Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

16 January 2026-23:59-GMT+01:00 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 world’s 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 WFP’s 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: https://www.wfp.org and 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: CST I
UNIT/DIVISION: PPGR
DUTY STATION (City, Country): Home based
DURATION: 11 months

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

WFP strives to be a leader in environmental sustainability within the UN system. In 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 its 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 WFP's Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework (ESSF).

The Climate and Resilience Service is supporting all programme regions to roll out and mainstream the application of environmental & social safeguards across country strategies and programmes and to identify Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) expertise for short-, medium or long-term support.

In particular, the ESS Specialist will have to perform the following tasks: (i) provide technical assistance on ESS application in WFP's 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 ROs/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 GHQ Coordinator and will coordinate her/his work with the ESS team members and other relevant units at GHQ level as well as with colleagues in the field.

The ESS Specialist may be requested to travel to WFP's country offices to support capacity building and the implementation of the ESS where required.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Technical assistance on ESS implementation: Support the implementation of WFP and donors' safeguards requirements by supporting the elaboration of technical guidance and by providing help desk support on the safeguards tools and procedures in WFP's 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.
2. Training and capacity building: Support the development of training material for the compliance with and application of WFP and donors' requirements and procedures in WFP's programme areas of work; Support the development of training material for ESS monitoring and reporting in coordination with the M&E/ performance management experts; Support the promotion of in-house awareness on the ESS and the ESSF's standards; When required, support the training sessions to WFP and partners' staff on the application of and compliance with the ESS's requirements and tools; Support the development and update of technical guidance, tools and ESS-related processes.
3. COM&KM: In collaboration with other team members and WFP's relevant units, support the development of a KM database on best sustainable practices to promote the adoption of adequate mitigation measures in WFP's programme operations; provide inputs to the development of ESS media/communication contents when required.
4. Monitoring: Provide inputs for monitoring and reporting functions related to the ESS implementation (including for the Annual Country Reports - ACRs).
5. Any other task, as required.

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT

• Technical assistance provided as required
• Support to the elaboration of technical guidance provided 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 WFP's 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: global.inclusion@wfp.org

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

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs or spontaneous applications by email.
• If you experience challenges while submitting your online application, please contact us at global.hrerecruitment@wfp.org for technical support only.
• Please note that applications sent to this email address cannot be considered.
• 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.
• 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
• 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.