Position: Environmental Safeguards Specialist

Organization: National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)

Location: Delhi

Responsibilities

The Environmental Safeguards Specialist will be required to assist both the PMU (NIUA) and the participating cities across the country. The responsibilities of the incumbent will include, but will not be limited to:

• Provide technical expertise on key issues related to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), on sustainability risks in the design, preparation and implementation considering best industry practices and standards (AFD E&S guidelines are aligned on the World Bank guidelines);
• Identify all key potential environmental impacts and risks of the urban infrastructure projects being developed under the CITIIS program and ensure that their magnitude and significance are well understood by all stakeholders;
• Train and handhold the E&S Nodal Officers in the participating local governments (Smart City SPVs) in developing and delivering the Environment Commitment Plan (ECP), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) measurement and monitoring, in close coordination with the Social Safeguards Specialist;
• Critical review/ validation of the Environmental safeguards documentation submitted along with the Detailed Project Report (DPR);
• Help develop step-by-step procedures for implementation of mitigation measures, supervising environmental consultants supporting the projects;
• Based on the assessments, work with E&S Nodal Officers in the participating cities to ensure plans are developed and steps taken to ensure that projects will comply with AFD’s Policy / Guidelines on Environmental and Social Sustainability (ESS);
• Ensure quarterly, bi-annual and annual reporting is timely done to the stakeholders;
• Work with colleagues and the management to foster strategic alliances and partnerships for sharing lessons and best practices as well as to develop opportunities for building capacities with local governments, internal staff and other specialists;
• Extensive travel to the participating cities for on-ground monitoring, reporting and capacity building;
• Develop toolkits, guidebooks and plans for Environmental Safeguards in the program;
• Report on and disseminate good practices and generated knowledge; and
• Liaison with relevant state and regulatory agencies.

Reporting:

The Environmental Safeguards Specialist shall work closely with the program team and report to the Program Director - CITIIS at NIUA, New Delhi.

Skills and Qualifications

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in Environmental sciences, Environmental planning, Ecology or other relevant fields;
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience; with at-least 5 years of experience in conducting Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and developing Environmental Management Plans (EMP) for urban infrastructure projects;
• Excellent drafting, documentation and communication skills;
• Proven record on similar work at local, regional or national level;
• Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically;
• Good in personal organization, planning and priority setting;
• Values the continuous improvement and learning;
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

References: Please provide name and contact information of three references.

Remuneration: As par with the industry standards, depending on experience and skills and fitment with NIUA remuneration structures. Proof of past remuneration (last received salary/monthly contract payment) would be required.

Application process: Submit CV and cover letter through the NIUA portal.