Rural Rehabilitation Association for Afghanistan (RRAA) is a non-profit, non-governmental, and non-political NGO established in 1990. The head office of the organization is located in Kabul, Afghanistan, and delivers humanitarian services in the sectors of Livelihood, Local Governance, WASH, and Emergency through its four regional offices in Mazar, Herat, Jalalabad, and the central zone in a decentralized manner.

Job Summary:

The Environmental Safeguard Officer plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and standards, as well as implementing measures to mitigate potential environmental risks. The officer will work closely with various stakeholders to develop and maintain effective environmental safeguard systems and processes.

The position is based in Kabul with frequent travels to Balkh, Jawzjan, Saripul, Ghor and Faryab provinces where the project is being implemented.

Duties & Responsibilities:       

1. Technical Tasks:
   • To identify the potential environment and social safeguards issues in accordance with the relevant national regulation/EIA regulation and WB safeguard policies and procedures.
   • Implement RRAA ESHS environmental safeguard policy: Collaborate RRAA project team to establish and enforce environmental safeguard policies, procedures, and guidelines in line with local, national, and national, environmental regulations.
   • Environmental Impact Assessment: When needed, conduct environmental impact assessments for proposed projects, activities, or developments to identify potential risks and recommend mitigation measures.
   • Draft site-specific environmental and social management plans (ESMPs) for project sub activities were relevant.
   • Implement strategies regarding social safeguards issues including gender-responsive activities.
   • Work with other technical units and partners to advance activities such as climate sensitive disease forecasting and proactive response
   • Respond and take timely action on relevant findings of third-party monitoring agencies, UNOPS internal monitoring and evaluation teams and other sources to ensure adherence to environmental and social safeguards in CRLP activities.
   • Following up to expedite environmental clearances and in case of new construction activities under CRLP project to ensure the required land is free of any squatters, encroachers other claims and encumbrances.
   • Help contractors (if any) to understand and implement the concept of Occupational Health and Safety issues in their working environment
   • Integration of environmental, social and safety measures into contract document of subcontractors and suppliers.
2. Compliance and Monitoring:
   • Responsible for reviewing and implementing RRAA’s staff code of conduct and other safeguarding policies such as (Safety/Security SOPs, AAP, PSEA, ESHS, HR)
   • Ensure the RRAA ESHS policy is revised periodically, and staff members know and follow it. Promote safeguarding and model behaviors that support a safe culture.
   • Ensure all staff under your supervision have gone through staff code of conduct and other safeguarding policies and perform in accordance with them.
   • In compliance with RRAA code of conduct and policies, ensure no child labor is used in the CFW component of the project. Any child labor notice shall be reported to the provincial and package managers immediately.
   • Monitor and evaluate compliance with environmental regulations, permits, and licenses, and provide guidance on corrective actions to address any non-compliance issues.
   • Guide RRAA staff, project labors, beneficiaries and community members on how to keep environment neat and clean.
   • Assist the project team and contractors on managing any disputes and claims that may arise during project implementation.
   • Make sure all activities of the project are in accordance with project contract, operational manual, donor requirements, and RRAA policies and procedures.
3. Stakeholder Engagement:
   • Engage with government agencies, local communities, and other relevant stakeholders to promote environmental awareness.
   • Gather feedback, and address concerns related to environmental safeguarding to the stakeholders
   • Attend meetings with the stakeholders to provide updates and share ideas of environmental issues under the project.
   • Get technical advice from donor and line department on any environment safeguarding issues.
   • Coordinating environmental and social commitments and initiatives with relevant government and non- government agencies
4. Training and Capacity Building:
   • Develop and deliver training programs to raise awareness of environmental safeguarding principles and best practices among employees, contractors, and partners.
   • Training of RRAA staff on overall ESSAF, and training and awareness raising of project beneficiaries in relation to their immediate requirements in order to ensure compliance with ESHS.
   • Organize consultations meetings with all stakeholders (project beneficiaries, communities, staff).
5. Data Analysis and confidentiality:
   • Collect, analyses, and report data on environmental performance indicators, trends, and compliance status to support informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
   • Controlling who has access to data. Ensuring that access to both sensitive and nonsensitive data is only authorized and granted to those who have a "need to know" goes Users should also authenticate their access with strong passwords and, where practical, two-factor authentication.
   • Periodically review access lists and promptly revoke access when it is no longer necessary.
   • Physically secure devices and paper documents. Controlling access to data includes controlling access of all kinds, both digital and physical. Protect devices and paper documents from misuse or theft by storing them in locked areas. Never leave devices or sensitive documents unattended in public locations.
   • When data is no longer necessary for organization purposes, it must be disposed of appropriately. Any disposal must be authorized by the authorized person (Package Manager) in writing.
   • Paper documents containing sensitive information should be shredded rather than dumped into trash or recycling bins.
6. Reporting:
   • Be responsible for technical reporting to donors on adherence to environmental and social safeguards requirements.
   • Lead or support the response to environmental incidents, including spills, contamination, or other emergencies, by coordinating cleanup efforts and ensuring proper reporting and documentation.
   • Generate and submit monthly progressive reports to provincial and package managers.
   • Develop safeguards reporting formats and maintain environmental and social records including land acquisition documentation on established formats.
   • Report any challenges and problems in terms of environmental issues.
   • Report on any child labor noticed under the project to the provincial and package managers
   • Report any safeguarding issues noticed (sextual exploitation, abuse and harassment) under the project to the provincial and package manager.

• Conduct field visits according to approved plan to monitor and evaluate the field activities and support field team.
• Report to the CRLP Package Manger, Director/Deputy Director on a daily and weekly basis on community issues and the project’s performance in relation to those issues.

7. Safety/Security
   • Ensure all personal safety and security issues are considered while in the office and project site.
   • Follow all security and safety messages dispatched by the Safety/Security focal point and regional office. 
   • Follow the organization safety security SOPs and ensure all recommended advice are implemented.
   • Report any safety/security issues and incidents to the SSFPs, provincial manager and regional office.
   • Coordinate all your field tripes with SSFP and provincial manager.

BSc in social environmental science or related fields; at least 2 years of relevant experience in community-based programming and projects. Familiar with community based environmental safeguarding concepts.

Interested candidates should consider the following:

• Send their CVs and cover letters no later than 25 December 2025
• Please put the job title (FP Environmental Safeguarding Officer) in the subject line of your email.
• Please do not attach and send your education and work experience documents at this stage.

Please note that:

• Only eligible and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Late applications will not be considered.

Applications with no clear subject line, as mentioned above, will not be considered