Спеціаліст/ка з екологічного комплаєнсу (консультації) / Environmental Compliance Specialist (Consultancy)

Program:   GROW Project in Ukraine

Duration:  Anticipated up to 30 days; October 2024 – December 2024 with potential for additional consulting 

Location:   Kyiv, Ukraine

The Environmental Compliance Specialist Consultant for the GROW Project in Ukraine, implemented by World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), works with the GROW team to ensure that all project activities comply with international and local regulations on environmental compliance. She/he works closely with the GROW team and coordinate with the USAID environmental compliance team to review and as needed implement environmental compliance screenings of GROW activities, ensuring compliance with 22 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 216 USAID Environmental Procedures requirements, and Ukrainian environmental laws and regulations. 

About the Project: 

The GROW Project in Ukraine is a four – year project implemented by World Council of Credit Unions and funded by USAID.

The goals of GROW are to:

• Support MSME growth through increased lending
• Improve the enabling environment for credit unions
• Improve the operational capacity of Ukrainian credit unions to better serve MSMEs

The GROW Project will expand access to finance through credit unions for legal entities and private entrepreneurs, including farms, MSMEs, and cooperatives, as well as individuals in rural areas who are seeking to start or expand existing businesses. To facilitate this, GROW will address the supply of business financing, improve the enabling environment, and deepen the technical capacity of credit unions to provide and promote their financial services.

Summary:

The Environmental Compliance Specialist Consultant will work with GROW and its partners to ensure compliance of all GROW activities within the Ukrainian and USAID's environmental regulations, as well as help identify and mitigate environmental risks. 

Scope of work:

1. Review and update the environmental compliance manual and practices to ensure they remain current and relevant and prepare documents in accordance with the GROW Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE). This includes:
   1. Review the CAP environmental compliance manual in light of recent war, local Ukrainian legislative changes and USAID regulations, as well martial law in place since February 24, 2022. Adjust the manual accordingly per the above reviews;  
   2. Develop and prepare Environmental Review Checklist (ERC) and Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plans (EMMPs), when needed for selected GROW activities in accordance with the IEE; 
   3. Review and study Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP) for Ukraine DNC: 2024-UKR-001 to ensure all loans granted for the purchase of pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, or any other chemical will be issued in compliance with the PERSUAP; 
   4. Ensure all activities that deal with fertilizers, comply with appropriate guidance in the USAID Sectoral Guidelines on Crop Production; 
   5. Ensure review of all activities under Negative Determination as determined by USAID and ensure all documentation is place for USAID approvals before activities commence; and
   6. Work in coordination with USAID experts and CAP specialists to review and if needed approve an updated screening process for relevant CAP activities, mostly those pertaining to lending; and

1. Provide technical assistance to CAP and its partners on an as-needed basis to ensure compliance with environmental rules and regulations:  
   1. Work hand-in-hand with CAP partners to ensure proper screening of their lending activities and full implementation of environmental compliance policies, procedures and checklists; 
   2. At donor’s or CAP request, provide technical recommendations and reviews of documents and processes; and 
   3. Participate in calls and meetings with the donor as needed. 

The consultant will be expected to work remotely from their home location. Some travel may be required, pending security in the country.

Required Qualifications: 

• Masters’ or Bachelor’s degree in natural resources management, environmental protection, biology or related field required; or relevant experience in lieu of the education; 
• Previous experience working in international donor-funded technical assistance projects, with exposure to environmental compliance requirements and documents; experience with USAID projects preferred;
• Understanding of Ukrainian environmental laws and regulations;
• Knowledge of USAID environmental compliance regulations;
• Training experience;
• Native Ukrainian fluency, both written and spoken;
• Fluency or high proficiency in written and spoken English; 
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills;
• Culturally sensitive and able to work with multiple stakeholders in Ukraine and understand their various positions/viewpoints. 

Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and three reference contacts to Відправити резюме with the subject line: “Environmental Compliance Specialist” by 7th of October 2024. Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. Thank you.