Job ID
42083
Job Title
Environmental, Social Protection and Safety Officer
To work for
Aga Khan Foundation
Country
Syria
City
Hamah
Field of Work
Environment / Geology - Agriculture - Social Services
Job Type
Project Based
Minimum Education Level
Bachelor/ License Degree
Responsibilities
The Aga Khan Foundation in Syria seeks to employ an Environmental, Social Protection and Safety Officer - Road to Resilience: Making Rural Agricultural Communities in Syria more viable (RRMACS) for its office in Salamieh.
Road to Resilience: Making Rural Agricultural Communities in Syria more viable (RRMACS) aims to enhance the resilience of rural communities, with a particular focus on women and youth in six target governorates: Hama, Homs, Aleppo, Rural Damascus, Tartus, and Sweida. This will be achieved through (i) engaging the small-holder farmers in Farmers Groups and enhancing the cooperative actions, (ii ) strengthening strategic agriculture, horticulture, and livestock value chains (iii) increasing access to agriculture business services and financing.
The Environmental, Social Protection, and Safety Officer will ensure the effective implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) across all project activities in the six targeted governorates. This role involves conducting environmental and social impact assessments, monitoring project compliance with national regulations, donor compliances/guidelines, and international standards, and developing mitigation measures to address identified environmental and social risks that arise during the project implementation. He/ she will also provide technical guidance and capacity-building support to project teams and stakeholders, ensuring adherence to environmental, social, health, and safety protocols in addition to facilitating stakeholder engagement and grievance redress mechanisms to promote inclusive and transparent processes, fostering sustainable development outcomes and minimizing adverse impacts on local communities and ecosystems. The incumbent will report directly to the Project Manager and indirectly to the Environmental Specialist.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Implementation and Oversight of ESMF and ESMP:
- Lead the execution of environmental and social safeguards as outlined in the ESMF and ESMP.
- Coordinate the application of relevant environmental and social standards, including risk screening, mitigation measures, and monitoring frameworks.
- Develop and maintain site-specific ESMPs for higher-risk activities such as greenhouse installation and agro-processing unit set-up.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Implement the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), ensuring inclusive participation of all relevant stakeholders, including marginalized groups.
- Liaise with local authorities, Common Interest Groups (CIGs), and community-based organizations to build awareness of environmental and social best practices.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting of ESMP Activities:
- Conduct regular field visits to monitor compliance with environmental and social safeguards.
- Prepare periodic progress reports on ESMF and ESMP implementation, highlighting achievements, challenges, and corrective actions.
- Manage the collection of baseline and monitoring data, including environmental, social, and cultural indicators.
Capacity Building and Training:
- Organize training sessions for project staff, contractors, and CIGs on environmental and social safeguards, including safe pesticide use, gender considerations, and grievance mechanisms.
- Facilitate awareness campaigns to promote best practices in sustainable agriculture and resource management.
Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM):
- Manage a community-based GRM to address complaints related to environmental and social impacts.
- Document and resolve grievances in coordination with the GRM Committee and ensure timely reporting to the project team.
Risk Management (Social and environmental):
- Conduct the site assessments to identify environmental and social risks, including those related to biodiversity, labor conditions, and community health.
- Recommend and implement corrective actions to address identified risks.
- Prepare and maintain incident reports related to environmental and social safeguards
Regulatory Compliance:
- Ensure adherence to Syrian environmental and social laws and policies, as well as international agreements, standards, best practices, and donor guidelines.
- Work with the Project Manager to acquire necessary permits and approvals in collaboration with relevant ministries and regulatory bodies.
- Prepare all required documents and develop and amend them according to the donor requirements.
Road to Resilience: Making Rural Agricultural Communities in Syria more viable (RRMACS) aims to enhance the resilience of rural communities, with a particular focus on women and youth in six target governorates: Hama, Homs, Aleppo, Rural Damascus, Tartus, and Sweida. This will be achieved through (i) engaging the small-holder farmers in Farmers Groups and enhancing the cooperative actions, (ii ) strengthening strategic agriculture, horticulture, and livestock value chains (iii) increasing access to agriculture business services and financing.
The Environmental, Social Protection, and Safety Officer will ensure the effective implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) across all project activities in the six targeted governorates. This role involves conducting environmental and social impact assessments, monitoring project compliance with national regulations, donor compliances/guidelines, and international standards, and developing mitigation measures to address identified environmental and social risks that arise during the project implementation. He/ she will also provide technical guidance and capacity-building support to project teams and stakeholders, ensuring adherence to environmental, social, health, and safety protocols in addition to facilitating stakeholder engagement and grievance redress mechanisms to promote inclusive and transparent processes, fostering sustainable development outcomes and minimizing adverse impacts on local communities and ecosystems. The incumbent will report directly to the Project Manager and indirectly to the Environmental Specialist.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Implementation and Oversight of ESMF and ESMP:
- Lead the execution of environmental and social safeguards as outlined in the ESMF and ESMP.
