Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's mission includes supporting sustainable agricultural practices, improving nutrition, and enhancing rural livelihoods. In Serbia, FAO plays a crucial role in addressing challenges related to food security, agriculture, and rural development, particularly in the context of climate change and environmental sustainability. The FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) oversees the implementation of various projects, including the FOREST Invest project, which focuses on enhancing the resilience of Serbian forests.

Job Overview:
The Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist will play a pivotal role in managing, supporting, and monitoring the implementation of environmental and social safeguards within the framework of the Green Climate Fund (GCF)-funded project aimed at enhancing the resilience of Serbian forests. This position requires a comprehensive understanding of environmental and social management frameworks, as well as the ability to engage with various stakeholders to ensure compliance with FAO's standards and GCF requirements. The Specialist will be responsible for collecting and analyzing data to identify and mitigate environmental and social risks associated with forestry activities, ensuring that the project aligns with Serbia's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and other national strategies. The role also involves facilitating stakeholder engagement and ensuring that the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) is effectively operationalized, thereby contributing to the overall success of the project and its objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist will have a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Supporting the implementation and monitoring of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) to ensure compliance with FAO and GCF requirements.
• Contributing to the preparation, review, and implementation of Environmental and Social Assessments (ESA) and Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs).
• Conducting environmental and social screening of project activities and integrating mitigation measures into project design, workplans, budgets, and contracts.
• Monitoring safeguards risks and compliance through regular field visits and supporting corrective actions as needed.
• Providing safeguards inputs for project reporting, including Annual Progress Reports (APRs) and internal monitoring systems.
• Delivering training and awareness activities on safeguards requirements for project stakeholders.
• Supporting the implementation and update of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) and facilitating inclusive consultations with national and local stakeholders, including vulnerable groups.
• Ensuring proper documentation, disclosure, and communication of safeguards-related information and processes.
• Supporting the implementation and operationalization of the project Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), receiving, documenting, and tracking grievances, and ensuring their timely resolution. 1
• Maintaining grievance records and providing regular updates on status and outcomes, while monitoring the effectiveness of the GRM and suggesting improvements where needed. 1
• Contributing GRM-related inputs to project safeguards reporting.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in environmental sciences, natural resources management, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">environmental law, social sciences, forestry, sustainable development, or a related field. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in formulating and implementing environmental and social management frameworks and plans, as well as conducting environmental and social impact assessments, is required. Candidates should demonstrate experience in preparing and/or implementing ESIA/ESA, ESMPs, and other safeguards instruments related to forestry, natural resources management, climate change, biodiversity, or rural development projects. A working knowledge of English (level C) and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO languages (level B) is mandatory, while working knowledge of Serbian is highly desired.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as environmental sciences, natural resources management, environmental law, social sciences, forestry, or sustainable development. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have additional professional experience to compensate for the lack of an advanced degree. This educational background is essential to ensure that the Specialist has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively manage environmental and social safeguards within the context of the project.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the formulation and implementation of environmental and social management frameworks and plans, as well as conducting environmental and social impact assessments. Experience working with international organizations, development partners, or climate finance projects is considered an asset. Field experience and experience conducting site visits and safeguards monitoring in rural areas are also highly valued. Familiarity with FAO’s Framework for Environmental and Social Management (FESM) and/or the environmental and social safeguards requirements of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) or other international financial institutions is a strong asset.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English (level C) is mandatory, along with limited knowledge of one of the other FAO languages (level B). For Personal Services Agreements (PSAs), a working knowledge of English would suffice. Additionally, a working knowledge of Serbian is highly desired, as it will facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of the Specialist's engagement in the project.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to be full-time and may involve travel within Serbia, particularly to rural areas where project activities are being implemented. The role is classified as a moderate risk intervention, and the Specialist will be required to adhere to FAO’s Framework for Environmental and Social Management (FESM) and GCF safeguards requirements. The contract duration and specific compensation details will be discussed during the recruitment process, and candidates should be prepared for potential international recruitment, depending on the applicant pool.