ABOUT RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE (RTI)

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years of experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, an independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 5,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. RTI's Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG& R) technical unit within the International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. SG&;R will leverage RTI's experience designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world.

ABOUT SG&R’s Global Food Security and Agriculture portfolio

SG&R’s Global Food Security and Agriculture portfolio is working to strengthen agricultural markets, engage youth and women as critical leaders of the on- and off-farm workforce, and tackle the dual burden of malnutrition around the globe. RTI’s work is helping foster stronger food systems, reduce malnutrition in all its forms, build resilience and engage the next generation of food security leaders. RTI is currently partnering on nearly 30 projects in East Africa, including activities focused on private sector- driven agricultural growth in Rwanda and market systems development in Kenya.

ABOUT FIRST CONSULT

First Consult is a leading economic development consulting firm implementing projects in Ethiopia. Founded in 2006, First Consult (FC) has grown to design and implement projects across the agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors. Our multidisciplinary teams combine a capacity to execute with clarity of the local context. As a result, we have delivered at-scale real impact in terms of jobs & wealth creation, business formation & growth, and investment attraction & mobilization.

ABOUT THE PROJECT/PROGRAM

The purpose of the USAID/Ethiopia Food and Agriculture Systems Transformation (FAST) Activity is to increase access to healthy diets, particularly for women and children, by improving competitiveness, inclusiveness, and resilience of the Ethiopian food and agriculture system. FAST will also increase incomes gained from agriculture by as much as 40 percent over the next five years. To achieve its goals FAST must collaborate intensively with other USAID-funded projects working in the food and agriculture sector.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Environmental Compliance and Climate Officer, based at the head office in Addis Ababa, is responsible for to ensure the successful implementation of mandatory environmental assessments as well as environmental compliance monitoring and reporting for the project. In order to ensure prudent environmental management and compliance, he/she works closely with all Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representatives (COR/AOR) and their alternates, activity managers, Team Leaders and Office Directors. The incumbent develops and maintains professional contacts in both the public and private sectors, implementing partners, consultants, non-governmental organizations, and other relevant development partners in Ethiopia. In addition to the specific tasks stated below, s/he is expected to contribute fully as a project team member, conducting him/herself in proper decorum at all times as a representative of the project, and is responsible for the safekeeping and care of all project assets assigned to him/her.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in advising teams on how best to comply with USAID’s Environmental Procedures over the life of the project, including effective monitoring of partner implementation of the environmental mitigation measures required by Initial Environmental Examinations (IEEs) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and how to obtain additional environmental expertise to assist in compliance with USAID’s mandatory environmental procedures when needed.

• Review of FAST’s environmental compliance in all Activities, with emphasis on technical interventions and partner activities;

• Preparation and update Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP);

• In-country environmental training for FAST staff, including specific partners who also require additional capacity building regarding environmental compliance.

• Develop, budget, implement, and monitoring of Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plans (EMMPs) and Initial Environmental Examination(IEE).

• Conduct and lead workshops for all FAST staff to review FAST Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) and provide guidance on further implementation.

• With the guidance provided by the Grant Manager, regularly monitor the implementation of program activities in terms of environmental compliance. Identify problems, create and implement solutions, track progress and document learnings on a regular basis.

• Ensure all project activities are in compliance with USAID’s environmental regulations, as well as the relevant Ethiopian Government’s environmental laws, policies and regulations;

• Responsible for conducting routine monitoring of field activities for environmental compliance, reporting on activities and findings and, providing recommendations that were appropriate.

• Work closely with the regional and district team to ensure proper implementation of the project and other conditions set by USAID.

• Contribute to monthly, quarterly and annual reporting as required and communicated by the environmental compliance specialist.

• Support the review and validate environmental compliance-related success stories for structure and content, ensuring the use of the approved format, and send them to the grant manager.

• Liaise with and represent the program’s environmental compliance activities to zonal and woreda government officials, civil society/community leaders, the private sector and other key stakeholders.

• Coordinate and share information with consortium partners, local government, other implementing partners and other where relevant.

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

• Performs additional managerial duties as assigned by Grant Manager or other

REQUIRED SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree (or higher) in environmental science, environmental management, environmental engineering or other closely related fields, from a recognized University/College

• Minimum of 5 - 7 years of experience in developing environmental procedures and guidelines is strongly desirable. Experience in designing projects, contract and grants management and budget development and management is desirable preferably with USAID.

• In-depth familiarity with, understanding of, and ability to successfully navigate within the Ethiopian context preferred;

•  Excellent analytical and problem-solving capacities – ability to identify issues with contractual implications, ensure consistent donor reporting and support teams in providing appropriate analyses of activities.

• Good interpersonal skills and a good team player

• Ability to work independently and shoulder delegated authority

• Strong technical and analytic capacities and sound judgment

• Professional fluency in English (both spoken and written) and strong command of Amharic is required, additional local language is a plus;

• Excellent computer skills; Good proficiency in Microsoft Office – significant experience with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

REPORTING

The Environmental Compliance and Climate Officer reports directly to the Grant Manager.

HOW TO APPLY

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