Natural Resources Management Specialist at Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development

Job Purpose

• The Natural Resources Management Specialist will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of the NRM related activities under sub-component 1.2 (Improve Environmental Sustainability, Integrated Natural Resources Management (INRM), and Ecosystem Services).

Key Responsibilities

 Technical Leadership on INRM Approaches

• In collaboration with other project implementers, undertake or update inventories of natural and environmental resources in the Programme area.
• Coordinate the conduct of environmental impact assessments of project activities and ensure the integration of environmental aspects in all project activities. Initiate participatory forest management of gazetted forest and community hilltops, and preparation of management plans for natural forests and hilltops.
• Provide contribution to the INReMP’s regular progress reports on the project implementation.

Planning and Implementation of INRM Interventions

• Coordinate the project-assisted environmental, off-farm soil and water conservation interventions undertaken by communities with support from Programme partners
• In collaboration with the M&E Specialist, develop a system of monitoring and evaluation of project supported and environmental related activities.
• Coordinate the preparation of the work plans and budgets, and progress reports for the NRM sub-component.
• Provide assistance to INReMP and applicant communities in screening oproposed sub-projects and assigning environmental categories.
• Visit proposed sub-project sites to assess baseline conditions and potential sitespecific impacts.
• Review sub-project specific environmental documentation and give recommendations as needed, to applicant communities and designers, for finalizing the documents.
• Participate in evaluation of sub-project proposals and advise on environmental eligibility and acceptability of proposals, based on guidance provided in the ESCMF and on personal experience.

Mainstreaming Environmental Safeguards and Climate Adaptation

• Continuously review and update the developed project SECAP risk management instruments in line with current SECAP developments.
• Support the INReMP in the co-ordination, management and implementation of the project SECAP risk management instruments in compliance with the SECAP Policies and the Government of Kenya’ Environmental standards.
• Support the INReMP in the development and rolling out of a SECAP risk management monitoring and reporting system against the Environmental and
• Social Management Framework (ESCMF) provisions.
• Support the line ministries to achieve the maximum SECAP risk management efficiency in their assigned tasks.
• Advise on anticipated environmental impacts and possible mitigation measures, and on the relevant type of environmental review to be undertaken and documentation to be prepared
• Working with INReMP Procurement staff, ensure that environmental compliance is incorporated as appropriate in contracts for goods and services and ensure that contractors are fully aware of their responsibilities in this regard.
• Undertake regular environmental monitoring and supervision in order to verify whether and how provisions of the project ESCMF and sub-project specific ESMPs are followed by all relevant stakeholders.

 Capacity Building and Technical Backstopping

• In collaboration with other implementing partners, raise awareness and level of education on environment issues among the communities, including through the school Programme.
• Report regularly on the results of monitoring visits, promptly identify any environmental issues or cases of non-compliance, and make recommendations for dealing with those issues.
• Collaborate with technical staff and engineers to ensure that environmental measures are incorporated at all stages of sub-project preparation and implementation.

Other Duties

• Undertake any other duties assigned by the NPC.

Academic Qualifications

• Have a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Environmental Planning, Environment and Community Development, Natural Resources Management, Forestry, Climate Change, Biodiversity or any related field from a recognized university.

Applicable Professional Experience

• Have a minimum of seven (7) continuous technical and managerial experience in natural resources management and rural community development, five (5) of which must be in a senior management position in a GoK/Development Partner funded project.
• Have experience in community forestry and environmental conservation strategies, and practices of natural forest management.
• At least seven years of experience related to social and environmental standards and impact assessment in an international development context.
• Technical background and experience in developing safeguards for agriculture, livestock production, land use and management projects.
• Knowledge of Human rights (including human rights-based approaches and human rights impact assessment); gender equality and women’s empowerment (including gender mainstreaming and gender analysis).
• Demonstrated knowledge of cultural heritage (including chance find procedures, physical and intangible cultural resources).

Competencies and Skills

• Be able to work closely with other stakeholders including communities, Kenya
• Forestry Service, National Environment Management Authority, Kenya Wildlife
• Service and other relevant government agencies.
• A strong proposal development and report writing skills.
• Have strong leadership and communication skills.