ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST

Reporting to the Manager, Systems Operations & Environment, the Environmental Specialist is responsible for ensuring that the KiWI Project complies fully with national environmental and social regulations as well as the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs).

1)      ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST

Job Summary:

The incumbent conducts detailed environmental analyses of project activities to ensure alignment with relevant policies, laws, and international best practices. The Environmental Specialist will also be responsible for conducting environmental assessments, monitoring environmental aspects and impacts of the Project, and implementing measures for pollution prevention, public health protection, and environmental risk mitigation. The incumbent also contributes to the development of environmental policies, standards, programmes, and guidelines, and oversees compliance by all consultants and contractors engaged in the implementation of the Kingston Waterfront Initiative.

Key Responsibilities

The Environmental Specialist will, inter alia:

• Coordinate and provide technical supervision, monitoring, and reporting on environmental safeguards in accordance with national legislation, the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs), and international best practices.
• Lead the implementation and application of the World Bank Environmental and Social Standards
• Support the Social Safeguards Specialist on the social-related dimensions of Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure
• Collaborate with JSIF Environmental and Social Safeguards Focal Points to ensure integration of environmental considerations across all project components.

• Monitor the implementation of the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) and ensure the effective application of recommendations from the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs).
• Prepare monthly environmental, social, health, and safety (ESHS) monitoring reports in accordance with the ESCP, reporting on the status of ESS instruments and project compliance.
• Review and update the ESMP and ESCP in response to changes in project design or findings from the mid-term review, in agreement with the World Bank and the Government of Jamaica.

• Integrate ESHS measures, including those related to public health and infectious disease mitigation, into bidding documents and procurement processes.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant discipline such as Environmental Engineering, Environmental Studies, Environmental Management, Natural Resources Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ professional experience in the preparation and supervision of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated experience in the application of the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) and/or Safeguard Policies, or comparable environmental and social policies from other international development institutions.
• Proven experience in the preparation of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), and other environmental risk management instruments aligned with multilateral development bank requirements.
• Experience in facilitating training sessions and stakeholder workshops related to environmental safeguards and compliance.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, communicate technical information clearly, and demonstrate initiative and resourcefulness in problem-solving.
• Fluency in English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience in technical and report writing.