Environment and Climate Adaptation Specialist (Aus4Equality|GREAT Program)

Background

The Gender Responsive Equitable Agriculture and Tourism (GREAT) Program is an AUD 33.7 million (equivalent to VND 600 billion) initiative that promotes gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, with a focus on the ethnically diverse provinces of Son La and Lao Cai in Vietnam’s north-west.

Funded by the Australian Government and delivered in partnership with the Government of Vietnam, GREAT is a four-year program (2017-2021) that works with the private sector, government agencies and NGOs to create opportunities for women within the agriculture and tourism sectors. These sectors have demonstrated strong economic growth and the potential to increase the economic participation of ethnic minority women.

Job Details

Job Title: Environment and Climate Adaptation Specialist

Sector: Climate and Environment

Position Type: Full time

Duration/Level of Effort: Long term

Position Location: Hanoi, Vietnam

Deadline for submission: 10/8/2023

Summary of the position

Cowater is seeking to hire an Environment and Climate Adaptation Specialist to support a project in Vietnam working to improve the socio-economic well being of ethnic minority women (EMW) working in the agricultural sector by elevating their economic status, leadership and agency including through the promotion of clean growth. The project will implement a series of interventions designed to strengthen the performance of EMW-led MSMEs, cooperatives and producer groups in select agriculture value chains. The primary beneficiaries will be women living in the province of Yen Bai, while an overarching emphasis is placed on the inclusion of women from ethnic minority communities.

Based in Hanoi and Reporting to the Deputy Team Leader, the Environment & Climate Adaptation Specialist will be responsible for the Project’s environmental strategy and direction. This includes monitoring and reporting on environmental concerns and mitigation efforts, provision of technical expertise on environment and climate adaptation, provision of environmental oversight, and conducting environmental impact assessments, as required.

Key Responsibilities

Inception Phase

In collaboration with the Project leadership and Cowater HQ, lead the development of the Project’s Environmental Analysis, as part of the Project Implementation Plan. Focusing on environmental and climate change risks and vulnerabilities (including gender equality-related) in the project area, and how the proposed Project interventions would address and mitigate these. This would include details on early warning systems and technologies that the project proposes to establish.
Lead in the development of an Environmental Action Plan that will include environmental mitigation and enhancement measures, roles and responsibilities, implementation timeline, financial and human resources will be included in the deliverable. This will include a Climate vulnerability assessment according to the requirements laid out by the Government of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Plan, and monitor and update annually.
Identify environmental indicators that can be used to monitor Project progress as part of the environmental monitoring program, and included in the Project’s Performance Management Framework.
Conduct research, provide inputs, and participate in the drafting of the Project Implementation Plan, in particular the components related to environment and climate adaptation.
Ensure the PIP is aligned with Vietnam's and Canada’s climate change strategies, priorities, and sectoral policies, including Canada’s Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environment and Climate Action framework and policy.

Monitoring and Reporting

Design, pilot and maintain an environmental monitoring plan to be integrated into the Project’s Result-Based Monitoring.
Provide technical expertise on environment and climate adaptation, and monitoring of project activities for the achievement of expected project results.
Prepare any required manuals, guidelines, protocols, and templates for partners and stakeholders to facilitate application of the project’s Environment Strategy.

Capacity Building/Technical Assistance

Delivery capacity building, trainings, and technical assistance for the project team and partners, as needed.
Provide TA and lead and/or oversee environment and/or climate change Project activities as defined in annual work plans.
Research and share learnings and best practices on climate adaptation and environmental management practices.

Environmental Advising

Ensure all project activities are carried out in alignment with Vietnam's environmental policy as well as with Canada’s Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environment and Climate Action framework and policy.
Carry out analysis and provide advice to ensure project activities are aligned with Vietnam's climate change strategies, priorities, and sectoral policies.
Carry out strategic environmental assessments and the development of environmental strategies and guidelines as required.
In accordance withCowater’s Corporate Environment and Climate Change Policy, develop strategies to minimize the project's carbon footprint throughout the project's operations.
Anticipate environmental risks and issues and proposing strategies to mitigate/address them in a timely and effective fashion.
Identifying aspects of clean growth and green businesses such as the importance of a business environmental management plan to cover elements such as water and energy needs, pollution control, environmental and natural resource protection.
Ensure gender-related risks, impact, and mitigation measures are considered in all training, planning, strategizing, and monitoring.

Environmental Assessment

Oversee the any Impact Preliminary Assessments (EIPA) or Environmental Assessments (EA) conducted in accordance with the Environmental Permitting Decision.
Ensure compliance with applicable Canadian and Vietnamese environmental regulations.
Assess and document potential environmental issues and impacts. Conduct EIPA and/or EAs and site-specific environmental impact assessments as necessary, identifying key potential impacts on target area environments and strategies to eliminate or mitigate any potential negative impacts.
Develop specific environmental clauses to be integrated into the contract and partnership documents based on the recommendations and mitigation measures of the environmental assessments, as well as on best practice.
Work with key project personnel and counterparts, including the EPA and Global Affairs Canada to ensure all environmental requirements are met.

Undertake any other relevant tasks as directed by the Project Team Leader and/or Deputy Team Leader.

Job Requirements

Open to Vietnamese nationals only.

Education:

Formal academic background in environmental management, environmental engineering, or related area.

Minimum Experience:

At least eight years’ experience providing senior level technical assistance and guidance on environmental management, climate change mitigation, and sustainability.

Experience conducting environmental impact assessments and the ability to utilize findings to identify potential environmental impacts of development activities along with associated plans and strategies to mitigate or eliminate potential negative impacts.

Significant experience working with governments, civil society, and local communities as well as building their capacities in the areas of environmental management and climate adaptation.

Knowledge of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) framework.

Essential Skills:

High level of professional integrity, ethics, accountability, and dedication to upholding good environmental practices.

Strong knowledge of standard Vietnamese and Government of Canada environmental laws, standards, tools and templates and proven ability to successfully operationalize such regulations and tools.

Strong communication and reporting skills.

Experience working with GAC on planning, reporting and communications would be highly appreciated.

Ability to use Microsoft Office.

An understanding of the vulnerabilities faced by ethnic minority women and demonstrating cultural awareness and sensitivity preferred.

Language Proficiency:

Fluency in English and Vietnamese necessary.

How to Apply

Candidates are encouraged to apply through Cowater’s website (Cowater International Career Opportunities - Cowater International) by August 10th 2023/as soon as possible.

For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.