Social Development Specialist - Ministry of Local Government

The Social Development Specialist’s overall responsibility is to lead social development activities and serve as Coordinator at the Zonal Coordinating Offices in the Northern, Upper West and Upper East Regions under the project. Activities to be performed by the Social Development Specialist include but are not limited to the following:

• Coordinate all project activities at the Zonal Offices and censure the development and effective implementation of approved work plans, in compliance with the financing agreement and project implementation manuals
• Review the available terms of reference for the preparation of safeguards instruments (e.g. ESMP, RAPs, etc) needed based on the outcome of sub-project screening
• Review bidding documents prepared by MMDAs to ensure the inclusion of ESF provisions in contracts for works and supervision
• Identify opportunities in the communities for the operationalisation of social development activities
• Liaise with the social safeguards and communication specialists, and other team members at the national, regional and district levels to operationalise the stakeholder engagement plan
• Operationalise the project GRM at the regional/zonal level and district levels to ensure it is effective and functional to address project-related complaints
• Ensure that activities focused on coordinating social cohesion, alternative dispute resolution, capacity building, community engagement and sensitisation are incorporated into the Annual Work Plan and budget
• Ensure key technical, economic, financial and crosscutting issues are incorporated into project activities
• Develop and maintain a network of stakeholders in the field of social development to keep abreast with developments and issues in the beneficiary communities
• Contribute to activities for advocacy, dissemination and knowledge building on social development
• Review the progress of the project implementation and prepare monthly quarterly and annual progress reports and
• Perform any other related tasks assigned by the MLGDRD/Project Coordinator

Qualification Required & Experience

• Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies or related programme deemed relevant to the postion
• 8 years of relevant professional experience in social development or related areas and in project administration
• 5 years of professional experience on a project funded by the world bank or an agency of the United Nations system or other donors of the same size
• Possess relevant experience in social inclusion such as gender, disability, conflict and fragility in planning context, project/programme design and implementation
• Excellent digital skills, including the use of software such as Microsoft Office suite (word, excel, powerpoint etc) for design, communication, project management and analysis
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (proficiency in French is an advantage)

Location: Accra