Socio-environmental safeguards National Specialist

Overview

Develop risk mitigation plans integrating environmental and social due diligence

You have:

• University Degree in Agriculture, Social and Economic Sciences, Environmental Management or related fields
• At least 3 years of experience in social and environmental risk analysis or related topic
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of French
• Nationality of Mauritius or resident of the country with a valid work permit

Organizational Setting

The Government of Mauritius has mandated FAO to lead the development of a project funded through the 8th funding cycle of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project will be entitled “Mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions in land-use systems for productive and resilient ecosystems” and ambitions to support transforming land use systems throughout the country by putting NbS at the heart of sustainable development, delivering on Mauritius’s commitments under multiple MEAs, increasing sustainable food production and enhancing the provision of ecosystem services that underpin it, while adapting to climate change and creating inclusive employment opportunities and wealth. The project will be structured around 4 main components, namely: (1) Enabling policy environment for the governance and management of healthy and productive ecosystems ; (2) Nature-based solutions (NbS) for sustainable, resilient and productive landscapes ; (3) Unlocking private sector capital for improved ecosystem services and livelihood opportunities and (4) Knowledge management and learning for scaling.

A Country Concept Note describing the main elements of the project was included in the technically cleared Program Framework Document (PFD) approved by the GEF Council in June 2023. FAO has now engaged into the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) phase that will lead to drafting the detailed project document and its annexes, all to be submitted to the GEF Secretariat by June 2024. Project preparation activities will include desk studies as well as multi-stakeholder consultations and workshops to ensure the participation of key stakeholders in the project design processes. These activities will contribute to project awareness and ensure active participation of technical sectors and political support to maximize synergies during the project development phase.

The main outputs that will contribute to the preparation of the detailed project document will be: relevant baseline data and information collected during the preparation period, workshop reports, analyses and recommendations delivered by the consultants, financing plan and risk analysis and mitigation measures and realistic targets and indicators. The final product will be the detailed design of the project components, including the results framework, budget allocations and co-financing mobilization, based on which the FAO-GEF project document and CEO approval request will be prepared.

Reporting Lines

Under the direct managerial and administrative leadership of the FAO Representative in Mauritius as the Budget Holder, the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and in close collaboration with the national team

Technical Focus

Ecosystem and Landscape

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the FAO Representative, of the National Correspondent in Mauritius, the technical supervision of the international GEF design expert, and in close collaboration with other national and international experts, as well as FAO project task force, the consultant will have has main objective for his/her assignment to develop the risk mitigation plans.

The assignment includes the collection and analysis of primary and secondary data, information and materials. This shall provide clear, comprehensive and practical guidance to the FAO on integrating an environmental/social due diligence process into the project implementation. After the completion of the assignment, FAO should be knowledgeable on the key due diligence issues to be expected for the project, and have the analytical capabilities and capacity to manage them in line with international good practice.

The incumbent is encouraged to use FAO's templates for the risk management plans. In any case, the instruments should cover the scope of the FAO template. The incumbent should contact [email protected] for further guidance on how to apply FAO’s Framework for Environmental and Social Management (ESM).

The objective of the preparation of an ESMF/comprehensive ESMP (ESM Plan) is to ensure sufficient guidance is provided to FAO in the selection, preparation and implementation of project’s activities in order to avoid or minimize environmental and social risks and negative impacts and enhance the environmental and social performance. This will be accomplished through the development and application of proper selection criteria for activities, planning that takes into account environmental and social criteria, sound implementation and monitoring, and disclosure, consultation and feedback. To achieve this objective and with the support of FAO the consultant/s will carry out the following tasks through research, interviews, field visits and teleworking:

• Based on a detailed description of the project, develop and provide guidance on environmental and social criteria to be used during the identification and selection of priority activities. Also develop a list of activities and potential activities not recommendable for support, due to their poor environmental or social performance. • Compile a summary of key domestic legislative, regulatory and administrative regimes with a focus on requirements that will apply to the planning, approval and implementation of activities; research and summarize regional agreements and treaties that are relevant to project planning and implementation, as well as environmental management and due diligence. • Establish a clear understanding of the institutional requirements, roles and responsibilities for adopting and implementing the ESMF. Importantly, this should include a thorough review of the authority and capability of institutions at different levels (e.g. local, district, governorate and national) and their capacity to manage and monitor ESMF implementation. • Identify all relevant potential environmental risks and social concerns that may arise as a result of the project; • Propose realistic and effective arrangements for FAO to develop the capacity to manage environmental and social due diligence processes and activities in the project; propose reporting lines, review and approval functions; identify the required resources and technical assistance measures to establish and maintain capacity for the project duration and beyond; develop a process (incl. timeline, budget, organizational requirements, required trainer profiles and expertise) for building and enhancing the capacity of the institutions responsible for implementing the ESMF. • Define the requirements for technical assistance to FAO, civil society organizations (CSO), service providers and public sector institutions to implement, manage, supervise, observe or support the implementation of the ESMF. • Estimate a realistic budget to be allocated for timely implementation of the ESMF in the project execution phase (as per detailed budget).

