Project Officer – Environmental Compliance at Catholic Relief

Reports To: Environmental Safeguards Manager

Length of Contract: 1 year 2 months (until September 30, 2024)

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) supporting relief and development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity, or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) opened operations in Kenya in 1965. For over 50 years, we have worked throughout the country to implement programs in agriculture, health, microfinance, water, sanitation, emergency relief and peacebuilding. We have built deep relationships with the Government of Kenya and the Catholic Church through ongoing collaboration and support. CRS’ projects in Kenya currently include agriculture, health, multisectoral nutrition, microfinance, emergency response, HIV care and treatment, and services for orphans and vulnerable children. CRS Kenya implements its programs through partnerships with local organizations, including the Catholic Church, other faith-based organizations and community entities for maximum impact and sustainability.

Background:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS), through a consortium of seven development agencies is implementing a USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) Development Food Security Activity (DFSA) five-year research and development program, Nawiri in Isiolo and Marsabit counties of Northern Kenya. The program builds on the existing knowledge base while probing the systemic and societal dynamics driving persistent global acute malnutrition in the target counties. The overall goal of Nawiri is to sustainably reduce levels of global acute malnutrition among vulnerable populations in Isiolo and Marsabit counties of ASAL regions of Northern Kenya. In our consortium CRS is leading on institutional capacity strengthening, gender and youth integration, the strategic learning agenda and livelihoods-focused interventions.

Overview of Nawiri’s Environmental Safeguarding:

Nawiri program operates in accordance with US Government environmental regulations and guidance, including Initial Environmental Examination (IEE), Pest Management Plan (PMP), Water Quality Assurance Plan (WQAP), Environmental Status Reports (ESR), Safe User Action Plan (SUAP), and Environment Management and Mitigation Plan (EMMP) among others. CRS seeks to recruit an environmental compliance officer in Marsabit who will work as integral part of the technical assistance team to ensure that environmental and climate issues are properly considered and addressed, and that operations are supported in order to comply with USAID’s safeguard policies, USAID 22 CFR 216 and ADS201, and Kenya’s national regulations during program implementation.

Job Summary:

The Project Officer – Environmental Compliance will lead and be accountable for full compliance to USAID environmental regulations and associated deliverables under the Nawiri program, as well as GoK environmental regulations at the county level. This includes understanding these regulations and deliverables and their operationalization within the ASAL context. The position will also be expected to generate and regularly updates on Nawiri’s environmental deliverables as required. As environmental compliance is not the sole responsibility of one person, staff capacity building is essential across a large and diverse team to ensure integration of environmental safeguarding issues across interventions. On site monitoring of activities and tracking of associated indicators must be implemented in close partnership with the key county and national government departments and the project’s monitoring, evaluation and learning team. The environmental compliance officer will work directly and report to the Environmental Safeguards Manager, and in close collaboration with all program leads.

Job Responsibilities:

• Conduct regular monitoring of Nawiri consortium activities to ensure full compliance with USAID environmental compliance regulations. Share the results of this monitoring in a timely manner and follow-up on recommendations given.
• Ensure Climate Risk Management mitigation measures are implemented as per the IEE recommendations.
• Work closely with team members, partners, and local government to build their capacity on environmental management, specifically focusing on strengthening institutional capacity, improving environmental quality and the sustainable management of natural resources, and promoting equitable solutions in managing commons such as climate change, sustainability, biodiversity conservation and others.
• Undertake quarterly environmental monitoring and evaluation of program activities against environmental regulations and standards. Take lead on developing and delivering a series of spot checks to ensure that proposed mitigation measures are properly implemented in line with the guidelines and unforeseen environmental and human health impacts are minimized. Prepare report (quarterly, field monitoring) on the safeguard risks with appropriate actions to be taken and ensure that timely actions are taken.
• Facilitate the preparation and updating of environmental safeguard lessons/results as per USAID’s requirements.
• Work in close collaboration with the M&E team to ensure that all the required environmental indicators are properly aligned and tracked with the overall M&E plan.
• Conduct assessments and advise teams on the environmental implications of planned activities.
• Coordinate with external stakeholders and contractors.
• Contribute to maintaining relationships with donors, peer organizations and other institutions, participate in forums in the area of environment to collect and share best practices.

Required/Desired Foreign Language:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; ability to draft and edit reports.
• Excellent verbal communication skills in Kiswahili.

Travel Required:

The position will be based in Marsabit ,with occasional support for Isiolo County, with 60 % frequent travels to project sites  in the respective sub counties.

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: None

Internal: Environmental Safeguards Manager, County Systems Strengthening Specialist, County Health & Nutrition Manager, County Graduation Manager, County Food systems Specialist, County Research Coordinator, Gender & Social Dynamics Specialist, County M&E Specialist, County Learning & Accountability Specialists, Nawiri subcounty program team and Nawiri consortium partner staff.

External: County government of Marsabit staffs especially Ministry of Environment & Water, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock, NEMA, Public Administration and Civic engagement and other related government bodies and authorities, Local Implementing partners and private sector service provider

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Planning and Management, Natural Resources management, Environmental Health and Environmental Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with relevant field-based experience in environment safeguarding issues.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of GoK environmental regulations and USAID environmental compliance experience.
• Demonstrated experience working in some or all of the following: environmental safeguarding, climate risk management, conservation, biodiversity management, capacity building, environmental impact assessment and auditing.
• Knowledge of and experience working with complex MEAL systems and indicator tracking
• Experience working on technical sectors covered under the Nawiri project (nutrition, health, livelihoods, WASH, DRR, livestock, food systems, business sustainability etc.)
• Experience working with USAID as a donor preferred.
• Experience working in Marsabit County and/or the Kenyan ASALs is a plus.
• Registration with NEMA as a Lead/Associate Expert in Environmental Impact Assessment.

Personal Skills:

• Good self-management and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in the English language.
• Able to live in an environment where everyday comforts may not be readily available.
• Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity and inclusion including gender equality.

Agency-wide REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff): 

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results. 

• Personal Accountability
• Acts with Integrity
• Builds and Maintains Trust
• Collaborates with Others
• Open to Learn
• Strategic Mindset
• Develops and Recognizes Others
• Leads Change

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.  

What we offer:

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS Kenya strives to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and work, stay, and do their best.

CRS provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition and any other status protected by law. As an equal opportunity employer, CRS will recruit, hire, train and promote persons solely on their qualifications and abilities.

CRS’ emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a baby room at the office, and flexible working hours where possible.  Women are highly encouraged to apply.

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer