Organizational Setting

At the country level, the Country Programming Framework (CPF) for Viet Nam has been serving as the basis for FAO’s works in Viet Nam for the period of 2022-2026. Climate Change Response, Disaster Resilience and Environmental Sustainability is one of the four FAO strategic priorities under the CPF. The Country Office (CO), with technical support from RAP GEF team, has successfully mobilized significant resources from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to address the issues related to water resources management, fisheries and aquaculture, environment, biodiversity and ecosystem restoration in Viet Nam.
The assignment will cover 3 ongoing and 1 pipeline GEF projects managed by FAO Viet Nam.
•    “Integrated Sustainable Landscape Management in The Mekong Delta of Vietnam”
•    “Enhancing Water Security, Biodiversity and Resilience of Livelihoods through Integrated Water Resources Management and Ecosystem Restoration in Viet Nam’s Red River Basin”
•    “Enhancing water management and compliance to address hypoxia caused by nutrients, and other pollutants, into the Gulf of Tonkin (Vietnam)”
•    “Supporting sustainable fisheries development through the promotion of initiatives, environmentally-friendly technologies and climate adaptation”

Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports to the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) in Viet Nam.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will support the formulation of the Project Document for GEF as well as support the implementation of ongoing GEF projects of FAO Viet Nam within the area of expertise of the position.

Under the overall administrative supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) in Viet Nam, the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) from RAP, and in collaboration with FAO GEF specialists and the entire PPG team, the National Gender, Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist will be responsible for generating and collating information to inform the technical content, structure and implementation approach of the project.

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Gender, Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist will support the GEF Design Expert and the GEF Specialists in carrying out the following tasks:

For Ongoing projects

•    Support the Operational Partners on the formulation of the Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA), Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) / Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), Gender Action Plan (GAP), Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), and Indigenous Peoples Plan (IPP) where applicable;
•    Monitor and collect information on the implementation of the aforementioned plans and mechanisms for the preparation of the Project Progress Report (PPR), twice a year, and the Project Implementation Review (PIR), once a year;
•    Update the project risk management plans if new risks are identified;
•    Liaise with the Safeguards and Grievance Focal Point from the FAOVN Country Office and RAP Safeguard Taskforce to ensure alignment with FAO ESS rules and procedures;
•    Provide regular training to the project team and service providers where appropriate;

For Pipeline project

Gender Safeguards

•    Compile a gender analysis based on literature review and the field data collected to understand underlying gender dynamics;
•    Based on the gender analysis, support the development of a Gender Action Plan (GAP) with specific entry points for gender mainstreaming into project design and implementation to ensure that women, men, youth and all relevant social groups can equally benefit from project interventions;
•    Support the drafting (provide inputs and review other sections for gender and socio-environmental elements) of the ProDoc sections relevant including a gender-responsive results framework;
•    Ensure that gender considerations are mainstreamed throughout the PPG process by using gender lenses to review supporting baseline reports and project document;
•    Identify any negative implications/risks (i.e. creating/contribution to community issues that can have negative repercussions on women) and potential mitigation solutions.

Environmental and Social Safeguards

•    Identify all relevant potential environmental risks and social concerns that may arise as a result of the project;
•    In collaboration with the PPG team, support the development of the project’s safeguarding instruments, including the ESA, ESMF / ESMP, SEP, GAP, GRM, and IPP where applicable;
•    Establish a clear understanding of the institutional requirements, roles and responsibilities for adopting and implementing the ESMF/ESMP. Importantly, this should include a thorough review of the authority and capability of institutions at different levels (e.g. local, district, governorate and national) and their capacity to manage and monitor ESMF/ ESMP implementation.
•    Review and support the formulation of realistic and effective arrangements to develop the capacity to manage environmental and social due diligence processes and activities in the project; propose reporting lines, review and approval functions; identify the required resources and technical assistance measures to establish and maintain capacity for the project duration and beyond; develop a process (incl. timeline, budget, organizational requirements, required trainer profiles and expertise) for building and enhancing the capacity of the institutions responsible for implementing the ESMF/ESMP;
•    Identify the requirements for technical assistance to FAO, civil society organizations (CSOs), service providers and public sector institutions to implement, manage, supervise, observe or support the implementation of the ESMF/ ESMP;
•    Estimate a realistic budget to be allocated for timely implementation of the ESMF/ ESMP in the project execution phase (as per detailed budget).

Ethnic minorities

•    Compile and analyse data on ethnic minorities in the target areas;
•    Contribute to the drafting of a section for the ProDoc summarising the analysis of data of ethnic minorities, in particular their livelihoods and vulnerabilities in the context of climate change and natural resource management;
•    Support the development of an engagement plan for ethnic minorities tailored for the project implementation.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree (Bachelor or Master) in Sociology, Anthropology/Environmental Management or related field;
•    At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in environmental and social safeguarding;
•    Working knowledge in English and Vietnamese;
•    National of Viet Nam or resident of the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Previous experience working on GEF projects or other international donors’ projects preferred;
•    Relevant experience in working in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, particularly in multilateral organizations;
•    Experience in working with partners in Viet Nam at all levels (Ministries, provinces, private sectors, etc.);
•    Good command of computer skills;
•    Good research, analysis, and report writing skills;
•    Proven ability to deliver quality outputs working under tight deadlines.