ActionAid is a non-governmental & non-profit international organization working towards achieving a world without poverty and injustice in more than 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

ActionAid started its activities in Afghanistan in 2002 and was registered in Ministry of Economy of Afghanistan as non-governmental international organization “INGO”.

ActionAid-Afghanistan committed itself a long-term work with poor and excluded sections of the society through the Human Rights Based Development Approach, WASH, and livelihood programs in multiple provinces of Afghanistan.

About the project: The Project Development Objective (PDO) of WERP is to improve access to safe drinking water and irrigation water services in selected Provinces and districts of Afghanistan. The project will involve women at all stages: first, as the project’s primary beneficiaries, and second, through a community-based approach that will include women during project implementation. The project's design lays out a particular focus on women (through the ECAs, social safeguards, and results monitoring).

Job Summary: The National Environmental and Social Safeguarding Specialist  is a senior position and working directly with Team leader and National Senir engineer  to ensure the compliance for project environmental and social Management framework (ESMF) regarding the assessment and management of Environmental and Social risks and impacts, Project workers health and safety, community health and safety, Stakeholders engagement, Public Consultation, Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Grievance Reporting Mechanism (GRM) in the field level and during the implementation of ActionAid activities in project locations.

Job Responsibilities

Tasks 

• Carry out the environmental and social screening process for each project location prior to start the implementation.
• Carry out the risk assessment and analysis of work activities to find potential negative ES impact and risk to provide the mitigation measures.
• Prepare the safeguarding instruments/ the site specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs)
• Finalize the site-specific Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) in line with the Environmental and Social Safeguard Framework (ESMF) of world Bank.
• Prepare the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for village and community sub-projects.
• Carry out compliance monitoring of Environmental and Social safeguards based on the Environmental Code of Practice (ECoP) and Environmental and Social Safeguard Management Framework (ESMF).
• Carry out joint diagnostic walkthroughs with the Mirabs, community and technical staff to identify the maintenance need and institutional and agricultural problems associated with the proposed activities at the farm, tertiary, branch, and tranches.
• Ensure the implementation of the Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) Action Plans at the field level.
• Provide orientation and training to Projects teams on ESFM and Safeguarding instrument/ Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).
• Undertake monitor activities, including site visits, inspection and spot checks to project worksites and based on Environmental and Social monitoring plans and Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) to ensure the Environmental and Social safeguarding procedures are in place.
• Documents the Environmental and Social Safeguarding field records including field reports, site training records, site photographs, site work permit.
• Coordinate with ActionAid safeguarding, MEAL, compliance focal points in term of training and field monitoring.
• Follow up the third-party monitoring (TPM) findings, response, and corrective actions.
• Provide periodic reporting as per the project Environmental and Social Safeguard Management Framework (ESMF) to the line manager.
• Perform any other duties as required by the line manager.
• Any other task assigned by line manager on time to time.

Education & Training:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental, engineering, or equivalent and master’s degree in environmental is preferable.

Training certificates in Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) are strong assets for the role.

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience, including applied experience in Environmental & Social risk Management.
• Work experience is required with international / national organization and working on a World Bank project is preferable.

Ability to work well with a range of stakeholders, including project -affected peoples, government officials, international and Donors

Technical Skills:

• Experience working on a World bank project will be preferred.
• Excellent knowledge of community development and social environments.
• Proven management ability and strong interpersonal skills – team player.
•  Problem-solving skills.
•  Proficiency in the most common computer software, including word processing and excel spreadsheets.
•  Ability to deal with difficult, often frustrating work situations.
•  A willingness to live, travel and work in isolated and possibly dangerous locations.
•  Gender sensitivity.
•  Sensitivity to Islamic culture.
•  Commitment to support/develop project staff and rural communities' capacity.
•  Personal integrity and a sense of humor.
•  Knowledge of personal strengths and weaknesses.  

Knowledge of exit strategies and sustainability issues.

If you have the expertise to take on this exciting opportunity, please apply online by sending your CV and motivation cover letter to jobs.kabul@actionaid.org up to October  28, 2024. Please clearly indicate ESS Specialist-Jawzjan-1174  in the subject of your email, otherwise, your application will not be considered.

ActionAid Afghanistan welcomes applications from all sections of the community and promotes diversity.  Although all applications will be considered on their individual merit, suitably qualified women candidates are especially encouraged to apply.  

Due to high volumes of applications received, we can only correspond with short-listed applicants. Should you not have received feedback on your application within two weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful. ActionAid Afghanistan will not consider unsolicited candidates from recruitment agencies. We reserve the right to withdraw any of our vacancies at any time. 

ActionAid is an equal opportunity employer.