[Hiring] Safeguards, Risk, and Inclusion Specialist @United Nations Office for Project Services

Role Description

Lead demand-driven technical assistance assignments to unblock climate-resilient infrastructure implementation across Eastern Caribbean SIDS, ensuring high-quality delivery within set programme tolerances and fostering sustainable skills exchange and regional stakeholder partnerships.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in environmental management, environmental science, social sciences, international development, gender studies, human rights, Indigenous Peoples studies, environmental law, natural resource management, marine or coastal management, sustainable development, development finance, or related fields with 5 years of relevant experience is required OR
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above related fields with 7 years of relevant experience.
• Project management certification from a globally recognized institute is desired (PRINCE2® Foundation/Practitioner or PMI -Project Management Professional - PMP or similar certification).

Requirements

• Relevant experience in environmental and social safeguards, social and environmental risk management, GBA+/GESI, grievance mechanisms, stakeholder engagement, OHS/ESMP oversight, human rights, sustainability, climate adaptation, infrastructure or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience applying safeguards, accountability or environmental and social risk requirements in infrastructure or development programmes financed or implemented by United Nations agencies, international organisations, development finance institutions, climate funds, multilateral agencies or comparable institutions.
• Demonstrated ability to translate safeguards, risk and inclusion requirements into practical screening, mitigation, monitoring, reporting, quality-assurance and capacity-building measures.
• Experience working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing-country context is desired.
• Direct prior experience in Caribbean countries, particularly OECS Member States, and a strong understanding of the region’s institutional landscape and climate vulnerabilities is desired.
• Experience with climate-resilient infrastructure and environmental and social risk issues relevant to Caribbean infrastructure, including coastal and marine environments, disaster risk, community livelihoods, land access and other context-specific social or environmental considerations is desired.
• Experience applying GBA+/GESI approaches to infrastructure, technical assistance or institutional-strengthening programmes is desired.
• Experience reviewing or supporting grievance mechanisms, stakeholder engagement plans, ESMPs, OHS arrangements and related safeguard instruments is desired.
• Experience with rights-based and culturally appropriate engagement with Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities and other groups that may face barriers to participation, where relevant to the assignment is desired.

Benefits

• Official travels may be required during the assignment.
• The BSAFE course must be successfully completed prior to commencement of travel.
• The Specialist is responsible for ensuring they have all required vaccinations/inoculations when traveling to certain countries, as designated by local authorities.
• The Specialist is required to comply with the UN security directives.

Company Description

In Latin America and the Caribbean, UNOPS operates across 23 countries, delivering high-impact solutions that drive sustainable development. UNOPS focuses on building and improving resilient infrastructure—including roads, bridges, public facilities, sanitation systems, and housing—to enhance quality of life and foster inclusive growth. UNOPS also supports public health by procuring essential medicines and medical equipment, ensuring broader access to healthcare services. By strengthening institutional capacities, UNOPS promotes transparent, efficient, and equitable public management.

The Barbados Country Office functions as a strategic hub to support Caribbean nations in implementing the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS, helping regional leaders advance a global agenda on climate justice and financing.

The Caribbean Resilient Infrastructure Implementation and Skills Exchange (RIISE) Facility is established as a regional mechanism designed to support governments in implementing climate-resilient infrastructure.