NGO Degree Opportunities – Environmental Safeguard Specialist at ASARECA

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Organisation: The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA)
Location: Kampala, Uganda
Job Description
Our client, The Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) is a sub-regional not-for-profit association. It was established in 1994 by 11 member countries represented by their national agricultural research for development institutes. The 11 member countries are: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The major objective of ASARECA is to develop policies and programs aimed at deepening co-operation in agricultural research and policy among its member countries for the mutual benefit of all the stakeholders in the agricultural sector. As a responsible employer, ASARECA is committed to providing competitive employment terms to its employees. To help in achieving this, ASARECA is looking to recruit individuals with high integrity, dedication, and commitment to fill the position.
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director, the Environmental Safeguard Specialist will be responsible for providing operational support to ASARECA Managers, Unit Heads and Principal Investigators for them to fulfill the compliance requirements and enhance the effective integration of environmental and social concerns of project activities financed by the ASARECA MDTF.
The Officer is expected to use and strengthen the country systems in environmental and social assessments by providing technical comments and by participating in the process of preparing environmental and social management plans for all approved projects, monitoring the implementation of the mitigation measures identified in the plan and providing training in environmental and social issues to sub grantees as part of the capacity building initiatives.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
·         Undertake regular categorization and review of the social, technical, and environmental impact of project and resettlement plans to ensure quality control of documents, adequacy of mitigation measures and strengthening of compliance to environmental and social safeguards procedures;
·         Ensure preparation, reviews, and updating of safeguard procedures of ASARECA, including the preparation and updating of tools, formats / manuals and procedures;
·         Coordinate the creation / dissemination of information both internal and external and the use of such in environmental and social sustainability studies and initiatives;
·         Create a knowledge network within ASARECA on project-based environmental and social issues to improve communication, modus operandi, and safeguards;
·         Ensure that training is provided to ASARECA staff on sustainable development and social safeguards both internally and in partner institutions following the production of training materials, learning tools and related documents;
·         Participate in preparing management responses to World Bank Review Missions’ reports and required monitoring activities;
·         Undertake periodic monitoring of progress reporting on the implementation of environmental and social safeguards policies and procedures, including lessons learned and strategic direction;
·         Establish and manage partnerships and initiate networking with other international and bilateral agencies at international, regional and local levels to advance the agenda of the safeguards’ program and represent ASARECA in such conferences and workshops;
·         Assess social and environmental impacts of the projects and mitigation measures through desk reviews and field visits;
·         Provide classifications for projects in terms of the level of possible social and environmental impacts and mitigation possibilities;
·         Ensure performance standards are specifically applicable to the particular project being reviewed, and environmental guidelines are followed to ensure project designs and planned mitigation measures and the applicable standards are met;
·         Manage contract conditions to ensure compliance of the project with the performance standards and applicable guidelines;
·         Prepare environmental and social review summaries for all projects as an essential part of disclosure process;
·         Ensure environmental and social mitigation measures and the right institutional setup is in place and budget is allocated for their implementation; and
·         Prepare terms of reference for environmental and social impact assessments.
Qualifications, Skills & Experience
The successful candidate will have:
·         A minimum of five years experience in one or more relevant professional disciplines;
·         Strong theoretical base in environmental and/or social areas, combining a broad grasp of relevant theory and principles with practices and precedents;
·         Good knowledge of the World Bank safeguard policy and those of ASARECA member countries;
·         Ability to translate theory into practical applications in social or environmental due diligence and monitoring of moderately complex projects in different sectors;
·         Ability to carry out policy analysis, as necessary to support the work of the environment and social specialist team on how best to ensure ASARECA’s policies and standards on social and environmental sustainability are met;
·         Ability to travel frequently and handle often difficult project environments, and to work in a variety of cultural contexts and countries;
·         Strong written and spoken English including the ability to convey ideas and positions clearly. Working knowledge of French will be considered an added advantage;
·         High level of work ethical standards and a demonstrated ability to handle procedures that involve highly sensitive and confidential information;
·         Excellent organizational skills, ability to prioritize assignments,     and work
·         effectively often under pressure with minimum supervision;
·         Demonstratable maturity and judgment and sound decision-making and negotiating skills; and
·         Ability to work within cross-cultural groups to achieve consensus on complex policy issues.
·         We are looking for a candidate with a Masters degree in a relevant discipline (Environment, Engineering, Legal, or Social Sciences) or in any other related field.
How to Apply
If you believe you fit the required profile, send your applications in confidence to the address below. Please Indicate the position that you are applying for and send your curriculum vitae (by post or email) containing details of your qualifications, experience, present position, current and expected remuneration as well as copies of professional/ academic certificates. Include day and evening telephone numbers, e-mail address, names and addresses of three references to:
The People and Change Division
PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited
Communications House, 1 Colville Street
P O Box 8053 Kampala, Uganda
E-mail: hr.s@ug.pwc.com
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Deadline: 12th October, 2012
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