Environment and Social Safeguards Officer

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, 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.