The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB) is leading the implementation of the Restoration through Science-based Execution and Established Biodiverse Registry for Degraded Ecosystems in Protected Areas and Broader Landscapes in the Philippines (RESEEDPh) Project with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) as the Executing Agency Support Partner (EASP) and Conservation International as the Global Environment Facility Implementing Agency (CI-GEF). RESEEDPh is a 60-month GEF-8 initiative designed to reverse land degradation, strengthen ecosystem resilience, and improve sustainable land management in Catanduanes, Bohol and North Cotabato. The project integrates scientific innovation, community-based restoration, and policy alignment to address biodiversity loss, soil degradation, climate risks and unstable land use.

Scope of Work/ Job Summary:

The ESS Specialist will manage, coordinate, and monitor project activities and relationships with partners and other project stakeholders to assist the achievement of the RESEEDPh project’s objectives, which focuses on the restoration of degraded ecosystems in protected areas and broader landscapes in the Philippines through science-based execution and the establishment of a biodiverse registry. At 50% level of efforts, the ESS Specialist will lead the implementation of the Environmental Social and Management Framework (ESMF) following the GEF standards. The ESS Specialist will provide overall technical support to the project partners in ensuring donor compliance related to the environmental safeguarding.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Lead technical, monitoring and reporting activities under Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and Management Plan (ESMP) the project and through most of the project cycle - start-up, implementation and close-out - in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. 
• Train partners/grantees on the different ESMP principles, risk mitigation measures and plans using appropriate training approach.
• Support the implementation of the ESMP accompanying plans – Stakeholder engagement plan, Gender Mainstreaming Plan, Grievance and Redress Mechanism and track effectiveness using MEAL indicators or reporting mechanisms.
• Effectively manage environmental risks in the project, ensuring implementation of mitigation measures as defined in the ESMP through use of risk monitoring tools and reporting protocols.
• Support accountability through coordinating project MEAL activities following CI-GEF and GEF policy. Proactively identify issues, report them to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. 
• Work closely with the partners/grantees field teams in the implementation of the ESMF, including documentation of grievance cases and resolution and support to the grievance redress process related to environmental issues; environmental incident management; and preparation of environmental safeguarding reporting requirements for the donor.
• Coordinate activities required for ensuring the financial, material and human resources for the quality implementation of the project. Conduct periodic budget reviews as required.
• Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and disseminate results. Review project documentation to ensure the activity file is complete with all required documentation and is filed per agency and donor requirements.

Qualifications 

Basic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in environmental science, engineering, management, environmental policy, economics, social development, or other relevant fields; or a bachelor’s degree in similar fields with an additional two years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of the master’s degree requirement. 
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in Environmental and Social Safeguarding for a large-scale project, ideally in land restoration and livelihoods, preferably for an INGO.
• Demonstrated knowledge of international standards and codes of practices in the environment and social safeguarding. 
• Familiarity with World Bank ESG, GEF/GCF ESMF policies is a plus
• Experience in working in complex and large grant is a plus.
• Additional experience may substitute for some education.

Required Languages – English and Filipino.

Travel - Must be willing and able to travel up to 70 % of the time in the project locations

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders. Representation abilities. Ability to contribute to written reports.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Exemplary project management and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant grant management experience, especially for USG, the World Bank or other public donors, a plus.
• Experience working with indigenous peoples’ groups, the NCIP, upland communities and the DENR
• Staff supervision experience.
• Experience working with stakeholders at various levels and strengthening community partnerships.
• Ability to contribute to the development of technical proposals, a plus.
• Experience analyzing data and contributing to evaluation reports.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff) 

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results. 

• Integrity  
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships 
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

Supervisory Responsibilities:  none

Key Working Relationships: 

Internal: RESEEDPh Project Management Unit (PMU), Head of Programming 

External: DENR – BMB, CI – GEF, Project partners, local partners

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.