Organizational Setting 

FAO's office for Yemen is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing countrywide food, agriculture and rural development priorities under Yemen. It develops and maintains relations with the relevant Ministries at country level. This position is based in FAO Representation in Sanaa, Yemen. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

The Environmental Safeguards Assistant will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Yemen, general supervision of the Head of Agriculture and Rural Development unit, and under the technical and direct supervision of the Agriculture Officer.

Technical Focus 

The Environmental Safeguards Assistant will contribute to the implementation of the projects with environmental and social safeguards standards of FAO and donor guidelines (for example, the World Bank Environmental and Social Standards) and the project’s Environmental and Social Management Framework.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the (i) safeguards compliance, (ii) sustainable performance, (iii) quality assurance of all safeguards and sustainability performance documents 
• Work closely with ESS and safeguards team for the day-to-day management (review, screening, preparation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting) of all specific sub/components activities, as well as for ensuring compliance with the ESCP, ESMF, as well as site-specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and Pest & Pesticide Management Plans (PMPs) and subsequent safeguards documents including keeping/recording proper documentation in the project file for possible review by the WBG and FAO’s ESM-Rome team, whenever deemed necessary.  
• Support the environmental and social impact assessment exercise for sub-projects to determine which activities are permissible (as per the legal and regulatory requirements of the project); determine the level of social assessment required based on the level of expected impacts and establish where Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP) will be required, providing estimate costs of implementation. 
• Assist with the monitoring and reporting of safeguards tools during the project implementation to ensure that safeguards performance is regularly reported upon along with safeguards monitoring per site. 
• Follow up with contractors and the safeguards team regarding any specialized instruments (plans, studies) and/or safeguards tools to determine potential negative environmental and/or social impacts which may accompany some of the construction interventions. Tools may include the: Screening Checklists, Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), Contractors Labour Management Procedures (LMP), Resettlement Plans (RP) and site-specific ESMP’s.
• Perform other duties as required

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Environmental Science or any related disciplines, 
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience and proven track record in working on environmental impacts assessment covering a broad range of activities.
• Working knowledge of English and proficiency in Arabic.
• National of Yemen.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus

Technical/Functional Skills 

• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work
• Extent and relevance of experience in environmental and social safe guard tools
• Knowledge of computer-aided programs.
• Knowledge and understanding of international environmental and social safeguards standards and practices

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated capacity to plan, advise and guide compliance with environmental and social safeguards, including compliance with Environmental and social standards  
• Demonstrated ability to liaise with multiple agencies, effectively building an understanding and partnership with other UN bodies, NGOs, and governmental agencies.
• Ability to plan, organize, implement and report.
• Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills in English.
• The incumbent must possess teamwork spirit, ability to work under minimum supervision.
• Understanding of complex emergencies; experience working in insecure and crisis environment.
• Proven strong communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills; Analytical skills and experience.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with national and international colleagues, with different cultural and technical background
• Ability to keep sensitive information as confidential.