The Program Office of USAID’s Bureau for Europe and Eurasia seeks an Environment & Climate Advisor.
Appointment Type: Foreign Service Limited. This is an excepted service, time-limited appointment that is not-to-exceed three years.
The Environment & Climate Advisor is considered an expert in areas related to the climate assessment of USAID’s actions overseas and will serve as the Climate Integration Lead for the E&E Bureau. The incumbent applies this expertise in integrating environmentally sound design of USAID’s overseas programs and activities in the context of climate change. The Advisor supports the strategic and activity planning efforts of the bureau and field Operating Units in regards to environment and climate change. The position works diplomatically and has the acumen to ensure that the USAID’s environmental regulations and climate change policy are integrated into the program cycle.
This position will also provide direct support to the Europe and Eurasia (E&E) Bureau Environmental Officer (BEO) and be delegated concurrence and approval authority for Reg. 216 compliance documents, as deemed appropriate by Agency Policy. The employee provides professional support, compliance auditing and tracking of Mission and E&E Regional activities, compliance evaluations, and regional coordination (as needed) on 22 CFR 216 matters.
Strategy and Program Design 30%
Engages Missions and Bureau staff on policy, strategy and program design matters including developing bureau planning frameworks, new country strategies, new project designs, amending activity designs, and interagency country and regional frameworks – particularly on the topics of environment and climate. The employee will assist with E&E input into Agency and interagency policy and adaptations to E&E procedures. The position may serve as primary contact for some strategy and design efforts particularly on the topics of environment and climate. Coordinates peer-to-peer learning of the Mission Environmental Officers on how to inject and implement climate change in USAID’s Program Cycle and provides support to E&E Missions and the E&E Bureau as they implement their action plans for the Agency’s Climate Strategy. Promotes coordination and collaboration in regional environmental and climate programming and planning among USAID Missions in Europe and Eurasia.
Standards, Regulations, and Policy Development 20%
Analyzes initiatives and conveys new policies, standards, regulations and other updates to the field missions, Bureau colleagues, and to the Bureau Assistant Administrator – particularly on the topics of environment and climate. Analyzes legislation and provides inputs for sections of agency standards, regulations, or policies. Addresses discrete segments of existing standards, regulations, or policies, and assists in updating them when necessary. The employee will engage with stakeholders across USAID and the interagency to discuss current and new policies and to resolve differences in interpreting and implementing new policies and standards.
Supports Decision Making on Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (Reg. 216) and represents the Bureau in related actions and meetings 45%
Monitors and assesses the environmental impacts of key investments of the Multilateral Development Banks (World Bank, IDB, CAF) and other USG Agencies (DFC, TDA, Exim Bank). This work will be coordinated with the Environmental and Social Risk Management (ESRM) staff in USAID’s Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation and other applicable Bureaus. Develop, or lead/participate in teams that develop environmental profiles and other analyses of major environmental issues within the E&E Bureau, as requested by the E&E BEO. Supports streamlining, harmonization, and standardization of Reg. 216 procedures in the E&E region, particularly with respect to environmental screening and review. Working under the guidance of the E&E BEO, conducts environmental portfolio reviews for USAID activities to monitor compliance with all USAID environmental procedures and regulations with particular attention to implementation monitoring and mitigation measures specified in IEEs and EAs. As requested by the BEO, the employee assists USAID Mission Environmental Officers, Development Objective team leaders and implementation partners in the preparation of Initial Environmental Examinations, Requests for Categories Exclusions, EA Scoping Statements, and terms of reference for Environmental Assessments, Pesticide Evaluations, and Biodiversity Assessments that may be required as part of USAID annual reporting and/or strategy preparation.
The employee will prepare an annual summary of the status of each E&E mission and headquarters as it relates to satisfying USAID’s environmental requirements and recommend, if warranted, actions necessary for compliance. The employee will serve as Acting BEO during absences of the BEO. During lapses of BEU backstopping (contractor) support, the incumbent maintains electronic files and activity tracker for the Bureau’s Environmental Compliance activities and electronic files both in the Bureau (e.g., Google Drive) and on the Agency’s public environmental compliance database (ECD).
Perform other duties as assigned. 5%
Cover general program office functions on an as-needed basis.
Qualifications:
● Must be a U.S. citizen.
● You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (FS-03) of this position. Examples of specialized experience include Possess work experience with consistent focus on environmental science, conservation, protection, engineering or a related field. Experience in environmental and social safeguards (also referred to as environmental compliance) is preferred. Have demonstrated strong writing and organization skills.
● Must possess a minimum of a master’s degree in environmental science or related field.
● Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
Interested candidates should submit a:
● Resume/CV.
● A short-written statement of interest.
● Five professional references; and
● Official or unofficial transcripts, if education is noted as a requirement above.
Please submit your application package to the E&E Bureau at eerecruitments@usaid.gov. Please use the subject line “FSL APPLICATION PACKAGE: Regional Environmental Officer, FS-02, E&E/PO/SPA. Application submissions are required by October 30, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (EST). Packages not submitted by the deadline with the specified subject line—or incomplete packages—will not receive consideration.
This notice may be used to fill additional vacancies, as the workforce needs of the Bureau may change.
EEO Policy Statement
Reasonable Accommodation Policy
In support of America's foreign policy, the U.S. Agency for International Development leads the U.S. Government's international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises and progress beyond assistance. USAID is proud to partner with the countries of Europe and Eurasia (E&E). The E&E region as a whole has undergone a historic transformation in a short time. Its countries have overcome tremendous social, political, and economic hurdles to chart a new course for their citizens, guided by free markets and democratic principles. USAID continues to address those challenges that prevent countries of the region from charting their course toward greater Euro-Atlantic integration. As a region of increasing economic importance, our development assistance helps support American trade and investment. And as home to several NATO allies, our development ties strengthen critical national security bonds. In Fiscal Year 2020, USAID and the Department of State jointly provided roughly $685 million in development assistance to programs in the Europe & Eurasia region. USAID has Missions, offices, or programs in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine.