CARE is an international NGO with local staff and community partners in more than 90 countries. We create local solutions to poverty and inequality, and we seek dignity for everyone every day and during times of crisis.  These solutions have a broad range, from clean water to access to education; from microfinance to ensuring that everyone has nutritious food; from agriculture and climate change to disaster response. CARE puts women and girls at the center of everything we do because they have proven to be the best hope for creating lasting change in the world.  Our staff live where they work, which makes us effective at understanding the challenges they face. We’ve been doing this for over 70 years, since World War II. It started with the world’s first CARE Package® of food for the post-war hungry in Europe.  Our work today is as important as ever, we believe that poverty and inequality are historic injustices that we can end within a generation, for good. If you share our core beliefs: poverty is an injustice; poverty is solvable; and together, we have the power to end it, join us.

I.  JOB SUMMARY

The purpose of the Senior Environmental Safeguard Specialist is to oversee the environmental compliance of SPIR II program activities and to provide high level technical support on environmental and climate risk management efforts. S/he also required to ensure the environmental sustainability of the program interventions (natural resource and watershed management activities, biodiversity protection, construction of WASH, Infrastructure, and other capital projects.) of Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) funded by USAID. S/he leads, and as required is fully involved in the Environmental Assessment, preparation of Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation Plans (EMMPs), in the preparation of Environmental and Social Management Framework and other Environmental Compliance related activities of SPIR II program considering the approved Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) document and other sectoral environmental guidelines. S/he will perform technical guidance, supervision, monitoring and evaluation of program activities against USAID and national Environmental Safeguard standards and guideline.

The position holder is expected to technically guide, and fully support field based Environmental Compliance Officers to enable them discharge high level technical support to all project activities related to Environmental Safeguard interventions. With the close support of Senior WASH, Infrastructure and Environmental Protection Advisor and in collaboration with other program units, s/he is expected to support the implementation of the Environmental Protection strategy of the country office. Moreover, s/he needs to develop and strengthen partnerships among key stakeholders, government counterparts, and NGOs involved in the Environmental Safeguard related activities and to foster mutual learning and innovation that would increase the efficiency and effectiveness in CARE Ethiopia.

II. RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS: 

Job Responsibility #1:  Planning, Design, Implementation, and Development (35%)

• With the guidance provided from the Senior WASH, Infrastructure & Environmental Protection Advisor, s/he regularly monitors the implementation of program activities to be performed in an environmental sound designed manner.

• Technically assists the SPIR II program on environmental compliance specifically focusing on improving environmental quality and the sustainable management of natural resources, and promoting sustainable solutions to climate change, biodiversity conservation, wetlands and others;

• Ensure all project activities are implemented in adhering to the SPIR’s IEE, environmental protection laws, regulation, guidelines, policies and standards of USAID and Ethiopian government;

• Lead the environmental and social feasibility assessment to construction activities such as vertical construction, small scale irrigation, water supply, road and soil and conservation structures considering Ethiopian government and USAID environmental safeguard policies;

• Work with field staffs and government partners to ensure program activities are implemented in an environmentally sound manner;

•  Ensure agriculture activities follow the recommendations made in the USAID approved Pesticide evaluation report and safer use action plan (PERSUAP), at the field level especially on small scale irrigation constructed by the program and commodity storage warehouses;

• Prepare the Annual Environmental Status Report (ESR) based on the approved SPIR`s EMMP to verify the implementation status of proposed environmental mitigation and monitoring measures;

• Work with field staff and government partners to ensure the environmental sustainability of SPIR program activities in the operational areas;

• Participate in the preparation of the Site Specific Programmatic Environmental Assessment documents to Small Scale Irrigation, road and water supply systems of SPIR program;

• Work closely with Senior WASH, Infrastructure and Environmental Protection Advisor, government counterparts, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure proper implementation of SPIR`s EMMP and other conditions set by USAID.

