Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) Consultant

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

FAO's Subregional Office for the Caribbean (SLC) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing food, agriculture, and rural development priorities in the sub-region. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC), in Santiago, Chile. SLC is located in Barbados and is responsible for 13 countries of the subregion. SLC houses the FAO Multi-Country Office for Barbados and six OECS (Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States) countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines).

The primary mission of the FAO offices in the countries, led by the FAO Representative, is to collaborate with governments in the development of policies, programs, and projects to achieve food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition. This includes helping to develop the agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors and using their environmental and natural resources sustainably.
The project FISH-ADAPT is a Green Climate Fund (GCF) financed project, developed by FAO in direct response to a request by the Government of Saint Lucia (GoSL). The GoSL, acting through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development and the Ministry of Finance Economic Development and the Youth Economy (the GCF National Designated Authority) also requested FAO to act as Executing Entity. FISH-ADAPT will support the scale-up of previous initiatives by implementing key elements of the Saint Lucia Fisheries Sectoral Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan (SASAP). The project will help to make fishing safer and more productive despite a changing climate and help ensure that improved livelihoods do not require catching ever-increasing volumes of wild fish. The project establishes paradigm shifting pathways that will permanently change the operation of Saint Lucia’s fisheries sector, improve the climate resilience of over 5,000 fishers, fishworkers and aquaculture farmers, and their households (total estimated direct beneficiaries of 10,000) and improve access to finance and insurance for long-term sustainability. The benefits from FISH-ADAPT will transcend fisheries to positively impact 62,000 people working in the tourism and hospitality industry and strengthen ecosystem services provided by approximately 25 hectares of mangrove and 7 ha of coastal coral reef, and serves as a model for scale-up and further climate adaptation actions across the Caribbean and in other regions, by building stakeholder capacity, strengthening private sector linkages, and enhancing coordination mechanisms and knowledge-sharing at national and regional levels.

The project is comprised of four main components:

•     Transform and reorient fishing systems for safety in a changing climate. 
•     Implement Nature-based Solutions and sustainable fishing practices to improve. ecosystem health and fish stock sustainability in response to climatic changes.
•     Increase financial resilience and diversify incomes for fishing sector stakeholders.
•     Strengthen institutional structures for participatory climate adaptation.
These four mutually reinforcing components address key elements of the climate resilience challenge facing Saint Lucia’s fishing sector and propose adaptation solutions targeting i) the artisanal fishing vessels and traditional practices that form the core of the sector; ii) the landing sites and fish processing facilities that support those vessels; iii)the nearby seamoss farms and coastal ecosystems that serve as critical fish habitat; iv) the key role of aquaculture in increasing fish production for the island, and v) the need to mobilize credit, insurance and other financial services, and engage private actors.

For more information about the project, please review: SAP053: FISH-ADAPT: Transforming climate resilience and sustainability in Saint Lucia's fisheries communities | Green Climate Fund

Reporting Lines

The Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer in the FAO Subregional Office for the Caribbean and the Lead Technical Officer of the project, with day-to-day supervision and technical guidance from the Project Coordinator - International Fisheries Specialist and in close collaboration with the other members of the project team, and the staff  in the FAO SLC, HQ and RLC.

Technical Focus

The objective of this consultancy is to provide technical support to ensure that the FISH-ADAPT project complies with environmental and social safeguards requirements. The consultant will assist in the implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and related safeguard instruments.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Conduct comprehensive Environmental and Social Assessments (ESAs) for all project activities, using FAO's ESS Screening Checklist.
•     Prepare ESMPs for sub-projects as needed, in collaboration with technical experts.
•     Coordinate closely with the Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) Specialist to ensure gender-sensitive approaches are integrated into all safeguards activities.
•     Provide training to Project Management Unit (PMU) staff and implementing agencies on the ESAP, stakeholder engagement, and the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM).
•     Present and explain the ESAP and GRM to stakeholders during consultations and incorporate feedback into the Annual Work Plan and Budget.
•     Monitor and evaluate the implementation of mitigation measures and contribute to the project's M&E framework.
•     Ensure the project adheres to FAO’s Framework for Environmental and Social Management (FESM) and the principles of human rights-based approaches.
•     Implement and oversee the GRM, including receiving, logging, and tracking grievances, and ensuring timely resolution.
•     Act as focal point for SEAH (Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment) grievance cases, ensuring survivor-centered and gender-responsive mechanisms.
•     Ensure confidentiality and ethical handling of SEAH and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) complaints and facilitate linkages to support services.
•     Support the development and dissemination of SEAH risk mitigation procedures and training for project staff and stakeholders.
•     Collaborate with the PMU and in continuous collaboration with the National Stakeholder Engagement Consultant to maintain ongoing stakeholder engagement and update the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP).
•     Attend occasional work or team building meetings to be held at the Fisheries Department offices of in Castries, when requested.
•     Perform other project-related tasks as required

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 area related to agriculture, environmental sciences, social sciences, natural resource management, or related field; Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience
•     At least 5 years of relevant experience in the formulation and review of environmental and social management frameworks, impact assessments, management plans and reporting frameworks ESS, implementation
•     Working knowledge of English (level C)

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Extensive knowledge of environmental and social safeguards frameworks. 
•     Strong communication and reporting skills in English 
•     Sensitivity to working with organizations, communities, and local authorities
•     Basic computer skills.
•     Ability to establish networks and alliances.
•     Leadership, initiative, creativity, responsibility, and flexibility.
•     Ability to always act with extreme discretion regarding documents, information, and materials.

Selection Criteria

•     Extent and relevance of experience in Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), stakeholder engagement, grievance handling and disclosure in FAO and/or in other development organizations, is considered an asset
•     Knowledge of the Saint Lucia Fishing sector, as well as key institutions and policy frameworks relevant for the environmental and social safeguard of the project