Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist

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Position Title: Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist
Location: Mbabane
Country: Eswatini
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (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 help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable, reduce rural poverty, and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. The organization also works to ensure that the livelihoods of people in rural areas are improved and that the natural resources on which food security depends are managed sustainably.

Job Overview:
The Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist will play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and overseeing the adherence of the Eswatini Environmental Authority (EEA) and Eswatini Bank (EB) to policies on environmental and social risk management. This position is vital for strengthening national capacities to access climate finance in Eswatini, particularly through the accreditation of the two national institutions to contribute to national climate action. The specialist will be responsible for developing internal technical environmental safeguard standards, reviewing stakeholder engagement policies, and establishing performance requirements for programming. The role also involves conducting gender analyses, developing gender action plans, and ensuring that gender considerations are integrated into the institutions' operations and projects. The incumbent will work closely with various stakeholders, including government focal points, to enhance knowledge and awareness of GCF and climate change.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will perform a variety of specific activities, including conducting research and data collection on EEA and EB programming, reviewing stakeholder engagement and environmental policies for alignment with GCF requirements, establishing environmental and social performance requirements, and preparing frameworks for environmental and social management systems (ESMS). The specialist will also contribute to the development and implementation of environmental and social safeguards, provide technical support to the Eswatini Environment Fund, and help establish a multi-disciplinary committee for adherence to standards. Additionally, the role includes supporting communication, knowledge management, training, and capacity building for EB and EEA staff, ensuring compliance with GCF’s Information Disclosure Policy, conducting gender analyses, and facilitating stakeholder engagement with women’s groups.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Environmental Law, Natural Resources Management, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field. A minimum of five years of relevant experience in environmental and social risk management is required. Proficiency in English at a working knowledge level (level C) is mandatory, and candidates must be nationals of Eswatini. Furthermore, candidates should demonstrate core competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as Environmental Law, Natural Resources Management, Social Sciences, or Development Studies. Candidates must have their qualifications recognized by an institution accredited in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of relevant experience in environmental and social risk management. This experience should include knowledge of international safeguard standards, conducting Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), and stakeholder engagement. Proven experience in developing and conducting training sessions or workshops on social safeguards and gender mainstreaming is also essential.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates must be medically fit for appointment and meet any residency or visa requirements. The appointment is also subject to security clearances. For additional employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website.