IUCN has developed an Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) including Kiwa Initiative gender equity agenda in order to improve its capacity to systematically assess projects on environmental and social impacts and apply IUCN’s social and environmental standards during project development, implementation and monitoring stages. Under the Kiwa Initiative we will align our ESMS to the AFD and IUCN guidelines and the Kiwa Initiative ESMS Action Plan to ensure final benefitiaries design and implement rights-based gender sensitive and socially inclusive NbS projects for Climate Change Adaptations.

The Kiwa Initiative ESMS and Gender Officer will undertake day-to-day implementation of the Kiwa Initiative ESMS Action Plan as outlined in the IUCN and AFD Finance Agreement and related updated versions as the focal point on behalf of the Kiwa Initiative team. To ensure sufficient resources are available, management systems in place, applicable standards are adhered to, due diligence conducted, monitoring and reporting for Kiwa Initiative ESMS component.

This is a local recruitment. Nationals, individuals with residence status or the appropriate employment visa for Fiji are eligible to apply.

Specific Duties

•Implement and regularly improve the Kiwa Initiative ESMS and Gender Equity Action Plan to ensure proper evaluation, management and follow-up of the E&S risks related to the project, compliance with applicable standards improvement of E&S performance.
•Ensure Kiwa projects are in compliance with the IUCN ESMS and AFD E&S policy, the applicable standards on the projects are complying with local laws and regulations, World Bank group E&S standards for projects.
•Ensure that projects to be financed through the grant facility conduct necessary steps such as; (i) E&S screening and main risk identification, (ii) categorization and elaboration of E&S safeguard documents, proportionate to the levels of these risks and impacts, to appropriately manage the E&S risks and comply with applicable standard, (iii) E&S evaluation in the feasibility studies, (iv) E&S impact assessment, (v) E&S management plan, stakeholder engagement plan, grievance mechanism, resettlement action plan and (vi) external audit.
•Monitor the implementation of the environmental and social measures set out in the on-granting agreements and dedicated plans (ESMP) including gender equity using documentation review, site visits and/or external audits when needed.
•Ensure that the main ESMS aspects are covered during the project implementation such as gender equity, impact on biodiversity due to projects in ecological sensitive areas, loss of access to resources and loss of revenue, physical and economical involuntary resettlement, impact on vulnerable groups, including avoiding adverse impact on indigenous people, land tenure human rights, sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, stakeholder consultation and participation and gender.
•Implement and regularly improve the project gender evaluation and action plan and mainstreaming approach of the project.
•Provide ESMS and Gender project component reporting when needed and as part of the project semi-annual and annual reporting and monitoring reports.
•Ensure Kiwa- ORO ESMS are aligned with the regional and global policies and maintain communication with the ARO and Global ESMS Specialist where relevant.
•Support and work closely with the Kiwa Grants Officer, Capacity Building Officer, Accountant and the Kiwa Coordinator and other ORO Staff to overall Kiwa Initiative implementation of annual work plans by providing where needed support during the call of proposals, proposal assessment, proposal review, contracting, implementation and reporting.
•Provide support in monitoring of Kiwa Initiative M&E programme and Ongranting contracting working closely with our Regional Programme Unit and Environment Law Unit.
•Perform other duties as may be assigned by Kiwa Initiative Coordinator to support the overall implementation of the project and support IUCN ORO such as traning and other relevant duties.

Technical Support

•Develop a thorough understanding of the Kiwa Initiative Local Projects Component mechanism as outlined in the Project description, operation manual and donor finance agreement.
•Work with the KIWA CA Coordinator, programme team and ORO Programme team to develop regionally tailored approaches for ESMS for the programme and individual projects.
•Provide regular technical advice and inputs to the KIWA Coordinator and assist in work planning, budgets and the preparation of donor reports.
•Contribute to project publicity, promotion, updates and knowledge products suitably branded and attributed
•Support the the KIWA Initiative Coordinator as required through engagement on regional network groups, task forces and committees; representing IUCN and Kiwa Initiative Component A at relevant fora, meetings and workshops at all levels; contribution to IUCN ORO programme planning forums, advisory committees and, project reviews.

Communication
•Provide input into quarterly newsletters and other communication products to tell the stories from the field of programme highlight from grantees, IUCN coordination and stories from our partners.
•Contribute to information sharing, lessons learning and documentation of project and programme experiences

Travel
The position requires regular travel to ACP countries and OCTs in the region and to international meetings and events at a minimum of three missions per year (on average)