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Environment and Climate Change Specialist
- 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
- The specialist will provide field level advice, technical support and policy input related to both education and blue economy, with the overall objective to support and strengthen the delivery of Canada’s international assistance programming in the countries that fall under the Canadian High Commission in Kenya’s purview.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Coordination:
- Collaborate with project stakeholders, local communities, and government agencies to address mutual challenges.
- Provide guidance on synergies and opportunities for further efficiencies in education, and the blue economy (combining traditional sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism). With emerging sectors such as renewable energy and marine biotechnology).
- Provide subject matter expertise to support on program and project planning and design.
- Work alongside the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs and provide support to the Blue Economy working group.
- Coordinate and provide secretariat support to working groups as required.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Engage with key stakeholders, partners, donors, civil society organizations, academia, private sector etc. and keep apprised of their sector-specific engagement on education and the blue economy.
- Organize sector specific learning and networking events for key stakeholders.
- Establish and maintain a list of contacts within relevant ministries, development partners, private sector, civil society actors, and other key stakeholders to support advancement of GAC objectives.
- Participate in and guide consultations and engagement sessions on sector-specific matters.
- Support to Canada’s engagement with relevant stakeholders.
- Identify capacity gaps and opportunities for government and partner agencies’ engagement.
Capacity Building:
- Provide training and support to project staff, partners, and local communities on topics related to education and the blue economy as well as best practices.
- Stay informed about sector-specific emerging trends and disseminate relevant information to GAC.
- Research and propose innovative solutions to link education, skills development and the employment opportunities in the blue economy.
- Provide assistance and capacity building support to government and partner organizations on national policies, strategies and frameworks related to education and the blue economy.
Reporting and Documentation
- Review and provided comments on project documents including proposals, performance frameworks, reports, etc.
- Prepare and submit preparatory reports for working group committees as required.
- Review and analyze current news, events, trends that impact sector specific GAC programming and interests on a weekly basis.
- Identify opportunities to showcase and leverage Canada-funded education and blue economy activities, through the production of monthly impact stories on results and innovations (rotating monthly by sector).
- Engage with partners and highlight a monthly impact story.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Implement systems for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of GAC programs in the education and blue economy sector.
- Prepare and submit regular reports on performance and compliance concerning projects and programs.
- Monitor trends and emerging issues and provide expert advice.
- Identify capacity gaps and opportunities for government and partner agencies’ engagement.
- Undertake field monitoring visits to assess and conduct technical reviews as required.
Education & Blue Economy Technical Specialist
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in education, international development, or a related field; a master’s degree is preferred.
Minimum Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in designing and implementing education programs, preferably in international development projects.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in working on the blue economy sector.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Thorough understanding of Kenyan and Canadian frameworks and standards in the education and blue economy sector.
- Knowledge of global education commitments and funding frameworks.
- Knowledge of global blue economy commitments and funding frameworks.
- Strong critical thinking, data analysis and reporting skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Superior writing and editing skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team.
- Certification in education or related field is an advantage.
- Knowledge of the local culture and educational context in Kenya is necessary.
- Proficiency in English is required; knowledge of Swahili or other local languages is an advantage.
- Ability to build positive relationships with stakeholders and local communities.
- Problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in challenging and multicultural environments.
The following skills and experience will be an asset:
- Ability to provide policy advice and technical guidance and support to GAC target countries in the implementation of blue economy and education strategies.