Technical Assistant (Environmental and Social Safeguards)

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 is to support the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems, contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Job Overview:
The Technical Assistant (Environmental and Social Safeguards) will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of the PEARL project, which focuses on enhancing climate resilience among farmers and local communities in the Northern Tonle Sap Basin. This position involves providing technical, operational, and field-level support to ensure compliance with environmental and social standards, national regulations, and donor requirements. The role emphasizes hands-on safeguards compliance, integration of mitigation measures into various activities, and strengthening the capacity of project staff and community institutions. The Technical Assistant will work closely with various stakeholders, including governmental counterparts and technical specialists, to ensure effective project implementation and stakeholder engagement.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Technical Assistant will be responsible for conducting environmental and social risk screenings for sub-projects, preparing and updating Environmental and Social Screening Checklists and Site-specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), and ensuring that mitigation measures are practical and contextually relevant. The role includes monitoring the implementation of ESMP mitigation measures by service providers and contractors, supporting stakeholder engagement processes, and assisting in the operationalization of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM). Additionally, the Technical Assistant will help organize training sessions for project staff and community representatives, prepare project progress reports, and support the documentation of training outputs and participant feedback. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in agriculture, natural resource management, environmental science, environmental engineering, or a related field. A minimum of three years of work experience in advisory and technical service delivery on social and environmental safeguards or risk assessment is required. Candidates should have a working knowledge of English (C1) and fluency in Khmer, and must be nationals of Cambodia. FAO core competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing are essential for this role.

Educational Background:
The position requires a university degree in a relevant field such as agriculture, natural resource management, environmental science, or environmental engineering. Candidates must have their qualifications recognized by an accredited institution listed in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
Candidates should have at least three years of relevant work experience in social and environmental safeguards or risk assessment. Experience with donor-funded projects, including reporting and documentation, is considered an advantage. The role requires strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills, as well as the ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders.

Languages:
Fluency in Khmer is mandatory, and a working knowledge of English (C1) is required. Proficiency in additional languages may be beneficial but is not specified as a requirement.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves frequent travel to project sites in Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, and Oddar Meanchey provinces. FAO does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates must be medically fit for appointment and meet any residency or visa requirements.