VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: Environmental & Social Safeguards Officer

The Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA) invites suitably qualified, experienced, innovative, result oriented and self-driven individuals who are citizens of SADC to apply for the following position tenable at CCARDESA Secretariat in Gaborone, Republic of Botswana.

Interested and qualified individuals are encouraged to submit applications saved as a single PDF file clearly labelled the positions being applied for on the subject line to recruitment@ccardesa.org addressed to:

The Executive Director

ATT: Head of HR

CCARDESA Secretariat

P/Bag 00357

Gaborone, Republic of Botswana

Applicants are required to attach Motivation Letter, CV’s, certified copies of educational, professional certificates and references. Applications with inadequate supporting documents will not be considered.

Only applicants who meet the requirements of CCARDESA will be considered for interview. Should you not hear from the CCARDESA within two months after the closing date, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful.

Applications received through any other sources will not be considered.

FOOD SYSTEMS RESILIENCE PROJECT (FSRP)

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS OFFICER

1. Overview of the Position

All activities implemented by CCARDESA have to meet acceptable levels of environmental and social standards in order to minimize impact on the environment and maintain social responsibility. The Environment and Social Safeguards Officer provides technical leadership in ensuring that the activities implemented under the FSRP either cause no environmental and social concerns or are accompanied by effective mitigation and preventive measures. The officer also has the responsibility of identifying potential environmental and social risks, designing early measures for managing them and ensuring that the measures are implemented/enforced. The position requires that the incumbent drafts reports and monitors the activities of the project to identify any potential environmental and social issues of concern. In view of the subtle nature of some environmental and social issues, the Officer should also provide training, create awareness and ensure mainstreaming of the necessary safeguards into new programmes and activities.

2. Duties and responsibilities

Reporting to the Food Systems Resilience Project Coordinator, the Environment and Social Safeguards Officer will be responsible for coordination and implementation of environment and social safeguards related aspects under the FSRP. Major duties and responsibilities will include:

a) Provide conceptual and technical expertise on mainstreaming key environmental and socialconsiderations in all stages of the project/programme management cycle, in accordance with agreed safeguard instruments (e.g., World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) and Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP).

b) Serve as the focal point person on environmental and social issues for ALL FSRP stakeholder groups and work closely with implementing partners to provide advice on sustainable means of resolving any challenges.

c) Conduct awareness creation and sensitisation of stakeholders, including communities and vulnerable groups on environmental and social dimensions of the project along with suggested safeguards.

d) Monitor safeguards compliance in close coordination with the M&E unit in a timely manner.

e) Undertake regular project site visits to assess and enforce compliance with national policies and good international practices.

f) Identify potential sources of project-related grievances, establish, publicise, maintain, and operate an accessible grievance redress mechanism (GRM) in consistency with the World Bank’s ESSs and as specified in the FSRP Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP).

g) Prepare and submit regular monitoring reports on the environmental, social, health, and safety (ESHS) performance of FSRP, including but not limited to the implementation of the ESCP, status of preparation and implementation of Environmental & Social (E&S) instruments required under the ESCP, stakeholder engagement activities, and functioning of the GRM.

h) Build capacity of FSRP staff, implementing partners and key stakeholders on Environmental and Social safeguards.

i) Contribute to advocacy activities, information dissemination and knowledge building relating to safeguards practices and policies.

j) Facilitate the implementation of policies, procedures and measures intended to prevent, reduce, mitigate and/or compensate for the unintended negative impacts of project interventions.

3. Academic Qualifications and Experience

3.1. Qualification: Minimum of Master’s degree or equivalent in Environmental Law, Environmental Science or a relevant field from a recognized University/Institution.

3.2. Experience: Minimum five years’ work experience in implementing environmental and social safeguards in agricultural development projects or related initiatives, preferably at regional level; Must have sound knowledge of safeguards, social policies, gender and social inclusion, climate resilient agriculture and current development issues in the SADC region and beyond. Practical experience with safeguards policies and their application in similar projects is an added advantage. 

3.3. Skills and Abilities: Excellent organizational, coordination, communication, and facilitation skills. Excellent interpersonal skills, team management experience, and demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary, multicultural, and international environment. Excellent computer skills.

3.4. Competency Requirements: Results-oriented, accountable, proactive leadership skills. Ability to lead by example and drive change.