Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind. The main aim of the FAO Representation in Cambodia is to assist the government in the developing policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors use their environmental and natural resources sustainably and mitigate the impacts of climate change. 

The Public-Social-Private Partnerships for Ecologically-Sound Agriculture and Resilient Livelihood in Northern Tonle Sap Basin (PEARL) is a six-year project (2023 – 2029), funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). This adaptation project aims to enhance the climate resilience of farmers and local communities in the Northern Tonle Sap Basin (Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey) through public-social-private partnerships and improved access to growing segments of premium agricultural product market while ensuring climate-resilient practices.  The PEARL project is co-executed by the Ministry of Environment (MoE), and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and FAO

In line with FAO Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) and donor requirements (i.e. GCF), the Project applies an Environmental and Social Management Guidelines (ESMG) and requires site-specific environmental and social management instruments such as screening checklists, Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Indigenous Peoples Plan, and Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM).
The Technical Assistant (Environmental and Social Safeguards) will provide technical, operational, and field-level support to the Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist to ensure that all project activities comply with applicable environmental and social standards, national regulations of Cambodia, and donor safeguards requirements.

Reporting Lines

The Technical Assistant (Environmental and Social Safeguards) will work under the overall supervision of FAO Representative (FAOR) in Cambodia, direct supervision of the Technical Specialist (Environmental and Social Safeguards), the technical oversight of Senior Project Officer (SPO) and the Lead Technical Officer (LTO). S/he will work in close collaboration with FAO Representation team, governmental counterparts, international safeguards expert, and other technical specialists.

Technical Focus

The Technical Assistant (Environmental and Social Safeguards) will focus on the practical application, field-level implementation, and monitoring of environmental and social safeguards instruments under the PEARL project. This includes supporting environmental and social risk screening, preparation and implementation of site-specific ESMPs, operationalization of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), and effective stakeholder engagement including FPIC for Indigenous Peoples. The role emphasizes hands-on safeguards compliance, integration of mitigation measures into construction, asset transfer, and community-based activities, and strengthening safeguards capacity of project staff, service providers, and community institutions in line with FAO Environmental and Social Standards, GCF requirements, and Cambodian regulatory context.

Tasks and responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Cambodia, and in close collaboration with FAO Representation teams, governmental counterparts, and other technical specialists, the incumbent will carry out the following tasks:

Environmental and Social Risk Screening & Instruments

The Technical Assistant (Environmental and Social Safeguards) will support:

•     Conducting environmental and social risk screening for sub-projects and activities (e.g. construction, asset transfer, restoration, business plans).
•     Preparation, updating, and consolidation of Environmental and Social Screening Checklists and Site-specific ESMPs
•     Ensuring mitigation measures are practical, site-specific, and aligned with Cambodian context (rural infrastructure, CF/CPA/AC operations).

Support to ESMP Implementation & Monitoring

•     Assist in monitoring the implementation of ESMP mitigation measures by:
        o    Service providers
        o    Contractors
        o    Farmer Organizations (ACs, CPAs, CFs)
•     Support field verification before, during, and after construction or activity implementation.
•     Track ESMP compliance, non-compliance, and corrective actions.

Stakeholder Engagement, FPIC & Social Inclusion

•     Support organization and documentation of:
        o    Stakeholder consultations
        o    Community meetings
        o    FPIC processes for Indigenous Peoples, where applicable
•     Assist in integrating gender equality, youth inclusion, and vulnerable group considerations into ESMPs and business plans.
•     Help maintain consultation records, attendance lists, and photo documentation.

Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM)

•     Support the operationalization of the GRM at community and commune levels.
•     Assist in:
        o    Maintaining GRM logs
        o    Tracking grievances, responses, and resolution timelines
        o    Preparing GRM awareness materials (posters, leaflets)
•     Coordinate with local GRM focal points and project teams.

Capacity Building & Training Support

•     Assist in preparation of ESS training materials (slides, handouts, checklists).
•     Support organization and delivery of ESS orientations and training sessions for:
        o    Project staff
        o    Provincial teams
        o    Service providers
        o    Community representatives
•     Support documentation of training outputs and participant feedback.

Reporting & Documentation

•     Support preparation of:
        o    ESS sections of project progress reports
        o    Site visit reports
        o    Donor reporting inputs (e.g. safeguards compliance status)
•     Support disclosure of safeguards instruments as required.

Other tasks

•     Perform any other relevant tasks as assigned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     University degree in agriculture, natural resource management, environmental science, environmental engineering or similar
•     At least 3 years of work experience in advisory and technical service delivery on social and environmental safeguards or risk assessment
•     Working knowledge of English (C1) and fluency in Khmer
•     National of Cambodia

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Systemic and analytical capacity on complex issues related to environmental and social impact assessment, standards and practices;
•     Knowledge and experience on development projects particularly stakeholder engagement and management of environmental and social issue;
•     Demonstrated experience in the development of action plan based on the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) to guide project implementation;
•     Ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders, including farmer organizations, service providers, provincial authorities, and project teams.
•     Experience with donor-funded projects, including reporting and documentation, is an advantage.
•     Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to provide technical guidance and capacity building to local partners.
•     Willingness to travel frequently to project sites in Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, and Oddar Meanchey provinces.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION