UNDP staff and to potentially affected persons; Develop and implement a communication plan for the launch of the interim compliance review mechanism, including developing a public webpage, press releases and other public announcements or presentations; Work with the company that runs the OAI Hotline reporting system to customize forms, webpages, and the screening guide for staff to answer the telephone calls; Work with OAI staff to develop a recording and tracking system for in-coming complaints, building on existing practice and databases; Develop a format for the public registry of complaints and a web-based “summary of cases” template for linking to reports; Provide advice about the office to potential claimants.

Competencies

Professionalism: Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude; Remains calm and in control even under pressure; Reacts positively to feedback; Creates an enabling work environment. Knowledge Management: Shares knowledge and experience; Demonstrates conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills; Keeps abreast of new developments in the professional disciplines and continually improves his/her proficiency. Client Orientation: Identifies the needs of clients and stakeholders and appropriate solutions; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients and stakeholders. Communication: Demonstrates excellent communication and presentation skills and strong representational abilities; Independence, objectivity and confidentiality; Acts impartially and objectively; Is prudent in the use and protection of information acquired in the course of his/her duties.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: An advanced degree in environmental or international development related field. Experience: At least 15 years of experience in social and environmental assessment, performance, and management; Experience in implementing social and environmental impact assessment practices and procedures within an international development context; Expertise in the social and environmental safeguard policies of international institutions; Expertise in the design and use of accountability mechanisms; Experience in stakeholder engagement, including communities, is desirable; Knowledge of UNDP’s Programming and Operations Policies and Procedures, an asset.

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UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Establishing Environmental and Social Compliance Review Procedures and Supporting Their Implementation