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University Degree in Agriculture, Social and Economic Sciences, Environmental Management or related fields • At least 3 years of experience in social and environmental risk analysis or related topic • Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of French • Nationality of Mauritius or resident of the country with a valid work permit

Core Competencies

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

Organizational Setting

The Government of Mauritius has mandated FAO to lead the development of a project funded through the 8th funding cycle of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project will be entitled “Mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions in land-use systems for productive and resilient ecosystems” and ambitions to support transforming land use systems throughout the country by putting NbS at the heart of sustainable development, delivering on Mauritius’s commitments under multiple MEAs, increasing sustainable food production and enhancing the provision of ecosystem services that underpin it, while adapting to climate change and creating inclusive employment opportunities and wealth. The project will be structured around 4 main components, namely: (1) Enabling policy environment for the governance and management of healthy and productive ecosystems ; (2) Nature-based solutions (NbS) for sustainable, resilient and productive landscapes ; (3) Unlocking private sector capital for improved ecosystem services and livelihood opportunities and (4) Knowledge management and learning for scaling.

A Country Concept Note describing the main elements of the project was included in the technically cleared Program Framework Document (PFD) approved by the GEF Council in June 2023. FAO has now engaged into the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) phase that will lead to drafting the detailed project document and its annexes, all to be submitted to the GEF Secretariat by June 2024. Project preparation activities will include desk studies as well as multi-stakeholder consultations and workshops to ensure the participation of key stakeholders in the project design processes. These activities will contribute to project awareness and ensure active participation of technical sectors and political support to maximize synergies during the project development phase.

The main outputs that will contribute to the preparation of the detailed project document will be: relevant baseline data and information collected during the preparation period, workshop reports, analyses and recommendations delivered by the consultants, financing plan and risk analysis and mitigation measures and realistic targets and indicators. The final product will be the detailed design of the project components, including the results framework, budget allocations and co-financing mobilization, based on which the FAO-GEF project document and CEO approval request will be prepared.

Reporting Lines

Under the direct managerial and administrative leadership of the FAO Representative in Mauritius as the Budget Holder, the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and in close collaboration with the national team

Technical Focus

Ecosystem and Landscape

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the FAO Representative, of the National Correspondent in Mauritius, the technical supervision of the international GEF design expert, and in close collaboration with other national and international experts, as well as FAO project task force, the consultant will have has main objective for his/her assignment to develop the risk mitigation plans.

The assignment includes the collection and analysis of primary and secondary data, information and materials. This shall provide clear, comprehensive and practical guidance to the FAO on integrating an environmental/social due diligence process into the project implementation. After the completion of the assignment, FAO should be knowledgeable on the key due diligence issues to be expected for the project, and have the analytical capabilities and capacity to manage them in line with international good practice.

The incumbent is encouraged to use FAO's templates for the risk management plans. In any case, the instruments should cover the scope of the FAO template. The incumbent should contact [email protected] for further guidance on how to apply FAO’s Framework for Environmental and Social Management (ESM).

The objective of the preparation of an ESMF/comprehensive ESMP (ESM Plan) is to ensure sufficient guidance is provided to FAO in the selection, preparation and implementation of project’s activities in order to avoid or minimize environmental and social risks and negative impacts and enhance the environmental and social performance. This will be accomplished through the development and application of proper selection criteria for activities, planning that takes into account environmental and social criteria, sound implementation and monitoring, and disclosure, consultation and feedback. To achieve this objective and with the support of FAO the consultant/s will carry out the following tasks through research, interviews, field visits and teleworking:

• Based on a detailed description of the project, develop and provide guidance on environmental and social criteria to be used during the identification and selection of priority activities. Also develop a list of activities and potential activities not recommendable for support, due to their poor environmental or social performance. • Compile a summary of key domestic legislative, regulatory and administrative regimes with a focus on requirements that will apply to the planning, approval and implementation of activities; research and summarize regional agreements and treaties that are relevant to project planning and implementation, as well as environmental management and due diligence. • Establish a clear understanding of the institutional requirements, roles and responsibilities for adopting and implementing the ESMF. Importantly, this should include a thorough review of the authority and capability of institutions at different levels (e.g. local, district, governorate and national) and their capacity to manage and monitor ESMF implementation. • Identify all relevant potential environmental risks and social concerns that may arise as a result of the project; • Propose realistic and effective arrangements for FAO to develop the capacity to manage environmental and social due diligence processes and activities in the project; propose reporting lines, review and approval functions; identify the required resources and technical assistance measures to establish and maintain capacity for the project duration and beyond; develop a process (incl. timeline, budget, organizational requirements, required trainer profiles and expertise) for building and enhancing the capacity of the institutions responsible for implementing the ESMF. • Define the requirements for technical assistance to FAO, civil society organizations (CSO), service providers and public sector institutions to implement, manage, supervise, observe or support the implementation of the ESMF. • Estimate a realistic budget to be allocated for timely implementation of the ESMF in the project execution phase (as per detailed budget).

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University Degree in Agriculture, Social and Economic Sciences, Environmental Management or related fields • At least 3 years of experience in social and environmental risk analysis or related topic • Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of French • Nationality of Mauritius or resident of the country with a valid work permit

Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Relevance of qualification; • Extent of relevant working experience and technical experience; • Personal skills: Self-driven, team player, patient, self-confident, reliable and empathetic; • Demonstrated organisational, communication and organizational skills; • Previous experience working on GEF projects or other international donors’ projects highly preferable;

• Relevance of qualification; • Extent of relevant working experience and technical experience; • Personal skills: Self-driven, team player, patient, self-confident, reliable and empathetic; • Demonstrated organisational, communication and organizational skills; • Previous experience working on GEF projects or other international donors’ projects highly preferable;

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: fao.org