Environmental Safeguard Specialist

Environmental Safeguard Specialist

Closure Date: 08/May/2025, 3:44:00 AM
Organizational Unit: FANEP – FAO Representation in Nepal
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: PSA (Personal Services Agreement)
Grade Level: N/A
Primary Location: Nepal-Kathmandu
Duration: 11 months with possible to further extension
Post Number: N/A
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

Organizational Setting

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

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:

(i) advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate.
(ii) provide technical assistance and deliver core services.
(iii) assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation.
(iv) position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation.
(v) ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

The project “Building a Resilient Churia Region in Nepal” (BRCRN) is Nepal’s first full-size Green Climate Fund (GCF) project. FAO, as the nominated Accredited Entity (AE) for the project, is responsible to the GCF for implementation of the project and is also co-Executing Entity (EE) with the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) of the Government of Nepal (GoN). The BRCRN project is implemented in 26 critical river systems in the southeast region of Nepal, covering parts of Koshi, Madhesh and Bagmati province, linking the Churia hills and upper Tarai, and aims to promote widespread adoption of climate- resilient land use practices, confront the challenges of deforestation and forest degradation, better maintain the forest ecosystem in the Churia hills, and build resilience to climate-induced hazards.

In its capacity as co-EE, FAO provides intensive technical support to develop the detailed plans for project investment, to develop capacity among relevant national, provincial and local institutions for project implementation, to ensure quality control of the technical services provided through project implementing partners, and to provide technical advice to the project management team.

The Environmental Safeguard Specialist will be responsible for the capacity development of project stakeholders, implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), and for the development of strategies, guidelines, procedures and other tools for mainstreaming the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF). National Environmental Safeguard Specialist provides support to Gender and Indigenous Peoples (GIP) Specialist for the implementation of Social Inclusion Management Plan and Indigenous Peoples Plan (IPP) and lead the monitoring and reporting of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of FAO Representative in Nepal, in close consultation with the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), with overall technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer, direct supervision of the TA Project Manager, in close cooperation with the BRCRN National Project Director (NPD) under MoFE; the National Consultant – Environmental Safeguard Specialist will undertake the following tasks.

Technical Focus

• Implementation of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), developing communication materials, disseminating good practices and learning.
•  Capacity building of project personnel and partners on environmental safeguards: PMU, PPMUs and FAO TA staff and stakeholders involved in the project implementation.
•  Implementation of safeguard guidelines, procedures and tools for mainstreaming ESMF
•  Monitoring and reporting on safeguard

Tasks and responsibilities

The Environmental Safeguard Specialist will be responsible to carry out the following tasks:

Task 1: Implementation of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), developing communication materials, disseminating good practices and learning

•  Support in implementation ESMP developed for each river system in coordination with GIP Specialist
• Prepare/update the required procedures/strategies and tools for ensuring the integration of the safeguards into activities implementation cycle.
• Develop communication materials related to environmental safeguards and disseminate mobilizing eco-clubs, Natural Resource Management (NRM) field schools and other channels as appropriate for awareness on environmental safeguards at community level
•  Facilitate similar projects, programs, development partners and stakeholders at national, provincial and local levels to promote good practices on safeguards.
•  Backstopping and technical advisory support to MoFE/PMU (Safeguard Focal Person), PPMU (Gender and Safeguard Officers)

Task 2: Capacity building of project personnel and partners on environmental safeguards: PMU, PPMUs, FAO TA staff and stakeholders involved in the project implementation

• Develop and update the training material in line with the requirements of the ESMP in collaboration with GIP Specialist and orient to the PPMU and provincial government staff for its effective implementation
• Provide training and onsite coaching on environmental safeguards to PMU, PPMUs, provincial government and FAO TA staff
•  Integrate safeguard requirement in the different training manuals developed by the project
•  Build awareness on safeguard policy/guidelines/tools to stakeholders at national, province and local level

Task 3: Implementation of safeguard guidelines, procedures and tools for mainstreaming ESMF

•  Facilitate integration of safeguard guidelines, procedures and tools in Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) and implementation of project activities in collaboration with GIP Specialist
•  With reference to project’s Environmental and Social Safeguard Guidelines, integrate the mitigation measures to the risks identified in ESMP in programme implementation procedures
•  Revise and update the guidelines and checklist as necessary and adopt and integrate it with the activity implementation cycle
• Review and update safeguard policy periodically, as necessary in coordination with GIP Specialist

Task 4: Monitoring and reporting on safeguard

• Integrate safeguard data with project database system
• Monitor regularly the activities implemented focusing on compliance with ESMF, prepare report, including recommendations for remedial actions as necessary, for sharing with project management team and inclusion in regular reporting
•  Other tasks as assigned by the project manager

FAO Standards and guidelines:

Liaison with the OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, appropriate review and clearance processes.

All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en
FAOSTYLE: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology: http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).

Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Masters in environmental sciences /forestry/agriculture and other related subjects
• Minimum 7 years of work experience in advisory and technical service delivery on environmental safeguards
• Proficiency in both spoken and written English
• National of Nepal or resident in the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Knowledge of environmental and social issues relevance to Climate Change and Natural Resource Management projects
•  Experiences on designing and delivering training to stakeholders on environmental safeguards
•  Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams in a multicultural environment
•  Strong inter-personal skills and excellent oral communication skills
• Proven ability to work with government of Nepal institutions
• Environmental and Social Management Framework/Plan development/Implementation
•  Gender Mainstreaming
•  Capacity Building and Training
•  Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy
• Policy Development
•  Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
•  Knowledge Management
•  Resource Mobilization
•  Effective Communication
• Coordination and Cooperation for project management

Selection Criteria

•  Knowledge of Computer skills in MS office package (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and knowledge and experience of report writing and technical document preparation.
•  An Environmental Safeguard (ES) Specialist should possess strong understanding of environmental and social management framework/plans and expertise in integrating it into program design, implementation and evaluation, conducting stakeholder analyses, building stakeholder capacity, engaging diverse stakeholders, and managing knowledge dissemination
•  Demonstrated experience in the development and implementation of environmental and social management framework/plan/guidelines in a development context.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to develop reports, training materials, and advocate for environmental safeguards with stakeholders.
• Strong ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government, NGOs, and community organizations, to promote gender equality.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
• For other issues, 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.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
•  Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
•  Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
•  Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
•  We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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