Social Development Specialist Job at National Information Technology Authority Uganda (NITA)

National Information Technology Authority Uganda (NITA)

Social Development Specialist Job Post

Location: Jobs in Uganda 2023 - 2024

Work Hours: Full-time, 08 hours per day

Salary: UGX

No. of vacancies: 01

Deadline: June 15 2023

Hiring Organization: National Information Technology Authority Uganda (NITA)

Job Details:

Responsibilities and Tasks
a) Provide conceptual and operational leadership on the core social development themes pursued in the project and ICT sector and advise NITA-U management on major or sensitive matters relating to social impacts and risks during project implementation and continuously monitor social, equity and gender issues concerning the programme and participate in assessment and evaluation of the social impact of programme interventions.
b) Serve as a focal point person on social issues including land acquisition/resettlement and vulnerable and marginalised groups who may be affected by the project and work closely with implementing teams to address any challenges.
c) Coordinating the mainstreaming of social issues in project design and implementation in accordance with agreed safeguard instruments
(Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Resettlement
Policy Framework/Plan (RPF/P) and Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups Framework (VMGA). Participate in management of project social risks including; facilitating the preparation of action plans and reviewing implementation social issues documentation required by the funding agencies to ensure that social issues have been adequately addressed and that the project is in compliance with the Safeguard Policies, particularly those on Involuntary Resettlement and social inclusion.
d) Where appropriate promote and contribute substantively to analyses of strengthening social aspects such as gender, child protection, HIV/AIDs, social inclusion, land acquisition and compensation of the project.
e) Advise and/or provide quality operational support on safeguards and nonsafeguards related social development issues at both the design review and implementation phases and in collaboration with the Environmental Specialist, support project teams to establish operational mechanisms that take into account social opportunities, impacts, constraints and risks of individual projects implemented by NITA-U.
f) Support and facilitate stakeholders including district and community members in identification of potential sources of grievances, design and implement appropriate grievance redress mechanisms with special attention to prioritisation and mitigation of social, equity, gender and land related matters during the project design and implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluation of social impacts of the projects.
g) Conducting awareness creation and sensitisation of the communities on social, equity and gender dimensions of the programme along with suggested safeguards.
h) Advise and/or provide quality operational support on safeguards and nonsafeguards related social development issues at both the design0design review and implementation phases, including advice on identification of social impacts associated with the environmental assessment process in close collaboration with Environmental Unit.
i) Advise and/or participate on project teams in the design and implementation of operational mechanisms that take into account social opportunities, impacts, constraints and risks of individual projects implemented by NITA-U
j) Prepare and review Terms of Reference for social assessments and other analytical tools required for investment design/review and implementation. This will require working with the funding agencies to assure the quality of project documentation and supporting analysis;
k) Ensure that all social issues including safeguards implementation are assessed and reported in the periodical Legal, Midterm Review and Project Completion Reports and ensure that all relevant stakeholders including government agencies and partner agencies are well informed on social issues related to the implementation of Programme and seek support for timely implementation
l) Operationalize the social safeguards instrument including Resettlement Policy frameworks and support preparations of the resettlement actions plans including instituting appropriate mechanism of consultations and information relay on rights and legislation on involuntary land acquisition, stakeholder engagement, complaint handling mechanisms, etc.
m) Undertake project site visits to assess compliance and make the necessary remedies
n) Any other duties as will be assigned by the Supervisor from time to time.

5.0 Specific Outputs/Deliverables
i. Continuous (Monthly, Quarterly and Annual) risk assessment reports for the project to identify all risks and impacts.
ii. An inception report by end of the third month that would include a status report of progress in the Specialist area of the Consultant, a detailed personal work plan for the next 9 months to the end of the assignment plus the subsequent annual work plans.
iii. Comprehensive and site-specific Environment and Social Management Plans, Resettlement Action Plans, Stakeholder Engagement Plans, and Vulnerable and Marginalised Groups Plans developed and implemented to address social issues as identified during project preparation, mentioned in the Project Appraisal Document, RPF/ESMF or identified in the Social assessments and respective Reports prepared in accordance with PPF guidelines
iv. A skills gap analysis report for the environment and the social development team to determine availability of adequate skills for the project and other related projects.
v. Coaching and mentoring programme for staff on social issues implemented. vi. An effective communication and community engagement strategy and plan that will support the ICT project(s) in people participation and social accountability, information sharing and feedback
vii. End of assignment report

6.0 Qualifications, Competences and Experience
Candidates should have the following qualifications, competencies and experience:

6.1 Qualifications
i. A minimum of a Masters’ Degree in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Cultural Studies, Socio-economics, Sociology or in a related field.
ii. Possession of Post Graduate Diploma and/or professional qualifications in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Cultural Studies, Socio-economics, Sociology will be an added advantage.
iii. Training in supporting community development and participation, social inclusion, gender-based violence, gender equality, protection of vulnerable groups, land acquisition and management, resettlement and rehabilitation, and social inclusion is an added advantage.
6.2 Relevant Experience
a) A minimum of 5 years’ experience in the application of social development skills to evaluate and address social issues such as resettlement, HIV/AIDS, gender and social inclusion in the context of ICT infrastructure development projects.
b) Applicant must have a minimum of five (5) years in handling cross cutting issues in ICT infrastructure development projects.
c) Experience in design and implementation of Grievance Redress Mechanisms (community engagement, working conditions and inclusion of Vulnerable and Marginalised Groups) and Resettlement Action Plans will be added advantages.
d) Familiarity with the World Bank social safeguard mechanisms will be added advantage
e) Strong community engagement and training in land management, acquisition and resettlement or forced displacements is desirable – combine with c
f) Proven track record on dealing effectively with policies that have to do with social inclusion (focusing on gender and region) and on Involuntary Resettlement.
g) A good understanding of social inclusion, poverty reduction and land management institutions and land tenure systems.
h) Knowledge of World Bank social performance standards is desirable.
i) Familiarity with multi-disciplinary approaches for addressing the needs of persons displaced from their land and/or homes.
j) Familiarity with issues affecting ethnic minorities in the countries of the subregion.
k) Experience in undertaking social and institutional analysis and familiarity with participatory methodologies and techniques would be desirable.
l) Social Safeguards knowledge of and ability to apply social safeguard policies. Ability to employ strategies to help minimize involuntary resettlement and adverse impacts on indigenous peoples, potentially displaced persons and other vulnerable groups.
m) Ability to integrate social inclusion (with respect to gender, age, ethnicity or any other relevant factor) into analysis, policies, institutions and operations. Ability to design operations that focus on strengthening inclusion.
n) Experience in developing JMPs, JSAs, implementing toolbox talks, designing and implementing staff EHS gap analysis and capacity building sessions and preparation of monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, annual, project inception and closeout reports.

Application procedure

Interested applicants who meet the job requirements/specifications and with the right personal attributes are required to complete and submit a NITA-U Application Form (which can be downloaded from https://www.nita.go.ug/downloadable-forms/job-application-forms with a cover letter, supported by a detailed curriculum vitae, copies of certificates and testimonials, and must specify day time telephone contact, email addresses of both the applicant and three referees to the address below.
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
National Information Technology
Authority – UGANDA (NITA-U),
Palm Courts, Plot 7A, Rotary Avenue (former Lugogo bypass)
P.O. Box 33151, Kampala-Uganda
Tel: 0417 801 038
Or via email: hr@nita.go.ug (application shouldn’t be more than 10MBs)

The deadline for applications for the positions is 15th June 2023. (Not later than 1700 hrs. Local Time).

Only Soft copy applications will be accepted and no application will be considered without a duly completed and signed standard application form (referred to above).