Program: Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project
Duration: Anticipated up to 45 days, between October 2020 and February 2021, with possibility for additional consulting

World Council of Credit Unions seeks an Environmental Compliance Specialist for the Credit for Agriculture Producers (CAP) Project in Ukraine, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to ensure that all CAP activities comply with international and local regulations on environmental compliance. She/he will work closely with the CAP team and coordinate with the USAID environmental compliance team to design and implement environmental compliance screenings of CAP activities, ensuring compliance with 22 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 216 USAID Environmental Procedures requirements, USAID approved AGRO Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) recommendations, and Ukrainian environmental laws and regulations.

About the Project:

CAP seeks to revitalize the credit union sector in Ukraine by creating a more transparent legal and regulatory framework for credit union operations in Ukraine to both promote growth and reduce risks, while improving access to agricultural finance for agricultural and rural micro, small, and medium enterprises through credit unions. Specifically, the project is expected to: (1) strengthen credit union regulator and national association capacity; (2) advocate for an improved and updated legislative framework to meet European Union (EU) standards, enabling credit unions to compete with other financial institutions; and (3) address constraints preventing credit unions from expanding outreach and delivering high-quality lending to the agricultural sector.

Summary:

The Environmental Compliance Specialist Consultant will work with CAP and its partners to ensure compliance of all CAP activities with the Ukrainian and USAID’s environmental regulations, as well as help identify and mitigate environmental risks.  

Scope of work:

1)    Develop an environmental compliance screening process for CAP activities:

• Review existing local Ukrainian and USAID laws and regulations for environmental protection;
• Review and study Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP) to ensure all loans granted for the purchase of pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, or any other chemical will be issued in compliance with the PERSUAP;
• Identify a comprehensive set of environmental risks under CAP activities and propose a plan for mitigation;
• Work in coordination with USAID experts and CAP specialists to develop and approve a screening process for relevant CAP activities, mostly those pertaining to lending; and
• Test and implement the screening accordingly.

2)    Provide technical assistance to CAP partners to ensure compliance with environmental rules and regulations:  

• Develop and provide environmental compliance training materials and support plans for CAP partner credit unions and UCUs;
• Ensure credit unions have developed compliance procedures and due diligence processes in place that comply with regulations and laws, where required.
• Work hand-in-hand with CAP partners to ensure proper screening of their lending activities and full implementation of environmental compliance policies, procedures and checklists;

The consultant will be expected to travel outside of Kyiv as needed to reach rural credit unions, as feasible pending COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Required Qualifications:

• Masters’ or Bachelor’s degree in natural resources management, environmental protection, biology or related field required; or relevant experience in lieu of the education;
• Previous experience working in international donor-funded technical assistance projects, with exposure to environmental compliance requirements and documents; experience with USAID projects preferred;
• Understanding of Ukrainian environmental laws and regulations;
• Knowledge of USAID environmental compliance regulations;
• Training experience;
• Native Ukrainian fluency, both written and spoken;
• Fluency or high proficiency in written and spoken English;
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills;
• Culturally sensitive and able to work with multiple stakeholders in Ukraine and understand their various positions/viewpoints.

Submission Requirements:

To apply, please submit the following to [email protected] with the subject line: “Environmental Compliance Specialist Consultancy”.

• A copy of your CV;
• Cover letter detailing why you can do the work, including your relevant work and training experience;
• Proposed rate;
• Should your application be selected for consideration, WOCCU will request contact information for 2-3 references.

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. Thank you.

DISCLAIMER

This consultant solicitation in no way obligates World Council of Credit Unions to award a contract, nor does it commit World Council of Credit Unions to pay any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of the application. World Council of Credit Unions reserves the right to vary any part of this bid solicitation at the time of award if it becomes necessary.