National Environmental and Social Risk Specialist
South Sudan
- Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Location: South Sudan
- Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
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Occupational Groups:
- Environment
- Climate Change
- Closing Date: 2025-12-18
IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
Organizational Setting
The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist Governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.
The FAO Representation in South Sudan is organized around three main units\: Programme, Operations and Administration. The current portfolio of projects in South Sudan includes activities related to agriculture, livestock, fisheries and natural resource management, and is implemented with humanitarian, transitional and development funding. The incumbent will contribute to the country's programme and portfolio as foreseen in the projects.
This position will support the FAO South Sudan programme, specifically working on activities to ensure aspects of Environmental and Social Risks Management (ESRM) in project design, implementation and monitoring are addressed in line with both FAO and Donor frameworks. Despite overall positive impacts from FAO projects, it is necessary to ensure that risks of negative environmental or social impacts emerging from the complexities of implementation in South Sudan are addressed.
Reporting Lines
The National Environmental and Social Risk Specialist works under the overall supervision of FAO Representative for South Sudan, the general guidance of the Senior Programme Officer, the direct supervision of the Head of Environmental and Social Safeguards Unit, and in close consultation with the Social Risk Specialist.
Technical Focus
The incumbent will be tasked to develop environmental and social instruments for the implementation of environmental social safeguards of donors.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Support in the integration of FAO’s Framework for Environmental and Social Management in project designing, programming and implementation.
• Provide conceptual and technical expertise on mainstreaming key environmental and social requirements in all stages of the project/programme management cycle, in accordance with donor requirements (e.g., World Bank. AfDB, GEF, GCF inter alia)
• Undertake environmental and social screening of subproject activity sites, categorize the impacts according to FAO’s FESM and in accordance with donor environmental & social frameworks, and develop screening reports.
• Support in the development and update of environmental and social instruments (ESMPs, ESIA, SEPs, SMP, LMP, ESMF, IPM, PVMPs et al.) in accordance with donor environmental frameworks requirements and alignment with the national laws.
• Train implementing partners in the operationalization of FAO’s FESM, and other multilateral development banks frameworks.
• Support in review of contractor C-ESMPs, CoCs in accordance with FESM and donor requirements.
• Support in monitoring of safeguards compliance in close coordination with FAOSS’ Engineering and M&E units in a timely manner.
• Conduct regular project site visits to assess and enforce compliance with national policies and good international practices.
• Prepare regular monthly, quarterly and annual environmental and social implementation reports outlining enforcement and compliance in the implementation of environmental and social framework in project programming.
• Build capacity of FAO’s staff, implementing partners and key stakeholders on Environmental and Social safeguards.
• Support implementation of OHS/EHS/CHS protocols in accordance with Good International Industrial practices (GIIP) compliance and enhancement
• Perform annual Environmental and Social Audits in line with the donor requirements.
• Develop summaries of developed environmental & Social Safeguards plans.
• Contribute to advocacy activities, information dissemination and knowledge building relating to safeguards practices and policies.
• Support the implementation of policies, procedures and measures intended to prevent, reduce, mitigate and/or compensate for the unintended negative impacts of project interventions.
• Perform any other tasks required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced University degree (Masters) in Environmental Science, Environmental Policy, Environmental Studies, Environmental risk Management, Sustainability Studies, Environmental/Social Risk Analysis, Environmental Law, Environmental Social Governance Management, Sustainability Agriculture, Conservation, Environmental Health, Geography, Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, Environmental Engineering or any other relevant field.
• Minimum three (3) years of relevant experience in the following areas\: experience with environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA/EIA), development of environmental and social instruments (ESMF, ESIA, EIA, ESMP etc), environmental, social and human rights due diligence, environmental management planning, compliance to FAO and international performance standards (equator principles etc), experience with environmental and social risk management of infrastructure projects, project management, livelihoods restoration and social conflict management and experience with working with stakeholders at different levels. Candidates without a master’s degree need an additional 2 years of relevant work experience.
• Working knowledge of English (level C). Working knowledge (level B) of one local language is an advantage
• National of South Sudan
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Strong analytical, written and verbal skills with good command of safeguards language and reporting
• Ability to work under minimal supervision and flexibility, under high pressure situations with tight deadlines
• Ability to interact and engage with different stakeholders of multiple socio-economic backgrounds
Selection Criteria
• Knowledge of World Bank’s Environmental Management Framework (ESMF) and the African Development Banks Integrated Safeguards System (ISS) is an advantage
• Knowledge and experience FAO’s Framework for Environmental and Social Management (FESM) is an advantage
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/
- For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/.These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.