Environmental and Social Safeguarding Specialist

The Position: The selected candidate will be based in Toliara, Madagascar and will report to the Project
Coordinator.

Key Responsibilities:
– Develop and coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive Environmental and Social
Safeguarding plan (EESP) for a sweetpotato value chain effort in Southern Madagascar.
– Ensure that the plan’s key indicators align with those of MIONJO’s project, where the sweetpotato
value chain component operates.
– Identify best practices for the different agro-ecological areas of the project, especially in terms of
water and soil management, and advise on how to implement them in line with World Bank
strategies, regional and national environmental and social protection regulations.
– In collaboration with the M&E officer and aligned with the ESSP, ensure that appropriate indicators
are included in baseline and endline studies of the project.
– In collaboration with the project agronomist, advise on the appropriate type of water management
support best suited for vine multipliers and different types of sweetpotato root producers
(commercially oriented) and assist in coordinating the installation and monitoring of any system.
– Track project activities by implementing a dashboard, adjust if needed, and evaluate the
performance of environmental and social management.
– Coordinate and direct relevant data collection in the field and ensure archiving of documents
related to environmental and social aspects of the project.
– Ensure that all project staff and project partners are trained in the principles of ESSP and establish
mechanisms to report compliance to the MIONJO management unit.
– Produce short training videos on the ESSP and monitoring system in collaboration with the
communication officer.
– Produce timely and well-written reports and briefing notes on the implementation of the ESSP and
present the findings to project stakeholders.

Selection Criteria
– Master’s degree in environmental sciences, Water Management, Agroecology, or equivalent.
– Deep understanding and application of risk management principles and technical concepts in
environmental and social safeguarding
– At least 6 years of professional experience, including 2 years in the field of environmental
responsibilities and/or social protection, preferably with World Bank-financed projects.

– Experience working at the community level, whether in a research or implementation capacity.
– Experience in designing and implementing monitoring systems and maintaining associated
databases preferred.
– Excellent understanding of the management principles of technical concepts and administrative
compliance procedures concerning environmental and social safeguarding.
– High level of competence in use of MS Office software (Word, Excel, Power Point).
– Good communication, writing, and presentation skills.
– Expertise in developing and producing materials and tools for knowledge transfer to diverse
audiences
– Skills in using mapping and spatial analysis software preferred.
– Ability to undertake statistical analyses and understand technical components of environmental
impact assessments.
– Planning & organizational skills.
– Innovation, teamwork, accountability, and integrity.
– Have a high degree of professional motivation.
– Taking initiative and drive to deliver reliable results.
– Willingness and openness to learn and develop new skills.
– Ability to work in high-pressure situations.
– Ability and willingness to travel in remote areas up to 50% of the time.
– Excellent writing and oral skills in French and Malagasy; working knowledge of English preferred;
knowledge of local dialects in the South preferred.
– Understanding of agricultural value chains, including the processing sector.
– Knowledge of World Bank’s requirements concerning environment and safeguarding is preferred.
– Experience in designing training tools and conducting youth trainings.
– Conducting survey and collecting and analyzing data.
– Experience in gender-responsive interventions preferred.
– Willingness to travel and spend overnight in difficult conditions.