Food Security and Resilience (FSR) Environmental and Social Risk Management Specialist at DAI Kenya - Development Alternatives, Inc.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Food Security and Resilience (FSR) Environmental and Social Risk Management Specialist will support the design and implementation of ATI’s environmental and social risk management system for the project’s food security and resilience program. USAID policy requires implementing organizations to ensure their program activities do not have a negative environmental or social impact. This is done primarily through detailed analyses of program activities to identify potential impacts and the development and implementation of mitigation and monitoring measures to minimize and monitor these risks.

ATI is required to follow environmental and social impact determinations specified in the USAID approved IEE, which outlines the activities with the potential for negative environmental and social impacts and specifies actions to minimize the risk of these activities. The Environmental and Social Risk Management Specialist will help to ensure that the IEE requirements are implemented by the project team, including sub-contractors and grantees, and that all environmental and social impact analyses are completed as required by the IEE.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research and collect information required for the preparation, and assist in drafting a project-level environmental monitoring and mitigation plans (EMMP) and environmental review checklists (ERCs) outlining activity-specific compliance requirements;
• Ensure that all program activities, including grants and subcontracts, consider the potential environmental and social impact, incorporate required environmental and social mitigation measures, and address any environmental concerns during project implementation;
• Support the environmental and social review, assessment, monitoring, and reporting requirements for all ATI activities, including ongoing maintenance/revision of the Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP); ATI’s Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF); and customized environmental and social compliance trackers, tools and templates;
• Support and provide training to build the capacity of local implementing partners to identify potential environmental and social impacts and comply and monitor the implementation of mitigation measures;
• Monitor the implementation of ERC mitigation measures through regular visits to project activities;
• For any potential high-risk activities, liaison with the ATI Environmental and Social Risk Management Specialist with a Scoping Statement, and Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), while adhering to the requirements of USAID regulations and procedures for EA
• Ensure timely completion of environmental/social deliverables and periodic reporting; maintain compliance documentation records for technical audits;
• Prepare quarterly program reports and include updates to the annual implementation plan on the status of the project’s environmental management systems;
• Conduct activity-specific environmental/social reviews for medium-risk activities;
• Support and oversee the work done by consultants over a broad spectrum of assignments for program environmental compliance
• Any other tasks relevant to the environmental and social compliance of the program as requested by the Team Leader or Chief Of Party

REPORTING:

The Environmental and Social Risk Management Specialist will report to the Chief Financial Officer with close coordination with the Food Security and Resilience Team Lead, ATI Environmental and Social Risk Management Specialist and ATI Communications team.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and/or Management of Environmental Engineering or related field and 9+ years of relevant work experience, preferably in the environmental field preferably supporting USG programs;
• Experience in preparing or supporting the development of Environmental Assessments or Environmental Impact Assessments and experience in monitoring environmental or social compliance is highly preferred
• Well-developed analytical writing skills, communications, and interpersonal skills including excellent English writing speaking and reading skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a fast-moving, the fluid team setting with multiple stakeholders;
• An extremely well-organized and self-directed individual with sound technical skills, analytical ability, excellent judgment, sound problem-solving and decision-making skills