About DAI

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world. DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work.  DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner. DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI is seeking qualified candidates for the Kyiv-based Environmental Compliance Specialist position on its newly awarded USAID Governance and Local Accountability (HOVERLA) Activity. Interested candidates should submit their application through the following portal:

https://fs23.formsite.com/OLJTgx/quxlyo8hmw/index.html?1618952685727

The deadline for applications – until it’s filled in. Due to a high volume of applications received, we are unable to contact each applicant individually regarding the status of their application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted in response to this job advertisement.

Project Background

DAI Global is implementing the USAID-funded Governance and Local Accountability (HOVERLA) Activity, based in Kyiv, Ukraine. This project is designed to support Ukraine advance self-reliant local governance including legislative reforms, participatory strategic planning methodologies, service improvement, local economic development, civil society engagement, and capacity building of sub-national government entities.  The Activity has three objectives:

• Objective 1:  Ukraine’s system of local self-governance is increasingly institutionalized and effective
• Objective 2: More self-reliant subnational governance
• Objective 3: Citizens play an increasingly influential role in local governance processes

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Environmental Compliance Specialist will oversee the design and implementation of HOVERLA’s environmental management system. USAID policy requires implementing organizations to ensure their program activities do not have a negative impact on the environment. This is done primarily through detailed analyses of program activities to identify potential impacts, and the development and implementation of mitigation and monitoring measures to minimize and monitor these risks.  HOVERLA is required to follow environmental determinations specified in the USAID approved IEE, which outlines the activities with the potential for negative environmental impacts and specifies actions to minimize the risk of these activities. The Environmental Compliance Specialist will be responsible to ensure that the IEE requirements are implemented by the project team, including sub-contractors and grantees, and that all environmental impact analyses are completed as required by the IEE. The Environmental Compliance Specialist will report to Grants Director.

OBJECTIVES AND DUTIES

• Research, prepare, and draft a project-level environmental monitoring and mitigation plan (EMMP) or environmental management system (EMS), synthesizing the project’s compliance requirements;
• Ensure that all program activities, including grants, in-kind procurements, and subcontracts, consider potential environmental impact, incorporate required environmental mitigation measures, and address any environmental concerns during project implementation;
• Conduct evaluation of potential impacts and ensure detailed studies are completed to address environmental concerns;
• Establishes the review, assessment, mitigation, and reporting responsibilities and timelines, and provides procedures and reporting formats;
• Coordinate as necessary with the Government of Ukraine to process all documents required to obtain required environmental clearances, and ensure compliance with local environmental protection regulations;
• Maintains cooperative relationship with USAID Environmental Officer;
• Establishes training requirements and responsibilities to build the capacity of local implementing partners (grantees and subcontractors) to comply with mitigation measures;
• Monitors the implementation of environmental compliance through regular visits to project activities, review of reports, correspondence, working with third party / independent assessment, etc.
• Coordinate environmental consulting services, supervise consultants’ work and their submission of deliverables on a timely basis;
• For any potential high-risk activities, prepare a Scoping Statement, and Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS);
• Maintain and track all compliance documentation for technical audits;
• Prepare accurate and timely progress program reports on a quarterly basis, contribute to preparation of annual reports, and include updates to the annual implementation plan on the status of the project’s environmental management systems;
• Ensure timely completion of environmental deliverables and periodic reporting;
• Research, prepare, and draft project-level PERSUAP for activities, if necessary;
• Conduct activity-specific environmental reviews for medium risk activities.
• Perform other tasking as directed by the Grants Director;

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and/or Management of Environmental Engineering or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience working as environmental specialist, with a focus on regulatory compliance, environmental monitoring methods, impact analysis and assessment;
• Experience in conducting trainings, writing Environmental Impact Assessment(s) (EIA), and conducting environmental assessments in the agriculture sector;
• Knowledge of USAID and Government of Ukraine environmental regulations and guideline required;
• Previous experience with donor funded projects preferred;
• Strong analytical skills, gender sensitivity, and possesses a proved track record of working successfully in a variety of cultural contexts;
• Excellent interpersonal and community consultation skills;
• Excellent writing skills;
• Fluent Ukraine and English language skills (speaking, reading, and writing)