Technical Specialist (Environmental and Social Safeguards) – SB-4

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. The main aim of the FAO Representation in Cambodia is to assist government to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The Public-Social-Private Partnerships for Ecologically-Sound Agriculture and Resilient Livelihood in Northern Tonle Sap Basin (PEARL) is a six-year project (2023 – 2029), funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This adaptation project aims to enhance the climate resilience of farmers and local communities in the Northern Tonle Sap Basin (Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Preah Vihear and Oddor Meanchey) through public-social-private partnerships and improved access to growing segments of premium agricultural product market while ensuring climate-resilient practices.

Reporting Lines

The Technical Specialist (Environmental and Social Safeguards) reports directly to Senior Project Officer (SPO) and works under the technical oversight of Lead Technical Officer (LTO) in the FAO regional office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) and relevant technical units at FAO headquarters. Under the overall supervision of FAO Representative (FAOR) in Cambodia, and in close collaboration with FAO Representation team, governmental counterparts, international safeguards expert, and other technical specialists, the incumbent will carry out the tasks listed below.

Technical Focus

Support the development of approaches, guidelines and tools for mainstreaming Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) throughout project implementation; preparation of site-specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and Indigenous Peoples Plan (IPP); provision of capacity building on safeguards for project personnel and partners; integration of safeguard policy in project implementation, development of communication materials, dissemination of good practices and learning; monitoring and reporting of safeguards.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Technical Specialist will:

• Support preparation of site-specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and Indigenous Peoples Plan (IPP): • Coordinate and organize field data collection, consultations with local stakeholders and analysis of primary and secondary data, information and materials; • Ensure that the preparation of the site-specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and Indigenous Peoples Plan (IPP) follows a highly consultative and participatory process including application of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) with stakeholders particularly the target communities and indigenous people; • Contribute to developing and providing guidance on environmental and social criteria to be used during the identification and selection of priority activities; • Contribute to developing a list of activities and potential activities not recommendable for support, due to their poor environmental or social performance; • Develop approaches, guidelines and tools for mainstreaming ESMF throughout project implementation: • With reference to FAO internal guidance on Environmental and Social risk screening, and related guidelines and institutional policies such as those on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), develop targeted approaches for screening project periodic work plans, activities and contracts, and incorporating remedial measures to risks identified; • Support the international safeguards specialist to develop adapted, simplified safeguard policy, guidelines and tools for PEARL, in line with FAO policy; • Facilitate integration of safeguard policy in Annual work plan and budget (AWPB) and in implementation of project activities. • Review and update safeguard policy periodically, as necessary • Provide capacity building on safeguards for project personnel, partners and stakeholders involved in the project activities: • Develop training materials, provide training and onsite coaching on safeguards to project personnel, partners and stakeholders; • Support in capacity building on safeguards to stakeholders and partners involved in delivering project activities; • Build awareness on safeguard policy/guidelines/tools with stakeholders at national and sub-national level. • Integrate safeguard policy in project implementation, develop communication materials, and disseminate good practices and learning: • Prepare communication materials related to safeguards, gender, IPP, low carbon footprint and disseminate using existing channels as appropriate; • Coordinate with similar projects, programmes of development partners and stakeholders at national and provincial levels to promote coordinated learning and approaches to good practices in safeguards; • Provide general backstopping and technical advisory support on safeguards to project partners; • Mobilize communities and Farmer Field School (FFS) for awareness on environmental and social safeguard at community level. • Monitoring and reporting of safeguards: • In close collaboration with the international safeguards specialist, develop safeguard data management and reporting framework and integrate with project database system; • Monitor regularly the activities implemented focusing on compliance with ESMP, prepare report, including recommendations for remedial actions as necessary, for sharing with project management bodies and inclusion in regular reporting to GCF as appropriate; • Monitor and advice on implementation of Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) of the project. • Perform other tasks as required in order to deliver the above tasks.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• National of Cambodia • University degree in agriculture, natural resource management, environmental science, environmental engineering or similar • Minimum 5 years of work experience in advisory and technical service delivery on social and environmental safeguards or risk assessment • Working knowledge of Khmer and English is mandatory

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Systemic and analytical capacity on complex issues related to environmental and social impact assessment, standards and practices; • Knowledge and experience on development projects particularly stakeholder engagement and management of environmental and social issue; • Demonstrated experience in the development of action plan based on the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) to guide project implementation; • Demonstrated ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks, work under pressure, and deliver assignments on time; and • Leading, engaging, empowering and an excellent team player.

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 please contact: [email protected]
• 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.