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Coordinator, Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS)
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BACKGROUND
IUCN is increasingly implementing large projects that may have environmental and social impacts. Lessons learned in terms of screening, scoping, assessment, planning, monitoring and evaluation of these projects needs to be consolidated into a comprehensive project development and management system.
The Global Environment Facility (GEF), a multilateral financial mechanism established in 1991 provides grants to developing countries for projects and programs that protect the global environment. GEF grants support projects related to six focal areas: biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants.
Since its inception, the GEF has committed close to $11 billion in grants in more than 160 developing countries and transitional economies. Resources for the GEF Trust Fund, which finances the GEF’s programs and projects, are replenished every four years. Pledged funding for GEF activities in the period 2010-2014 is $4.25 billion (fifth replenishment period).
The GEF is open to universal membership, and currently 182 countries are members. It is governed by a Council comprising 32 Members appointed by constituencies of GEF member countries. An Assembly of all member countries meets every four years at the ministerial level.
Ten agencies are principally accountable for the execution of GEF projects: the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP), U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Bank (IBRD/IFC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the U.N. Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). IUCN has applied to become a GEF Project Agency, and is currently undergoing a thorough process of accreditation.
The IUCN Global Coordination Unit of GEF-funded projects (IUCN CU) is responsible for coordinating the technical relationship between the IUCN Secretariat (global and regional programmes) and the GEF Programme and its focal areas on biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, international waters, sustainable forest management, and chemicals. The present position in the Coordination Unit will support development and management of the entire IUCN portfolio of GEF-funded projects. It will also ensure that environmental and social standards are mainstreamed into the entire IUCN project portfolio.
This position can be based either at our office in Gland, Switzerland or at our office in Washington DC, USA. Please indicate your preference in your letter of application.
The Global Environment Facility (GEF), a multilateral financial mechanism established in 1991 provides grants to developing countries for projects and programs that protect the global environment. GEF grants support projects related to six focal areas: biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants.
Since its inception, the GEF has committed close to $11 billion in grants in more than 160 developing countries and transitional economies. Resources for the GEF Trust Fund, which finances the GEF’s programs and projects, are replenished every four years. Pledged funding for GEF activities in the period 2010-2014 is $4.25 billion (fifth replenishment period).
The GEF is open to universal membership, and currently 182 countries are members. It is governed by a Council comprising 32 Members appointed by constituencies of GEF member countries. An Assembly of all member countries meets every four years at the ministerial level.
Ten agencies are principally accountable for the execution of GEF projects: the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP), U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Bank (IBRD/IFC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the U.N. Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). IUCN has applied to become a GEF Project Agency, and is currently undergoing a thorough process of accreditation.
The IUCN Global Coordination Unit of GEF-funded projects (IUCN CU) is responsible for coordinating the technical relationship between the IUCN Secretariat (global and regional programmes) and the GEF Programme and its focal areas on biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, international waters, sustainable forest management, and chemicals. The present position in the Coordination Unit will support development and management of the entire IUCN portfolio of GEF-funded projects. It will also ensure that environmental and social standards are mainstreamed into the entire IUCN project portfolio.
This position can be based either at our office in Gland, Switzerland or at our office in Washington DC, USA. Please indicate your preference in your letter of application.
JOB DESCRIPTION
• Coordinate the application of the environmental and social management system as part of the IUCN project cycle:
o Ensure that standards are applied consistently during all processes and steps described in the environmental and social management system (ESMS), including screening, scoping, assessment, planning, monitoring and evaluation;
o Supervise the process to undertake environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA) according to project categories, where appropriate. Especially in terms of screening of issues, drafting of Terms of Reference and contracting of consultants, reviewing draft and final ESIA reports;
o Ensure that environmental and social management plans (ESMP) provide adequate guidance on mitigation of adverse environmental and social impacts, as well as reviewing monitoring reports including compliance to the ESMPs;
o Ensure that budgets for project preparation and implementation include provisions for any mitigation measures of adverse impacts.
