Senior Social Development Officer Job Opportunities – Rural Electrification Agency (REA)



Job Title:        Senior Social Development Officer
Organisation: Rural
Electrification Agency (REA)
Project Name: Uganda Energy
for Rural Transformation Phase III
Funding Source: World Bank
Duty Station:  Kampala, Uganda
About US:
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) is the Secretariat of the Rural
Electrification Board (REB) as established by Statutory Instrument 2001 No. 75.
The REB’s main function is to oversee the management of the Rural
Electrification Fund (REF) and facilitate the development and implementation of
the Government’s Rural Electrification Programme.
About World Bank ERT III
Project:
The Government of Uganda (GoU) has received financing from the
International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank in the amount of
US$135 million equivalent towards the cost of Uganda Energy for Rural
Transformation Phase III (ERT III) and it intends to apply part of the proceeds
to payments for consulting services to be procured under the project. The
Project Development Objective of ERT III Project is to increase access to
electricity in rural areas of Uganda. Under the ERT III project, REA will be
responsible for implementation of component 1 and subcomponent 2.4. Component 1
(On-grid Energy Access) shall support on-grid investments namely; (i) Grid
Extension and Associated Connections; (ii) Grid Intensification and Associated
Connections; (iii) Household Connections from Existing Lines and (iv)
Implementation Support for On-grid Energy Access. Subcomponent 2.4 (Quality
Assurance for Solar Market Development) will be implemented in collaboration
with the UNBS and it aims to promote quality assurance and awareness of solar
products so as to enable the market for affordable, high-quality PV products in
rural areas.
Job Summary: The Senior
Social Development Officer will mainly coordinate, monitor and report on the
social aspects of the implementation of electricity distribution extension and
intensification works
Key Duties and
Responsibilities:  
  • Tasked with ensuring and monitoring
    compliance of the project activities with Environmental and Social
    Management Plans (ESMP) and Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs), other World
    Bank safeguards requirements and the national environmental policy and
    legal requirements during construction of subprojects.
  • In charge of reviewing the contractor’s
    Social Management Plans for compliance with the project’s objectives and
    ensures their implementation.
  • Supervising and coordinating all social
    related activities of the project, including the supervision of the
    contractor and the consultant’s social activities.
  • Responsible for coordinating social impact
    assessment and management during the preparation, implementation and
    monitoring of participatory RAPs and carry out post RAP implementation and
    a social audit to ensure that all the social impacts are addressed in
    accordance with the social safeguard instruments in place.
  • Spearheading sensitization and information
    dissemination on the project’s objectives within the project areas and
    develop and implement appropriate strategies to enhance community
    participation during project design and implementation.
  • Reviewing Environmental and Social Impact
    Assessments (ESIAs), ESMPs, and RAPs of rural electrification projects and
    ensure that social issues are comprehensively addressed.
  • Ensuring that the findings of ESIAs and
    RAPs including public consultation input of affected communities and their
    disaggregation in terms of gender, different levels of social
    vulnerability to project risks and impacts, as well as equitable access to
    project opportunities and benefits, are incorporated into project design
    and implementation strategies by providing technical input to requisite
    ESMPs and RAPs of Rural Electrification projects.
  • In charge of coordinating with the REA Way
    Leaves Officer, the Environmental Specialist and Community Outreach Unit
    to ensure that the RAP and EIA processes capture all the relevant social
    aspects.
  • Providing guidelines on relevant social
    mitigation measures, including measures pertaining to way leaves
    acquisition and resettlement, protection of cultural resources, community
    & worker health and safety, gender based violence, violence against
    children, child labour, forced labour, HIV/AIDS, and other issues where
    relevant, which should be considered during preparation of bidding
    documents for rural electrification projects
  • Tasked with identifying potential sources
    of grievances, design and implement appropriate grievance redress
    mechanisms for the project to ensure effective and timely resolution of
    any complaints or grievances raised by stakeholders.
  • Supporting stakeholders including district
    and community members in identification, prioritization and mitigation of
    social, equity and gender issues during the project design and
    implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluation of social impacts of
    the projects.
  • Ensuring that social aspects (including
    gender, vulnerable groups, forced labour, child labour, workers, and
    community), health and safety mitigation procedures and processes are
    adhered to during project implementation phase.
  • Serving as stakeholders’ liaison between
    the project affected parties and REA and build a strong, constructive, and
    responsive relationships essential for the successful implementation of
    socially acceptable rural electrification projects.
  • Ensuring relevant government agencies,
    including Ministry of Finance, the Chief Government Valuer and partner
    agencies are well informed on issues related to the implementation of RAPs
    and required support for timely implementation.
  • Undertaking monthly, quarterly and annual
    monitoring of all Rural Electrification projects on Social management
    aspects and accordingly compile reports for both internal and external
    use, and ensure compliance with the relevant Government of Uganda Social
    Requirements and the Social Safeguards of the respective
    funding/development partners.
  • Perform any other duties as specified by
    the Supervisor.



Qualifications, Skills and
Experience: 
  • The ideal candidate for the World Bank ERT
    Project Senior Social Development Officer job placement must hold a
    Bachelor’s degree in social science related field and a Master’s degree in
    Social Science, Sociology, Social Work and Social Administration and
    Development studies from a recognized University/institution.
  • Additional training in Environmental and
    Social Safeguards will be an added advantage.
  • A minimum of five years of relevant
    professional experience in social impact management for development
    projects.
  • Broad knowledge and ability to engage in a
    range of social issues in the energy sector.
  • Extensive knowledge and experience of Key
    Social Management Tools, notably Social Impact Assessment, Social Impact
    Audits, conflict resolution, Grievance Redress Mechanism, community
    engagement, monitoring, and reporting.
  • Significant experience in way leaves
    acquisition and the process of compilation of a Resettlement Action Plan
    for infrastructure projects.
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication and
    public relations skills.
  • Proven ability to work as a member of a
    senior management team.
  • High degree of integrity
How to Apply:
All interested and qualified Ugandans should send their applications
including; a cover letter, detailed CV, names and addresses of three referees
and copies of relevant certificates and testimonials addressed and delivered
to: The Executive Director, Rural Electrification Agency, Plot 10 Windsor Loop,
Kololo 2nd Floor, House of Hope, P.O. Box 7317, Kampala – Uganda.
NB: Only short listed
applicants will be contacted.
Deadline: 9th August 2017
by 5.00PM.
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