Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist

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 is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

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 has been working in Lebanon since 1977. FAO Lebanon project portfolio has been growing in response to the different crises. Projects mainly target farmers, fishers, and their organisations with the aim of building their resilience and capacity to access potential markets, while undertaking sustainable management of resources.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Lebanon is supporting national efforts to enhance sustainable agricultural development, improve food security, and strengthen the resilience of rural livelihoods. The National Plant Protection/Plant Production Specialist will contribute to the implementation of projects aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, promoting environmentally friendly practices, and mitigating plant health risks.

Background Country and Project

The FAO is implementing a project in Lebanon funded by the World Bank. The project entitled “Employment creation for vulnerable Lebanese citizens and Syrian displaced population in livestock value chain” is implemented in Lebanon in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture. 
The project responds to the limited job creation in the dairy value chain despite the high demand on dairy products as well as the high reliance on imported animal feed and reduced milk quality. It tackles their negative impact through support to the dairy value chain in improving quality and competitiveness in addition to the job creation for both host communities and displaced Syrians. The project aims as well to promote domestic fodder production and enhance veterinary services and provide technical support and sources of financing. The project is in line with Lebanon’s updated 2021 Nationally Determined Contribution, which lists strengthening the resilience of the agriculture sector to climate change as a pillar of the country’s adaptation strategy.
The project has two main components:
Component 1: Enhancing dairy value chains for generating employment and increasing incomes.
Component 2: Climate resilient fodder and feed production.

General Objectives of the Assignment

The following are terms of reference for the implementation of environmental and social (ES) safeguards instruments (risk management plans) for project “Employment creation for vulnerable Lebanese citizens and Syrian displaced population in livestock value chain”. As per the project risk category and ES risks identified during completion of the risk screening checklist of the project and other risk assessments. Instruments such as: Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and Stakeholder Engagement Plan, Grievance Redress Mechanism. During the project’s implementation phase, the ES mitigation measures and stakeholder engagement arrangements included in the instruments need to be implemented and monitored. 

The main objective of this assignment is to manage, support and monitor the implementation of the above-mentioned ESMF, the Stakeholder Engagement Plan and the project Grievance Redress Mechanism. 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.  

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and direct supervision of the Resilience and Liaison Officer, in consultation with the AFAOR Programme.

Technical Focus

The Specialist needs to manage the mitigation measures and arrangements described in the risk management and stakeholder engagement plans cleared by the ESM unit:  

Tasks and responsibilities

Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF)

•    Implement/ provide support to the implementation, and monitor the implementation of the applicable ESMF, including screening of sub-projects using FAO’s FESM templates and classification of risks;
•    Support the project in managing the implementation of the mitigation measures described in the ESMF;
•    Identify triggered safeguard standards (ESS1–10) and recommend appropriate mitigation measures, including site-specific ESMPs, Codes of Conduct, or proportionate tools.
•    Support the project in the inclusion of ES provisions into contracts with implementing partners and contractors.
•    Integrate resource efficiency and pollution prevention measures (ESS3) and exclude ineligible sub-projects.
•    Document and archive screening outputs in accordance with disclosure, audit, and accountability requirements.
•    Provide regular training to the project team and service providers;   
•    Update the ESMF, if new risks are identified;
•    Collect and provide information on the implementation of the plans, for the preparation of the Project Progress Report (PPR), twice a year, and the Project Implementation Review (PIR), once a year.

Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP)

•    Monitor the implementation of the SEP;
•    Suggest and maintain tracking tools for safeguarding and SEP actions over the project lifetime;
•    Support the project in stakeholders engagement arrangements, including regular consultations; 
•    Ensure vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalized groups are engaged;
•    Update, as needed, and publish the SEP in the FAO disclosure portal and communication channels. The update of the SEP will take into consideration changes in stakeholders identified, engagement strategies and frequency, and issues raised/discussed. Guidance on disclosure available at ESOP2: Stakeholder engagement 
•    Collect and provide information on the implementation of the SEP, for the preparation of the Project Progress Report and the Project Implementation Review.

Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)

•    Liaise with the GRM focal point of the FAO Lebanon Country 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, for the preparation of the Project Progress Report and the Project Implementation Review, country annual report (FAO) and ESS monitoring in FPMIS.
•    Liaise with the Safeguards and Grievance Focal Point from the Country Office.

Project Management 

•    Support the establishment and operationalization of the Project Management Unit (PMU) with safeguards responsibilities.
•    Support the project by providing technical advice to ensure environmental and social (E&S) considerations are integrated across all project components, phases, and reports.
•    Liaise with the Project Coordinator and Safeguards and Grievance Focal Point to track risk mitigation, performance, and safeguards deliverables.
•    Provide technical guidance for incorporating mitigation into procurement, operational planning, and field activities.
•    Ensure the assessment and management of community health and safety risks, including security risks and preparation of Security Management Plans (SMPs), where applicable.
•    Support the development and implementation of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures.
•    Support the project in reviewing the contracted Third-Party Monitoring Agent (TPMA) findings.
 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in environmental sciences, environmental health, agriculture or related fields. 
•    At least 5 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 and Arabic.
•    National of Lebanon or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

•    Field experience is an asset. 
•    Extent and relevance of experience in ESIA, 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), is considered an asset.
•    Familiarity with the environmental and social safeguard requirements of the project's resource partners is considered an asset.