Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Officer

Job Description

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Geoscience Energy and Maritime Division provides advice, technical assistance, research and training support to Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs). There are three (3) areas of scientific programming and two areas of focus within this division:

1. Oceans and Maritime Programme (OMP) – assists member countries with services that provide applied ocean science and knowledge for evidence-based policy-making and technical solutions for improved ocean and maritime governance, management and capacity development.
2. Georesources and Energy Programme (GEP) – assists member countries by applying technical knowledge in the areas of geoscience and sustainable energy use.
3. Disaster and Community Resilience Programme (DCRP) – assists member countries to demonstrate strengthened resilience through integrated action on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management and increased access to water and sanitation.

The role – the Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Officer will ensure project activities comply with environmental and social standards, manages risks, monitors safeguards implementation, and supports stakeholder engagement and grievance redress mechanisms. The role also supports integration of gender and inclusion strategies, ensures equitable participation, monitors GESI indicators, and supports capacity building to promote inclusive resilience outcomes. The ESS and GESI Officer will be based in Port Vila with frequent travel to provincial locations.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) compliance

• Support the implementation of ESS screening and impact assessments for CAP proposals and ensure compliance with GCF ESS Standards and exclusion criteria.
• For sub-projects of a moderate-risk rating, liaise with the Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation (DEPC) undertake Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), support the development of site-level ESMPs and monitor compliance to mitigate social and environmental risks and ensure accountability and transparency.

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) mainstreaming

• Strongly support the integration and mainstreaming of gender and social inclusion into project implementation through implementing the Gender Analysis and Action Plan (GAAP) into project activities.
• Ensure the representation of women and marginalized groups in decision making on the project and specifically in RWCs

Monitoring, reporting, and quality assurance

• Support the monitoring of ESS and GESI compliance against the ESMP/GAAP, and performance against project indicators and prepare accurate and timely informal and formal reporting.
• Proactively undertake quality assurance reviews of ESS documentation to ensure alignment with principles outlined in SPC’s Social and Environmental Responsibility (SER) policy, GCF environmental and social policies and Government of Vanuatu policies, regulations or standards.

Stakeholder engagement and safeguards governance

• Ensure strong safeguards governance within the project by supporting DoWR to improve ESS process and participate in knowledge sharing events and community of practice forums.
• Ensure transparency by supporting the public disclosure of ESS reports (for medium-risk projects).
• Ensure accountability to stakeholders by assisting with the dissemination, monitoring and reporting of the projects Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and dissemination of the GCF Independent Redress Mechanism (IRM) and the SPC Redress Mechanism.

Capacity building and technical support

• Support training of DWSSP facilitators, PMU staff, national and provincial stakeholders on ESMP procedures for medium-risk sub-projects and strengthen ESS assessment procedures within DoWR.
• Support the identification of opportunities to strengthen GESI knowledge within the PMU and the project.
• Participate in procurement processes such as supporting the development of terms of reference for ESS and/or GESI consultants and reviewing quotations or tenders to ensure contractors and suppliers proposals meet safeguards requirements.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social studies, business administration, international development; or equivalent body of knowledge and experience

Technical expertise

• At least 5 years of experience in designing, implementing, training, and/or monitoring ESMPs and Gender Analysis and Action Plans and/or equivalent experience in occupational health and safety or private sector diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Language skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, with strong writing ability at a project donor reporting level.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted until 19 September 2028 and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) and Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Officer is a band 8 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 2,588–3,187 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately USD 3,442– 4,239. An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale is based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in Vanuatu.

Benefits for Staff in a position advertised internationally (EPAI) whose duty station is Port Vila– SPC provides a housing allowance of USD 1,000–2,000. Establishment and relocation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave, medical and life insurance, and education allowance are available for eligible employees and their recognised dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 days of annual leave and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8% of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilinguism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals.  If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Application procedure

Closing date: 30 November 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000511

Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference.

Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.

Screening questions (maximum of 2.000 characters per question):

1. Can you describe your experience with implementing Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and Gender Action Plans (GAPs) in development or infrastructure projects?
2. What are the main barriers to participation of women, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups in Rural Vanuatu?
3. How would you ensure that rural water infrastructure is inclusive and sensitive to the needs of women, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups?

About the Organization

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.