Technical Specialist, Social and Environmental Safeguards, BlueAction Project at Fauna & Flora International

Purpose:

The primary purpose of this role is to ensure that FFI, as the BlueAction project lead, adequately identifies, avoids, manages and/or mitigates negative impacts affecting communities or other relevant stakeholders as a result of its conservation work under the BlueAction project in Tanzania. This will be achieved by working directly with a counterpart in Mwambao to ensure the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the social and environmental safeguards tools outlined in the BlueAction environmental and social management plan (ESMP) and process framework.

Specific Duties:

Under the line-management of the Senior Technical Specialist, Social Equity & Rights, Africa and working with the roles listed above, the Technical Specialist, Social & Environmental Safeguards, BlueAction Project, will have the following responsibilities:

Technical

• Implementation of locally appropriate methods and interventions to assess, manage, monitor and act on social and environmental impacts as identified in the project’s Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), other safeguard instruments and in the relevant FFI position statements and guidance
• Work collaboratively with Mwambao to provide technical advice and training to ensure robust documentation and data management systems and monitoring
• Responsible for keeping the project ESMS tools up to date, including: Environmental and Social Management Plan, Process Framework, Stakeholder Engagement Plan, and Grievance Mechanism.
• Document the use of ESMS tools and refine and adapt where necessary, in close collaboration with Mwambao
• Development of outputs (e.g., updated social safeguard documents) and reports according to agreed workplans and in a timely manner for funder reporting requirements

Partnerships

• Provide guidance and mentorship to project partners to ensure the effective delivery of desired impacts in FFI’s work in Tanzania
• Build the capacity of in-country partners to deliver on project activities and outcomes

Development

• As required and in line with approved strategic plans, contribute to and support the development of funding proposals, ensuring the accuracy and appropriateness of work planned in Tanzania

Budgeting and Reporting

• Contribute to the production of annual work-plans and budgets for FFI’s conservation activities in Tanzania, in line with annual project budgets and anticipated outcomes
• Contribute to the provision of accurate and timely technical project reports as per FFI and donor requirements for ESMS
• Ensure full compliance with FFI position statements, protocols, policies and procedures, ensuring work is done to high quality and within fund budgets

Communications and Representation

• Ensure regular communication and coordination with FFI staff in the UK, and Kenya as appropriate
• Develop communications materials in appropriate formats and actively share project results and learning through internal and external fora
• Represent, and develop the profile of, FFI and FFI’s work in Tanzania with national and local stakeholders, always representing the values and interests of FFI

Other

• Undertake regular international travel to project sites, Tanga region, Zanzibar (Unguja and Pemba), relevant conferences and international meetings as required
• Support a culture of excellent communication, sharing of knowledge, lessons learnt and best practice and collaboration between project staff, wider FFI team members, implementing partners and other stakeholders as appropriate
• Undertake any other tasks commensurate with the position that may be requested from time-to-time by Line Manager, Senior Technical Specialist, Social Equity & Rights, Africa

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

• Relevant technical skills including conducting environmental and/or social impact assessments, conducting applied research on sustainable livelihoods, preparing community land use and resource use plans, stakeholder mapping, community conservation activities, etc.
• Demonstrable project management skills with proven experience in project design, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
• Ability to think critically and analyse complex and nuanced problems
• Facilitation and training experience
• Fluent written and spoken English and Swahili
• Proven organisational skills, with structured and methodical approach to work and a clear focus on results
• Excellent writing skills including attention to detail, documentation of activities, and preparation of reports
• Excellent verbal communication, with ability to present, negotiate and persuade at various levels with confidence and credibility·
• Proficient in Microsoft Office skills

Desirable

• Proven operational management skills in remote, developing countries.
• Relevant technical skills in applying social safeguards such as stakeholder engagement plans, grievance mechanisms, and process frameworks (e.g. IFC PS or WB ESS)

Qualifications and experience

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. natural resource management, anthropology, human geography, environmental management) or at least 5 years’ experience in a similar role
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment
• Experience of working in partnership with other NGOs (e.g., in consortium), government agencies and/or local civil society organisations
• Experience of building capacity, training and/or mentoring for more effective conservation action
• Experience of dealing diplomatically with delicate topics of equity and rights with communities, their representatives and government institutions
• Experience with project management including developing and following workplans and budgets