Environmental Social Safeguards Specialist (ESS Specialist) at Catholic Relief Services – Manila, Arkansas

Position title: Environmental Social Safeguards Specialist (ESS Specialist)

Location: Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | (Hybrid)
Responsibilities:

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead technical, monitoring and reporting activities under Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and Management Plan (ESMP) the project and through most of the project cycle - start-up, implementation and close-out - in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Train partners/grantees on the different ESMP principles, risk mitigation measures and plans using appropriate training approach.
• Support the implementation of the ESMP accompanying plans – Stakeholder engagement plan, Gender Mainstreaming Plan, Grievance and Redress Mechanism and track effectiveness using MEAL indicators or reporting mechanisms.
• Effectively manage environmental risks in the project, ensuring implementation of mitigation measures as defined in the ESMP through use of risk monitoring tools and reporting protocols.
• Support accountability through coordinating project MEAL activities following CI-GEF and GEF policy. Proactively identify issues, report them to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Work closely with the partners/grantees field teams in the implementation of the ESMF, including documentation of grievance cases and resolution and support to the grievance redress process related to environmental issues; environmental incident management; and preparation of environmental safeguarding reporting requirements for the donor.
• Coordinate activities required for ensuring the financial, material and human resources for the quality implementation of the project. Conduct periodic budget reviews as required.
• Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and disseminate results. Review project documentation to ensure the activity file is complete with all required documentation and is filed per agency and donor requirements.

Component
Component 1: Knowledge and decision support system	Review activity plans and protocols to ensure risks are mitigated Evaluate WTPW platform to ensure inclusive lens and consideration of women and you the presentation of the database
Component 2: Ecological Restoration Site Development	Review activity plans, training modules to ensure gender mainstreaming, such as measures (e.g. childcare, transportation, special venues) to cater for the needs of men, women and vulnerable groups to attend/participate in project meetings/activities
Component 3: Adoption of restoration best practices	Review activity plans, training modules to ensure gender mainstreaming, such as measures (e.g. childcare, transportation, special venues) to cater for the needs of men, women and vulnerable groups to attend/participate in project meetings/activities
Component 4: Policy coherence	Review activity plans, training modules to ensure gender mainstreaming, such as measures (e.g. childcare, transportation, special venues) to cater for the needs of men, women and vulnerable groups to attend/participate in project meetings/activities
Component 5: Effective monitoring, and evaluation (M&E)	Integrate ESMF monitoring plans with project M&E system Coordinate with M&E team in the harmonization of the roll out and implementation of the GRM and FCRM Train grantees and staff on ESMP Preparing ESMF annual workplans, quarterly progress reports and annual reports
Component 6: Project Management Costs (PMC)	N/A

Qualifications:

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in environmental science, engineering, management, environmental policy, economics, social development, or other relevant fields; or a bachelor’s degree in similar fields with an additional two years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of the master’s degree requirement.
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in Environmental and Social Safeguarding for a large-scale project, ideally in land restoration and livelihoods, preferably for an INGO.
• Demonstrated knowledge of international standards and codes of practices in the environment and social safeguarding.
• Familiarity with World Bank ESG, GEF/GCF ESMF policies is a plus
• Experience in working in complex and large grant is a plus.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

Required Languages – English and Filipino.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 70 % of the time in the project locations

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders. Representation abilities. Ability to contribute to written reports.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Exemplary project management and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant grant management experience, especially for USG, the World Bank or other public donors, a plus.
• Experience working with indigenous peoples’ groups, the NCIP, upland communities and the DENR
• Staff supervision experience.
• Experience working with stakeholders at various levels and strengthening community partnerships.
• Ability to contribute to the development of technical proposals, a plus.
• Experience analyzing data and contributing to evaluation reports.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Supervisory Responsibilities: none

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: RESEEDPh Project Management Unit (PMU), Head of Programming

External: DENR – BMB, CI – GEF, Project partners, local partners

CRS is proud to be an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Selection and hiring decisions are made without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, veteran status or any other protected area.