Safeguards Specialist

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Position Title: Safeguards Specialist
Location: Jakarta
Country: Indonesia
Deadline Date: October 2025

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission 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. The organization operates in over 130 countries and employs thousands of staff worldwide, working on various projects related to agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and rural development. FAO's work is guided by the principles of sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience, aiming to improve the livelihoods of people in rural areas and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Job Overview:
The Safeguards Specialist will play a crucial role in the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) Team, which is tasked with developing the Project Document (Prodoc) for the AIBDES initiative in Indonesia. This position requires a deep understanding of social and environmental safeguards, as the Specialist will ensure that the project adheres to these criteria throughout its lifecycle. The role involves collaborating closely with the GEF Project Design Expert (PDE) and other national consultants to develop comprehensive plans that address environmental and social impacts. The Specialist will be responsible for creating the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), preparing Indigenous Peoples’ Plans, and establishing Grievance Redress Mechanisms, all while ensuring compliance with FAO’s Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) guidelines. This position is vital for the successful implementation of the project, which aims to enhance integrated landscape management and governance for the conservation and sustainable use of forested areas in Indonesia.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Safeguards Specialist will undertake a variety of tasks, including:

• Compiling a summary of key international agreements and domestic legislative frameworks related to social and environmental safeguards applicable to the project.
• Preparing a matrix of potential social and environmental impacts of project interventions, along with options for their mitigation and management.
• Reviewing the capabilities of institutions at local, provincial, and national levels to manage and monitor the implementation of the ESMP.
• Developing the ESMP, which includes defining activities, implementation arrangements, monitoring procedures, and capacity-building requirements.
• Ensuring that the project design incorporates FAO’s FPIC guidance and other relevant legal provisions.
• Assessing constraints faced by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) in the project context and documenting their needs.
• Preparing an Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Plan in accordance with FAO guidance.
• Supporting the preparation of the Grievance Redress Mechanism.
• Performing other relevant activities as requested by the FAO Representative.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in social sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, environmental science, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in formulating and reviewing environmental and social management frameworks, impact assessments, and management plans is required. Candidates should also have a working knowledge of English and Bahasa Indonesia, and must be nationals of Indonesia or residents with a valid work permit.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in relevant fields such as social sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, or environmental science. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of environmental and social safeguards and their application in project management.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in the formulation and review of environmental and social management frameworks, impact assessments, and management plans. Experience in stakeholder engagement, grievance handling, and disclosure in development organizations, particularly within the context of FAO, is considered an asset. Familiarity with the environmental and social safeguard requirements of the project's resource partners is also beneficial.

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge of both English and Bahasa Indonesia, as effective communication in these languages is crucial for the role. Proficiency in both written and spoken forms of these languages is necessary to engage with stakeholders and prepare documentation effectively.

Additional Notes:
This position is part of a project that is expected to run until October 2025, with the Prodoc submission to the GEF Secretariat due in that month. The role is full-time and involves working closely with various stakeholders, including government agencies and local communities. The position is open to nationals of Indonesia or residents with a valid work permit, emphasizing the importance of local knowledge and context in the project implementation.