PROJECT BACKGROUND
The five-year (2023-2028) USAID Sustainable, Transformational, and Accessible Water Interventions (STAWI) Activity will work alongside county governments across nine counties to advance water security for social, economic, and environmental needs, helping to reverse historic neglect and enabling USAID and the Government of Kenya to achieve their ambitious objectives for inclusive economic growth while building resilience to the region’s unique shocks and stresses. At the end of five years, targeted county governments, water service providers (WSPs), and water users will have the information, incentives, and partnerships to identify and address barriers to a water-secure future among the most water-stressed and vulnerable communities in Kenya.
The activity is actively working toward four objectives:
- Objective 1: Improve governance of water resources and services
- Objective 2: Increase sustainability of water service delivery
- Objective 3: Improved management, efficiency, and equitable access to water used for productive purposes
- Objective 4: Improved collaboration and learning across stakeholders and strengthened capacity of county governments for learning and adaptation.
ROLE’S PURPOSE:
The Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan Specialist will assist USAID Kenya STAWI technical staff in revising the project environmental mitigation and monitoring plan (EMMP). S/he will take the lead in writing the EMMP in partnership with the Chief of Party, Water Technical Advisor, or designee and with input from other Kenya STAWI technical staff on anticipated project activities for the project.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Conduct necessary research and/or literature review to confirm current context and environmental considerations.
- Brief desk review to screen activities set out by the current work plan and determine the environmental risk associated with the activities following the activity lifecycle starting from activity design, through implementation, and into activity closedown.
- Identify suggested activities that will be given priority attention.
- Work with the field teams to create and successfully implement monitoring plans for the proposed interventions and any mitigation measures required.
- Finalize any necessary updates to the EMMP for the STAWI project for submission to USAID for formal approval.
- Propose any internal systems needed to ensure that all the interventions maintain Environmental Compliance Status.
- Lead a more thorough environmental review of activities that are screened and determined to be of medium to high risk. Submit recommendations to the Environmental Specialist and Chief of Party for review.
- As needed, support the Environmental Specialist and Environmental Compliance Consultant to prepare quarterly/annual reports submitted to USAID.
- As needed, support capacity building of partners, including needs assessments, trainings, and environmental screenings.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
- Minimum 5 years of environmental compliance assessments, capacity building, and reporting, especially within the private sector. Strong familiarity and understanding of broader environmental impacts on key sectors of economic growth across goods and services in Africa.
- Strong analytical and writing skills, with proven experience in authoring environmental-focused reports.
- Possess excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Preference for individuals who have worked in northern and southeastern Kenya, especially Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, Wajir, Kitui, Makueni, and Taita Taveta.
- Preference for individuals who are familiar with or have supported former programs that have a technical focus in water, sanitation, agriculture, or sustainable livelihoods.
Women and persons of minority groups are encouraged to apply.
Level of Effort/Timeline
This position is full-time, with 8 working hours per day or 40 working hours per week. The employment contract will be on a yearly basis, with possible extensions until the close of the project. The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
REPORTING
The Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan Specialist will report to the Water Technical Advisor.
APPLICATION
Link: https://fs23.formsite.com/OLJTgx/kefketdnw7/index
Application Instructions:
Select the position for which you are interested in applying, fill out the required information, and upload your CV. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as interviews will be conducted soon.
Please note that due to the volume of applications that we receive and the urgency to fill up positions, only shortlisted applicants will receive notifications on the next steps. Positions are for Ghanaian nationals only. Applications that are received after the closing date or that do not meet the requisite qualifications may not be considered.
