Senior Environmental and Social Safeguards Officer

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Philippines, established in 1945, is the longest running, continuous CRS country program in the world. The organization has extensive programming in peacebuilding, emergency response and recovery, and disaster risk reduction. With over 100 staff members, CRS Philippines operates in multiple locations including Manila, Davao, and Cotabato City. The organization is committed to collaborating with a strong network of church partners, national and subnational government agencies, and secular NGOs throughout the country. The RESEEDPH project, a five-year initiative, aims to restore degraded forest and agro-biodiverse landscapes by combining science-based planning, community participation, and strengthened policy support. The project emphasizes inclusive participation, particularly of women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples, and incorporates robust monitoring and learning mechanisms to ensure enduring environmental, social, and economic benefits aligned with national and global biodiversity and climate goals. The project must comply with a comprehensive set of Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) requirements to ensure that all activities are environmentally sound, socially inclusive, and aligned with national regulations and international safeguards.

Job Overview:
The Senior Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) Officer will be responsible for managing, coordinating, and monitoring project activities and relationships with partners and other stakeholders to achieve the objectives of the RESEEDPH project. This project focuses on the restoration of degraded ecosystems in protected areas and broader landscapes in the Philippines through science-based execution and the establishment of a biodiverse registry. The Sr. ESS Officer will lead the implementation of the Environmental Social and Management Framework (ESMF) following GEF standards, providing overall technical support to project partners to ensure compliance with donor requirements related to environmental safeguarding. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying issues and reporting them to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules, ensuring that environmental risks are effectively managed throughout the project lifecycle.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Environmental and Social Safeguards Officer include leading technical, monitoring, and reporting activities under the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and Management Plan (ESMP) throughout the project cycle, including start-up, implementation, and close-out phases. The officer will train partners and grantees on ESMP principles and risk mitigation measures, support the implementation of accompanying plans such as the Stakeholder Engagement Plan and Gender Mainstreaming Plan, and manage environmental risks by ensuring the implementation of defined mitigation measures. The officer will coordinate project monitoring and evaluation activities, proactively identify and report issues, and work closely with field teams to implement the ESMF. Additionally, the officer will conduct periodic budget reviews, assist in preparing trend analysis reports, and ensure that project documentation is complete and filed according to agency and donor requirements. The officer will also review activity plans and protocols to ensure risks are mitigated, evaluate the WTPW platform for inclusivity, and ensure gender mainstreaming in training modules and project activities.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree in environmental science, engineering, management, environmental policy, economics, social development, or other relevant fields. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree in similar fields with an additional two years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of the master’s degree requirement. Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of work experience in environmental and social safeguarding for large-scale projects, ideally in land restoration and livelihoods, preferably for an international non-governmental organization (INGO). Demonstrated knowledge of international standards and codes of practices in environmental and social safeguarding is essential, along with familiarity with World Bank ESG and GEF/GCF ESMF policies. Experience in managing complex and large grants is a plus, and additional experience may substitute for some educational requirements.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in relevant fields such as environmental science, engineering, management, environmental policy, economics, or social development. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree in similar fields with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree requirement. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of environmental and social safeguards in project management.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in environmental and social safeguarding, particularly for large-scale projects. Experience in land restoration and livelihoods, preferably within an INGO context, is highly desirable. Candidates should have a demonstrated understanding of international standards and codes of practices related to environmental and social safeguarding, as well as familiarity with policies from organizations such as the World Bank and GEF/GCF. Experience in managing complex grants and working in challenging environments is also beneficial.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position are English and Filipino. Proficiency in both languages is essential for effective communication with project stakeholders and partners. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is contingent upon donor funding. The successful candidate must be willing and able to travel up to 70% of the time to project locations. The role does not have supervisory responsibilities but requires strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders. The position is full-time, and candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of their nationality, as CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which they operate. The organization is committed to safeguarding program participants and community members from all forms of exploitation and abuse, and the successful candidate is expected to adhere to CRS's Code of Conduct.