Environment Climate and Safeguards Specialist at Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries

VACANCY NO: 3/2021

The Environment Climate And Safeguards Specialist will work closely with the PMCU and respective component leads as well as county governments and implementing partners, to cover the entire project's environmental, climate and safeguards oversight. The position will provide support to the project to comply with environmental, climate and safeguards issues. The workstation will be at PMCU Nakuru but he/she will travel extensively within the Project area, as may be required. He/she will sign a six (6) year Contract of Employment with the initial six months on probation. The contract will remain in force but renewable annually based on satisfactory annual performance. He/she will be answerable to the Project Coordinator for the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Technical backstopping and advising the PMCU, implementing partners and counties in addressing a variety of environmental and climate issues at all the stages of implementation;
2. Coordinate environment and climate-related training/awareness-raising and coordination activities;
3. Ensure that environment and climate issues are mainstreamed into project interventions and in the application of project documents e.g. the PDR, PIM, AWPBs etc.;
4. Ensure environment and climate safeguards as outlined in the ESMF,
5. ESMPs, in-depth climate risk analysis, grievance redress mechanism, and in the integrated pesticides management plan are adhered to, and oversee the capacity building and training activities as required.

The following are the specific tasks of the specialist:

1. Ensure that he/she guides the project in mainstreaming environment, climate and NRM considerations in all interventions and implementation processes.
2. Ensure the project investments and each activity under the project is subjected to appropriate environmental, climate and safeguards processes and procedures.
3. Prepare guidelines, tools and notes for use in the project based on relevant environmental policies, acts and regulations/ directives of the Government of Kenya and relevant safeguard policies of IFAD
4. Ensure that national and IFAD's SECAP guidelines and procedures are complied with at all times and all stages of project implementation.
5. Oversee and provide technical support towards the development of the indicators, tools, guidelines on the environment and climate aspects of the project's baselines, and that the progress is monitored at mid-term and end line.
6. Develop relevant training and capacity building materials and organize the environment and climate awareness creation activities; and training of local institutions, implementing partners and farmers/agropastoralists/beneficiaries.
7. Prepare related knowledge products and materials and help the project in disseminating the information to the relevant stakeholders and audiences.
8. Develop implementation strategies of AWP&B activities related to the environment, climate and NRM activities and ensure AWPB targets are met on time.
9. Review activity plans and bid documents of implementing partners and contractors, to ensure environmental, climate issues are mainstreamed and mitigation measures are incorporated and ensure all project documents and environmental documents are in harmony.
10. Ensure that project intervention are guided by the safeguards documents (ESMF, ESMP, in-depth climate risk analysis, grievance redress mechanism, integrated pesticides management plan) developed for the project and that mitigation actions proposed are embedded into all relevant activities.
11. Coordinate with relevant agencies for obtaining appropriate environmental permits and or certification/licenses e.g. NEMA, WRA; etc.
12. Implement and promote the environment and climate agenda of the project.
13. Communicate with IPs and contractors for necessary environmental compliance.
14. Support Project M&E through data collection and writing of required reports.
15. Prepare any documents required to mobilize climate finances.
16. Any other official duty as may be assigned by the project coordinator.

Academic qualifications and other requirements for the Position:

Minimum Requirements:

1. Master's Degree in Environmental Sciences; Natural Resource Management and NRM or any related field.
2. At least ten (10) years of relevant and progressive experience at community, national or international level in providing environmental management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing interrelationships among international organizations and national governments.
3. At least ten (10) years of full-time and documented experience in similar assignments, with broad knowledge of environmental conservation and management, including in the area of solid waste management and similar;
4. Be registered with NEMA or an international environmental body and demonstrated knowledge of the regulatory body's (NEMA)compliance procedures will be an advantage;
5. Must meet the requirements of chapter six (6) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010

Other Requirements:

1. Sound knowledge of policy and regulatory frameworks for environmental, climate assessments and natural resource management in the agricultural/livestock context of Kenya.
2. Demonstrated capacity to develop environmental and social management plans, execute safeguards, prescribe solutions to natural resource management problems, manage budgets and programs, as well as prepare reports;
3. Excellent skills in written and spoken English and good computer skills, knowledge of local languages such as Swahili will be an added advantage;
4. Creative, innovative system thinker, with the ability to catalyze change.