The Environment Specialist advances USAID/Nepal’s development priorities through the design and management of projects, analyses and partnerships focused on natural resource management, biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation. S/he manages direct government-to-government relationships, private sector partnerships, grants, and other awards and relationships that support USAID/Nepal and the Government of Nepal’s shared development objectives. The job holder acts as the Government Agreement Technical Representative (GATR), Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR) or Contract Officer’s Representative (COR) for environment-focused activities and provides technical analysis and leadership. The Specialist plays an important role in advancing the Mission’s priorities for diversity, equity, and inclusion, both programmatically and within the workplace. S/he reports to the Environment and Energy Team Lead or his/her delegate. Given the large donor presence in Nepal and multiple government ministries responsible for programming in the natural resource management (NRM) and environment sector, the job holder will take on significant leadership for coordination with the Government of Nepal (GON), other development partners, the private sector, and other relevant actors. S/he will be expected to stay abreast of and coordinate with relevant USG actors in this sector and monitor regional and international developments that affect Nepal.
The Environment Specialist carries out a broad range of tasks which include, but are not limited to: planning and implementing consultations and listening sessions with a broad range of stakeholders; authoring activity design and implementation documents; monitoring and evaluating activity implementation, and reporting on activity progress; organizing workshops, seminars and field trips; analyzing policy issues and providing recommendations to Mission management; preparing policy related documents for USAID and/or the broader U.S. Embassy; and reviewing and negotiating activity budgets and fiscal planning documents. The job holder must demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and experience advancing principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion through both development programming and in the workplace. The job holder will be expected to effectively apply these priorities within all aspects of their work, including within the Mission, as part of their interactions with external stakeholders, and across relevant USAID programming and partnerships, with the objective of bringing in the various perspectives and voices of populations and communities across Nepal for a more inclusive development. The job holder will liaise with communities and project participants across large areas of Nepal and will frequently interact with GON officials and other stakeholders at the local, provincial, and national levels. Frequent travel will be required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
a. Education: The minimum education required is a Bachelor’s degree in a field such as environmental science, natural resource management, or development studies.
b. Prior Work Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of professional, field-based work experience with demonstrable experience applying theoretical learning and study to actual, hands-on practice related to biodiversity conservation, climate change or natural resource management in public, NGO or private institutions is required.
c. Language Proficiency: Professional proficiency in written and spoken English and Nepali (Level IV) is required.
d. Job Knowledge: Knowledge of Nepal’s environment sector, and climate change commitments and institutions at the national and sub-national level is required. This includes understanding of relevant GON policies and institutions, and associated environmental and social issues related to climate change adaptation and natural resource management and conservation. Knowledge of the environmental regulatory roles and responsibilities of central, provincial and municipal governments under Nepal’s Federal constitution is essential. Familiarity with regional and international best practices and commitments for biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and natural resource management is preferred. Demonstrated understanding of the principles of diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility (DEIA) is required and a capacity to apply DEIA principles to their work.
e. Skills and Abilities: The job holder should have strong analytical, presentational, facilitation, and public speaking skills and an ability to develop and maintain collegial working relationships at many levels; communicate clearly, effectively, and persuasively at all levels within USAID, the U.S. Mission and the Nepal government institutions, and maintain activity level contacts within the region. The job holder must demonstrate management abilities to plan, organize and implement a multifaceted workload. Intermediate level computer skills are needed. The job holder must demonstrate knowledge, abilities, personal characteristics, interpersonal intelligence, and technical expertise to create and adapt to change; and envision situations from multiple perspectives and think critically about the best approach to problems. S/he must also have the ability to travel to remote locations across the country.
21 July 2023
