Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Representation in Sierra Leone implements an integrated food security programme, focusing on diversification of livelihoods, managing natural resources and building resilience. The office employs diverse team of experts locally, but also attracts the available technical experts from the region and the Head Quarters (HQ). FAO works in close partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone, farmers and other stakeholders, supporting plans and policies that affect the food and nutrition security in the country; our work is part of the corporate commitment to support countries to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, especially SDG 2 on Zero Hunger. 

Since 2014 FAO has been supporting the Government of Sierra Leone in promoting a land reform process, inspired and guided by the principles of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the context of national food security (VGGT) through legal and policy advice, institutional development, capacity development and support to the establishment of a Technical Working Group (TWG) on Land. 

The passage of the National Land Policy in 2015 and the Customary Land Act as well as the National Land Commission Act (NLCA) in 2022 represent significant land sector reforms towards decentralization, strengthening of women's land rights, and protecting customary land. The Customary Land Rights Act seeks to secure customary land tenure and provides guidance for customary land registration, which is a new process in Sierra Leone. The National Land Commission Act seeks to reform the institutional structures responsible for land administration by merging several land administration functions in one entity. Further, the new land acts call for the decentralization of land administration structures to the district, chiefdom, and village levels. Both acts emphasize the strengthening of women's land rights and women's decision-making power related to land.

Based on the above background, FAO has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Land, Housing and Country Planning (MLHCP) to provide technical assistance for the implementation of the project titled Innovative Solutions for Land Dispute Resolution in Sierra Leone (UTF/SIL/059/SIL), to pilot innovative approaches for land dispute resolution and capacity building of women, youth and other disadvantaged and vulnerable populations in the context of land sector reforms in Sierra Leone, as provided for in the National Land Policy 2015, Customary land Rights Act 2022, National Land Commission Act 2022 and other applicable land and gender laws.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Sierra Leone and the technical supervision of the project Lead Technical Officer (LTO), the Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist will manage, support and monitor the implementation of the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) and the project Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM). 

Technical Focus

The assignment includes the collection and analysis of primary and secondary data to ensure that the project’s ES risks are mitigated in accordance with the plans, and to identify changes to the risks identified and adjust the mitigation measures accordingly. The Specialist will also ensure that the stakeholder engagement plan is implemented effectively and the Grievance Redress Mechanism is functioning.  

The Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist will liaise with the LTO on all aspects of project coordination and implementation including but not limited to:

Tasks and responsibilities

Environmental and Social Commitment Plan

•    Implement/ provide support to the implementation, and monitor the implementation of the applicable ESCP;
•    Manage the implementation of the mitigation measures described in the ESCP;
•    Provide regular training to the project team and service providers;   
•    Update the ESCP, if new risks are identified;
•    Collect and provide information on the implementation of the plans, for the preparation of the environmental and social monitoring report, as well as a report on the implementation of the GRM every four month, as per project agreement between FAO and MLHCP; 

Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP)

•    Monitor the implementation of the SEP;
•    Ensure stakeholders engagement arrangements, including regular consultations; 
•    Ensure vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalized groups are engaged;
•    Update, as needed, the SEP. The update of the SEP will take into consideration changes in stakeholders identified, engagement strategies and frequency, and issues raised/discussed. 
•    Collect and provide information on the implementation of the SEP, for the preparation of the Project Progress Report every six months.
 
Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)

•    Receive and process the grievances received from the project-affected and stakeholders. If not capable of resolving it, search for guidance with the Project Coordinator.  In case the project is using the country office GRM, liaise with the GRM focal point of the decentralized office. Keep a registry of the grievances received and inform the project coordinator, on a monthly basis, on the status of the grievances. 
•    Collect and provide information on the implementation of the GRM every four month and for the preparation of the Project Progress Report every six months.  

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Master’s degree in one of the following: Environmental Management or Policy, Social Development or Social Policy, Climate Change and Sustainability, Environmental Law 
•    At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the formulation and implementation of environmental and social management frameworks and plans, impact assessments, and reporting frameworks
•    Working knowledge of English
•    National of Sierra Leone

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/ Functional Skills

•    Ability to supervise, manage and support to field activities of the project.
•    Ability to manage trainings and capacity building programme of the project. 
•    Relevant experience/ exposure, skills and knowledge in results-based approach/management. 
•    Ability to communicate with different stakeholders.
•    Different types of report writing skills.
•    Computer skill (Microsoft office, Photoshop).
•    Good report writing skills.
•    Experience with the UN agencies in similar position is added advantage. 

Selection Criteria

•    Extent and relevance of experience in ESIA, stakeholder engagement, grievance handling and disclosure in FAO and/or in other development organizations, is considered an asset
•    Familiarity with FAO policies, in particular the Framework for Environmental and Social Management (FESM)
•    Familiarity with the environmental and social safeguard requirements of the project's resource partners, is considered an asset
•    Thorough knowledge of national institutions, and their mandates
•    Previous working experience with UN or international organizations will be an added advantage

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION