Technical Assistant job at NEMA

Job Description

Job Category:
administrative-jobs-in-uganda-2
Job Location:
Kampala
Education Level:
Bachelor Degree

Job Details

1. INTRODUCTION

Between 2016 and 2020 Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and its partners Forest Trends and Biotope, established a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for the implementation of the COMBO Project “Conservation, Mitigation of Impacts and Biodiversity Offsets”. The second phase of the COMBO programme (‘COMBO+”), funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Fonds Français pour l’Environnement Mondial (FFEM), will take place in the period 2021-2025. To assist with implementing the planned activities, a Technical Assistant will be recruited in NEMA.

2.PURPOSE OF THE JOB

In coordination with the WCS COMBO project team, and with guidance from NEMA, the Technical Assistant will provide technical support on the application of mitigation hierarchy and implementation of biodiversity offsets as stipulated in the National Environment Act (NEA) of 2019, the National Guidelines for Biodiversity and social offsets and the National Environment (Environmental and Social Assessment) Regulations, 2000.

3. REPORTING

The Technical Assistant will be based at NEMA head office in Kampala, under the supervision of the Natural Resources Manager (Biodiversity and Rangelands), but will work closely with WCS Country Office. The Technical Assistant will be recruited at NEMA scale of E4.

4. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANT

• Support NEMA in training and mentoring NEMA technical staff and other technical officers on application of the mitigation hierarchy and the implementation of biodiversity offsets.

• Support NEMA in the training of members of the Uganda Association of Impact Assessors, and developers, in the application of the mitigation hierarchy and the implementation of biodiversity offsets.

• Support NEMA in engaging and working with government institutions, the private sector companies and academia to increase the uptake and institutionalization of the mitigation hierarchy and biodiversity offsets.

• Support NEMA in the review of Terms of Reference (ToRs) for proposed projects that may have adverse impacts on biodiversity, and ESIAS for projects that have undertaken biodiversity offset implementation.

• Support NEMA in the coordination and continuous communication with WCS on the COMBO+ project.

• Carry any other duties that may be assigned by NEMA on mitigation hierarchy and biodiversity offsets.

5. JOB REQUIREMENTS

The position requires:

• An experienced, committed, competent, communicative, adaptable, and dynamic professional with a strong spirit of initiative and collaboration

• Good interpersonal skills and respect for diversity, and institutional procedures and practices

• At least five years of professional experience in biodiversity and environmental impact assessments, mitigation hierarchy, biodiversity offset and international best practices and standards

• Sound understanding of government law & policy on the mitigation hierarchy, and ability to advise on and assess compliance with these

• The candidate must have proven skills in the transmission of knowledge and have the ability to define and implement work plans and routines.

• Able to multitask, demonstrating high standards of professional ethics, time conscious.

• Reasonable understanding and familiarity with the workings of government institutions, NGOs, Private sector companies and development partners.

6. ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Environmental Science or Natural Sciences A Master’s degree in Conservation planning, Environmental Science, Forestry, or Natural Sciences

7. WORKING EXPERIENCE

• At least 5 years of professional experience in Environmental Impact Assessment, design and implementation of mitigation actions, and monitoring plans

• Previous experience in environmental consulting, training, technical advice Experience in the preparation and/or implementation of biodiversity action plans or biodiversity offset management plans;

• Strong networking, collaboration and coordination experience government institutions, NGOs, private sector, academia and Civil Society Organizations in Uganda.

8. SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Excellent computer skills, analytical, organizational and discussions facilitation skills;

Possess strong oral and written communication skills to communicate in English; Able to multitask, demonstrating high standards of professional ethics, and time conscious.

Substantial level of self-organization, meeting deadlines and paying attention to detail

Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high-ranking members of national and international institutions, and government.

9. TYPE AND DURATION OF THE CONTRACT

A one (1) year contract with WCS that is renewable based on performance and availability of financial resources. The activity is expected to start in January 2022 to December 2023, with the possibility of extension until December 2024.

Application Process

The submission of the application shall include the following:

• Curriculum vitae with inclusion of three contacts to obtain professional references and presentation of two recommendations;

• Cover letter detailing your previous experience in similar work, as well as your interest in position and availability (no more than one page);

Interested parties should send their applications in *pdf format by 4* January 2023 via e-mail to: wcsuganda@wcs.org copy in gnangendo@wcs.org ; francis.ogwal@nema.go.ug and sabinofrancis@gmail.com with the title “Vacancy of Technical Assistant in the National Environment Management Authority”.