Environmental Compliance Officer

Mercy Corps

Details / requirements:

Mercy Corps is an international, non-governmental humanitarian relief and development agency that exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Mercy Corps works in more than 40 countries, and has been present in Nepal since 2005. In Nepal, Mercy Corps works to build the absorptive, adaptive, and transformative potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across the country. Through a systems-based approach to market development, financial services access, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and youth engagement, Mercy Corps builds resilience among target communities.

Mercy Corps invites applications from all interested and potential Nepali candidates for the following positions in PAHAL Program:

1. Environmental Compliance Officer -1 (Nepalgunj based with frequent travel to PAHAL districts)

Please refer to nepal.mercycorps.org for the full position description before applying.

“Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision, and we encourage people from all backgrounds, especially women and members of disadvantaged groups to apply. Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer”.

Interested candidates are requested to submit cover letter and Mercy Corps Application Form  available at http://nepal.mercycorps.org by COB July 31, 2017 to the address below:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further selection process. Telephone enquiries will not be entertained.

Attn: Human Resources Department

[Please mention the title of the Position on the subject line of the e-mail while applying]

Email to:  np-jobs@mercycorps.org

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS

Position Title: Environmental Compliance Officer (ECO)-PAHAL

Duty Station: Nepalgunj, Nepal (40%) with frequent travel to field in Mid and Far-west (60%)

Position Category:  Full-time AND Regular 

Salary Level:  01

Current Employee:  N/A

BACKGROUND:

Mercy Corps is an international, non-governmental humanitarian relief and development agency that exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Mercy Corps works in more than 40 countries, and has been present in Nepal since 2005. In Nepal, Mercy Corps works to build the absorptive, adaptive, and transformative potential of vulnerable individuals and communities across the country. Through a systems-based approach to market development, financial services access, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and youth engagement, Mercy Corps builds resilience among target communities.

PROGRAM /DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps Nepal as the prime organization has been implementing a five year program - “Promoting Agriculture, Health and Alternative Livelihood” (PAHAL) funded by USAID. PAHAL seeks to strengthen livelihoods, improve nutritional status and increase the capacity of vulnerable households to mitigate, adapt to and recover from shocks and stresses in communities with deep poverty and high rates of malnutrition in critical zones of the Mid-Western and Far-Western Regions of Nepal. The goal of the PAHAL program is: Vulnerable populations in the middle and high hills of Far Western and Mid-Western Nepal are food secure. The target area of the program covers 14 districts in the Mid-West and Far-West regions of Nepal. The Mid-West region comprises of 7 districts; Surkhet, Dailekh, Pyuthan, Rolpa, Rukum, Salyan and Jajarkot while the Far-West region comprises of Dadeldhura, Doti, Accham, Baitadi, Bajhang, Bajura and Darchula districts.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

In close coordination with the Environmental Compliance Manager (ECM), theEnvironmental Compliance Officer will work closely with regional and district teams to ensure PAHAL environmental compliance is followed accordingly in all target communitiesof Far and Mid-west Nepal. He/she will be responsible for ensuring that both regional and district teamsunderstand PAHAL’s Initial Environmental Examination (IEE), Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) and other USAID environmental compliance conditions. He/she will also ensure that plans are executed accordingly and, monitor whether or not plans are implemented properly. He/she will identify gaps in meeting environmental compliance in the field and identify possible solutions in close coordination with ECM and relevant component officers.

The ECO will have the responsibility to support the Environmental Compliance Managerin ensuring thatthe recommendations made by USAID in the project’s Initial Environmental Examination (IEE)and Environmental Status Reports (ESR) are implemented across program activities and consortium partners. 

As Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) is cross-cutting and core component for the PAHAL program. All personnel are required to own this and ensure GESI sensitivity and integration to their respective areas of responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The specific duties and responsibilities of the Environmental Compliance Officer include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Technical:

  • With guidance provided by the Environmental Compliance Manager, regularly monitor 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 Nepal Government’s environmental laws, policies and regulations; 
  • Determine regulatory requirements for environmental and safety oversight of program activities and assist program implementing partners, as required, on compliance issues and, on the preparation of required environmental documentation for program activities; 
  • Work with field staff to ensure program activities are implemented in an environmentally friendly manner; 
  • Ensure agriculture activities follow the recommendations made in the USAID approved Pesticides Evaluation Reports and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP), at the field level;
  • Facilitate environmental compliance related trainings for the regional and district program staff as required;

