Senior Environmental Specialist

Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh

LOE: Full-time

Start Date: January 2025

Job Description

DevWorks International (DevWorks) is a U.S. based NGO that was founded in 2011. DevWorks supports people and institutions to enhance service delivery, strengthen local capacity, and enable equitable economic growth and prosperity. We deliver inclusive, market-based solutions across several technical areas: agriculture and food security, water security, sanitation and hygiene (WSSH), private sector development, governance, and climate and resilience.

DevWorks is recruiting for a Senior Environmental Specialist for the Feed the Future Bangladesh Sustainable Aquaculture Activity. The Activity aims to enhance inclusive and sustainable aquaculture sector growth in Bangladesh through a market system approach to improve rural household income and nutrition.

The Senior Environmental Specialist will be responsible for ensuring that Activity interventions comply with USAID environmental regulations and policies. They will develop, implement, and update the Activity’s environmental compliance strategy in alignment with USAID’s Environmental Compliance and Monitoring Guidelines and Climate Risk Management Guidelines. They will oversee the design and implementation of the Environmental Management and Mitigation Plan (EMMP) and the Climate Risk Mitigation (CRM) Plan, while integrating environmental considerations into the Activity’s workplan and activities. A key focus will be engaging the private sector to integrate climate-smart technologies and practices into aquaculture systems to enhance resilience and sustainability. Key tasks and responsibilities include:

• Environmental Compliance: Ensuring the Activity complies with USAID environmental regulations and policies, including those outlined in USAID’s Environmental Compliance Procedures (22 CFR 216), the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, and the USAID Climate Risk Management Policy. This includes complying with both USAID’s and Bangladesh’s environmental laws, regulations, and guidelines. Regularly reviewing project activities to assess and verify environmental compliance. Coordinating with stakeholders to align project operations with environmental standards.
• Design and Implementation of the EMMP: Leading the development, refinement, and implementation of the EMMP. Identifying potential environmental risks and propose mitigation strategies to minimize adverse impacts of project activities. Monitoring the implementation of mitigation measures and documenting compliance with the EMMP.
• Design and Implementation of the CRM Plan: Developing and overseeing the CRM Plan to address potential climate-related risks of project activities. Providing technical guidance on integrating climate-smart practices into project activities and enhancing climate resilience in aquaculture systems.
• Environmental Monitoring and Reporting: Designing and implementing frameworks and tools to track project impacts on the environment. Conducting field assessments and preparing regular reports on environmental compliance and climate risk mitigation. Documenting lessons learned and recommending improvements for environmental management practices.
• Capacity Building and Awareness: Training Activity staff, partners, and stakeholders on the EMMP and CRM Plan. Collaborating with project staff to ensure environmental considerations are integrated into project planning and implementation.
• Climate-Smart Aquaculture: Leading the integration of climate-smart practices into the Activity, with a focus on strategies that enhance resilience to climate change while promoting environmental sustainability. This includes implementing adaptive management techniques, encouraging the use of climate-resilient aquaculture systems, and ensuring the assessment and mitigation of climate risks throughout the Activity. Collaborating closely with stakeholders to incorporate climate-smart innovations and ensure that aquaculture practices align with both environmental sustainability and climate adaptation goals.
• Private Sector Collaboration: Engaging with private sector actors to understand their business models and identifying opportunities to promote climate adaptability and resilience. Providing tailored recommendations to private sector stakeholders on integrating climate-smart technologies into their operations. Exploring and fostering partnerships with private sector actors experimenting with or willing to introduce climate-smart innovations in the aquaculture sector. Supporting the co-development of business models that align environmental sustainability with economic goals.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in an environmental management and mitigation role on a USAID-funded project in Bangladesh. Experience on a Feed the Future project is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing EMMPs and CRM Plans, ideally for projects in the aquaculture sector.
• Strong understanding of USAID environmental compliance standards and Bangladeshi environmental laws.
• Experience in integrating climate-smart practices into agricultural or aquaculture systems.
• A bachelor’s degree or higher in environmental sciences, natural resource management, or a related field.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in English required.

Please send your CV and cover letter to dcresume@devworks.org with “Senior Environmental Specialist – BSAA” in the subject line. We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early for priority consideration. This position will remain open only until filled.