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Job Title: Environmental Safeguards Specialist

Organisation: Ministry of Education and Sports

Duty Station:  Kampala, Uganda with frequent travel to the project sites

Reports to: Project Coordinator USEEP

About US:

The Ministry of Education and Sports is a cabinet-level ministry of Uganda. It is mandated “to provide technical support, guide, coordinate, regulate and promote quality education, training and sports to all persons in Uganda for national integration, development and individual advancement”, according to the website of the ministry.

Background

The Government of Uganda has received financing of US$ 150 million from the World Bank towards support to the 3-year Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project (USEEP) under the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES). The project became effective on 19th May 2022 and is expected to close by 31st December, 2025. A Project Coordination Unit (PCU) under the MoES will provide support to line departments and stakeholders in implementation of the project.

Job Summary: To support the PCU in ensuring that various interventions implemented under USEEP comply with environmental policies, laws and regulations governing both Uganda and IDA. The incumbent will mainly be determining, to what extent the Environmental Safeguard Policies of Government of Uganda and the World Bank are being followed during implementation of such activities as: construction of schools, capacity building initiatives; level of compliance with regard to the provisions in the National Environment Act No. 4 of 2019 etc

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

In accordance with the project objectives, the Environmental Specialist shall conduct the activities below in accordance to the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and the Project Implementation Manual.

• Provide conceptual and operational leadership on the core USEEP Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) development activities.
• Serve as a focal point person on EHS issues as part of the Project Coordination Unit.
• Supervise and undertake technical review of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental Audits, and Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) by Consultants, and Contractors, and follow-up on acquisition of any relevant GoU and World Bank Approvals.
• Provide guidance on implementation of project mitigation measures as per approved safeguards documents.
• Provide feedback to the Planning and procurement process for the project to ensure that (a) the Environmental, Health and Safety requirements are properly reflected and costed in contract documents, (b) environmental safeguards milestones are included in the contractor’s certificates for payment, and (c) conditions of approval for the NEMA certificates and other statutory approvals are well considered, implemented and accordingly advise the project implementation teams.
• Ensure all project interventions comply with the projects’ ESMF and Environmental assessments;
• Take charge of development of the Environmental Safeguards compliance monitoring framework for integration in the comprehensive monitoring tools for the project;
• Furnish the project implementation team with progress made and challenges faced in the implementation of Environmental Safeguards at each of the monthly progress review meetings;
• Offer technical guidance to the Ministry team with respect to approaches used to ensure compliance with environmental safeguards measures as indicated in the ESMF;
• Carry out stakeholder engagement and consultations on all project activities as required.
• Support the collection, analysis and utilisation of environmental safeguards information at National, Local Government, institutional and community levels;
• Participate in field monitoring of project activities especially construction of school facilities to assess level of compliance with ESIAs, RAPs and Best Environmental Practices (BEP) as contained in the ESMPs; and site meetings to provide environmental inputs regarding the project;
• Determine the scope and magnitude of likely resettlement effects, compile likely losses of residential lands and assets, agricultural lands, business and income opportunities, affected communal assets and public building; including management of all project information that relates to environmental safeguards from the respective beneficiaries for discussion in meetings or project missions;
• Ensure that safeguards and cross cutting issues are included in technical designs, tender documentation and project budgets as agreed between MoES and the World Bank Task Team;
• Actively coordinate and support preparation of periodic project progress reports with adequate input on project performance on environmental safeguards;
• Conduct periodic training and capacity building of key USEEP implementers at National, Local Government, institutional and community levels on implementing environmental safeguards under the project, including orienting them on the application of the ESMF, RPF and IPPF; using project availed opportunities for cost efficiency;
• Ensure that adequate environmental safeguards records and documentation are kept (including photographs,) of works and other interventions and adequate documentation of stakeholder consultations and land affirmations;
• Ensure that Environmental Compliance Certificates are issued prior to final completion certificates for all civil works;
• Assist in developing TOR for the environmental impact assessment studies for specific USEEP activities where required;
• Support and lead in the development of respective ESIAs and RAPs as defined in the ESMF, RPF and IPPF where required;
• Guide Management on strategies for strengthening implementation of environmental safeguards measures; and
• Perform any other duties as assigned from time to time.

Key Result Areas

• Environmental Safeguards monitoring and reporting
• Monthly progress reports on performance of environmental safeguards.
• Capacity building plan for project implementation teams on environmental safeguards.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• A Master’s Degree in Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources Management or a related field from a recognized University/Institution
• Postgraduate qualifications and experience in Environmental Impact Assessment/ Environmental Audit (EIA/EA) and monitoring are added advantages.
• Membership in related professional association(s) will be of added advantage.
• An honours degree in either Social Sciences or Agriculture or Forestry or Environmental studies
• At least Ten (10) years in areas of conducting a comprehensive Environment and Social Impact Assessments and Analyses;
• Has significant practical experience with the World Bank safeguard policies and/or IFC Performance Standards evidenced from similar work carried out in the past works.
• Registration with NEMA as Environmental Practitioner or an equivalent body for 3-5 years of post-qualification experience
• Experience of having worked in refugee settings is an added advantage.

Competences

• Working knowledge of Uganda’s legal and regulatory framework, as well as World Bank’s
• Operational Policies on environmental safeguards;
• Demonstrable knowledge of supporting a comprehensive and balanced approach to environmental safeguards management is required including scoping screening, research, risk assessment, planning, project development and implementation, monitoring and reporting;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite applications and any environmental/social analytical packages; and
• Understands; environmental risk analysis and management, occupation health and safety management, environmental, occupational health and safety laws, regulations and requirements of Uganda;
• Identifies safeguard compliance issues and proposes strategies for assuring compliance;
• Provides sound advice on the design and implementation of mitigation strategies in areas of risk;
• Understands how environmental safeguards fits into project cycle;
• Ability to effectively communicate and provide guidance to project implementing teams
• Ability to make timely and quality judgement and decisions

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and interested Individuals should submit sealed applications accompanied with certified Copies of their academic documents and detailed Resume giving full details of the applicants’ education, qualifications, experience, three referees with their full address, e-mail and telephone contacts as well as the candidate’s full address, telephone number and e-mail to the address below;

The Permanent Secretary,

Ministry of Education and Sports; and delivered to

Ministry Registry, Plot 9/11 King George VI Way,

Embassy House, 4th Floor, Room 1,

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Deadline: 22^nd August 2022 at 5:00pm

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