DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
30 January 2026-23:59-GMT+01:00 Central European Time (Rome)
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.
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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).
JOB TITLE: Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist
TYPE OF CONTRACT: CST II
UNIT/DIVISION: PPGR
DUTY STATION (City, Country): Home based
DURATION: 11 months
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 its 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 14001. Collectively, these three elements are known as WFP's Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework (ESSF).
The Climate and Resilience Service is supporting all programme regions to roll out and mainstream the application of environmental & social safeguards across country strategies and programmes and to identify Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) expertise for short-, medium or long-term support.
In particular, the ESS Advisor will have to perform the following tasks: (i) Lead corporate tasks related to ESS and supervise an ESS specialist CST I; (ii) provide technical guidance and quality assurance to Country Offices (COs), Regional Offices and partners in applying safeguards measures and tools to their programmes (both during formulation and implementation phases); (iii) ensure WFP staff and partners are trained on the compliance and application of the WFP's and donors' related safeguards; (iv) lead the development of technical and training material for the implementation of the ESSF, including technical guidance on mitigation measures by also liaising with other WFP's units; (v) contribute to the development of donor framework agreements, ensuring compliance with corporate reporting requirements and donors' safeguards requirements; (vi) support COs in integrating strategic environmental and social safeguards assessments within country strategic plans (CSPs); and (vii) support the development of media, communication & knowledge management material on ESS as required.
The ESS advisor will be home based and will report to the Lead, Thematic Finance & Policy Engagement in the Climate and Resilience Service.
It is expected that the ESS Advisor will be travelling to country offices to support the implementation of the ESS where required.
ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Lead corporate tasks related to ESS: Lead the implementation of recommendations stemming from the evaluation of WFP's Environmental policy; Lead the development and update of technical guidance, tools, and ESS-related processes; Supervise the ESS Specialist CST I; Ensure close collaboration and coordination with other members of the ESS GHQ team; Coordinate interdepartmental and interagency technical collaborations; Contribute to framework agreements with donors; Support the identification of ESS expertise for inclusion in a consultants roster and/or hiring by COs.
2. Provide technical guidance and quality assurance to country offices/regional offices and partners on environmental & social safeguards tools and procedures: Support the application of the safeguards' requirements in new proposals to donors (including proposals to the Adaptation Fund, Green Climate Fund, IFIs etc.); Check the extent to which alternative screening tools used by country offices are aligned with WFP's standards/tools; Provide advice to COs during an emergency response, to promote adherence to WFP's environmental and social standards; Support the elaboration and review of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) when required; Revise Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) of high-risk projects when required; Support the formulation of environmental and social safeguards assessments in the Country Strategic Plans (CSPs).
3. Capacity building and training: Promote awareness of WFP's potential environmental and social impacts and of the safeguards’ framework as a tool for systematically managing those impacts; Ensure that country office staff is trained on the application of, and compliance with the Environmental and Social Safeguards requirements by facilitating online webinars and/or in-country training sessions; Collect and share best practices from within the regions to promote ongoing engagement and improvement.
4. Strategic direction and guidance to country offices/regional office: Seek opportunities to link WFP safeguards to national safeguard regulations and capacities; Support country offices to comply with national environmental regulations; Seek opportunities to access regional and country- specific funding sources to increase the involvement of local stakeholders.
5. Monitoring: Monitor country office engagement in the implementation of environmental &social safeguards; Ensure that country offices identify and record risks through corporate dedicated channels; Support country offices in reporting on the application of the WFP Safeguards in the Annual Country Reports (ACRs).
6. Support the elaboration and distribution of relevant communication and media contents including KM material to showcase best practices and help advocating for dedicated funds.
7. Any other tasks, as required.
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
- Recommendations from the environmental policy evaluation assigned to PPG(R) are implemented;
- Technical guidance and tools are developed/updated;
- Capacity at Regional Offices/Country Office's level is strengthened through training, guidance and technical support;
-ESS technical guidance is provided to Country Offices developing new country strategic plans and proposals and donors' requirements in relation to ESS are adequately addressed and budgeted for;
-Formulation of new Country Strategic Plans includes a strategic assessment of environmental and social risks and technical support is provided as required;
-Support COs in monitoring/reporting on the application of WFP's safeguards for both specific projects and for CSP activity implementation;
-Support the recruitment of technical specialists, as required;
-Ensure continued interdepartmental and interagency technical collaboration
-Provide technical support to WFP units during negotiations of donor framework agreements
-Perform other ESS-related duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Education:
An advanced university degree (Masters 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 al)d 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 in remote locations.
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: global.inclusion@wfp.org
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
All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs or spontaneous applications by email.
If you experience challenges while submitting your online application, please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org for technical support only.
Please note that applications sent to this email address cannot be considered.
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.
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
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.
