Afghanistan: Environmental Specialist for Recycling Plant Project

Sep 23, 2019 | People in Need
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People in Need (PIN) is a Czech NGO that provides relief and development assistant in 22 countries around the world. In Afghanistan, PIN has been responding to humanitarian needs and implementing development programs since 2001. PIN has established presence in 7 provinces in Afghanistan with approximately 140 staff. PIN implements projects focused on agriculture, women’s economic empowerment, social integration, and humanitarian response.

PIN has a long-term strategic commitment to contribute to the alleviation of suffering caused by extreme poverty and both natural and man-made disasters in Afghanistan, by providing neutral and impartial relief and assistance, regardless of the prevailing national and international dynamics. PIN supports community-based approaches and maintains considerable field presence in Afghanistan. This approach is a core part of PIN, in order to ensure that our programming remains relevant and appropriate, and field exposure will form an important component of the work of all international staff.

Country: Afghanistan

Starting date: ASAP

Contract Length: 4 months with the possibility of extension – follow up consultancies

Exact Job Location: Mazar-e-Sharif, with travel to Kabul and operational areas based on security clearance

Reports To: Chief of Party/ Project Manager

Project Description:

In order to address the lack of sustainable job opportunities and revenue granting initiatives as well as to tackle the solid waste management problems, PIN is launching a four-year project titled “Recycling Plant Value Chain in Northern Afghanistan for Sustainable Jobs Creation Program”. The project is implemented in Mazar-e Sharif and Northern provinces of Afghanistan (Balkh, Samangan, Jawzjan, Sar-e-Pul, Baghlan, Faryab) and is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The aim of the project is establishing a commercially viable plastic recycling value chain, creating sustainable job opportunities for at least 1860 individuals. The project expects the following outcomes:

  1. Providing employment at 30 established/ newly created solid waste Collection Hubs
  2. Identification of vulnerable youth, IDPs, women and other marginalized groups which can be a part of the project within the value chain.
  3. Establishing a Recycling Plant, producing recycled plastic pellets, providing jobs at the Recycling Plant
  4. Establishing 60 Business Hubs which will purchase the plastic pellets for further processing into final products, tailor-made to individual needs, thus creating more jobs

Job overview:

As a member of the team of specialists assigned for the “Recycling Plant Value Chain in Northern Afghanistan for Sustainable Jobs Creation Program” project, and under the direct supervision of the Chief of Party/Project Manager, the Environmental Specialist will be responsible for ensuring demonstrable evidence of the USAID environmental compliance throughout the project life cycle as well as for capacity development of the locally hired colleagues on environmental compliance. S/he will be a direct supervisor of the national Environmental Officer, and in the team, they will work together with project partners, project staff and communities to ensure that “do no harm” principles in environmental protection are followed. In addition, the Environmental Specialist will ensure that the project team understands the importance of environmental mainstreaming, safeguarding and monitoring within the project and that environmental aspects of the project are taken seriously by the project team and implementing partners both.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Environmental Specialist

  • Ensures that throughout the project, applicable national Afghan regulations (as stipulated by Afghan NEPA and others) as well as international standards and best practices are followed and implemented
  • At the beginning of the project,
    • Prepares a detailed description of activities and threshold determinations for the Recycling Plant Value Chain and summarizes them in and initial environmental report for the donor
    • Provides a climate vulnerability screening, tailored for relevant activities within the project
    • Evaluates the environmental characteristics of the project site(s) and provides an analytical report on findings and points of concern
    • Identifies environmental issues and suggests mitigation actions
    • Submits an Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan
  • Together with the M&E department
    • ensures that selected firms cooperating on the project have all required certifications and permits
    • ensures that Afghan NEPA permits are obtained on time in line with the project activities planning
    • ensures that USAID Construction Policy is duly followed and implemented

Human Resource Management

  • In consultation with the project senior management team, plans HR needs and capacity building needs and ensure skilled/ trained and sufficient human resources are at the place so that the project meets its environmental obligations and objectives

Requirements for Applicants:

Education and Experience:

  • Third level education - MA/Diploma in Natural Science, Applied Life Science, Environmental Studies or other relevant field of study
  • Minimum three years of professional experience in working on similar projects
  • Experience in assuring environmental compliance
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the US environmental guidelines
  • Knowledge of the national regulations a plus (Afghan NEPA)
  • Experience working with a project management team, alongside with other key stakeholders
  • Willingness to travel to project sites within Afghanistan (if security situation allows)

Desirable:

  • Experience in working with other NGOs and local implementing partners
  • Experience with projects by USAID
  • Experience in working in insecure environments
  • Knowledge of Dari/ Pashto

Aptitude or Personality Requirements:

  • Empathy with the organisation Vision, Mission, Goals and Objectives
  • Ability to work under pressure often to strict deadlines
  • Ability to find problems and recommend solutions
  • Methodical and thorough
  • Advanced knowledge of computer applications i.e. Microsoft Word and Excel
  • Ability to motivate a team and build its capacity
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work both as part of a team & independently
  • Cross cultural awareness and sensitivity (esp. gender and ethnicity)
  • Tolerance and acceptance of diversity

PIN offers:

  • Working environment in a well-established and growing humanitarian and development organization;
  • Flexible and challenging working environment with room for personal growth;
  • Salary according to PIN salary scale and HR policies; remuneration for this position starts at 3230 USD per month (before taxation, including per diems);
  • Accommodation in PIN guesthouse on PIN expense;
  • 25 days of paid leave annually plus 15 days of R&R, depending on the length of contract
  • Reimbursement of travel expenses with travel to the country of residence once per every 6 months of completed work and regional travel every 3 months of completed work, depending on the length of contract
  • Reimbursement of cost of visas and vaccinations; assistance with visa application procedure;
  • Free medical helpdesk and psychological consultation available online; travel medical insurance.
How to apply: 

Are you interested in this position? Send us your CV (no longer than 4 pages) and short cover letter via this link. Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

People in Need staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need Code of conduct and key policies (available at: www.peopleinneed.cz/policies).