UGANDA STANDARD GAUGE RAILWAY PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT (SGR–PMU)
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Senior Sociologist
Job Grade: SGR 5A
Number of Vacancies: One (1)
Terms: Contract (Four Years)
Reports To: Head, Environment and Social Safeguards
Responsible For: Sociologists
Job Purpose
To coordinate and provide technical supervision, monitoring, and reporting on social safeguards for the SGR Project, in line with applicable national laws and the standards of international development partners.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
i. Social Safeguards Planning and Implementation
- Lead the preparation, review, and implementation of social safeguards instruments, including Social Impact Assessments (SIAs), Social Management Plans (SMPs), Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs), and Livelihood Restoration Plans (LRPs) in compliance with national and international frameworks.
- Ensure integration of cross-cutting social issues such as gender equality, inclusion, child protection, HIV/AIDS, and occupational health into project design and implementation.
ii. Monitoring and Compliance
- Monitor implementation of social safeguard activities to ensure full compliance with relevant national policies, IFC Performance Standards (PSs), World Bank Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs), and AfDB Integrated Safeguards System (ISS).
- Review and track performance of social safeguard commitments in Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Resettlement Policy Frameworks (RPFs), and RAPs.
iii. Stakeholder Engagement and Grievance Management
- Coordinate stakeholder engagement activities and maintain close collaboration with affected communities, local governments, and development partners.
- Identify potential social risks and sources of grievance and design effective Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRMs).
- Supervise grievance resolution processes and maintain accurate records of complaints and responses.
iv. Capacity Building and Awareness
- Support continuous social safeguards capacity development within the SGR PMU and implementing partners.
- Lead community awareness and sensitization campaigns to promote understanding of project activities, entitlements, and grievance procedures.
v. Technical Guidance and Oversight
- Provide technical oversight on all social aspects during land acquisition, compensation, resettlement, and community relations processes.
- Offer expert advice to project leadership, consultants, and contractors on social safeguard requirements and stakeholder engagement approaches.
Person Specifications
Qualifications
- A Master’s degree in Sociology, Anthropology, Gender and Development Studies, Social Development, or a closely related field from a recognized university.
- A Bachelor’s degree (Honours) in Social Sciences, Social Work and Social Administration, Sociology, Anthropology, Gender Studies, or Development Studies.
- Additional training in land acquisition, resettlement, rehabilitation, or social inclusion will be an added advantage.
Experience
- Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in preparing and implementing Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs), and related safeguard plans aligned with IFC, World Bank, and AfDB standards.
- At least five (5) years of experience managing social safeguards in large infrastructure projects, preferably those aligned with IFC PSs, World Bank ESSs, or AfDB ISS.
Competencies
- Strong familiarity with national environmental and social safeguard frameworks and deep understanding of international standards (IFC PSs, World Bank ESSs, AfDB ISS).
- Excellent analytical, communication, and report-writing skills.
- Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and stakeholder coordination abilities.
- Ability to handle sensitive social issues with cultural awareness, discretion, and professionalism.
- Proficiency in computer applications relevant to social safeguards management.
- High integrity, ethical conduct, and teamwork orientation.
Application Procedure
Interested and qualified candidates should fill the attached “Application for Employment Form” as part of the application and submit their applications with detailed CVs, copies of certified academic and professional certificates, and contact details of at least three referees to:
The Project Coordinator,
Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Project,
Ministry of Works and Transport,
P.O. Box 7174, Kampala, Uganda.
Nakawa Business Park
4th Floor Block D
Applications should be delivered not later than 14th November 2025, 5pm.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.