• Coordination of input from the (in-house) Expert Team on the Environmental and Social Management System into the IUCN portfolio including GEF-funded projects:
o Maintain close interaction with IUCN experts to ensure quality of plans, mitigation measures and decisions during appraisal, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation;
o Support development of a roster of (in-house and external) experts to contribute to screening, reviews, assessments etc.;
o Provide in-house communication, training and advisory services in order to raise broad commitment on application of the ESMS guidelines and standards;
o Generate lessons on the application of the ESMS, identify good practices and help to synthesize these practices for dissemination.
• Contribute on a regular basis to monitoring and review of projects:
o Ensure that ESMP and mitigation plans are implemented, and that supplemental monitoring activities, and corrective and preventive actions are set in place, as appropriate;
o Contribute to annual implementation reviews of relevant IUCN projects including the GEF-funded portfolio and participate in all Project Review Committee meetings.
• Provide advice on all ESMS procedures and ensure that these are updated on a regular basis for comprehensiveness and effectiveness, based on reviews of ESMS application.
• Provide strategic and operational advice to IUCN programme units and IUCN Members on the development and design of large projects that may have environmental and social impacts.
o Ensure that standards are applied consistently during all processes and steps described in the environmental and social management system (ESMS), including screening, scoping, assessment, planning, monitoring and evaluation;
o Supervise the process to undertake environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA) according to project categories, where appropriate. Especially in terms of screening of issues, drafting of Terms of Reference and contracting of consultants, reviewing draft and final ESIA reports;
o Ensure that environmental and social management plans (ESMP) provide adequate guidance on mitigation of adverse environmental and social impacts, as well as reviewing monitoring reports including compliance to the ESMPs;
o Ensure that budgets for project preparation and implementation include provisions for any mitigation measures of adverse impacts.
• Coordination of input from the (in-house) Expert Team on the Environmental and Social Management System into the IUCN portfolio including GEF-funded projects:
o Maintain close interaction with IUCN experts to ensure quality of plans, mitigation measures and decisions during appraisal, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation;
o Support development of a roster of (in-house and external) experts to contribute to screening, reviews, assessments etc.;
o Provide in-house communication, training and advisory services in order to raise broad commitment on application of the ESMS guidelines and standards;
o Generate lessons on the application of the ESMS, identify good practices and help to synthesize these practices for dissemination.
• Contribute on a regular basis to monitoring and review of projects:
o Ensure that ESMP and mitigation plans are implemented, and that supplemental monitoring activities, and corrective and preventive actions are set in place, as appropriate;
o Contribute to annual implementation reviews of relevant IUCN projects including the GEF-funded portfolio and participate in all Project Review Committee meetings.
• Provide advice on all ESMS procedures and ensure that these are updated on a regular basis for comprehensiveness and effectiveness, based on reviews of ESMS application.
• Provide strategic and operational advice to IUCN programme units and IUCN Members on the development and design of large projects that may have environmental and social impacts.
REQUIREMENTS
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• COMPETENCIES • Knowledge and experience of environmental and social management and safeguard policies and their effective application in conservation and sustainable development projects. • Knowledge and experience in environmental and social impact assessments and the procedures for coordinating, implementing, reviewing and monitoring impact assessments and the resulting management plans. • Broad experience in natural resources management, including detailed knowledge on at least one IUCN programme theme. • Demonstrated analytical skills and capacity to conceive projects aimed at conserving biodiversity with local and global social and environmental benefits. • In depth knowledge of project management tools and methodologies, as well as procedures and tools related to project design and appraisal, and stakeholder participation / consultation approaches. • Experience in promoting, communicating and mainstreaming awareness on environmental and social management within an institution. • Capacity to write complex proposals and project documents. • Capacity to share best practice, trends, knowledge and lessons learned across units in a clear and compelling way. • OTHER CRITERIA • A post-graduate degree in a relevant environmental field. • 5-8 years of practical application of environmental and social management , including participation and coordination of impact assessments and implementation of mitigation plans. Developing country experience is a distinct advantage. • Proven experience managing the delivery of projects across different regions • Ability to deal with a range of stakeholders, international organizations, development agencies, scientific and technical bodies, developing country counterparts, and NGOs. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including ability to communicate complex issues to a wide range of audiences. Second language (French, Spanish) is highly desirable. • Ability to work independently on complex tasks on tight deadlines. • Demonstrated ability to function as a team player within and across teams. • Ability to work in a multicultural environment in an international setting. |
APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.
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