Head of Environmental Services at Vihiga County Government

Reporting to the County Secretary

Duties and Responsibilities

The Country Head of Environment will be responsible to the Chief Officer in-charge of Environment, Energy and Natural Resources for planning, directing, controlling and coordinating technical administrative activities of environment and natural resources. Specific duties and responsibilities will entail the following: –

• Coordinating implementation of statutory provisions and other relevant legislations on Environmental and Natural Resources
• Developing and implementing Environmental and Natural Resources policies, guidelines, standards and procedures;
• Coordinating the implementation of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes in collaboration with the County Public Health Directorate;
• Overseeing environmental protection and conservation programmes and projects in consultation with relevant departments and other stakeholders;
• Ensuring robust waste management systems including waste water recycling and e-waste management;
• Evaluating environmental management programmes and projects;
• Overseeing the enforcement of environmental regulations and rules in consultation with NEMA;
• Identifying environmental research needs;
• Overseeing the development and management of environment impacting projects;
• Identifying relevant partners and agencies in support of environmental programmes and projects such as degraded landscape reclamation, rehabilitation and restoration;
• Liaising with the Energy and Climate Change Directorate on matters of streams and river catchment conservation using environment-friendly plant species.
• Initiating the development of GIS innovations in the enhancement of ecosystem services;
• Overseeing development of strategic plans and work plans, performance targets and contracts; preparing budgets and procurement plans for the department; and staff development, coaching and mentoring.
• Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time by Chief Officer Department of Environment, Water, Natural Resources and Energy.

Requirements for Appointment

For appointment to this grade, an officer must have the following: –

• Currently serving as Deputy Head/Director (Environment/Natural Resources); OR have served in the grade of Senior Assistant Head/Director (Environment/Natural Resources)for a period of not less than three (3No.) years;
• Have Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Resources
• Conservation, Environmental Engineering, Bio-Systems Engineering, Environmental Waste Management, Disaster Management, Geography, Environmental Health, Public Health, or a related Environmental Science from a recognized institution;
• Post-Graduate Diploma in any of the following disciplines: Solid Waste Management, Ecosystems Management, Systems Ecology, Epidemiology, Environmental Education, Disaster Management or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution;OR
• Have a Master’s degree in the respective field from a recognized institution;
• Have at least ten (10) years’ experience in the environmental sector.
• Certificate in Strategic Leadership Development Programme lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution;
• Certificate in Computer Application Skills from a recognized institution;
• Demonstrated high degree of professional competence and Administrative capability required for the effective planning, direction, control and coordination of the Environment and Natural Resources Functions.
• Satisfy the requirement of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya 2010;

ALL candidates MUST meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya on Leadership and Integrity and will be required to produce clearance/compliance certificates from the following agencies:

• Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
• Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
• Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
• Credit Reference Bureau (CRB).
• Directorate of Criminal Investigation (Good Conduct).