Environmental and Social Specialist

MoET will oversee grain imports in Lebanon and is the implementing agency of the Project. MoET will coordinate with the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Bank du Libnan (BDL) on fiduciary aspects. While no project implementation unit will be established, project implementation will rely on a designated project task team, consisting of MoET staff with clearly assigned roles.  External consultants will be hired to complement MoET staff in key areas such as fiduciary and strengthen capacity.

Framework Agreements between MoET and selected local importers (Eligible Importers) will be put in place to state the roles and responsibilities of each party, lay out the technical and contractual requirements for wheat import purchases, and set the rules for pricing and payments.

II. Assignment Objectives

MoET is considering the appointment of an Environmental and Social Specialist, with expertise in  environmental and social impact assessment. The candidate will conduct strategic environmental and social assessments for the Wheat Supply Emergency Response Project (the Project)

III. Responsibilities of the Environmental and Social Specialist

The core responsibilities of the Environmental and Social Specialist are as follows:

Duties and Responsibilities

• Updated SESP
• Conduct social and environmental screening of the project activities in line with the latest version of the UNDP’s SESP and the GCF’s ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL POLICY
• Review the relevant national policies and legal provisions related to environmental, social and cultural safeguards and identify possible implications on project actions
• Consult project staff and partner agencies, including the relevant national agencies related to social and environmental safeguards, Project’s technical specialists, and the Civil Society Organizations working with the Project to identify the possible additional environmental and social risks pertaining to the irrigation work, water supply work, and disaster preparedness work
• Targeted impact assessment of new risk(s)
• Conduct targeted impact assessment of new risk(s) identified as a result of Activity 01 above
• Updated ESMP as a stand-alone document
• Identify the management measures for new risk(s)
• Submit the updated ESMP, as a stand-alone management plan
• Training manual and materials
• Develop a training manual and materials to train the Project staff and partners on implementing and monitoring of the updated ESMP
• Conduct a minimum of one training programme for Project staff on social and environmental safeguards and updated ESMP of the Project

IV. Expected Deliverables

• 25th February 2023 – Draft updated ESMP and Training Report after completing one training programme, including the training manual and materials
• 05th March 2023 – Finalized ESMP as a stand-alone document and finalised training manuals and materials

V. Competencies

• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong analytical skills exceptional ability in communication and networking, negotiations and writing
• Ability to prepare publications, reports and presentations
• Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team
• Ability to seek and apply knowledge, information and best practices from multiple sectors
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of case studies and progress reports
• Excellent leadership, coordination and team working skills
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client & responds positively to feedback
• Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships

VI. Required Skills and Experience

The successful candidate will have a background in Irrigation and Water Management with an emphasis on Hydrological Modelling and with strong communication/writing skills and a successful track records in development of curricular and providing capacity development of technical staff.

VII. Education:

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Resource/Environmental Economics, Natural Resources Management or relevant scientific discipline is required.

VIII. Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of extensive working experience in Environment and Social Safeguards, Natural Resource and Environmental management, policy development and implementation, active involvement in international environment and social safeguard application is an advantageous;
• Track record of successfully working with governments on environment and social safeguard, climate change and sustainable development agenda is preferable;
• Proven experience and knowledge in Safeguard Principles, Development Effectiveness and Cooperation, Climate Change Finance, gender equality and its related issues is an asset and knowledge of regional institutions working on climate finance;
• Work experience in an international organization is an advantage;
• Extensive knowledge of UNDP’s policies, procedures and practice is an asset, not a requirement;
• Ability to work as a part of a team, sharing information and coordinating efforts within the team;

IX. Languages/ Other:

• Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English;
• Good computer literacy including Microsoft Office.