Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialist

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to More efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for Better production, Better nutrition, a Better environment and a Better life, leaving no one behind.

The Forest and Farm Facility provides direct financial support and technical assistance to strengthen (sub)national, regional, and global forest and farm producer organizations representing smallholders, rural women’s groups, local communities and indigenous peoples’ institutions. FFF offers a range of services to Forest and Farm Producer Organizations (FFPOs) including advocacy, sharing information, training in market analyses and development, incubating and supporting business, providing access to finance and social programmes for their members. Through learning and exchange visits and links to regional and international federations, FFF also strengthens producer organizations and capacity to participate in policy for a at national and global levels.

The consultants/subscribers will report to the Manager of the Forest and Farm Facility, Forestry Division

The incumbent(s) will contribute to the work of the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF), with support to the preparation and monitoring of safeguards instruments for projects supported by the FFF in 12 countries, as required under FAO’s Framework for Environmental and Social Management.

Responsibilities:

• Develop a gender and environmental and social risk management approach to be integrated in the FFF monitoring system, including developing recommendations and mitigation measures.
• Develop and provide guidance on gender and environmental and social criteria to be used during the identification and selection of priority activities.
• Develop a screening methodology for the activities supported by FFF.
• Establish a clear understanding of the institutional requirements, roles, and responsibilities for adopting and implementing a gender and environmental and social risk assessments and due diligence and implementation of monitoring of activities and management of grievances in the FFF operations. Importantly, this should include a thorough review of the authority and capability at the FFF team in connections with the county offices where it operates, to manage and monitor implementation.
• Identify all relevant potential environmental risks and social concerns that may arise as a result of the projects.
• Propose realistic and effective arrangements for FAO to develop the capacity to manage environmental and social due diligence processes and activities in the project; propose reporting lines, review and approval functions; identify the required resources and technical assistance measures to establish and maintain capacity for the project duration and beyond; develop a process (incl. timeline, budget, organizational requirements, required trainer profiles and expertise) for building and enhancing the capacity of the institutions responsible for implementing the environmental and social risk management activities in the projects and activities funded by the FFF.
• In coordination with OCDB officials, the incumbent will deliver tailored capacity building to all the FFF personnel involved in the assessment of funding proposals, elaboration of contractual agreements, monitoring and reporting of activities and final evaluation of deliverables and project completion reports.
• Define the requirements for technical assistance FFPOs in their function of service providers through letters of agreement (LOAs) and as beneficiaries in Direct Beneficiary Grants (DBGs) and public sector institutions to implement, manage, supervise, observe, or support the implementation of the FAO Framework for environmental and social management.
• In coordination with FFF personnel in HQ and in countries, identify the mitigation measures and estimate realistic budgets to be allocated for timely implementation of the environmental and social risk management in the execution of activities and projects funded by the FFF.

Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following:

Minimum Requirements:

• Advanced university degree in science, including environmental science, forestry, agriculture, natural resources, biological sciences, sociology, anthropology or a related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in the formulation and review of environmental and social management frameworks, environmental and social impact assessments, environmental and social management planning, and reporting.
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of French or Spanish.

Technical/Functional Skills :

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work
• Extent and relevance of academic qualifications
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to write and/or edit documents clearly and concisely in English is considered a strong asset.
• Excellent analytical skills and demonstrated sense of initiative are considered strong assets.
• Experience with multilateral climate mechanisms is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of FAO administrative processes and procedures would be an asset.
• Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish languages is considered an asset.

Source:  https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2400896