Abt Associate Technical Specialist - Technical Lead / Environmental Compliance and Natural Resource Management Jobs in Uganda

Abt Associate Technical Specialist - Technical Lead / Environmental Compliance and Natural Resource Management Jobs in Uganda

Organization Overview

The International Development Division focuses on improving the lives and economic well-being of people in lower and middle-income countries. We command technical expertise in health, agriculture, climate change, food security and governance—as well as in international evaluation.

Our multi-layered health portfolio includes policy, health promotion and disease prevention, health finance, and health systems management. In partnership with government clients and local experts, our high-quality programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East are known for impact and innovation.

Project Description

USAID’s Integrated Community Agriculture and Nutrition Activity (ICAN) is USAID Uganda’s flagship resilience project, awarded in July 2018.

The Activity goal is to enhance the resilience of vulnerable households in the eight districts of Kanungu, Kisoro, Rukungiri (Kigezi sub-region); Guulu, Lamwo, Nwoya (Acholi sub-region); Kaabong and Kotido (Karamoja sub-region).

The overall objective of the project is to sustainably enhance the resilience of vulnerable households in areas of operation by maximizing economic opportunities for vulnerable households, stabilizing their access to and consumption of diverse and nutritious diets and increase social capital by reinforcing relationships among formal governance systems and communities.

Job Summary

The Technical Lead/Environment Compliance and Natural Resource Management (TL/EC&NRM) is responsible for provision of technical solutions on ICAN while assisting other employees especially the regional teams to design and implement technically sound NRM interventions.

The Technical Lead also undertakes review of proposed activities and determines the relevant environmental compliance actions and ensures that any necessary mitigation activities take place.

The TL/EC&NRM shall work with ICAN staff to design and implement a) interventions that comply with National Environment Management Authority (NMA) and USAID Uganda environmental design and management principles and policy, b) interventions that consider the impacts of climatic change, and c) impactful NRM interventions in the ICAN intervention areas.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Program Quality Assurance

Make smart recommendations on how to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and implementation of Activities, related to environmental compliance and NRM

Recognize and identify opportunities for improvement, communicate them persuasively to management and implementation partners for adoption

Provide specialist guidance and support in the area of climate smart programming, NRM but also on compliance with the NEMA and USAID Uganda Environmental Policy

Be the custodian of the ICAN Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP), monitoring, reporting, and staff/IP training

Participate in the development of and/or review of program quality assurance standards, and methods in climate smart programming, NRM and

monitoring the impact of ICAN interventions on the environment

Participates in reviews of deliverables/achievements; carry out formal and informal checks on the quality of implementation and documentations

Take lead in reviewing MEL data relevant to Environmental Compliance and NRM and lead evidence based programmatic discussions aimed at improving Activity performance

Networking and Representation

In consultation with the team, establish and maintain strong working relationships with other USAID implementing partners to explore opportunities for leverage and synergies that catalyze the Activity key performance indicators related to environment, climate smart agriculture, and NRM

Identity and manage effective relationships with private sector and district local government (and NEMA) partners and represent the Activity in networks that are relevant to NRM and environmental mitigation and to policy compliance

Documentation and Learning

In consultation with the team, provide thought leadership in development of annual work plan, quarterly report and monthly sector updates for the respective sector

Take leadership in identification of learning opportunities for the regional teams based on gaps realized from day to day implementation. This shall among others include provision of on-the-job mentorship and coaching

In consultation with the team and the Communications Specialist, document lessons learned for publicity/sharing with other stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in Environmental/Natural Resource Management-related subjects, Agricultural Sciences, Development Sciences or other relevant field. Farther training in related fields is an added advantage

Conversant with NEMA and USAID (or other donor) environmental procedures; assessments of climate and environment impact of development interventions; making and verification of mitigation measures to comply; compliance monitoring and reporting

6 years of experience and excellent track record of achieving results in program management and environment/NRM areas, supporting rural communities to enhance capacities in NRM

Demonstrated high-level technical, analytical, interpersonal skills and ability to meet tight deadlines with logical analyses and clear presentation

Proficiency in MS Outlook, MS Word and other Microsoft Office programs as well as common internet applications

Fluency in written and spoken English required

Ability to travel up to 50% of time to remote rural locations in Uganda

Minimum Qualifications

(6+) years of experience and a master degree OR the equivalent combination of education and experience

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.

Abt Associate Technical Specialist - Technical Lead / Environmental Compliance and Natural Resource Management Jobs in Uganda