Junior Programme Officer – Specialist in Environment/Green Economy

Position description

The SECO project for the sustainable development of winter tourism in Kyrgyzstan (WTK) implemented by Helvetas, which began in October 2021, covering a period of 4 years until September 2025, enters a new dynamic in 2024. The specific objective is to consolidate the successful actions implemented in previous period which contributes to increasing employment opportunities and decent incomes for women and men, with the prospect of year-round employment through the development of a sustainable winter tourism value chain. The vision of the project is to promote high economic value and low social and environmental impacts, focusing on quality services rather than quantity, with certified actors in the Karakol destination. During this final year 24-25 of the project, the objective will be to prepare the next 3-year phase of strengthening the sustainability of the stakeholders’ innovative practices in winter tourism while extending the activities in other regions.

MAIN TASKS

Your main responsibility is to lead the work on Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) standards with the stakeholders involved in the winter and year-round tourism in the target destination of Karakol, focusing on Destination Management Organisations and Macro Small and Micro-Enterprises (MSMEs) in the operationalization of environmental and social practices along these standards. You will monitor and oversee the planning and execution of project activities to promote growth and sustainability in the (winter) tourism sector in the Issyk-Kul region. You will ensure the integration of environmental sustainability aspects (related to the standards) in the project activities and training programs for MSMEs and organizations at the target destination, supporting the implementation of business skills development and sustainable practices for MSMEs from environmental sustainability perspective with specific partnerships. Based on this experience you will contribute to donor dialogue, liaise with WTK stakeholders in the target destinations as well as national level. In addition, you will support the capacities of team members, the overall project management, providing assistance to WTK’s Karakol field office to successfully achieve the set goals and objectives.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in environment/ecology, economics, business administration, or any other area relevant to the position;
• At least 5 years of experience in implementation of thematically relevant assignments, including long-term experience and short-term consultancy experience for different clients;
• Proven working experience on topics such as environmental impact assessment; environment management planning & monitoring, measuring environmental impacts and mitigating them; green economy related to tourism, entrepreneurship promotion, business development, market systems development;
• Professional experience in Central Asia (preferably in Kyrgyzstan) with a good understanding of the socio-economic situation within this region would be an added value;
• Experience and knowledge in Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) standards, winter tourism would be a strong asset as well in capacity building for MSMEs or private stakeholders;
• Strong project management and client relations skills, excellent writing skills;
• Conceptual competencies, analytical strength, very good advisory and facilitation skills, intercultural and gender sensitivity;
• Excellent spoken and written English. Speaking Kyrgyz or Russian would be a strong asset.

Application instructions

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