- Coordinate the application of relevant environmental and social standards, including risk screening, mitigation measures, and monitoring frameworks.
- Develop and maintain site-specific ESMPs for higher-risk activities such as greenhouse installation and agro-processing unit set-up.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Implement the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), ensuring inclusive participation of all relevant stakeholders, including marginalized groups.
- Liaise with local authorities, Common Interest Groups (CIGs), and community-based organizations to build awareness of environmental and social best practices.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting of ESMP Activities:
- Conduct regular field visits to monitor compliance with environmental and social safeguards.
- Prepare periodic progress reports on ESMF and ESMP implementation, highlighting achievements, challenges, and corrective actions.
- Manage the collection of baseline and monitoring data, including environmental, social, and cultural indicators.
Capacity Building and Training:
- Organize training sessions for project staff, contractors, and CIGs on environmental and social safeguards, including safe pesticide use, gender considerations, and grievance mechanisms.
- Facilitate awareness campaigns to promote best practices in sustainable agriculture and resource management.
Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM):
- Manage a community-based GRM to address complaints related to environmental and social impacts.
- Document and resolve grievances in coordination with the GRM Committee and ensure timely reporting to the project team.
Risk Management (Social and environmental):
- Conduct the site assessments to identify environmental and social risks, including those related to biodiversity, labor conditions, and community health.
- Recommend and implement corrective actions to address identified risks.
- Prepare and maintain incident reports related to environmental and social safeguards
Regulatory Compliance:
- Ensure adherence to Syrian environmental and social laws and policies, as well as international agreements, standards, best practices, and donor guidelines.
- Work with the Project Manager to acquire necessary permits and approvals in collaboration with relevant ministries and regulatory bodies.
- Prepare all required documents and develop and amend them according to the donor requirements.
Qualifications
- The applicant must have a university degree in Environmental Engineering or a relevant field, Master degree is preferred.
- Three years of experience in implementing environmental and social safeguards in development projects.
- Good experience working with communities, beneficiaries and stakeholders and implementing community mobilization strategies.
- Knowledge of ESMF/ESMP frameworks.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for identifying and mitigating risks.
- Proficiency in report writing, presentation, and communication.
- Strong understanding of conducting assessments, surveys, analysing data, and writing reports.
- Strong stakeholder coordination and engagement skills.
- Knowledge of local and international environmental laws and social inclusion standards/practices.
- Good in KoBo and other data collection tools and methodologies.
- Ability to work in diverse, sensitive, and conflict-affected areas.
- Strong command of English skills.
- Three years of experience in implementing environmental and social safeguards in development projects.
- Good experience working with communities, beneficiaries and stakeholders and implementing community mobilization strategies.
- Knowledge of ESMF/ESMP frameworks.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills for identifying and mitigating risks.
- Proficiency in report writing, presentation, and communication.
- Strong understanding of conducting assessments, surveys, analysing data, and writing reports.
- Strong stakeholder coordination and engagement skills.
- Knowledge of local and international environmental laws and social inclusion standards/practices.
- Good in KoBo and other data collection tools and methodologies.
- Ability to work in diverse, sensitive, and conflict-affected areas.
- Strong command of English skills.
Specific Vacancy Requirements
Deadline for applications submission is Sunday February 23rd 2025.
Salary and Benefits
According to Aga Khan Foundation Salary Scale
Health and Life Insurance
Health and Life Insurance
About us
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a group of development agencies with mandates that include the environment, health, education, architecture, culture, microfinance, rural development, disaster reduction, and the promotion of private-sector enterprise and the revitalization of historic cities. AKDN agencies conduct their programmes without regard to faith, origin or gender.
Safeguarding Commitments:
AKF is committed to maintaining the highest standard of ethical behaviour among its staff, representatives, and partners to make sure of do no harm of the beneficiaries and whom they deal with. In line with this commitment; the selected Trainer must adhere to the AKF Code of Conduct and the relevant Safeguarding policies
Safeguarding Commitments:
AKF is committed to maintaining the highest standard of ethical behaviour among its staff, representatives, and partners to make sure of do no harm of the beneficiaries and whom they deal with. In line with this commitment; the selected Trainer must adhere to the AKF Code of Conduct and the relevant Safeguarding policies
Required employees number
1
Posted On
Feb 09, 2025
Expiry Date
Mar 11, 2025
CV Language
English