Safeguarding Officer - Philippines

The initiative entails 3 components, starting with developing guidelines to revert non-FLA abandoned fishponds in Iloilo Province back to mangroves, offering models for communities and local governments for wider implementation. By securing key administrative conditions, the project supports the National Blue Carbon Action Partnership Plan and the government’s goal to recover 52,000 ha of fishponds, unlocking significant carbon removal potential. Second, it demonstrates sustainable aquaculture practices in viable ponds in Leganes, Iloilo, by integrating mangrove-friendly designs and management, enabling communities and smallholders to replicate and build climate-resilient livelihoods. Third, the project supports co-development of biodiversity-friendly livelihoods in fishponds reverted to mangroves in Barangay Dolores Marine and Fish Haven in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. By promoting financial literacy through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) and activities such as stock enhancement for shellfish harvesting, ecotourism, and value-added seafood processing, the initiative will provide income opportunities for over 100 fisherfolk households while supporting conservation. These efforts will be incorporated into the area’s updated management plans.

• Lead in the development of workshop and activity designs for the implementation, installation, monitoring and reporting of ZSL’s Safeguard Policies and Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) to community and government stakeholders and actors, and ensure compliance to these policies in project sites. 
• Act as focal person to communicate effectively with stakeholders and partners including community members the established Environmental and Social (E&S) Risk and Mitigation measures, Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), Gender Assessment and Mainstreaming Plan, and all compliances and due diligence processes in all project sites.
• Ensure ESMP, Community Engagement Process Framework (CEPF), Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) and Environment and Social Code of Practice (ESCOP) and other approved ZSL safeguard policies are developed and implemented in all the project sites.
• Support the identification, assessment, and monitoring of overall capacity building needs on safeguards and compliance within the project for all staff, sub-grantee partners, community members, and stakeholder.
• Undertake regular field visits to project sites to implement, assess and monitor the safeguard and other programmatic policy compliances of the project during implementation.
• Generate E&S report in line with the project reporting requirements, updating of ESMP and practices related to E&S safeguards including support to the generation of stakeholder consultation reports.  

• University degree in social science, social work, community development, development studies, environmental management, management, or related fields.
• At least 3 years of experience in environmental, social, and governance safeguard systems in government and corporate settings.
• Experienced in environmental and social impact assessments and mitigation measures and qualitative and quantitative research.
• Demonstrated track record in technical report writing and ability to communicate effectively to general audience.
• Knowledge of national and global Environment and Social Safeguards instruments, Environmental rules and regulations.
• Working knowledge and skills in MS Office packages (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Teams)
• Strong written and spoken English and native dialect.
• Good understanding of community-based conservation initiatives.
• Demonstrated capacity in report-writing (training, activity, meeting, field documentation, news articles, etc.) and creating equivalent presentations.
• Confidence in handling qualitative and quantitative research and methodologies (e.g., surveys, focus group discussion, key informant interviews, etc.) and other participatory approaches.

ZSL is committed to conservation led by those who know their environments best. We work hand in hand with local communities and conservationists around the world, united in our mission to protect wildlife and power sustainable solutions globally.

We encourage applications from members of the communities we work with, and from those who share our passion for conservation and collaboration. At ZSL, we value respect, local knowledge, and shared purpose, together, we can make a real difference for wildlife,  people and planet.