SOCIAL SERVICES OFFICER AT PDO INCORPORATED | SOCIAL SERVICES OFFICER JOBS IN LAGOS

About Company:

PDO Inc. is the central hub that drives the expressions and operations of one of Africa’s most socially impactful and forward-thinking personal brands—Brand PDO. With active footprints in social development, entrepreneurship, climate advocacy, and media, we unify diverse, high-impact projects under a single powerful vision.

Job Description:

Our infrastructure development consortium is seeking a specialized Social Safeguard Specialist on a consultancy retainer basis. In the world of large-scale infrastructure, social compliance isn't just a "nice-to-have"—it is a critical requirement for project funding and sustainability. Your mission is to serve as the custodian of international social standards (IFC/World Bank) across our project lifecycle.

Based in Lagos, you will provide the technical "glue" between our field-level Community Relations teams and our international lender requirements. You will be responsible for ensuring that Resettlement Action Plans (RAP) and Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM) are not just documents on a shelf, but living, compliant systems that protect both the community and the project's reputation.

Requirements:

1. Safeguard Implementation & Compliance

• RAP & LRP Stewardship: Support the field-level implementation and monitoring of Resettlement Action Plans (RAP) and Livelihood Restoration Programs (LRP) to ensure displaced persons are fairly treated and restored.

• Lender Alignment: Ensure all social activities strictly adhere to IFC Performance Standards (specifically PS1, PS4, and PS5) and the World Bank Environmental & Social Framework (ESF).

• Audit Readiness: Conduct periodic social risk audits and compliance gap assessments to identify and close risks before they escalate to lenders.

2. Community Interface & Conflict Mitigation

• Grievance Redress (GRM): Provide technical oversight to the Grievance Redress Mechanism, ensuring every community complaint is logged, investigated, and resolved within the required timeline.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Strengthen engagement systems to move from "information sharing" to meaningful consultation in line with international best practices.

• Mediation: Advise field teams on community conflict mitigation and lead field-level mediation for sensitive social issues.

3. Capacity Building & Documentation

• Field Leadership: Build the capacity of Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) and CRM structures through structured guidance and compliance checklists.

• Reporting Excellence: Maintain a rigorous documentation trail and prepare high-quality monthly reports suitable for external audits and lender review.

Qualifications and Skills:

Professional Experience

• Background: 2–5 years of demonstrable experience in social safeguards within infrastructure, transport, energy, or coastal development sectors.

• Framework Expertise: Direct exposure to IFC Performance Standards or World Bank ESF is mandatory.

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Law, or Environmental Management. A Master’s degree is a distinct advantage.

Core Competencies

• Field Competence: Experience managing sensitive community environments with high emotional intelligence.

• Writing Skills: Exceptional ability to produce structured, data-driven compliance reports.

• Integrity: High ethical standards for handling sensitive community and financial data.

Salary

Application Closing Date: Not specified

Application Instructions:

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