Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) Specialist

Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a private international, nonprofit, and non-denominational development agency. It seeks sustainable solutions to long term problems of poverty, with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous, coastal and other resource poor areas across the world. Concentrating its efforts in health, education, rural development and strengthening civil society sectors, AKF’s approach is based on long-term commitment that is maintained through political and social uncertainty. Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan is part of a dynamic network of development agencies currently operating in over 30 countries across Central and South Asia and East and West Africa. AKF,A currently manages and implements the largest, multi-sectoral development programme within the network and has built a strong reputation with the Government of Afghanistan, donors and local partners in a number of technical fields. At present, it is seeking an exceptional individual to fill the position of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) Specialist at National Program Office Kabul Afghanistan.

      Job Summary:  

The successful candidate will take a lead position within the Evaluation, Research and Learning Unit (ERLU), working under the direction of the ERLU Monitoring Manager. The Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) Specialist will be responsible for leading AKF’s results-based monitoring and evaluation activities related specifically to infrastructure, including reporting to donors, with a major focus on ensuring rigorous environmental assessments across sectors and community impact evaluations.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the development of appropriate monitoring and evaluation systems and tools across all AKF sectors that reflect donor commitments identified in programme log frames. • Under the direction of the ERLU (Evaluation, Research and Learning Unit) Monitoring Manager, take responsibility for management of specific monitoring activities related to infrastructure. • Conduct community and district-wide impact evaluations related to infrastructure projects. • Load all required project specific and comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) of infrastructure projects, which includes construction and maintenance of an EIA database. • Work closely with the GIS Unit in order to develop accurate maps of infrastructure projects and impacts. • Assist with the development of evaluation systems that reflect project grants, including the supervision of database construction. • Manage AKF infrastructure grants, including ensuring high quality donor reports are submitted on time; obtain all relevant information from program staff in a timely manner; monitor reporting deadlines and ensure timely preparation and consultation with field and sector staff. • Play a supportive role in managing full and part-time staff. • Prepare reports on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) findings, as required, working closely with technical staff and implementing partners. • Guide the regular sharing of the outputs of M&E findings with project staff. • Travel within Afghanistan to monitor data quality, conduct trainings and infrastructure related evaluations. • Encourage the integration of environment as a unifying theme across sectors. • Organise and where applicable conduct M&E training for project and implementing partner staff, and when necessary arrange for external trainer on a needs basis. • Any other duties as assigned by the Monitoring Manager in line with the core responsibilities and duties.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Minimum of Master’s Degree in field relevant to Environmental Impact Assessments, e.g. Geography, Environmental Studies, etc. • Experience with logical frameworks and other strategic planning approaches, M&E methods and approaches (including quantitative, qualitative and participatory), information analysis and report writing. • At least 3 years of relevant or similar working experience, particularly in an international organization in a developing country with similar operational / programmatic scale. • Willing to undertake regular field visits and interact with different stakeholders. • Excellent written and spoken communications skills in English. Knowledge of Dari and/or Pashto will be considered an advantage. • Computer skills: familiar with MS Office based applications (including Excel and Access). Ability to use SPSS preferable. • Proactive and able to assume a leadership role as required. • Familiar in working long hours both at the field level and office setting.

Application: Applicants meeting the above requirements are requested to submit a cover letter along with their CV and the names of at least three references no later than October 15th 2011 electronically to jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org