National Environment and Social Safeguards Specialistes

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