Program / Department Summary
USAID’s Office of Food For Peace recently awarded funding to a Mercy Corps-led consortium of Kenyan and international partners for a 5-year Development Food Security Activity (DFSA) in Turkana and Samburu Counties. Through a phased approach that emphasizes evidence gap analysis, as well as partnership, learning, and co-creation with government, civil society, communities, and the private sector, this program aims to drive sustained reductions in acute malnutrition in both counties.
General Position Summary
The Senior Environmental Safeguards Officer will be responsible for tracking environmental compliance of program implementation which includes, working with the program team to identify the potential environmental impacts from proposed activities and identification of strategies to prevent and reduce those impacts considering Kenya´s national regulations, USAID 22 CFR 216 and ADS201. S/he will provide technical support to the development and review of mandatory USAID environmental compliance processes, climate change requirements as well as provide advice on environmental safeguards, climate adaptation and sustainability of the program interventions (protection, rehabilitation of natural resource conservation, yield and sustainability) and follow up on implementation through the development of environmental monitoring systems.
Essential Job Functions
PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
Responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of the supplemental Initial Environmental Examination (IEE), Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP), Environmental Status Report (ESR). Climate Risk Management (CRM), and Water Quality Assurance Plan (WQAP).
Provide technical backstopping during the implementation of NAWIRI, supporting in addressing a variety of environmental issues at all the stages of the implementation of the program. Work with Technical Leads to review project and activity plans, design, cost, and bid documents to ensure environmental factors and mitigation measures are integrated, and project documents and environmental documents are in harmony
Work with project and partner staffs on integrating environmental donor strategies, program priorities, and technical requirements into development activities
Assist and train the program staff on environmental management, specifically focusing on strengthening institutional capacity, improving environmental quality and the sustainable management of natural resources, and promoting equitable solutions in managing commons such as climate change, sustainability, biodiversity conservation and others
Support the process of any required environmental assessments from full Environmental Impact Assessments and Audits (EIA/EA) to more limited environmental reviews for activities that require environmental review.
Support in the development process of environmental safeguard guidelines and environmental mitigation measures to be used by NAWIRI staff and partners in the plan and implementation process of the project activities.
Prepare guidelines, tools and notes for use in the project based on relevant environmental policies, acts and regulations/directives of the Government of Kenya, USAID 22 CFR 216 and ADS 201.
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING
Undertake quarterly environmental monitoring and evaluation of program activities against environmental regulations and standards. Lead on developing and delivering a series of spot checks to ensure that proposed mitigation measures are properly implemented in line with the guidelines and unforeseen environmental and human health impacts are minimized. Prepare report (quarterly, field monitoring) on the safeguard risks with appropriate actions to be taken and ensure that timely actions are taken;
Develop environmental documents including IEE amendment, pesticide evaluation report and safer use action plans (PERSUAP) for NAWIRI (when required) and ensure that they are implemented accordingly.
Provide technical assistance and deliver capacity building training to NAWIRI, Government and partners’ staffs on environmental sound design and management (ESDM) and climate risk management to close knowledge/skill gaps and minimize the likelihood of risks and ensure the sustainability of the project.
ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Knowledge and Experience
Degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Planning and Management, Natural Resources management, Environmental Health and Environmental Engineering or related field. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
Technical Training in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), climate risk and vulnerability, biodiversity conservations, natural resource management and environmental audit and sustainable livelihoods a plus.
Minimum of 3 years relevant work experience, ideally with an international NGO, with relevant field-based experience in environment safeguarding sector.
Registered with National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to undertake EIAs
Experience in undertaking Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).
Knowledge of technical principles and concepts in environment safeguarding. Thorough knowledge and understanding of Kenya environmental laws, procedures and guidelines.
Knowledge of capacity strengthening best practices.
Strong relationship and networking skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings
Strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
Good technical writing skills
Proficient analytical skills that demonstrate an understanding of the current concepts, priorities, and issues in program monitoring, data collection, and evaluation.
