Senior Environmental and Social Safeguards Officer

The Restore Southeast Asia -Restoring Lands and Livelihoods in the Philippines (RESAP) Project funded by Mirova is a 5-year project aims to catalyze livelihood improvement and ecosystem restoration by empowering communities through diversified income streams and restoring degraded landscapes and ecosystem services. The project will be implemented in Isabela Province and Bukidnon province targeting community-based organizations and indigenous people’s organizations.

** THIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT UPON DONOR FUNDING **

Job Summary:

You will manage, coordinate, and monitor project activities and relationships with partners and other project stakeholders to assist the achievement of the RESAP project’s objectives advancing CRS’s work serving the poor and vulnerable. You will be responsible for leading and monitoring the Environmental Safeguarding Action Plan (ESAP) that includes the implementation and monitoring and documentation of the Environmental and Social Management System covering the project’s activities and operations that is compliant with the requirements of the IFC’s PS1 and as part of the Environmental Social Management Framework (ESMF) in the project. You will provide overall technical support to the project partners in ensuring donor compliance related to the Environmental safeguarding.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead technical, monitoring and reporting activities under Environmental Safeguarding Action Plan as part of Environmental Social Management Framework (ESMF)in 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. 
• Ensure application and compliance ESG standards based GEAs policy and aligned with investor standards  and other relevant policies of the Project, through the due diligence and review and monitoring of activities under implementation, including subprojects, to be able to manage the environmental and social performance of the Project. Ensure, manage and monitor compliance to applicable local environmental laws.
• Oversee the conduct of the environmental social impact assessment (ESIA) and support ESG related baseline studies.
• Support the preparation of ESMS in collaboration with GEA including preparation of monitoring reports and needed documentation.
• Effectively manage environmental risks in the project, ensuring implementation of mitigation measures.
• Support accountability through coordinating project MEAL activities following MEAL Policy. Proactively identify issues, report them to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. 
• Work closely with the partners and MEAL team in the implementation of the ESMF, including supporting 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.

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.
• 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 50 % 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 Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions. 
• Acts with Integrity - Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission.  Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust - Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  none

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: MEAL Manager Country Representative, Head of Programs, Chief of Party, CFSU, PIQA Technical Advisors, RESAF ESG officer

External : Global Evergreening Alliance (GEA) Program Coordination Unit; implementing partners, government and sector stakeholders

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.