Organizational Setting

The main aim of FAO Country Office, headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO Kyrgyzstan assists the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to develop policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO participates in the development and implementation of field projects in the sectors of food security, agriculture and rural development. This requires the integration within the broader framework of sustainable food and agriculture that aims at increasing production and productivity, addressing climate change, and managing natural resources; and enhance rural livelihoods.

In this context, the FAO is implementing in collaboration with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the GCF funded project “Carbon Sequestration through Climate Investment in Forests and Rangelands (CS-FOR)” (GCP/KYR/020/GCF). Project activities are aligned to the immediate needs, as well as longer term development challenges associated with Agenda 2030 and beyond. The project objective is to increase carbon sequestration through supporting climate investments in forests and rangelands and through reducing drivers of degradation and emissions via institutional support, participatory ecosystem-based sustainable management of natural resources and green growth investments. This assignment will contribute to project objective, such as to contribute to the development of a low carbon-emission and climate-resilient economy, while capitalizing important co-benefits from adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

Reporting Lines

The Environmental and Social Safeguards/Grievance Redress Mechanism (ESS/GRM) Specialist provides support to the project implementation under the overall supervision of the FAOR and the direct supervision of the International Forestry Specialist and CTA, the technical supervision of Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and operational leadership of the National Project Coordinator and in close cooperation with the relevant project teams and Operational Partners of the project.

Technical Focus

Natural resource management, climate change mitigation and adaptation, social, economics, value chains development.
Preparation of site-specific ESMPs in line with the project's ESMF to ensure sufficient guidance is provided to FAO and Operational Partners (OPs) during the selection, preparation, and implementation of project activities in order to avoid or minimize environmental and social risks and negative impacts and enhance the environmental and social performance addressing gender gaps. Development an application of proper selection criteria for activities, planning that considers environmental and social criteria, sound implementation and monitoring, and disclosure, consultation and feedback.

Tasks and responsibilities

To achieve the above objective and with the support of relevant FAO consultants, the ESS/GRM Specialist will carry out the following:

•    Identify potential environmental and social risks and impacts associated with project activities, including gender equality and social inclusion considerations.
•    Support disclosure of the ESMP as per requirements of the FAO and GCF.
•    Establish and maintain feedback mechanisms within the GRM to inform stakeholders about grievance progress and resolution.
•    Ensure integration of GRM procedures within project communication, monitoring, and reporting systems.
•    Ensure ESMP implementation and produce Sub-projects of the ESMP for pilot territories.
•    Maintain responsibility for recording, processing, referring, and monitoring grievances through appropriate confidential channels, including anonymous reporting where applicable, while ensuring confidentiality and effective implementation of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM).
•    Provide a series of training courses to establish a clear understanding of the institutional requirements, roles and responsibilities for adopting and implementing ESMF, including 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 implementation.
•    Facilitate regular public consultations on environmental and social protection measures of project activities, including disseminating the available channels of the GRM at both the project and field levels.
•    Support organization of the explanatory work among the pilot forestries, local communities and institutions, stakeholders in the implementation of project activities on the ground, as well as in case of conflict situations on environmental and social issues; to reach both women and men, including vulnerable groups (such as female-headed households, low-income families, unemployed).
•    Facilitate the definition of technical assistance requirements for FAO, civil society organizations, service providers, and public institutions involved in ESMF implementation and supervision.
•    Regularly monitor and ensure compliance with the requirements of safety and labor protection in the process of implementing project activities;
•    Supports the development and improvement of Integrated Natural Resource Management and Climate Resilience Plans (INRMCRP) from the Environmental and Social Safeguards perspective and its further implementation in pilot target areas;
•    Guide the work of consultants and subcontractors and oversee compliance with agreed work plans in the field of Environmental and Social Safeguards.
•    Coordinate all Environmental and Social Safeguards activities to ensure that project results are in accordance with the Project Document and FAO/GCF rules and procedures.
•    Facilitate the screening of the developed feasibility materials and business-plans under Component 3 and ensure compliance according to the FAO/GCF/RKDF Environmental and Social Management Frameworks.
•    Support the development of the project workplan, project progress reports, and any relevant documents, reports, plans under the project.
•    Based on a detailed description of the project, develop and provide guidance on environmental and social criteria to be used during the identification and selection of priority activities. Develop a list of activities that are not recommended for support due to poor environmental or social performance.
•    Provide regular monthly progress reports on Environmental and Social Safeguards implementation.
•    Prepare, update, and/or coordinate the preparation of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and other required environmental and social safeguard instruments for newly developed project activities and sub-projects, in accordance with FAO, GCF, GEF, and national environmental and social safeguard requirements.
•    Undertake any other project-related duties assigned by the PIU, FAO, or the National Project Coordinator.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    An advanced university degree in agriculture, forestry natural resource management, environmental science, environmental engineering, or related fields required;
•    At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in the preparation, implementation, and review of Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMFs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs/ESAs), environmental and social management plans, and reporting frameworks.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of Russian and Kyrgyz
•    National of Kyrgyzstan.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/ Functional skills

•    Excellent communication and inter-personnel skills.
•    Strong knowledge of agriculture and pasture management issues in Kyrgyzstan, including the political, institutional and socio-economic aspects;
•    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;
•    Familiarity with FAO policies, in particular the Framework for Environmental and Social Management;
•    Familiarity with the environmental and social safeguard requirements of the project's resource partners, is considered an asset.
•    Strong knowledge and experience in regional and international gender and climate strategies, programmes and implementations
•    Working experience with ministries, national institutions, NGOs and agricultural sector on national and local level in Kyrgyzstan;
•    Ability to effectively coordinate large-scale project activities involving stakeholders on various levels;
•    Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills;
•    Strong computer skills, in particular mastery of all applications of the MS Office package and internet search;
•    Excellent writing and communication skills in Russian and Kyrgyz. English is an asset;
•    Ability to solve problems and the ability to make effective and timely decisions in crisis situations.
•    At least 5 years of experience with national, regional or international projects.
•    Excellent writing and communication skills in Russian and Kyrgyz. English is an asset.
•    National or Resident of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Selection criteria

• Limited knowledge of English will be considered as an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.