National Environment and Social Safeguards Specialistes – (FAO) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Job Description

Job Type#

: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition: NPP (National Project Personnel)

Grade Level: N/A

Primary Location#

: Malawi-Lilongwe

Duration: 12 months with possibility of extension

Post Number: N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

FAO, in cooperation with the Government of Malawi and other relevant partners are incepting the project on Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM). The project aims at building climate resilience in vulnerable watersheds and communities through increasing climate resilience of watershed ecosystems, stabilizing productivity and farmers’ incomes and enhancing enabling environment. Total cost of the project is estimated at USD 53.2 million, which will be co-financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), FAO and the Government of Malawi. The project will be implemented in 11 targeted districts in different regions in Malawi over a period of 6 years. Around 575,000 vulnerable people in rural communities will benefit from project interventions and more than 83,000 heIPOres of land will be restored through application of Ecosystem-based Adaptation approach.

Reporting Lines

The National Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist (NESSS) will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Malawi, the direct supervision of the International Project Officer of EbAM project, and the technical guidance of the International Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist (IESSS); and work closely with the EbAM National Project Coordinator (NPC), other project team members and implementing partners.

Technical Focus

Provision of contributions to development of EbAM Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), detailed ESMP Implementation Plan, and tailored training materials on FAO and GCF environmental and social safeguards policies, EbAM ESMF, ESMP and their implementation; and to organization of environmental and social safeguards training activities for the EbAM project team, other relevant FAO Country Office employees and other EbAM Executing Entities.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Participate in relevance validation of the findings and planned actions of the Environment and Social Management Framework (ESMF) of the EbAM project, including the stakeholder engagement plan (SEP).
•    Participate in additional assessment, including environmental and social impact assessment of the relevant sub-components as may be required.
•    Contribute to the design, development and implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) and any other relevant safeguards instruments as per the ESMP of the EbAM project.
•    Provide technical support and services to the project team and the Country Office on issues related to environmental and social safeguards.
•    Contribute to the incorporation of gender as well as SEAH; social inclusion and issues concerning Indigenous Peoples in the project analytical plans, including during the implementation of the baseline and other surveys and evaluations.
•    Assist the IESSS in identifying capacity gaps and developing training materials and conducting training activities on environmental and social safeguards to build capacity for implementation of the project team and stakeholders.
•    Facilitate in communication and engagement among all stakeholders to ensure understanding of ESMP requirements and compliance of project activities with environmental and social safeguards including for implementing of the free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) process in the EbAM project.
•    Support  project supervision missions to facilitate assessment on compliance with environmental and social safeguards requirements.
•    Ensure comprehensive documentation of all ESMP-related activities, including monitoring data, incident reports, training records, and stakeholder engagement
•    Contribute to preparation of reports on the status of environmental and social safeguards implementation for the project for internal and external audiences, including section 4 of the Annual Performance Report of the GCF; and their timely submission
•    Contribute to the identification of recommendations for improving the effectiveness of environmental and social safeguards measures.
•    Contribute to designing and implementing a monitoring and reporting mechanism for effective management of environmental and social safeguards requirements in the project.
•    Monitor on-site activities for ESMP compliance, identify and address non-compliance, and document all findings and corrective actions.
•    Ensure that all project activities are compliant with the ESMP, national regulations, and international standards and FAO and GCF policies including the Funded Activities Agreement (FAA) of the EbAM project.
•    Contribute to the development of management indicators associated with environmental and social safeguards, and to their verification and following-up.
•    Undertake the role of the Focal Point of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) of the EbAM Project.
•    Carry out any other relevant duties within his/her technical competence as may be required by the IPO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  

•    Advanced university degree in agriculture, natural resource management, environmental science, environmental engineering or similar.
•    At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the formulation, review and implementation of environmental and social management frameworks, impact assessments, management plans and reporting frameworks.
•    Working knowledge in English and Chichewa

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Extent and relevance of experience in ESMF, ESMP, environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA).
•    Experience in working with the UN, specifically with FAO on ESMF and ESMP.
•    Prior experience of implementing a free, prior and informed consent process in UN or IFI projects, is desirable.
•    Knowledge of GCF environmental and social safeguards policies and requirements.
•    Capacity in initiating, planning, organizing, and executing effectively.
•    Ability to work under pressure, keep timeline, engage with stakeholders and build partnership

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/ 
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
•  Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions. 

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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