Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and Risk Management Consultant

About the role

The consultancy supports UNICEF’s Afghanistan Country Office in operationalising its Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) framework. You will lead the integration of ESS policies, risk management and the Complaints and Feedback Management (CFM) system into programme delivery, ensuring accountability and sustainable outcomes.

Key responsibilities

• Validate, finalise and operationalise the WASH Environmental and Social Risk Management Plan, embedding risk assessment, stakeholder engagement and CFM processes.
• Implement the new UNICEF CFM framework, establishing complaint handling pathways, monitoring mechanisms and trend‑analysis tools.
• Roll out the ESS approach across additional programme sections, conducting activity screening, risk assessments and developing ESRMPs.
• Provide technical support to partners and vendors, coordinating with specialised functions to ensure compliance with ESS requirements.
• Document incidents, support escalation procedures and contribute to continuous improvement of environmental and social safeguards.

Required profile

• Proven experience in environmental and social risk management, preferably in humanitarian or development contexts.
• Familiarity with UNICEF’s ESS and CFM frameworks or similar standards.
• Strong analytical and stakeholder‑engagement skills.
• Ability to work independently in a challenging security environment.

Required skills

• Risk assessment and mitigation planning.
• Stakeholder engagement and coordination.
• Monitoring, reporting and corrective‑action systems.

What we offer

• Consultancy engagement with a leading global children’s agency.
• Opportunity to influence programme effectiveness and child protection in Afghanistan.