Environment and Climate Change Specialist

STATEMENT OF WORK

Job Title: Environment and Climate Change Specialist

Position Type: Consultancy (up to 21 days per month)

Duration: March 2024 to February 2025

Position Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Application Deadline: 22nd February 2024

Start Date: 1st April 2024

Assignment Duration: 1 year with an option to renew for one year.

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT

The Field Support Services Project (FSSP) is a two-year initiative (November 2023 to October 2025) funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by Cowater International. It offers administrative, financial, procurement, and logistical support, along with technical expertise, to GAC’s development programs in Kenya, Somalia, and South Africa. The project assists GAC in procuring and managing local development initiatives in Kenya (and its accredited countries which include Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi), South Africa (and its accredited countries) and Somalia.

BACKGROUND

Canada’s vision for international assistance is rooted in its Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) that seeks to eradicate poverty and build a more peaceful, more inclusive and more prosperous world by promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls. Canada focuses on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in a manner that is both targeted and crosscutting. A targeted approach to gender equality includes a focus on initiatives that fight poverty and inequality by supporting gender equality and defending the rights of women and girls, particularly their sexual health and reproductive rights. A simultaneous crosscutting approach to gender equality means that all of Canada’s international assistance initiatives, across all action areas, are developed and implemented in ways that improve gender equality and empower women and girls.

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

Cowater International through its FSSP is supporting the Canadian High Commission to recruit a Technical Specialist in Environment and Climate Change. The Environment and Climate Specialist will play a critical role in ensuring that Canadian funded projects in Kenya and Somalia adhere to Canadian and global environmental and climate change regulations, policies, and best practices while providing support and capacity to both Kenya and Somalia in their vision to implement their global and national climate change commitments. This position will require an understanding of environmental impact assessments, mitigation strategies, and regulatory compliance; global and national frameworks for climate including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs); nature-based solutions and biodiversity; and the global climate finance architecture. The Environment and Climate Specialist will work closely with GAC staff, partner organizations, government agencies, and local communities to promote gender-sensitive, sustainable, and environmentally responsible legislation, policy and project implementation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Environmental Compliance and Monitoring:

• Monitor and ensure compliance with environmental laws, regulations, and project-specific environmental safeguards.
• Regularly assess environmental risks and propose mitigation measures.
• Advise GAC on best practices in maximizing climate change and environment-related results within Canadian-funded programmes and projects.
• Prepare and submit regular reports, including on environmental performance and compliance.

2. Stakeholder Engagement:

• Collaborate with GAC staff, partner organizations, likeminded donors, local communities, and government agencies to address environmental and climate change concerns and foster inclusive and gender-sensitive responses.
• Participate in and provide guidance on consultations and engagement sessions related to environmental and climate change matters, including, gender-integration, climate finance, nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
• Identify capacity gaps and opportunities for GAC staff, partner organizations, local communities, and government agencies’ engagement in climate- and environment-related fora.

3. Reporting and Documentation:

• Draft, review and/or provide input on project documents, reports, and proposals, as requested.
• Prepare and submit regular reports, including on environmental performance and compliance.
• Maintain accurate records of key contacts, reports, and other aspects as required.
• Draft reports based on findings from project site visits.

4. Capacity Building:

• Provide training, build awareness, share best practices to GAC staff, partner organizations, local communities and government agencies.
• Stay informed about emerging climate change- and environment-related issues and disseminate relevant information to GAC.
• Provide assistance and capacity building support to GAC staff, government agencies, partner organizations and local communities, including on global commitments and national climate strategies and frameworks, including those related to climate finance.

5. Environmental Innovation:

• Identify opportunities for gender-sensitive, sustainable, and eco-friendly practices, including within project activities.
• Research and propose innovative solutions to reduce environmental impacts and enhance gender-sensitivity, sustainability, and climate resilience.
• Identify opportunities to showcase and leverage Canada-funded activities, results and innovations.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, climate change, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in environmental management or a climate change related field, preferably in the context of international development projects.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Thorough understanding of Kenyan, Somali and Canadian environmental and climate change legislation, policies, and regulations including NDCs and NAPs.
• Experience and knowledge of global climate change commitments and the global climate finance architecture.
• Experience in conducting environmental impact assessments and developing mitigation strategies.
• Significant experience designing and monitoring environment and climate change projects.
• Knowledge and experience on integration of gender equality, climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, and nature-based solutions.
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team.
• Certification in environmental impact assessment or related field is an advantage.
• Knowledge of the local culture and environmental context in Kenya and Somalia
• Ability to build positive relationships with stakeholders and local communities.
• Problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in challenging and multicultural environments.
• Ability to travel throughout Somalia and Kenya.

The following skills and experience will be an asset:

• Technical skills in Climate change mitigation and adaptation practices
• Proficiency in environmental monitoring tools and software.

Language Requirements: Excellent English language skills, as most of the reporting will be written in English.

Working arrangements:

• The Environment and Climate Change Specialist will attend meetings virtually and in-person. All travel expenses will be subject to prior approval by FSSP manager.
• The specialist will report to the Project Manager, Field Support Services Project (FSSP) and work closely with Canadian High Commission specifically the development team.

Ownership of Intellectual Property:

• Documentation produced by the Specialist in the performance of the work under the contract shall remain the property of the Canadian High Commission.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested applicants must include the following documents:

1. CV indicating past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
2. Cover Letter indicating why the Candidate considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.
3. Financial Proposal The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily rate (including taxes, time-off benefits, all statutory contributions, social contributions, and insurance). The daily rate should consider a maximum working day of 7.5 hours.
4. Applications must be submitted by 22nd February 2024 by 5:00 p.m. Apply here: Cowater International Career Opportunities – Cowater International with the subject: Environment and Climate Change Specialist. Any applications received after this time will not be considered.

Evaluation of Applications:

The proposals that achieve a minimum of 70% in the technical desk review shall be further considered for interviews and written tests. The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and

b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70% – Comprising of 15% scores of desk review, 25% written test, and 30% scores of interviews) and financial criteria (30%).

The Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by FSSP for the assignment.

Technical Score (70%)

Financial Score (30%)

1. Based on Qualification (desk review) (15%)

2. Written test (25%)

3. Interview (30%)

NB: Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points (70% of the desk technical review) will be considered for the Financial Evaluation

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

ABOUT US

With more than 35 years’ experience, Cowater International is Canada’s global leader in management consulting services specializing in international development and has managed the implementation of over 800 projects in more than 80 countries around the globe. We work with governments, partner organizations, communities and civil society to design and implement sustainable solutions that generate lasting social, financial and environmental impacts. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Cowater International also has corporate offices in Montreal, Quebec; London, United Kingdom; Nairobi, Kenya; and Brussels, Belgium, in addition to project offices in a wide variety of other locations across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.