Social Impact Assessment (SIA) Expert at ICF Incorporated

ECOS Project Overview

To advance developing countries’ journey to self-reliance, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) safeguards people and resources by systematically addressing environmental risk. USAID developed the Environmental Compliance Support (ECOS) contract to provide USAID staff and implementing partners worldwide with technical, educational, and knowledge management assistance to facilitate compliance with 22 CFR 216, Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) Sections 117/118/119, regulatory requirements, and executive order and policy objectives. A single, Agency-wide contract, ECOS offers a consistent, quality approach to environmental compliance; minimizes duplication of systems and effort; facilitates the sharing of lessons learned; reduces compliance risks; and reduces transaction costs of missions and operating units seeking access to environmental compliance and related services.

Summary

ICF is seeking to hire a short-term independent consultant for work under the ECOS project in relation to social impact assessments (SIA) and their role within environmental compliance procedures. The SIA expert will join strategic planning conversations, provide USAID with expert advice and high-level insight, and contribute to and/or review specific knowledge products tailored to USAID’s needs.

Required

Qualifications

• Past experience designing and leading SIAs for various clients, including, but not limited to multi-lateral organizations and donors working in international development as well as private sector corporations working in the oil and gas, extractive, ICT manufacturing, apparel, and agro-processing industries
• Knowledge of best practices around grievance mechanisms, particularly among multi-lateral organizations and donors working in international development as well as private sector corporations working in the oil and gas, extractive, ICT manufacturing, apparel, and agro-processing industries
• Extensive work on SIAs or SIA-related projects in developing countries
• Skilled as a high-level technical reviewer
• Excellent writing skills, including in relation to strategic communication, training materials, and manuals as well as conceptualizing frameworks and vision and policy-oriented statements
• A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in SIA and/or SIA-related work such as research, evaluation, international development, or corporate social responsibility
• Masters (preferably PhD) in a relevant social science discipline such as anthropology, development studies, economics, geography, public health, public policy, sociology

Preferred

• Experience with blended assessment approaches, e.g., environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA)
• Knowledge of the history of the assessment context in the United States, including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations and current developments
• Knowledge of USAID environmental compliance regulations as articulated in ADS204 and Reg216
• Experience conducting USAID Initial Environmental Examinations (IIE)
• Understanding of USAID’s interests to improve procedures and processes relating to the consideration and assessment of social impacts