Environmental and Social Safeguards Advisor

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

6 November :59-GMT+03:00 Eastern European Time (Amman)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website:  and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok.

WHY JOIN WFP? 

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.

• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.

• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.

• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

WFP strives to be a leader in environmental sustainability within the UN system. In pursuit of this goal, WFP adopted a new Environmental policy in February 2017, and an Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework (ESSF). The Policy commits the organization to avoiding unintended harm to the environment, its beneficiaries, or any other affected populations as a result of our operations and programmes, and to maximize environmental benefits. The ESSF contains 3 tools: a set of environmental and social standards, risk screening of activity design and mitigation/ management plans (safeguards), and an environmental management system (EMS) consistent with the international standard ISO Collectively, these three elements are known as WFP's Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework (ESSF).

Jordan's National School Feeding Programme (NSFP) provides meals and schools snacks to over half a million students across the country. One of its modalities, the Healthy Meal model, provides balanced, nutritional meals to students while contributing to local economic development by employing local vulnerable women in community-based kitchens and sourcing ingredients from local farmers and bakers.

Starting in 2025, the NSFP will be receiving financing from the World Bank through the PROSPECTS funding window financed by the Government of the Netherlands. Therefore, environmental and social instruments need to be developed to comply with the World Bank's environmental and social requirements. The Environmental and Social Safeguards Advisor will lead on the development of these instruments.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Develop Relevant Environmental and Social Instruments for the National School Feeding Programme: Develop the required environmental and social instruments, with the appropriate annexes. Incorporate all relevant comments and secure clearance of all instruments from the World Bank environmental and social framework, WFP HQ and WFP Jordan CO.

2. Ensure all Project Documents Reflect Environmental and Social Requirements: Ensure that all relevant project documents, including the Field Level Agreement (FLA) with the cooperating partner, reflect all of WFP's environmental and social responsibilities in alignment with World Bank requirements.

3. Provide Additional Support as Needed: Based on need, provide requested support to the Country Office on the development or update of required environmental and social instruments.

The specific breakdown of activities to be conducted per day is included below:

Day / Activities

1 Review LEG and WB comments. Consult with the CO team to gather supporting materials needed to strengthen the ESMP—e.g., extract annexures from the ESMF (such as the Labour Management Procedures), obtain the Code of Conduct from CO for annexing, among others

2 Update the ESMP by addressing all LEG and WB comments

3 Update the ESMP by addressing all LEG and WB comments

4 Update the ESMP by addressing all LEG and WB comments

5 Update the ESMP by addressing all LEG and WB comments

6 Extract all ESS obligations from the ESMP and related instruments, in line with the ESCP to cascade these obligations into the FLA conditions. Submit the updated ESMP and draft FLA conditions for CO's  internal review. Review the ESMP to confirm that LEG and WB comments have been adequately addressed and ensure alignment between the ESMP and FLA conditions. Submit to GHQ ESS and LEG teams for a final review. 

7 Incorporate any additional comments from GHQ ESS team and LEG if any and finalizes the ESMP for your submission to the Bank.

8 Provide guidance to relevant CO staff to ensure full alignment on all requirements. Also act as a buffer day in case additional comments are submitted by WB.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

• Cleared ESMP and ESCP, with all required annexes, incorporating comments from WB, WFP HQ and WFP Jordan CO.
• Updated FLA and other relevant project documents reflecting all environmental and social requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education: An advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in one of the following areas: Environmental Studies, Environmental Management, Engineering, Agriculture, Social Science, International Studies, Human Rights, or a related field;

Additional education in a complementary field (e.g., additional education in social science when the first degree was in environmental science - or vice versa) would be an advantage;

Experience: At least six (6) years of post-graduate experience in areas related to: environmental and social sustainability, environmental and social safeguards, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), or corporate sustainability for national and/or international environmental and social safeguards frameworks and regulations.

• Experience in developing and delivering training.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, would be an advantage.
• Work experience with the UN, particularly with WFP or WFP's donors, would be an advantage.

Knowledge & Skills:

• In-depth understanding of environmental and social sustainability and how they link with food security and humanitarian operations (including previous experience on Environmental and Social Impact Assessments and Management Plans elaboration and implementation).
• Excellent training skills or public speaking skills.
• Proven ability to work and coordinate and communicate across multiple teams and with offices.

Languages: Excellent written and spoken English (level C) is a requirement; working knowledge of a second official UN language is an advantage.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

 

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

 

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: 

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

 

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable).

• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language

• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter

• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time

• Please contact us at in case you face any challenges with submitting your application

• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

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