The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is recruiting a Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialist for a short-term assignment under a Personal Services Agreement (PSA). The position is based in New Delhi, India, with a duration of approximately 40 working days spread over five months. The application deadline is 1 May 2026. This role contributes to FAO’s mission of transforming agrifood systems to be more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Organisational Context The Food and Agriculture Organization leads global efforts to eliminate hunger and improve food security. With 195 members, including the European Union, FAO operates in over 130 countries, supporting sustainable agriculture and rural development. This position is linked to a project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) under its eighth replenishment cycle (GEF-8). The project focuses on biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods in central India. Project Overview The initiative targets forest landscapes in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, regions known for rich biodiversity and critical wildlife corridors, including tiger habitats. These areas face increasing pressures such as: Forest fragmentation Unsustainable resource use Climate risks Human-wildlife conflict Livelihood insecurity among vulnerable communities The project aims to promote integrated landscape management through: Sustainable forest management Ecological restoration Biodiversity conservation Community-based land-use planning A strong emphasis is placed on inclusion, particularly for Indigenous communities and socially vulnerable groups. Role Purpose and Technical Focus The Safeguards Specialist ensures that all project activities comply with FAO Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) and GEF safeguard policies. The role involves conducting risk assessments, developing mitigation strategies, and ensuring inclusive stakeholder engagement. Key technical priorities include: Environmental and social risk assessment Development of safeguard frameworks and tools Protection of vulnerable populations Integration of sustainability and inclusion into project design Key Responsibilities Environmental Safeguards Conduct environmental risk screening aligned with FAO ESS Assess impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems, and climate resilience Develop mitigation strategies for land degradation and resource pressures Social Safeguards Perform social impact assessments for vulnerable groups Evaluate risks related to displacement, exclusion, and cultural heritage Propose inclusive and equitable mitigation measures Safeguard Instruments Develop the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) Prepare risk annexes and integrate safeguards into project frameworks Analyse institutional capacity for implementation and monitoring Support development of Indigenous Peoples’ plans Grievance Redressal Mechanism Design a multi-tiered grievance system aligned with FAO standards Ensure accessibility for women, Indigenous populations, and persons with disabilities Establish processes for documentation, response, and monitoring Candidate Requirements Applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications: Master’s degree in environmental science, ecology, sociology, or related fields At least five years of experience in environmental and social safeguards Strong proficiency in English (C1 level); knowledge of Hindi or other Indian languages is an asset Must be a national of India or hold a valid work permit Technical Skills and Competencies The ideal candidate will demonstrate: Strong knowledge of FAO Environmental and Social Standards and GEF policies Experience in risk assessment and impact analysis Ability to design and implement ESMPs and safeguard frameworks Experience with grievance redress mechanisms (GRM) Familiarity with national regulations such as the Forest Rights Act and PESA Core competencies required include: Results orientation Effective communication Team collaboration Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement Selection Criteria Candidates will be evaluated based on: Relevant professional experience and technical expertise Familiarity with international donor and UN safeguard requirements Ability to deliver high-quality, policy-relevant outputs Understanding of environmental governance frameworks Experience working on UN or donor-funded projects is considered an advantage. Application Process Applicants must submit their applications through the official FAO recruitment portal. Key steps include: Creating and completing an online profile Uploading a letter of motivation Ensuring all academic and professional details are accurate Important considerations: Only applications submitted through the FAO portal will be accepted Incomplete or late applications will not be considered Candidates may undergo background checks and verification प्रक्रesses Additional Information FAO promotes diversity and inclusion across gender, nationality, and background. The organisation maintains a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct, including harassment and exploitation. All selected candidates must adhere to FAO’s core values of integrity, respect, and professionalism. Conclusion The Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialist role at the Food and Agriculture Organization offers a unique opportunity to contribute to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in India. By ensuring compliance with environmental and social standards, the position plays a critical role in advancing inclusive, resilient, and sustainable landscape management practices. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization that is offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.