Overview
The Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialist will ensure compliance with FAO Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) and GEF safeguard requirements through risk assessments and mitigation measures, and develop key safeguard tools.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct environmental risk screening aligned with ESS1, ESS2, ESS6, ESS11.
- Assess impacts on biodiversity, wildlife corridors, protected areas, forest fragmentation, climate vulnerability, and ecosystem services.
- Provide support in preparing mitigation measures for land degradation, HWC, invasive species, and unsustainable harvesting.
- Conduct social risk assessments aligned with ESS7, ESS9, ESS10, ESS5.
- Assess impacts on tribal groups, SC/ST/OBC populations, FRA title-holders, and vulnerable households.
- Identify risks related to labour standards, exclusion, cultural heritage, access restrictions, and displacement (if any).
- Provide support in proposing mitigation strategies and social inclusion measures.
- Compile a summary of key international agreements and domestic legislative, regulatory and administrative regimes related to social and environmental safeguards.
- Develop and provide guidance on environmental and social criteria to be used during the identification and selection of priority activities.
- Develop the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).
- Review the responsibility and capability of institutions at different levels to manage and monitor ESMP implementation.
- Provide support in developing the ESMP, including activities implementation arrangements, budget and monitoring procedures, as well as associated capacity building requirements.
- Prepare Environmental and Social Risk Annexes.
- Integrate safeguard mitigation measures into project components and Results Framework.
- Prepare Indigenous people plan.
- Provide support in designing a multi-tiered project-level GRM consistent with FAO ESS and local institutional structures.
- Provide support in finalizing the GRM that is accessible to women, tribal populations, persons with disabilities, and socially backward groups.
- Establish documentation, response timelines, escalation pathways, and monitoring systems.
Required Experience
- At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the formulation and review of environmental and social management frameworks, impact assessments, management plans and reporting frameworks.
- Strong knowledge of FAO Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) and GEF safeguard policies.
- Experience in conducting environmental and social risk assessments and impact analysis.
- Ability to develop Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP) and safeguard frameworks.
- Experience in designing and implementing Grievance Redressal Mechanisms (GRM).
- Knowledge of relevant national laws and policies such as FRA, PESA, and environmental regulations.
- Familiarity with the environmental and social safeguard requirements of the project's resource partners, is considered an asset.
- Strong knowledge of FAO ESS, GEF standards, FRA, PESA, and national environmental regulations
- Experience in preparing safeguard instruments for UN or donor-funded projects
Qualifications
• Master’s in environmental science, ecology, sociology, environmental management, or related field
