Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist
Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist
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Job Description
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
24 September 2025-23:59-GMT01:00 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 worlds 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 WFPs 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: 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).
JOB TITLE: Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist
TYPE OF CONTRACT: CSTI
UNIT/DIVISION: PPGR
DUTY STATION (City Country): Home based
DURATION: October -December 2025 ( extendable)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
WFP strives to be a leader in environmental sustainability within the UN 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 14001.
Collectively these three elements are known as WFPs Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework (ESSF).
The Climate and Resilience Service is supporting all programme regions to identify Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) expertise for short- medium or long-term contracts to help roll out and mainstream the application of environmental & social safeguards across country strategies and programmes.
In particular the ESS Specialist will have to perform the following tasks: (i) provide technical assistance on ESS application in WFPs programme area of work including on the development of technical guidance; (ii) support the development of training and learning material for the implementation of the ESS and when required provide trainings to WFP staff and partners on the compliance and application of the WFP and donors related safeguards; (iii) when required support RBx/COs in ensuring compliance with corporate reporting requirements and donors safeguards requirements; iv) support the ESS team on ESS aspects during negotiations with donors both at corporate and at field level; and v) support the development of media communication & KM material on ESS as required.
The ESS specialist will be home based. She/he will report to the Environmental and Social Safeguards HQ Coordinator - who provides technical guidance and maintains global quality control on ESS application and reporting - and coordinate her/his work with the ESS team members and other relevant units at HQ level as well as with colleagues in the field.
The ESS Specialist may be requested to travel to WFPs country offices to support the implementation of the ESS where required
ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Technical assistance on ESS implementation: Support the implementation of WFP and donors safeguards requirements by updating the technical guidance and by providing help desk support on the safeguards tools and procedures in WFPs programme areas; Support the elaboration and review of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) when required; if required support the ESS team on ESS aspects during negotiations with donors both at corporate and at field level; Provide inputs for Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) revisions when required; Provide guidance during the formulation of environmental and social safeguards assessments for Country Strategic Plans (CSPs) formulation.
- Training and capacity building: Support the development of training material for the compliance with and application of WFP and donors requirements and procedures in WFPs programme areas of work; Support the development of training material for ESS monitoring and reporting in coordination with the M&E/ performance management expert; Provide inputs to the finalization and use of an online Learning Platform on WFPs ESSF in coordination with other relevant units (i.e. MSDI/SCOE); Support the promotion of in-house awareness on the ESS and the ESSFs standards; when required provide the training sessions to WFP and partners staff on the application of and compliance with the ESSs requirements and tools
- COM&KM: In collaboration with other team members and WFPs relevant units support the development of a KM database on best sustainable practices to promote the adoption of adequate mitigation measures in WFPs programme operations; provide inputs to the development of ESS media/communication contents when required
- Monitoring: Provide inputs for monitoring and reporting functions related to the ESS implementation (including for the Annual Country Reports - ACRs);
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:
- Technical assistance provided as
- Update of technical guidance as needed;
- Training and learning material up-to-date and adopted for the relevant campaigns;
- KM&COM products elaboration supported;
- 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:
- Three to five 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 WFPs 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:
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.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full-Time
