Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist

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• 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

Serbia is a landlocked country located on the Balkan Peninsula, with forests covering approximately 30 percent of its territory and playing an important role in rural livelihoods, energy security and climate change mitigation. However, forest ecosystems are increasingly vulnerable to climate change impacts, including droughts, rising temperatures, fires, pest outbreaks and extreme weather events. Key drivers of forest degradation include unsustainable fuelwood extraction, limited financial and technical capacity of forest owners, and insufficient investments in climate-adaptive forest management. Agriculture, forestry and fisheries remain critical sectors for employment and economic development, particularly in rural areas.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) plays a central role in supporting countries in the Europe and Central Asia region to address these challenges. The FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) leads FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development and oversees the FAO Project Office in Serbia, which is responsible for planning, implementation and monitoring of the country programme in close coordination with national stakeholders, the United Nations Country Team and technical units at regional and headquarters levels.

In this context, the Green Climate Fund (GCF)-funded project “Enhancing the resilience of Serbian forests to support energy security, livelihoods and carbon sequestration” (FOREST Invest) was approved and became operational in February 2025, with total financing (including co-financing) of USD 83.8 million. FAO serves as the Executing Entity (EE) and is responsible for implementation of all GCF-funded activities and management of proceeds, while the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management (MoAFWM), Public Enterprise “Srbijašume” (PES), and Public Enterprise “Vojvodinašume” (PEV) act as co-executing partners through their respective co-financing contributions.

The project aims to strengthen the contribution of the forestry sector to Serbia’s low-carbon development pathway by supporting climate-adaptive silviculture, forest restoration and afforestation, sustainable biomass value chains, carbon finance mechanisms, and private sector engagement. Activities will be implemented in Central Serbia and the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, in alignment with Serbia’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plan and Low Carbon Development Strategy.
In accordance with FAO’s Framework for Environmental and Social Management (FESM) and GCF safeguards requirements, the project has been classified as a moderate risk (Category B) intervention. An Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) has been prepared to guide the identification, assessment, mitigation and monitoring of environmental and social risks, which are primarily associated with on-ground forestry activities such as afforestation, forest restoration and establishment of shelterbelts.

These risks are expected to be localized and manageable through appropriate mitigation measures, stakeholder engagement and the development of site-specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs).
To support this process, a National Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist will be engaged to contribute to the preparation, implementation and monitoring of safeguards instruments, including Environmental and Social Assessments (ESA) and ESMPs. The Specialist will ensure compliance with FAO’s FESM, national environmental legislation and applicable GCF requirements, while supporting the systematic identification, mitigation, monitoring and reporting of environmental and social risks throughout project implementation.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia (REU)and the NPO Programme in Serbia, in close coordination with the GCF Project Manager, the FAO Project Technical Coordinator, and in close liaison and technical guidance from the REU Gender Officer, the project’s Senior Technical Advisor and national counterparts, The Specialist will report to and will be under the technical supervision of the Senior Technical Advisor of the FOREST Invest project and guidance of REU Gender Officer.

Technical Focus

The main objective of this assignment is to manage, support and monitor the implementation of the above mentioned safeguards instruments and plans. The assignment includes the collection and analysis of primary and secondary data to ensure that the project’s environmental and social risks are mitigated in accordance with the plans, and to identify changes to the risks identified, adjusting the mitigation measures accordingly, as needed. The Specialist will also ensure that the stakeholder engagement plan is implemented effectively and the Grievance Redress Mechanism is functioning.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of FAO and the Project Manager, the Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist will support the implementation and monitoring of environmental and social safeguards to ensure compliance with FAO, national, and Green Climate Fund (GCF) requirements.

Environmental and Social Management and Safeguards Instruments

• Support implementation and monitoring of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF).
• Contribute to the preparation, review and implementation of Environmental and Social Assessments (ESA) and Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs).
• Conduct environmental and social screening of project activities and ensure integration of mitigation measures into project design, workplans, budgets and contracts.
• Monitor safeguards risks and compliance, including through regular field visits, and support corrective actions as needed.
• Provide safeguards inputs for project reporting, including APRs and internal monitoring systems.
• Deliver training and awareness activities on safeguards requirements for project stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement and Disclosure

• Support the implementation and update of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP).
• Facilitate inclusive consultations with national and local stakeholders, including vulnerable groups.
• Ensure proper documentation, disclosure and communication of safeguards-related information and processes.
• Maintain records of stakeholder feedback and contribute to reporting on engagement activities.

Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)

• Support the implementation and operationalization of the project GRM.
• Receive, document and track grievances, supporting their timely resolution in line with FAO procedures.
• Maintain grievance records and provide regular updates on status and outcomes.
• Monitor the effectiveness of the GRM and suggest improvements where needed.
• Contribute GRM-related inputs to project safeguards reporting.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in environmental sciences, natural resources management, environmental law, social sciences, forestry, sustainable development or a related field. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the formulation and implementation of environmental and social management frameworks and plans, environmental and social impact assessments, and related reporting frameworks within development projects.
• Demonstrated experience in the preparation and/or implementation of ESIA/ESA, ESMPs and other safeguards instruments related to forestry, natural resources management, climate change, biodiversity or rural development projects.
• Working knowledge of English (level C) and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO languages (level B).
• For PSAs working knowledge of English would be sufficient.,
• Working knowledge of Serbian is highly desired.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience working with international organizations, development partners or climate finance projects is considered an asset.
• Field experience and experience conducting site visits and safeguards monitoring in rural areas.
• Familiarity with FAO’s Framework for Environmental and Social Management (FESM) and/or the environmental and social safeguards requirements of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) or other international financial institutions is considered a strong asset.
• Quality of both oral and written communication skills.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

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

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