Social Safeguard Specialist

Organizational Setting

The project “Building a Resilient Churia Region in Nepal” (BRCRN) was approved by the 24^th meeting of the Board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in November 2019, and is Nepal’s first full-size GCF project. FAO, as the nominated Accredited Entity (AE) for the project, is responsible to the GCF for implementation of the project and is also co-Executing Entity (EE) with the Ministry of Forest and Environment (MoFE) of the Government of Nepal (GoN). The BRCRN project will be implemented in 26 critical river systems in the southeast region of Nepal, covering parts of Provinces 1, 2 and 3, linking the Churia hills and upper Terai, and aims to promote widespread adoption of climate-resilient land use practices, confront the challenges of deforestation and forest degradation, better maintain the forest ecosystem in the Churia hills, and build resilience to climate-induced hazards.

In its capacity as co-EE, FAO will provide intensive technical support during the project to develop the detailed plans for project investment over years 3-7, to develop capacity among relevant national, provincial and local institutions for project implementation, to ensure quality control of the technical services provided through project implementing partners, and to provide technical advice to the project management team. This FAO TA component will design and provide the managerial as well as technical advisory services required. The National Safeguards Expert will provide technical support for the implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Framework and Plan (ESMF/P) for the BRCRN project as part of the combined FAO/MoFE Project Management Unit (PMU).

The National Safeguards Specialist will be responsible for implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), Indigenous Peoples Plan (IPP), Social Inclusion Management Plan (SIMP) and for development of approaches, guidelines and tools for mainstreaming of the ESMF throughout the project implementation period.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall operational supervision of FAO Representative in Nepal, in close consultation with the Assistant FAO Representative (Program)l, direct supervision of the TA Team Manager, in close cooperation with the BRCRN National Project Director (NPD) under MoFE, with guidance of the REDD /NFM focal point and senior forestry officer in RAP, and in coordination with the wider REDD NFM cluster team in NFO HQ and in the Asia Pacific region the National Consultant-Social Safeguard Specialist (SE) will undertake the assigned activities/task.

Technical Focus

• Develop approaches, guidelines and tools for mainstreaming ESMF throughout project implementation
• Capacity building on safeguards for project personnel and partners: PMU, PPMU, TA component staff and stakeholders involved in the project activities
• Integration of safeguard policy in project implementation, develop communication materials, disseminate good practices and learning
• Monitoring and reporting of safeguard

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Social Safeguard Specialist will be responsible for the following tasks:

Task 1: Develop approaches, guidelines and tools for mainstreaming ESMF throughout project implementation

• With reference to FAO internal guidance on Environmental and Social risk screening, and related guidelines and institutional policies such as those on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), develop targeted approaches for screening project periodic work plans, activities and contracts, and incorporating remedial measures to risks identified.
• Develop adapted, simplified safeguard policy, guidelines and tools for BRCRN, in line with FAO policy
• Facilitate integration of safeguard policy in Annual work plan and budget (AWPB) and in implementation of project activities.
• Review and update safeguard policy periodically, as necessary

Task 2: Capacity building on safeguards for project personnel and partners: PMU, PPMU, TA component staff and stakeholders involved in the project activities

• Develop training materials, provide training and onsite coaching on safeguards to PMU, PPMU and TA component staff
• Support in capacity building on safeguards to stakeholders and partners involved in delivering project activities.
• Build awareness on safeguard policy/guidelines/tools with stakeholders at national and province level.

Task 3: Integration of safeguard policy in project implementation, develop communication materials, disseminate good practices and learning

• Prepare communication materials related to safeguards, gender, IPP, low carbon footprint and disseminate using eco-clubs, farmer’s field schools and other channels as appropriate
• Coordinate with similar projects, programmes of development partners and stakeholders at national and provincial levels to promote coordinated learning and approaches to good practices in safeguards
• General backstopping and technical advisory support to MoFE/PMU Safeguards Officer
• Mobilize Eco-clubs and Farmer Field School (FFS) for awareness on environmental and social safeguard at community level

Task 4: Monitoring and reporting of safeguard

• Develop safeguard data management and reporting framework and integrate with project database system
• Monitor regularly the activities implemented focusing on compliance with ESMF, prepare report, including recommendations for remedial actions as necessary, for sharing with project management bodies and inclusion in regular reporting to GCF as appropriate
• Monitor and advice on implementation of Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) of the project.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• National of Nepal
• Advanced University (Master) degree in Sociology, Conflict Management, Rural development, Business Management or related subject
• Minimum 7 years of work experience in advisory and technical service delivery on social and environmental safeguards or risk assessment.
• Working knowledge of English and Nepali
• Candidate should have knowledge of computer skills in English and Nepali (MS Office package: word, excel and power point)

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional S

• Knowledge of social and environmental risks of relevance to Climate Change and Watershed Management projects
• Proven ability to work with government of Nepal institutions
• Ability to work with multidisciplinary teams in a multicultural environment
• Proficiency in both spoken and written English;
• Strong inter-personal skills and excellent oral communication skills.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced university degree;
• Relevant Work experience;
• Language skills;
• Extent of relevant technical experience in the related areas
• Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team
• Good working knowledge of English (Written and Spoken)
• Experience with similar internationally funded development projects will be an added advantage