Back National Environmental and Social Risk Specialist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist Governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The FAO Representation in South Sudan is organized around three main units: Programme, Operations and Administration. The current portfolio of projects in South Sudan includes activities related to agriculture, livestock, fisheries and natural resource management, and is implemented with humanitarian, transitional and development funding. The incumbent will contribute to the country's programme and portfolio as foreseen in the projects.

This position will support the FAO South Sudan programme, specifically working on activities to ensure aspects of Environmental and Social Risks Management (ESRM) in project design, implementation and monitoring are addressed in line with both FAO and Donor frameworks. Despite overall positive impacts from FAO projects, it is necessary to ensure that risks of negative environmental or social impacts emerging from the complexities of implementation in South Sudan are addressed.

Reporting Lines

The National Environmental and Social Risk Specialist works under the overall supervision of FAO Representative for South Sudan, the general guidance of the Senior Programme Officer, the direct supervision of the Head of Environmental and Social Safeguards Unit, and in close consultation with the Social Risk Specialist.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be tasked to develop environmental and social instruments for the implementation of environmental social safeguards of donors.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Support in the integration of FAO’s Framework for Environmental and Social Management in project designing, programming and implementation. 
•     Provide conceptual and technical expertise on mainstreaming key environmental and social requirements in all stages of the project/programme management cycle, in accordance with donor requirements (e.g., World Bank. AfDB, GEF, GCF inter alia)
•     Undertake environmental and social screening of subproject activity sites, categorize the impacts according to FAO’s FESM and in accordance with donor environmental & social frameworks, and develop screening reports.
•     Support in the development and update of environmental and social instruments (ESMPs, ESIA, SEPs, SMP, LMP, ESMF, IPM, PVMPs et al.) in accordance with donor environmental frameworks requirements and alignment with the national laws. 
•     Train implementing partners in the operationalization of FAO’s FESM, and other multilateral development banks frameworks.
•     Support in review of contractor C-ESMPs, CoCs in accordance with FESM and donor requirements.
•     Support in monitoring of safeguards compliance in close coordination with FAOSS’ Engineering and M&E units in a timely manner.
•     Conduct regular project site visits to assess and enforce compliance with national policies and good international practices.
•     Prepare regular monthly, quarterly and annual environmental and social implementation reports outlining enforcement and compliance in the implementation of environmental and social framework in project programming. 
•     Build capacity of FAO’s staff, implementing partners and key stakeholders on Environmental and Social safeguards.
•     Support implementation of OHS/EHS/CHS protocols in accordance with Good International Industrial practices (GIIP) compliance and enhancement 
•     Perform annual Environmental and Social Audits in line with the donor requirements.
•     Develop summaries of developed environmental & Social Safeguards plans.
•     Contribute to advocacy activities, information dissemination and knowledge building relating to safeguards practices and policies.
•     Support the implementation of policies, procedures and measures intended to prevent, reduce, mitigate and/or compensate for the unintended negative impacts of project interventions.
•     Perform any other tasks required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     Advanced University degree (Masters) in Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Environmental Studies, Environmental risk Management, Sustainability Studies, Environmental/Social Risk Analysis, Environmental Law, Environmental Social Governance Management, Sustainability Agriculture, Conservation, Environmental Health, Geography, Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, Environmental Engineering or any other relevant field.
•     Minimum three (3) years of relevant experience in the following areas: experience with environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA/EIA), development of environmental and social instruments (ESMF, ESIA, EIA, ESMP etc), environmental, social and human rights due diligence, environmental management planning, compliance to FAO and international performance standards (equator principles etc), experience with environmental and social risk management of infrastructure projects, project management, livelihoods restoration and social conflict management and experience with working with stakeholders at different levels. Candidates without a master’s degree need an additional 2 years of relevant work experience.
•     Working knowledge of English (level C). Working knowledge (level B) of one local language is an advantage 
•     National of South Sudan

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Strong analytical, written and verbal skills with good command of safeguards language and reporting
•     Ability to work under minimal supervision and flexibility, under high pressure situations with tight deadlines
•     Ability to interact and engage with different stakeholders of multiple socio-economic backgrounds

Selection Criteria

•     Knowledge of World Bank’s Environmental Management Framework (ESMF) and the African Development Banks Integrated Safeguards System (ISS) is an advantage
•     Knowledge and experience FAO’s Framework for Environmental and Social Management (FESM) is an advantage
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION