Overview
The Safeguards, Accountability and Grievance Specialist will support FAO Lebanon in ensuring environmental and social safeguards, accountability to affected populations, and functioning grievance and protection systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Support ICQ and Country Annual Report safeguards sections.
- Monitor ESMPs, SEP and relevant FAO safeguards instruments throughout implementation.
- Provide onboarding and capacity-building for staff and partners on safeguards and risk management.
- Ensure FAO safeguards are integrated into project design from the outset.
- Participate in Safeguards networks and complete required corporate training.
- Ensure inclusive engagement of affected and vulnerable groups in line with FAO Environmental and Social Standards (ESS).
- Mainstream AAP into project design, implementation, and monitoring in line with FAO’s Accountability Framework.
- Support awareness and capacity-building on FAO AAP standards for staff, partners, and communities.
- Strengthen two-way communication and feedback mechanisms to ensure concerns are addressed transparently and inform continuous improvement.
- Ensure integration of conflict sensitivity across the project cycle in line with FAO frameworks and Peace Nexus guidance.
- Contribute to Programme Clinics and follow-up recommendations, in coordination with technical specialists, to ensure conflict-sensitive and safeguards considerations are captured.
- Contribute to reporting on conflict-sensitive programming as relevant.
- Liaise regularly with the Regional Conflict-Sensitive Programming Specialist for the implementation of the above duties and responsibilities, and to align Lebanon’s conflict sensitivity efforts with FAO’s broader Peace Nexus agenda.
- Oversee and maintain accessible, confidential, responsive, and timely Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) channels
- Ensure safe, confidential, and survivor-centred handling of SEA/GBV related complaints; ensuring immediate referral to FAOR and OIG in line with corporate SOPs.
- Serve as Alternate PSEA Focal Point, supporting inter-agency coordination and PSEA training.
- Ensure adherence to FAO’s Code of Conduct, FESM, accountability standards, and zero-tolerance policies.
- Manage communications and activities as the Ombudsperson focal point.
Required Experience
- At least 5 years of experience in safeguards, accountability, grievance systems, or similar roles.
- Experience with a UN Agency or International NGO is desirable.
- Familiarity with computers and Microsoft Suite.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
- Proven experience in partnership development, capacity building, and knowledge management.
- Understanding of agricultural production systems, value chains, and rural development dynamics.
- Familiarity with international development practices and donor procedures is an asset.
- Proven skills of report writing and communication
- Knowledge of FAO’s FESM and accountability policies.
- Experience managing sensitive complaints, including PSEA, using a survivor-centred approach.
- Understanding of humanitarian-development-peace nexus in fragile contexts.
- Strong coordination and communication skills working with diverse teams and vulnerable groups.
Qualifications
• Advanced degree in political science, social sciences, management, international development, or a related field.
