Social Development Specialist

Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Visit website

Contract Expires In -1 month Kampala Duty Station - Kampala - MLHUD Head Office Master's Degree 8 years experience NGO Other

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About This Recruitment

These positions sit within the Operation Support Team (OST) being assembled by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (MLHUD) to help deliver the Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development (UCMID) Operation, a six-year programme (FY2026/27-2031/32) financed by a US$540 million World Bank IDA credit. UCMID supports climate-smart urban infrastructure, institutional strengthening and capacity building across MLHUD and participating Local Governments.

The OST is a transitional, blended team of recruited specialists working alongside MLHUD staff, reporting to the Commissioner for Urban Development / Operation Coordinator. Contract OST members are engaged on a two-year contract, renewable twice subject to satisfactory performance.

Note: Only candidates with prior experience on externally (particularly World Bank) funded projects will be shortlisted.

Key Responsibilities

Review project planning/procurement to ensure social safeguard requirements are reflected and costed in contracts
Advise on mitigating land-acquisition risks, including proper implementation of Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs) and grievance management
Embed social risk milestones into contractor payment certificate approvals
Evaluate social impact reports and designs for UCMID infrastructure sub-projects
Supervise preparation and rollout of a Grievance Management Plan, including worker-specific GRMs
Work with the Environmental Safeguards Consultant on social impact assessments and the Contractor's Social Management Plan (including HIV/AIDS prevention components, in coordination with the Uganda AIDS Commission)
Monitor program impacts on social inclusion, gender equity, child protection and vulnerable groups
Participate in site inspections to verify labour law, OSH and MLHUD compliance
Enforce zero-tolerance policies on sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, and worker-rights awareness
Ensure alignment with NEMA conditions and coordination with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development
Deliver training on the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) for staff, contractors and communities
Support sub-national entities to meet the Operation Implementation Manual's social Minimum Access Conditions
Compile monthly/quarterly social risk monitoring reports

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and Administration, Sociology, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Gender Studies or related field; Master's Degree in a related discipline

Experience

Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in social risk management on donor- or private-sector-funded programs, with demonstrated experience in RAP preparation/implementation, social assessments, stakeholder engagement and gender mainstreaming.