International Environmental and Social Safeguards Expert

Result of ServiceThe ultimate result of the service is a strengthened and operational environmental and social safeguards framework for the Comoros Ecosystem-based Adaptation project, enabling planned project activities to proceed in compliance with UNEP/GEF safeguards requirements. Specifically, the assignment will result in strengthened project and site-specific safeguards screening, operationalisation of the approved Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), identification and preparation and/or review of the required site-specific safeguard instruments, strengthened Terms of Reference for priority technical studies and ESIAs, and enhanced capacity of the project safeguards specialist to implement, monitor and report on ESS requirements. These outputs will support informed decision-making, reduce environmental and social risks, and facilitate the timely and safeguards-compliant implementation of higher-risk activities, particularly under Component 2. Work LocationHome Based Expected duration2.5 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesPurpose The purpose of this assignment is to provide specialised international environmental and social safeguards (ESS) expertise to the GEF/LDCF-financed Comoros Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) project. The consultant will strengthen the project’s ESS risk screening, support the operationalisation of the approved Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), including through additional site-specific safeguards screening and the preparation and/or review of required ESIAs, ESMPs and other management instruments, support the review and completion of Terms of Reference for required feasibility studies and ESIAs, and build the capacity of the project’s safeguards specialist. The assignment will help ensure that planned project interventions, particularly higher-risk activities under Component 2 (2.1.1 and 2.1.2), are implemented in accordance with UNEP/GEF environmental and social safeguard requirements and can proceed to procurement and implementation. Background The project “Strengthening the Climate Resilience of Coastal Areas of the Comoros through Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA)” is a full-size project of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), funded by the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and implemented by UNEP in partnership with the Direction Générale de l’Environnement et des Forêts (DGEF) of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) of the Union of the Comoros. The Project Management Unit, located within DGEF, is comprises of a National Project coordinator, a Financial and Administrative Officer, a Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, a Gender and Environmental and Social Safeguard Officer and Communication Expert. The project (GEF ID 11111) operates across four coastal sites on three islands of the archipelago — Grande Comore (Site 1: Iconi/M’bachile), Mohéli (Site 2: Hoani/Mbatsé) and Anjouan (Site 3: Mutsamudu/Ouani; Site 4: Bimbini) — over a five-year period (2025–2029). It directly benefits approximately 141,541 people (49.1% women). The project is organised around four components: