The Environmental and Social Safeguarding (ESS) Coordinator is the senior technical lead responsible for ensuring NRC's programs in the Libya West Area (Misrata/Tripoli), specifically shelter, infrastructure rehabilitation, and livelihoods, are conducted in a sustainable, safe, and compliant manner. This pivotal role involves developing, implementing, and monitoring the organization's comprehensive Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF). The Coordinator is responsible for leading E&S risk screening, creating and overseeing the implementation of site-specific mitigation plans (ESMPs), managing all donor liaison and reporting on safeguards, and providing capacity building to staff and contractors. The ultimate goal is to minimize environmental impact and actively protect local communities (IDPs, returnees, host communities) from social risks in line with international standards and \"Do No Harm\" principles.
Roles and responsibilities
The overall purpose of the Environmental and Social Safeguarding (ESS) Coordinator role is to serve as the lead technical expert responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) across NRC's programs in Libya, ensuring that all shelter, infrastructure, and livelihoods projects are safe, inclusive, environmentally sound, and compliant with international standards and donor requirements.
Generic Responsibilities
Technical Leadership: Serve as the technical lead for implementing the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and developing related technical guidelines.
Compliance & Quality Control: Ensure strict compliance with NRC policies and donor E&S safeguarding requirements. Monitor and quality control all necessary environmental and social mitigation measures outlined in project safeguards instruments (e.g., Stakeholder Engagement Plans, ESMPs).
Reporting & Liaison: Handle overall coordination and regular liaison with the donor's E&S focal point, managing no-objections, regular reporting on progress, and incident/grievance reporting to the line manager.
Capacity Building: Lead the training of NRC personnel and partners on E&S safeguards and coordinate environmental/social initiatives across all project locations.
Specific responsibilities:
Risk Management: Develop assessment plans, lead E&S screening, and categorize sub-projects by risk, escalating significant changes to the donor as needed.
Instrument Development: Develop site-specific risk management instruments (like ESMPs and E&S guidelines) in collaboration with NRC teams for Husing rehabilitation and Solar energy installation and infrastructures rehabilitation & renewable energy.
Implementation Support: Provide direct technical support to field teams and contractors for implementing mitigation measures and following up on progress against the ESMF requirements during the project life cycle.
Procurement & Monitoring: Ensure all E&S mitigation measures are included in tender packages. Conduct monitoring and spot checks of sub-projects to verify implementation quality.
Documentation: Manage all record-keeping for E&S documents and lessons learned on NRC's filing system.
Renewable Energy Support (If Needed): Provide technical support for the renewable energy component, including developing specifications and participating in tender processes for solar installations.
Any other tasks as delegated by the line managers (generic to add – and can be detailed more when rehire or changes happen for the role)
Generic Professional Competencies
The following are the essential professional and technical skills, knowledge, qualifications, and experience required for the Environmental and Social Safeguarding (ESS) Coordinator role:
University Degree (Bachelor's or Master's) in Engineering, Environmental Science, Social Science, Development Studies, Energy, or a related field.
Minimum of four (4) years of experience in a technical role, preferably within the humanitarian or development sector, focusing on environmental management, social safeguards, risk assessment, or compliance.
Proven expertise in developing, implementing, or monitoring Environmental and Social Management Systems (ESMS) or Frameworks (ESMF), especially those aligned with major international standards (e.g., KFW, or similar multilateral donor safeguards).
Demonstrable experience in conducting risk screening, developing mitigation plans (ESMPs), and managing stakeholder engagement in conflict or fragile settings.
Strong knowledge of \"Do No Harm\" principles, Protection Mainstreaming, and Safe and Inclusive Programming (SIP) principles.
Experience in providing training and technical guidance to diverse staff and external partners (e.g., contractors).
Fluency in English both written and verbal is essential. Fluency in Arabic (written and verbal) is highly desirable/required for effective communication with local teams and communities in Libya.
Advanced computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Experience with renewable energy installations (e.g., solar power) and related technical specifications/inspections is a significant asset.