Senior Project Officer II – Environment, Social Safeguarding and Gender Officer Full Time NEW

ETHIOPIAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION INSTITUTE

Vacancy Announcement

Position: Senior Project Officer II – Environment, Social Safeguarding and Gender Officer

Term of Employment: One years with a possibility of extension

Duty Station(s): Mekelle, Tigray

Required Number: 1

Application Deadline: June 25 , 2025

BACKGROUND:

The Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) is a strategy and delivery-oriented government Institute created to help accelerate the growth and transformation of the country’s agriculture sector. The ATI envisions to be the leading centre of innovative solutions for the transformation of Ethiopian Agriculture by 2030.

The Institute focuses on two primary national approaches to catalyse agricultural transformation. First, we support the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), its affiliate institutions, and other partners to identify and address systemic bottlenecks within an Agricultural Transformation Agenda. Second, we support Regional Governments to accelerate the development of high-priority commodity value chains in clearly defined geographic clusters, through the Agricultural Commercialization Clusters (ACC) Initiative.

Our major activities include conducting strategic and analytical studies, providing technical implementation support, coordinating platforms to better integrate partners and projects, and designing and directly leading several implementation projects. Our headquarters are in Addis Ababa, and we have regional offices in Amhara, Oromia, SNNP, Sidama, South-West, Central Ethiopia, and Tigray regional offices, allowing us to work closely with a wide range of public, private, and development sector partners across the country.

Our Culture

We have an exceptional team of highly competent employees with a proven track record of success in managing complex activities and achieving transformational results. Our culture is one where talented, dedicated, and adaptable individuals are committed to doing their best and exhibit great teamwork to achieve excellent results.

At ATI, we provide an exceptional platform for people who want to achieve their highest potential and make a meaningful contribution in changing the country’s agricultural sector. We offer rewarding work in a young, fast-paced growing organization with passionate, committed, motivated colleagues and excellent career development and training. We recognize our most valuable assets are our staff and are committed to providing our employees with the tools, training, and mentorships necessary to achieve their career goals.

Purpose of the Position

The Senior Project Officer II, Environment and Social Safeguarding Gender Officer for the Tigray and Afar regions is responsible for the effective implementation of all environmental & social safeguarding, and gender activities within the FARM Project, ensuring high-quality results in a timely manner. The officer will lead efforts related to environmental and social safeguarding and sustainability, of environment-related interventions in compliance with environmental regulations, and manage social safeguarding initiatives, including grievance redress mechanisms, community engagement, and gender-responsive approaches. A key aspect of the role will be integrating gender considerations into all project activities, particularly supporting female-headed households and promoting women’s participation in decision-making.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Senior Project Officer is responsible for implementing the environment, social and gender related activities of the FARM project, in full compliance with AFD E&S standards, the updated FARM project Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and all relevant policies, including Sexual Harassment and Gender Equity policies.
• Lead and implement the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan of the FARM Project in Tigray and Afar regions ensuring E&S compliance.
• Lead and implement the transformative activities of the Gender Action Plan (GAP) of the project in the Tigray and Afar regions, ensuring gender-responsive project activities.
• Plan, coordinate and implement the ESMF components of FARM project for the Tigray and Afar regions, including:
  • Environment and social risks/impacts screening.
  • Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).
  • Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP).
  • Beneficiary selection with a focus on vulnerable groups, particularly female-headed households.
  • Ensuring a Do-No-Harm approach in project implementation.
  • Grievance and Redress Mechanism (GRM) adaptation to the regional context.
• Plan, coordinate and implement gender-related activities under the FARM project in the Tigray and Afar regions, working closely with the Bureau of Women and the Bureau of Health to promote gender equity and inclusion.
• Review contracts of implementing partners in the Tigray and Afar regions to ensure integration of E&S clauses, code of conduct, and other measures from the project ESMP and ensure that E&S risks are effectively managed during construction works.
• Supervise the process of E&S impact assessments by:
  • Supporting the team and partners in implementing E&S screening.
  • Validating screening results with the Tigray regional Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and Afar regional Environmental Protection Authority.
  • Supporting the development of complementary E&S documentation (ToRs, impact studies, etc.).
  • Conducting technical reviews of preliminary EIAs and associated ESMPs, in support of the ATI E&S officer where needed.
• Ensure the collection of sex-, age-, and environment-related data based on project templates and guidelines.
• Operationalize a region-specific GRM and conduct awareness-raising sessions for Tigray and Afar ATI staff and partners on its functionality, with guidance from the FARM project E&S officer as needed.
• Develop training materials and manuals on key E&S topics, including mitigation measures, GRM, and gender-sensitive programming.
• Train the project Woreda focal persons and implementing partners on ESMF, E&S screening, ESMP preparation, GRM, monitoring of the ESMP implementation and gender related issues.
• Assess the capacity of regional team members and implementing partners on E&S aspects, internal GRM, and monitoring systems.
• Provide training for staff, committees, and partners on beneficiary selection criteria, GRM systems, gender integration, and other key aspects.
• Conduct community consultation in the environmental and social assessment and management.
• Perform E&S screening and ESMP of Agricultural Research Centers, Apiaries, Farmers Training Centres (FTCs), Nurseries, Community Seed Banks (CSBs), Irrigation Solar Pump Sites, Animal Health Centres, Veterinary Clinics, and work closely with the regional environmental protection authority for the approval of E&S screening and ESMP.
• Ensure that the FARM team and Sub-grant institutions consider E&S and gender aspects in their activities.
• Collaborate closely with the FARM E&S and Gender officer to ensure compliance with ESHS requirements and to complete project documentation.
• Work jointly with the FARM procurement officer to support subgrant institutions in establishing appropriate qualification criteria and selecting qualified construction contractors.
• Conduct internal monitoring and evaluation of ESMP implementation in collaboration with the regional environment office, focusing on beneficiary selection and other FARM sub project implementation.
• Monitor the compliance with technical, environmental, and gender commitments with Contractors and Sub-grantees
• Prepare and submit bi-annual separate reports and monitoring updates to the FARM project on the status of ESMF and GAP implementation in Tigray and Afar regions
• Conduct regular field missions across the Tigray and Afar regions, to monitor beneficiary selection, committee formation, conflict resolution, and infrastructure rehabilitation efforts
• Perform other duties as assigned by ATI in relation to the above responsibilities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in environmental science, Sociology, Agroecology, Development Studies, or related fields
• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in Environmental and Social (E&S) safeguard aspects within agriculture-related projects or programs
• Proven experience in coordinating Environmental and Social risk management under the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF 2018) and World Bank Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Standards
• Strong experience in planning and implementing E&S and gender-related activities within the framework of agriculture and rural development projects at regional level
• Extensive hands-on experience in conducting community consultations and managing GRM for agriculture and rural development projects, ensuring inclusive participation and effective conflict resolution
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with deep knowledge of regional institutions and sector offices
• Willingness to travel extensively, including to remote rural areas in Tigray and Afar regions
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with a highly collaborative working style
• Experience working with multi-cultural teams and in diverse social settings
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and reporting skills
• Strong personal values, including integrity, honesty, and a commitment to service
• Ability to work effectively in networking, partnerships, collaboration, and alliance-building
• Demonstrated creativity, self-motivation, and the ability to work independently
• Capacity to handle multiple responsibilities under tight deadlines
• Strong performance orientation, teamwork skills, accountability, and results-driven mindset
• Experience working with international donors is an asset
• Fluency in English and Amharic required; knowledge of Tigrigna or Afar is a strong advantage.