Monitoring and Evaluation

  • Responsible for conducting routine monitoring of field activities for environmental compliance, reporting on activities and findings and, providing recommendations were appropriate.
  • Work closely with the regional and district team to ensure proper implementation of PAHAL’s EMMP and other conditions set by USAID, by LNGO district partners.
  • Take the lead on all mitigation and monitoring activities in the regions which have negative impact on climate and environment, which are listed in EMMP; support ECM in updating the EMMP as required; 
  • Support the ECM in developing tools needed for screening new program activities, monitoring compliance and mitigation measures and, provide support in monitoring early warning and trigger indicators. 
  • Support the ECM in preparing the annual ESR on the status of proposed mitigation and monitoring measures; 
  • Work with MEL team to ensure that LNGO technical staff are properly collecting, entering and validating data, using approved MEL forms and, following standard operating procedures
  • If challenges or problems arise, work directly with theECM and, when appropriate, component managers, regional teams and district partners to create, document and implement solutions.
  • Provide support for any evaluations, assessments, research and surveys conducted.

Reporting

  • Contribute to monthly, quarterly and annual reporting as required and communicated by the ECM. 
  • Support review and validate environmental compliance related LNGO success stories for structure and content, ensuring the use of the approved format and, send to ECM. 

Representation

  • When requested by the Regional Field Coordinator or the ECM, liaise with and represent the program’s environmental compliance activities to regional, district and local government officials, civil society/community leaders, the private sector and other key stakeholders.
  • Coordinate and share information with consortium partners, sub-grantees, local government, other implementing partners and other Mercy Corps country programs where relevant.
  • Establish and maintain professional and productive relationships with all program stakeholders.

Others

  • Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
  • Contribute to PAHAL team building efforts, work with team members to identify and solve problems and, ensure the inclusion of all team members in relevant decision making processes.
  • Ensure proper integration of GESI aspects into sector specific program planning and implementation working closely with GESI officers. 
  • Mercy Corps, as a humanitarian agency, is expected to respondin times of crises and other humanitarian situations. As an MC employee, all staff are expected to be part of any humanitarian and emergency responses, in addition to their regular roles and responsibilities in such situations.
  • Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS 

  • Monitor implementation of PAHAL’s Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) and other conditions in the field; support the ECM to review and update those documents.
  • Support the ECM in preparing the program’s annual ESR with the submission of each PREP 
  • Contribute to developing tools for screening new activities 
  • Ensure that program staff use developed tools properly for monitoring and reporting on the effectiveness of mitigation and monitoring measures.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING:As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:N/A

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Environmental Compliance Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: PAHAL Technical, MEL and Sub-Awards Compliance Teams

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: 

  • A minimum Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences/engineering, natural resource managements or, other related subject.
  • At least 3-5 years of relevant professional experiencewith similar responsibilities. 
  • Experience conducting environmental impact assessments and developing/using tools to assess and monitor environmental impact. 
  • Experience with USAID Environmental compliance, rules, regulations and requirements is preferred. 
  • Demonstrated experience and ability to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate with a diverse range of government officials, local organizations, and other groups for outcomes in the best interest of program implementation
  • Previous experience facilitating environmental or related trainings preferred.
  • Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills are necessary
  • Computer literacy and strong knowledge of MS office programs required;
  • Familiarity with PAHAL target districts including work experience in those districts is an added advantage. 
  • Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to multi-task and process information into action as to not delay program activities
  • Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required
  • Effective writing and organizational skills for report preparation, complete analyses and make presentations. 
  • Previous experience working on USAID funded programs strongly preferred.
  • Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful Environmental Compliance Officer will combine exceptional facilitation skills with a solid understanding of USAID and Government of Nepal environmental standards and processes. S/he will be able to mentor staff located in the field, acquire thorough and detailed reports, and demonstrate successes in environmental protection. S/he will display an entrepreneurial spirit that is both creative and flexible. S/he will combine strong communication skills, creativity, initiative, participatory leadership and tactful decisiveness to oversee and implementation of Environment Compliance initiatives in the field. S/he will have proven experience and confidence, and humility, to work effectively with a large variety of people who will be diverse culturally, economically and in social status. S/he must be sensitive to political and cultural nuance and able to consistently apply excellent judgment to a variety of demanding and fast-changing situations. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail as well as strategic vision are essential. The Sr. Environment Compliance Officer will have the ability to foster solid working relationships with Local NGOs, local Government, beneficiary communities, and field staffs. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations. 

Job Overview

Category Development and Project
Openings 1
Experience 3+ years
Education Please check vacancy details
Posted Date 23 Jul, 2017
Apply Before 31 Jul, 2017
City