Programme Policy Officer (Environmental and Social Safeguards)
Organizational Context
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization, dedicated to saving lives in emergencies and building pathways to peace and prosperity. WFP utilizes food assistance to support people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. The organization values diversity, inclusion, and invests in employee development, offering a dynamic and impactful career.
Job Purpose
The Programme Policy Officer (Environmental and Social Safeguards) will provide technical leadership and coordination for the design and operationalization of environmental and social safeguards within WFP's Climate-Resilient and Inclusive Food Systems Programme in Kenya. This role is crucial for ensuring that programme activities, which include community assets, livelihoods support, climate resilience, and infrastructure development, adhere to robust safeguards oversight. The officer will be responsible for identifying, mitigating, and monitoring environmental and social risks and impacts, ensuring compliance with WFP's procedures, IFC Performance Standards, World Bank guidelines, and Kenyan legislation. Key responsibilities include leading the preparation of safeguards instruments, conducting risk assessments, overseeing monitoring and reporting, and facilitating stakeholder engagement to integrate environmental sustainability, occupational health and safety, gender, and community protection across all programme implementation phases.
Responsibilities
The World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking a Programme Policy Officer (National Environmental and Social Safeguards) to lead the design and implementation of environmental and social (E&S) safeguards for a climate-resilient food systems program in Kenya. This role involves coordinating E&S screening of program activities, developing safeguards instruments like Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEP), and Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM). The officer will ensure compliance with WFP's E&S procedures, IFC Performance Standards, and national legislation. Key responsibilities include conducting baseline assessments, managing safeguards instruments, monitoring compliance through field visits, and providing training to staff and partners. The position also requires leading inclusive community consultations, managing stakeholder engagement, and strengthening feedback mechanisms, particularly for vulnerable groups and addressing GBVH risks. The officer will liaise with government agencies and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) on E&S due diligence matters, prepare reports, and support audits. This role is crucial for identifying, mitigating, and monitoring environmental and social risks and impacts across 14 Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties in Kenya, ensuring sustainable development outcomes.
Work Experience
Minimum 5 years in environmental and social safeguards, applying IFC Performance Standards and/or World Bank ESF. Requires technical competence in overseeing and reviewing various E&S instruments like SEPS, IPEPs, ESMPs, and GRMs, adhering to IFC PS/DFC ESPP standards. Direct experience engaging with Development Finance Institutions (IFC, MIGA, World Bank, bilateral DFI) on E&S due diligence is essential, along with assessing GBVH/PSEA risk and conducting FPIC processes. Supervisory experience is also required.
Skills
Environmental and Social Safeguards, Risk Assessment and Mitigation, Stakeholder Engagement, Community Consultation, Grievance Redress Mechanisms, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), Biodiversity Management, Occupational Health and Safety, Gender and Inclusion, Capacity Building, Monitoring and Reporting, Project Management, Coordination with DFIs, Compliance Tracking