Organizational Setting
Eswatini has a significant and immediate need for investment in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The amount of climate finance received and disbursed, to date, covers only a small portion of the actual need. The costs of implementing the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions are conditional on receiving adequate means for implementation, including finance in addition to technology development and transfer and capacity building. The financial needs of the country as highlighted in the revised NDC (2021) ranges from USD 950 million to USD 1.5 billion required for the various national and sectoral strategies and action plans achieve net zero emission pathways. With the current situation of the country relying on multilateral organizations for accessing climate finance for implementation of climate change adaptation and mitigation interventions, the NDC targets cannot be met.
The Government of Eswatini through the National Designated Authority (NDA) identified GCF Country Priority investment areas in alignment with the 8 GCF result areas program, which need a robust resource mobilization to be achieved, however the NDA lacks direct channels to access GCF resources for the projects in the country’s priority investment areas as there is no DAEs in the country. To address this gap, the NDA nominated two national institutions as candidate DAEs which are Eswatini Bank (EB) and Eswatini Environment Authority (EEA). However, the nominated DAEs have limited capacity and policy framework to fulfil the GCF fiduciary requirements. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) was selected as a delivery partner to facilitate the accreditation process for the nominated DAEs and has accessed a readiness grant to facilitate capacity building for the NDA and the nominated DAEs.
The main objective of this readiness is to strengthen national capacities to access climate finance in Eswatini through supporting two national institutions to be accredited to GCF contribute to national climate action, develop a prefeasibility study that would be used by the two institutions and enhance knowledge and awareness of stakeholders on GCF and climate change.
The readiness project will strengthen institutional capacities for nominated entities; Eswatini Bank (EB) and Eswatini Environment Authority (EEA), support implementation of entities works programmes that are aligned to the GCF country programme and support the establishment of collaborative agreements with national private companies and regional accredited entities for enhanced resources mobilization capacities. The main beneficiaries of this project are Eswatini Environment Authority, Eswatini Bank and Ministry of Tourism and Environment and Ministry of Finance.
The level of the position is SC6.
Reporting Lines
The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representation, the technical supervision of the FAO Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and other relevant FAO Project Task Force Members and the GCF Accreditation Expert in close collaboration with government focal points.
Technical Focus
The assignment is to ensure compliance with GCF Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and oversee the institution’s adherence to policies on environmental and social risk management.
Tasks and responsibilities
The incumbent will perform the following specific activities:
• Conduct research, data collection, validation, analysis on Eswatini Environmental Authority (EEA) and Eswatini Bank (EB) programming (Grant) to design internal technical environmental safeguard standards policy instruments.
• Review EEA stakeholder engagement and environmental and social policies, frameworks and plans for alignment with GCF requirements;
• Establish environmental and social performance requirements for EEA and EB programming;
• Prepare and contribute to integration of ESS by developing EEA and EB technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks for ESMS, and its related methodologies, tools, systems, and databases to meet GCF ESS requirements.
• Contribute to the development, refinement and implementation of EEA and EB environmental and social safeguards;
• Advice on mainstreaming methodologies into EEA and EB systems at different stages of project circle (Pre, mid-term and terminal), for generation of technical reports/publications and creating awareness;
• Provide technical support to the Eswatini Environment Fund to ensure compliance with EEA environmental and social safeguards policies and procedures;
• Help establish a multi-disciplinary committee that will ensure internal adherence to environmental social safeguards standards set by EB and EEA;
• Collaborate internally for ensuring effective staff capacity development and knowledge sharing on proposed frameworks;
• Support the implementation of the EB and EEA environmental and social safeguards policy and procedures, as well as stakeholder engagement, disclosure and grievance handling in projects and programmes;
• Develop EEA stakeholders engagement plan during project design and implementation stages;
• Support the communication, knowledge management, training, and capacity building aimed at EB and EEA staff at different levels;
• Ensure adherence to GCF’s Information Disclosure Policy, including the timely release of environmental and social risk-related documents;
• Upon approval of ESS policy, ensure compliance on performance standards and procedures needed for safeguarding and monitoring to determine impacts on delivery;
• Conduct gender analysis and assessments for all proposed projects to identify gender gaps and opportunities;
• Develop a Gender Action Plan that aligns with GCF Gender Policy requirements and integrate gender considerations into the institution’s operations and projects;
• Provide technical guidance on gender-sensitive project design, implementation, and monitoring;
• Train staff and stakeholders on gender mainstreaming, equity, and inclusion practices;
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of gender-sensitive interventions, ensuring compliance with GCF requirements;
• Develop gender-responsive indicators and reporting mechanisms to track progress on gender outcomes;
• Strengthen vulnerable groups (women) in climate change related projects;
• Facilitate stakeholder engagement with women’s groups and other relevant organizations to promote inclusivity;
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in Environmental law, Natural resources management, social sciences, development studies or any other related.
• Five (5) years of relevant experience in environmental and social risk management
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English
• National of Eswatini
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Knowledge of international safeguard standards, such as those of the GCF, World Bank, or IFC.
• Proven experience in conducting ESIAs and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong understanding of environmental and social policy frameworks.
• Working knowledge and experience in cross-cutting subjects, including gender, environmental and social safeguards, and others in the context of climate change.
• Experience in developing and conducting training sessions or workshops on social safeguards, gender mainstreaming, and community engagement for diverse stakeholders.
• Familiarity with designing and implementing M&E frameworks to track social outcomes and ensure compliance with GCF requirements.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing) Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/ For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/ Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.