Environmental & Social Safeguards Specialist

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP’s values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: https://www.wfp.org and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

WFP strives to be a leader in environmental sustainability within the UN system. In pursuit of this goal, WFP adopted a new Environmental policy in February 2017, and an Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework (ESSF). The Policy commits the organization to avoiding unintended harm to  the environment, its beneficiaries, or any other affected populations as a result of our operations and programmes, and to maximize environmental benefits. The ESSF contains 3 tools: a set of environmental and social standards, risk screening of activity design and mitigation/ management plans  (safeguards), and an environmental management system (EMS) consistent with the international standard ISO 14001. Collectively, these three elements are known as WFP’s Environmental and Social  Sustainability Framework (ESSF).

The ESS Specialist in the Afghanistan Country Office will perform the following tasks on relevant programme areas, with an initial focus on programmes funded by international financial institutions (IFIs) such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank: (i) provide technical support to WFP and partner teams in applying safeguards measures and tools (both during formulation and implementation phases); (ii) train WFP’ staff and partners on the compliance and application of WFP’s and donors’ related safeguards; (iii)  support the development of technical and training material for the implementation of the ESSF, including technical guidance on mitigation measures by also liaising with other WFP’s units; (iv) ensure     compliance with corporate reporting requirements and donors’ requirements on the ESSF and safeguards; and (v) support the integration of strategic environmental and social safeguards assessments within country strategic plans.

In addition to the Head of Programme and activity managers of programme areas, the ESS Specialist will work closely with the Gender, Protection, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), and Security units to ensure all aspects of environmental and social risks and safeguards are considered, implemented, and monitored in a comprehensive and cohesive manner.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Technical support: Support the application of the WFP and (as applicable) donor standards on environmental & social safeguards tools (including   risk screening) to programmatic activities; Support the application of the safeguards’ requirements in new proposals to donors (including IFIs); Check the extent to which alternative screening tools are aligned with WFP’s standards/tools; Provide advice during project implementation and response, to promote adherence to WFP’s environmental and social standards; Support the elaboration and review of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) when required; Revise Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) of high-risk projects when required; Support the formulation of environmental and social safeguards assessments in broader programme planning and strategy processes, including at CSP level as relevant.

Capacity building and training: Promote awareness of WFP’s potential environmental and social impacts and of the safeguards framework as a tool for systematically managing those impacts; Train WFP and partner staff on the application of, and compliance with the Environmental and Social Safeguards requirements through online and face to face training sessions; Collect and share best   practices to promote ongoing engagement and improvement.

Strategic direction and guidance: Seek opportunities to link WFP safeguards to safeguard regulations and capacities; Support the application of safeguards throughout the project implementation cycle within the country offices; Seek opportunities to access regional and country- specific funding sources to increase the involvement of local stakeholders.

Monitoring: Monitor engagement in the implementation of environmental & social safeguards; Identify and record risks in a corporate digital platform and relevant performance dashboards and scorecards; Support reporting on the application of the WFP Safeguards in the Annual Country Reports, and in relevant donor reporting as required.

Reporting: Support the Country Office in reporting on implementation of E&S safeguards, guiding both the Programme and partnerships teams in ensuring this is monitored and reported as part of the reporting structure, draft relevant report sections in coordination with the relevant teams in the CO. Support related inputs to the Annual Country Report, specifically the section on Environmental Sustainability Section (1. Environmental and social safeguards; and 2. Environmental sustainability in operations).

DELIVERABLES:

• Improve the capacity-building at Country Office’s level by providing training,  guidance, and technical support;
• Provide ESS support to developing new country strategies, programs and proposals and ensure that donor requirements in relation to ESS are adequately addressed, implemented, and budgeted for;
• Ensure that the formulation of new Country Strategic Plans includes a strategic assessment of environmental and social risks and provide technical support as required;
• Elaborate and revise Environmental & Social Management Plans (ESMPs) where required, and support Environmental & Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) for high-risk projects when/if required;
• Support reporting on the application of WFP’s safeguards for both specific projects  – IFIs and others as relevant and for activity implementation;
• Perform other ESS-related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in one of the following areas: Environmental Studies, Environmental Management, Engineering, Agriculture, Social Science, International Studies, Human Rights, or a related field;
• Additional education in a complementary field (e.g. additional education in social science when the first degree was in environmental science – or vice versa) would be an advantage;

Experience:

• At least 5 years of post-graduate experience in areas related to: environmental and social sustainability, environmental and social safeguards, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), or corporate sustainability for national and/or international environmental and social safeguards frameworks and regulations;
• Experience directly conducting Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and/or drafting and implementing Environmental and Social Management Plans
• Experience in developing and delivering training;
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, would be an advantage;
• Work experience with the UN, particularly with WFP or WFP’s donors and
• Private sector, would be an advantage;

Knowledge & Skills:

• In-depth understanding of environmental and social sustainability and how they link with food security and humanitarian operations;
• Familiarity with WFP operations, especially cash-based transfers, and its gender, protection and AAP policies;
• Excellent training skills or public speaking skills;
• Proven ability to work and coordinate and communicate effectively across multiple teams and with offices in remote locations.
• Ability to work under pressure, to tight deadlines, in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Ability to plan own workload, with guidance on overall goals, and to meet set deadlines.

Languages:

Excellent written and spoken English (level C) is a requirement; working knowledge of a second official UN language is an advantage.

Type of Contract: Consultant level II

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

 WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our recruitment process is inclusively crafted to welcome candidates of all backgrounds, celebrating diversity and ensuring a respectful environment for all. We aim for an accessible and fair recruitment journey. Should you need any reasonable accommodations or have accessibility concerns, please reach out to us confidentially at global.inclusion@wfp.org. Our DEI team is here to ensure your full participation in our recruitment process.

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.