Job Responsibility #2:  Supervision, Capacity Building and Technical Support (40%)

• Organize and facilitate environmental management and protection related training for the zonal and district level SPIR program and other government staffs;

• Periodically, conducts regular field monitoring and supportive supervision visits and provide technical support at project zones, woredas, sites and provide on spot formal and informal feedback to staff;

• Work closely with partners and field-based staff to ensure the quality of program implementation from environmental safeguard perspectives;

• Provides technical support in all phases of the program cycle and regularly monitors the environmental compliance of SPIR interventions against the USAID and national environmental safeguard standards;

• Monitors and ensures timeliness, cost effectiveness and environmental soundness of the EMMPs;

• Ensures full engagement of government partners in the process of environmental management interventions, timely approval and reporting.

 Job Responsibility #3:  Learning, reporting and documentation (15%)

• With the program team, analyzes past experiences and incorporate lessons learned in the area of the program planning and implementation process; and based on past achievements adjusts program targets, strategies, and resources;

• Facilitate introduction, familiarization and promotion of different and appropriate innovative technologies/approaches, captures learning from the success of others and apply to implementation areas as appropriate;

• Keeps up to date with developments in the Environmental Safeguard sector, including best practice examples in-country and internationally, and ensures ongoing personal development and learning;

• Ensures proper documentation, communication and dissemination of assessments, outputs, success stories and lessons to supervisees and peers;

• Prepares, reviews and timely submits periodic performance reports (weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual) and submit to his supervisor.

Job Responsibility #4:  Networking and Representation (5%)

• When requested by the Senior WASH, Infrastructure and Environmental Protection Advisor, liaise with and represent the program’s environmental compliance activities to regional, zonal and woreda government officials, civil society/community leaders, the private sector and other key stakeholders.

• Coordinate and share information with senior management, consortium partners, local government, other implementing partners and other CARE country programs where relevant.

• Establish and maintain professional and productive relationships with all project team and program stakeholders.

GENDER EQUALITY

• Understanding and demonstrated commitment to the importance of gender, youth, and social inclusion issues.

• Demonstrated commitment to principles of Gender Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and PSEAH (safeguarding), as evidenced in previous positions / programming

Perform other duties as assigned - 5% of Time: 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: N/A

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Senior WASH, Infrastructure and Environmental Protection Advisor

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: SPIR field office team, NRM, DRR and CCA Advisor, and local government partners at woreda, zone and regional level.

Job Requirements

I. JOB REQUIREMENT

A)    Education/Training and Experience

• B.S.C/M.S.C degree in environmental sciences/engineering, natural resource managements, Soil and Water Resources Engineering or another related subject.

Required:

• 5 years of relevant experience with the first degree 3 years of relevant experience plus post graduate degree in Environmental Science/Engineering, Natural resource management, Soil and water engineering, or related field of study and a minimum of 5 years’ progressive professional experience with similar responsibilities.

Desired:

• At least 5 years’ previous experience working with USAID funded food security programs in a similar environmental compliance responsibility.

• Computer training like GIS, Remote Sensing, and other related software applications.

Working Conditions and Level of Travel Required. 

This position is based in the CARE Ethiopia Head Office, Addis Ababa. The incumbent is expected to frequently travel to SPIR II program intervention areas in West and East Hararghe.

How to Apply

Register using THIS LINK

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Passionate and dedicated candidates who meet the requirement are strongly encouraged to apply, especially women!

CARE Ethiopia is committed to preventing all unwanted behavior at work. This includes sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, and child abuse. We expect everyone who works for us to share this commitment by understanding and working within the CARE Safeguarding Policy and related framework. CARE Ethiopia has a zero-tolerance approach to any harm to, or exploitation of, a vulnerable adult or child by any of our staff, representatives or partners.

CARE Ethiopia reserves the right to seek information from job applicants’ current and/or previous employers about incidents of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment the applicant may have been found guilty to have committed or about which an investigation was in the process of being carried out at the time of the termination of the applicant’s employment with that employer.

By submitting the application, the job applicant confirms that s/he has no objection to CARE Ethiopia requesting the information specified above. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks.

CARE seeks to improve the lives of the most marginalized, particularly women and girls. Our diversity is our strength. We encourage people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.