Details
Description
Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action (ESCA) Specialist
National Office, Vientiane Capital
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Are you a motivated professional who wants to make a difference in Lao PDR?
World Vision International Lao PDR is looking for The Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action (ESCA) Specialist. This position will lead initiatives to integrate sustainable practices and climate related action into design and implementation of livelihood programs including mainstreaming ESCA into Inclusive market system development, access to formal/informal finance programming, and considering an integrated approach with GEDSI approaches. A key focus would be working cross-functional on a green (sustainable environment, climate resilient) and gender inclusive business model. Therefore, this role involves developing strategies, conducting research, and implementing projects aimed at minimize/reducing environmental negative impact, enhancing community resilience to climate change, and promoting green opportunity, such as green product, technology, services, jobs and policy.
The specialist ensures alignment with WVI Lao’s technical approaches, global climate action frameworks, and donor requirements, while building the capacity of project teams and partners to promote a climate-resilient and environmentally responsible agriculture sector
Major Responsibilities:
Technical Leadership and Strategy
- Lead development and implementation of environmental sustainability and climate action strategies within the project.
- Lead the CEDRIG Operational Assessment for the project in Cambodia.
- Conduct or oversee additional research or environment assessments as needed. (e.g. environment impact assessments) Analyse data to identify areas for improvement in livelihood programs/project.
- Keep across sector trends and evidence in your context to inform programming updates. Working with consultant and or other project team to prepare detailed reports summarizing research findings and providing actionable insights.
- Support climate-related studies, baseline assessments, and action research on climate resilience and sustainable agriculture.
- Provide guidance on green economic opportunities including renewable energy, circular economy model, regenerative agriculture, and climate smart technology.
- Provide analysis on how climate change affects market systems, competitiveness, smallholders, and vulnerable groups.
Support to Inclusive Market System Development (iMSD)
Work closely with the iMSD Technical Specialist and GEDSI specialist to ensure market system interventions:
- Integrate climate-resilient practices, nature-based solutions, and sustainable natural resource management. This should include mainstreaming in the core iMSD interventions and additional targeted ESCA activities for households/communities and market actors.
- Promote climate-smart value chain upgrading.
- Integrate environmental safeguards into private-sector partnerships.
- Integrate of climate action outcomes into activity design, implementation, and monitoring.
- Support implementation of ESCA strategies as part of iMSD
- Support implementation of additional ESCA interventions and models.
- Promoting synergies across key focus areas, including 1) GEDSI/Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE); and 2) Environmental sustainability and green growth to foster more holistic, sustainable solutions that address root causes in the context of economic, social and environmental systems.
Capacity Building & Technical Support
- Facilitate workshops and training sessions on environmental sustainability and climate action for project team on how to mainstreaming ESCA into iMSD and other ESCA models
- Develop educational materials and resources to support training efforts.
- Provide ongoing coaching support and mentorship to field teams, Lead Farmers, AC committees, and local partners on the effective application of sustainability practices, including providing technical assistance to businesses on adopting green technologies and climate-adaptive practices.
Environmental Safeguards and Compliance
- Ensure compliance with World Vision’s Environmental Stewardship Policy, donor safeguards, and national environmental regulations.
- Lead environmental impact assessment processes for project activities when required.
- Develop environmental mitigation plans and monitor compliance.
- Collaborate with MEAL to track environmental indicators, carbon reduction contributions, and climate adaptation results.
- Ensure ESCA risks and risk mitigation strategies are in the project risk register.
- Ensure project compliance with environmental regulations and standards.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Coordinate with government agencies on climate action and environmental priorities.
- Strengthening partnerships with Climate research institutions, Meteorological services, Green technology providers, Environmental NGOs, Private sector companies engaging in sustainable production.
- Engage with community members, local government, private sector, financial institutions, NGOs, CSOs, and other stakeholders as needed.
- Build and maintain networks with sub-national and national policymakers to integrate sustainability into local and national agendas.
Monitoring and Evaluation, Reporting and Learning:
- Work with M&E officer to set measurable goals and objectives for ESCA as part of the project logframe and M&E.
- Support project MEL team to ensure accurate data collection and documentation for reporting of ESCA to donors.
- Provide climate and environment inputs to periodic reports (monthly, quarterly, annual).
- Contribute to knowledge products, case studies, and technical briefs.
- Work with WVI advocacy teams to promote policy recommendations on climate adaptation and sustainable agriculture.
- Demonstrating an understanding of and commitment to World Vision’s Core Values in the approach to work and relationships;
- Demonstrate Work and Life balance
- Personal and professional development goals consistent with World Vision’s strategic goal
- Know and understand appropriate new paradigms in P&C.
Required Education, Professional Experience
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in environmental, Sustainability, Climate Change, Natural Resource Management, on agri-food system or agri-business, or a related field.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in environmental sustainability, climate action under livelihood, food security, agriculture sector.
- Proven experience as a team player is desirable
- Experience working with market system development or agricultural value chains is an advantage.
- Strong understanding of Climate-smart agriculture, environmental safeguards, Climate vulnerability assessment, Natural resource management, Green value chains and sustainable production, Disaster risk reduction (DRR)
- Familiarity with participatory and gender-responsive climate approaches.
- Adaptability and problem-solving skills to address complex environmental challenges.
- Strong knowledge on agri-food system or agri-business will get preferred
- Trained on Sustainable environment, climate smart agriculture, circular economy
- Understand the Humanitarian industry, standards and protocols
- Team management and leadership skills
- Proven track record of working with diverse stakeholders, including community members, government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector.
- Competent in the use of Microsoft Office computer programs including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Proficient English
Travel and/or Work Environment
As required by the project implementation.
In good physical condition to travel to districts and reach remote villages.
Decision Making
Decisions to be made according to the Level of Authority (LOA) in consultation with the immediate supervisor.
Encouragement
World Vision is committed to the principles of workplace diversity. Qualified women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
World Vision offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and international working environment.
Application
Interested candidates are invited to submit a COVER LETTER and CV to the link below. Please indicate the POSITION TITLE. Deadline for application is 18 September 2026, however applicants are encouraged to apply early as applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the position will close early if a suitable candidate is found.
Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
Please submit your application to this link: https://worldvision.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/WorldVisionInternational/details/Environmental-Sustainability-and-Climate-Action-Specialist_JR52414?q=environment&locationCountry=db69cbe0446c11de98360015c5e6daf6
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