Purpose of the Role

The Sociologist / Social Development Specialist will be the lead technical expert responsible for managing all social issues, impacts, and risks associated with the bridge construction project. The role requires a strategic blend of analytical skills (conducting assessments, developing policy) and operational skills (community engagement, managing grievances) to ensure compliance with the Government of Uganda’s laws and international social safeguard standards (World Bank Environmental and Social Framework or African Development Bank Policies).

Key Responsibilities and Duties

A. Social Impact Assessment and Planning

• Social Impact Assessment (SIA): Lead the preparation and/or review of the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for all project components, ensuring identified impacts are accurately quantified and mitigated.
• Resettlement Planning: Lead the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for any land acquisition and physical or economic displacement. This includes verifying census data, calculating compensation, and ensuring livelihood restoration programs are effectively implemented.
• Vulnerability Assessment: Conduct specialized analysis to identify and address the needs of vulnerable groups (elderly, female-headed households, persons with disabilities) to ensure inclusive project benefits.
• Compliance Reporting: Prepare timely and accurate quarterly and annual social monitoring reports for the Project Management Unit (PMU) and relevant funding institutions, demonstrating compliance with all social safeguards.

B. Community Engagement and Liaison

• Stakeholder Engagement: Develop, implement, and continuously update the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP). This involves designing consultation strategies, organizing public meetings, and ensuring effective two-way communication between the project team and affected communities.
• Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM): Establish, manage, and supervise the Project’s formal Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM). The Specialist is responsible for ensuring all community complaints are recorded, investigated, and resolved transparently and within stipulated timelines.
• Information Dissemination: Oversee the disclosure of project information, including the SIA, RAP, and project updates, to affected parties in culturally appropriate and understandable formats (including local languages).

C. Training and Coordination

• Capacity Building: Train and supervise project staff, including Community Liaison Officers (CLOs), contractors, and sub-consultants, on social safeguards, community engagement protocols, and ethical conduct.
• Inter-Agency Coordination: Liaise with relevant government ministries (Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry of Local Government) and local government officials (District and Sub-County level) to ensure smooth project implementation and alignment with local development plans.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• ● Essential: A Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Social Development Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a closely related field.

Professional Experience:

• ● Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in social development and social impact management for large-scale infrastructure projects (roads, bridges, energy, or water) in Sub-Saharan Africa, preferably in Uganda.
• ● Demonstrated experience in leading and implementing Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs) according to international standards.
• ● Proven experience in managing and operating a project-level Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM).

Key Competencies:

• ● Excellent command of social research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative).
• ● Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential. Proficiency in at least one relevant local language used in the project area (e.g., Luganda, Lusoga, Runyankole) is highly desirable.
• ● Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and public presentation skills.
• ● Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multi-cultural teams and field environments.

• Lead the preparation and/or review of the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for all project components, ensuring identified impacts are accurately quantified and mitigated.
• Lead the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for any land acquisition and physical or economic displacement. This includes verifying census data, calculating compensation, and ensuring livelihood restoration programs are effectively implemented.
• Conduct specialized analysis to identify and address the needs of vulnerable groups (elderly, female-headed households, persons with disabilities) to ensure inclusive project benefits.
• Prepare timely and accurate quarterly and annual social monitoring reports for the Project Management Unit (PMU) and relevant funding institutions, demonstrating compliance with all social safeguards.
• Develop, implement, and continuously update the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP). This involves designing consultation strategies, organizing public meetings, and ensuring effective two-way communication between the project team and affected communities.
• Establish, manage, and supervise the Project’s formal Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM). The Specialist is responsible for ensuring all community complaints are recorded, investigated, and resolved transparently and within stipulated timelines.
• Oversee the disclosure of project information, including the SIA, RAP, and project updates, to affected parties in culturally appropriate and understandable formats (including local languages).
• Train and supervise project staff, including Community Liaison Officers (CLOs), contractors, and sub-consultants, on social safeguards, community engagement protocols, and ethical conduct.
• Liaise with relevant government ministries (Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry of Local Government) and local government officials (District and Sub-County level) to ensure smooth project implementation and alignment with local development plans.

• Excellent command of social research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative).
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential. Proficiency in at least one relevant local language used in the project area (e.g., Luganda, Lusoga, Runyankole) is highly desirable.
• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and public presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multi-cultural teams and field environments.

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Social Development Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in social development and social impact management for large-scale infrastructure projects (roads, bridges, energy, or water) in Sub-Saharan Africa, preferably in Uganda.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and implementing Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs) according to international standards.
• Proven experience in managing and operating a project-level Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM).