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Agence Française de Développement

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Within the DRMS, you will be based in Casablanca. You will be responsible for providing expertise for the operational implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in managing Environmental and Social risks and leveraging opportunities related to climate, biodiversity, gender, citizen participation, and the transformation of operations financed by AFD in the region. This role will focus on countries covered by the former Grand Sahel Regional Directorate: Mauritania, Senegal, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Cape Verde, Gambia, Guinea Bissau. Your missions will involve operationalizing certain SDGs (climate, gender, biodiversity, institution/citizens) and managing E&S risks through the following activities:

1. Project Support (70%)
- At the pre-identification stage: Participate in activity forecast reviews with agencies, guiding or qualifying operations towards full consideration of DD issues (objectives and risks) and the AFD Group's exclusion list. Assist agencies in the upstream identification of opportunities (climate, biodiversity, gender, citizenship) and the framing of environmental and social risks for new projects. At the request of agencies, participate in dialogue with clients and raise awareness about AFD's commitments and applicable standards.
- At the identification stage: Contribute to the drafting of referral forms and guide the project's orientation, both on the targeted DD objectives (initial analysis of potential climate and biodiversity co-benefits, gender and citizenship qualification) and on E&S risk management. Propose target ambitions for DD issues and determine the level of E&S risks, identifying necessary due diligence for their achievement (objectives) or management (risks). If necessary, solicit transversal expertise. When E&S risks are low or moderate, draft environmental and social sheets, contribute to the instruction mandate, and propose the provisional implementation schedule.
- At the instruction stage: Participate in instruction work within and at the request of the project team for projects with moderate E&S risks and transversal issues. Contribute to the drafting of Terms of Reference (ToRs) for studies upon solicitation from agencies and project team leaders; monitor, exploit, and validate studies related to DD issues and/or E&S risk management. If necessary, participate in dialogue with the client during feasibility and negotiation phases. Contribute to formalizing commitments with counterparts, and if necessary, participate in drafting agreements and calls for tender.
- At the execution monitoring stage: Analyze and exploit monitoring reports and implementation of commitments (moderate E&S risks and transversal issues). Participate in anticipating specific commitments and suspensive conditions with agencies. Issue visas within your competence. If necessary, participate in field missions and dialogue with the client and partners.

2. Capitalization - Coordination - Intellectual Production - Strategy:
- Strengthen internal capacities and skills of the AFD Group (and, where applicable, partners and clients) related to DD issues and/or E&S risk management in the region: awareness workshops, organizing training sessions independently or with Transversal Technical Divisions, interventions in training sessions and seminars.
- Ensure thematic monitoring of sustainable development issues (monitor the institutional and political environment, local regulations, civil society initiatives), particularly climate, biodiversity, E&S risks, gender... and contribute to the DRMS's strategic positioning and output.
- Lead institutional dialogue with counterparts and other partners on transversal themes to identify implementation capacities and contribute to regional dynamics.
- Participate in the construction/consolidation of the network of SDG Transversal Support Officers.

3. Monitoring of Regional Projects:
- Participate in the instruction and monitoring of regional projects related to the themes managed.

Requirements

• Advanced degree from a top-tier institution and/or postgraduate degree in environmental studies, sustainable development, or social sciences.
• Good knowledge of North Africa and Sahel countries, and understanding of development challenges in the region.
• Knowledge of funder instruction methods and project cycles.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse stakeholders (teamwork, communication).
• Strong synthesis skills and excellent writing abilities.
• Rigor in tasks and proactivity.
• Adaptability and appreciation for versatility.
• High degree of autonomy.
• Proficiency in French and English is essential.
• Operational practice in at least two transversal subjects (climate, gender, biodiversity, institution/citizens, E&S risk management).
• Previous professional experience in at least one of the following areas: environmental and social risk management, climate change, biodiversity.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of the environmental and social standards of the World Bank.
• Confirmed expertise in environmental and social impact assessments (impact studies, E&S risk management plans, implementation and monitoring of mitigation measures, resettlement action plans), particularly in developing and emerging countries in Africa.
• Proficiency in Arabic.

Responsibilities

• Provide expertise for the operational implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on Environmental and Social risk management and leveraging opportunities in climate, biodiversity, gender, and citizen participation.
• Support projects at pre-identification, identification, instruction, and execution monitoring stages, ensuring alignment with DD objectives and E&S risk management.
• Contribute to the drafting of project documents, risk assessments, and implementation plans.
• Strengthen internal capacities and skills within the AFD Group and partners regarding DD issues and E&S risk management.
• Conduct thematic monitoring of sustainable development issues and contribute to strategic positioning.
• Lead institutional dialogue with counterparts and partners on transversal themes.
• Participate in the monitoring of regional projects related to managed themes.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level