Environment and Social Safeguards Officer

Philippinesmid

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Quick Summary

Overview

About CRS Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works in around 100 countries to save, protect,

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Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works in around 100 countries to save, protect, and transform lives, serving people in need regardless of race, religion, or nationality. Through trusted local partnerships, CRS delivers relief and development programs in emergency response, disaster risk reduction, health, agriculture, education, community savings, livelihoods, and peacebuilding.

CRS began working in the Philippines in 1945, making it the longest-running continuous CRS country program in the world. Today, CRS Philippines implements programs in emergency response and recovery, disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, livelihoods, and peace and development. With more than 70 staff across Manila, Cotabato City, Tagbilaran City, Iloilo City, Virac, and Malaybalay City, CRS works closely with church and civil society partners, government agencies, and other organizations to serve vulnerable communities across the country.

The Innovative Climate Financing - Philippines Carbon Finance Pilot is an 18-month initiative (April 2026 – September 2027) which seeks to assess and advance the readiness of indigenous peoples’ ancestral domains in Bukidnon and Davao del Norte for participation in high-integrity forest carbon markets while delivering biodiversity, livelihood, and governance co-benefits. It likewise aims to support overall investments readiness by ensuring robust technical requirements are complied with, particularly on establishing the baseline and baseline, and calculation of project removals in line with the industry’s standards. CRS works with the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) as the local implementing partner, the IP organizations, government agencies, and local stakeholders, to support IP governance strengthening, forest restoration, agroforestry and livelihoods skills strengthening, FPIC processes, biodiversity assessments, land and carbon suitability assessments, safeguarding, and the development of investment-ready carbon project opportunities.

On the other hand, the Restoration through Science-based Execution and Established Biodiverse Registry Philippines (RESEEDPH) project is a five year initiative designed to restore degraded forest and agro biodiverse landscapes by combining science-based planning, community participation, and strengthened policy support. Operating in Catanduanes, Bohol, and North Cotabato, the project focuses on climate-adapted species selection, improved seed and nursery systems, and the development of evidence-based restoration models that enhance both ecological health and community livelihoods.

Job Summary

The Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) Officer supports the implementation, monitoring, documentation, and continuous improvement of the Environmental and Social Safeguards system of the Philippines Carbon Finance Pilot and the RESEED project. The position assists in ensuring compliance with applicable donor and/or investment requirements, CRS policies, national regulations, environmental and social safeguards frameworks, and relevant carbon finance investment standards. Working closely with the Senior ESS Officer and Senior Project Officer for Social Standards, the incumbent will help ensure that environmental and social risks are identified, managed, monitored, and documented throughout project implementation.

Responsibilities

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1. Environmental and Social Safeguards Implementation

→Support implementation of the project's Environmental and Social Safeguards Frameworks, management plans, protocols, and procedures.
→Assist in environmental and social screening of project activities and interventions.
→Support monitoring of environmental and social risks associated with project implementation.
→Ensure safeguard requirements are integrated into workplans, field activities, and partner implementation processes.
→Monitor compliance with approved safeguard mitigation measures and management plans.

2. Risk Monitoring, Compliance, and Verification

→Conduct routine field monitoring and verification visits to assess safeguard compliance.
→Assist in identifying environmental and social risks, issues, and emerging concerns
→Support preparation and updating of risk registers, safeguard trackers, and compliance monitoring tools.
→Follow up implementation of agreed corrective and preventive actions.
→Escalate significant risks and non-compliance issues to the Senior ESS Officer.

3. Environmental Monitoring and Documentation

→Support monitoring of environmental safeguards related to reforestation, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, forest protection, and natural resource management activities.
→Assist in documenting environmental impacts, mitigation measures, field observations, and compliance status.
→Maintain safeguard documentation, monitoring records, and evidence files.
→Coordinate with GIS and technical teams to support environmental monitoring and reporting.

4. Accountability and Grievance Monitoring

→Receive, document, track, and monitor safeguard-related concerns, complaints, and grievances.
→Maintain confidential records and databases related to grievances and safeguard issues.
→Support timely referral and resolution of cases in accordance with approved protocols.
→Generate regular summaries and analyses of safeguard-related grievances and trends.

5. Stakeholder Engagement Support

→Support community consultations, safeguard orientations, disclosure activities, and engagement processes.
→Document stakeholder consultations, meetings, and safeguard discussions.
→Assist in ensuring project participants understand safeguard commitments, grievance channels, and project responsibilities.
→Coordinate closely with the Senior Project Officer for Social Standards on FPIC, Indigenous Peoples engagement, and social safeguard activities.

6. Reporting and Knowledge Management

→Prepare regular safeguard monitoring reports, compliance updates, and field visit reports.
→Support consolidation of environmental and social safeguard data for donor and management reporting.
→Maintain safeguard records, databases, and document repositories.

7. Partner Capacity Strengthening

→Support training and coaching of project staff, partners, and community stakeholders on safeguard requirements.
→Assist in delivering orientations on environmental and social safeguards, grievance mechanisms, and risk management procedures.
→Monitor partner compliance and provide technical support as needed.

Requirements

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Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Planning, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Community Development, or a related field.
Minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience in environmental safeguards, social safeguards, environmental compliance, risk management, conservation, natural resource management, or related development programs.
Experience formulating ESS Plan and supporting implementation for donor-funded projects is preferred.
Experience conducting field monitoring, compliance verification, and stakeholder consultations is highly desirable.
Experience working with indigenous people's communities and local partners is an advantage.
Experience working in Mindanao, particularly Bukidnon and Davao del Norte, is highly desirable.
Willingness and ability to travel regularly to field sites and remote communities.

Familiarity with environmental and social safeguard principles and risk management approaches.
Understanding of environmental compliance requirements and mitigation planning.
Knowledge of grievance management and accountability mechanisms.
Strong organizational and documentation skills.
Ability to collect, organize, and analyze field monitoring information.
Strong report-writing and communication skills.
Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and communities.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and digital monitoring tools.
High attention to detail and commitment to accountability and compliance.

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.