Reports To:                      Environmental Safeguards Manager

Length of Contract:        Up to September 30, 2026

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

CRS is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) supporting relief and development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity, or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) opened operations in Kenya in 1965. For nearly 60 years, we have worked throughout the country to implement programs in agriculture, health, microfinance, water, sanitation, emergency relief and peacebuilding. We have built deep relationships with the Government of Kenya and the Catholic Church through ongoing collaboration and support. CRS’ projects in Kenya currently include agriculture, health, multisectoral nutrition, microfinance, emergency response, HIV care and treatment, and services for orphans and vulnerable children. CRS Kenya implements its programs through partnerships with local organizations, including the Catholic Church, other faith-based organizations and community entities for maximum impact and sustainability.

Background:
CRS is leading the Nawiri Project, a consortium of international non-governmental organizations, local implementing partners and international/ national research institutions to implement a multi-year USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA). Our partner agencies include Isiolo and Marsabit county governments, Isiolo and Marsabit Caritas, JSI, Village Enterprise, and Concern Worldwide. The overarching goal of this multi-sectoral activity is to sustainably reduce levels of Persistent Acute Malnutrition (PAM) in Marsabit and Isiolo Counties of Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). Following completion of Phase 1 (Oct. 2019 – Feb. 2022), the project is now in its implementation phase, focused on systems and institutional strengthening. An extension period means the project will now run until 2027, but with less presence over time as local actors including county governments increasingly take over.

Overview of Nawiri’s Environmental Safeguarding:

Nawiri program operates in accordance with US Government environmental regulations and guidance, including Initial Environmental Examination (IEE), Pest Management Plan (PMP), Water Quality Assurance Plan (WQAP), Environmental Status Reports (ESR), Safe User Action Plan (SUAP), and Environment Management and Mitigation Plan (EMMP) among others. CRS seeks to recruit an environmental compliance officer in Isiolo who will work as an integral part of the technical assistance team to ensure that environmental and climate issues are properly considered and addressed and that operations are supported in order to comply with USAID’s safeguard policies, USAID 22 CFR 216 and ADS201, and Kenya’s national regulations during program implementation.

Job Summary:

The Project Officer – Environmental Compliance will lead and be accountable for full compliance to USAID environmental regulations and associated deliverables under the Nawiri program, as well as Government of Kenya (GoK) environmental regulations at the county level. This includes understanding these regulations and deliverables and their operationalization within the ASAL context. The position will also be expected to generate and regularly update on Nawiri’s environmental deliverables as required. As environmental compliance is not the sole responsibility of one person, staff capacity building is essential across a large and diverse team to ensure the integration of environmental safeguarding issues across interventions. On site monitoring of activities and tracking of associated indicators must be implemented in close partnership with the key county and national government departments and the project’s monitoring, evaluation and learning team. The environmental compliance officer will work directly with and report to the Environmental Safeguards Manager, and in close collaboration with all program leads.

Job Responsibilities:

• Conduct regular monitoring of Nawiri consortium activities to ensure full compliance with USAID environmental compliance regulations. Share the results of this monitoring in a timely manner with the relevant teams and follow-up on recommendations given.
• Ensure Climate Risk Management mitigation measures are implemented as per the IEE recommendations.
• Work closely with team members, partners, and local government to build their capacity on environmental management, specifically focusing on strengthening institutional capacity, improving environmental quality and the sustainable management of natural resources, and promoting equitable solutions in managing commons such as climate change, sustainability, biodiversity conservation and others.
• Undertake quarterly environmental monitoring and evaluation of program activities against environmental regulations and standards. Take lead on developing and delivering a series of spot checks to ensure that proposed mitigation measures are properly implemented in line with the guidelines and unforeseen environmental and human health impacts are minimized. Prepare reports (quarterly, annual & field monitoring) on the safeguard risks with appropriate actions to be taken and ensure that timely actions are taken.
• Facilitate the preparation and updating of environmental safeguard lessons/results as per USAID’s requirements.
• Work in close collaboration with the M&E team to ensure that all the required environmental indicators are properly aligned and tracked with the overall M&E plan.
• Conduct assessments and advise teams on the environmental implications of planned activities.
• Coordinate with external stakeholders and contractors.
• Contribute to maintaining relationships with donors, peer organizations and other institutions, and participate in forums in the area of environment to collect and share best practices.

Personal Skills:

• Good self-management and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in the English language.
• Able to live in an environment where everyday comforts may not be readily available.
• Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity and inclusion including gender equality.

Required/Desired Foreign Language:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; ability to draft and edit reports.
• Excellent verbal communication skills in Kiswahili.

Travel Required:

The position will be based in Isiolo, with occasional support for Marsabit County, with 60 % frequent travels to project sites in the respective sub counties.

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: None

Internal: Environmental Safeguards Manager, County Systems Strengthening Lead, County Health & Nutrition Manager, County Graduation Lead, County Food systems Lead, County Gender & Social Dynamics Lead, County M&E Lead, County Learning & Accountability Lead, Nawiri subcounty and ward program teams and Nawiri consortium partner staff.

External: County government of Isiolo & Marsabit staff especially the Ministry of Environment & Water, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock, NEMA, WRA, Public Administration and Civic engagement and other related government bodies and authorities, Local Implementing partners and private sector service providers.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Planning and Management, Natural Resources management, Public Health, Environmental Health and Water & Environmental Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, with relevant field-based experience in environment safeguarding issues.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of GoK environmental regulations and USAID environmental compliance experience.
• Demonstrated experience working in some or all of the following: environmental safeguarding, climate risk management, conservation, biodiversity management, capacity building, environmental impact assessment and auditing.
• Demonstrated experience in collaborations and systems strengthening for Environmental Compliance.
• Knowledge of and experience working with complex MEAL systems and indicator tracking
• Experience working on technical sectors covered under the Nawiri project (nutrition, health, livelihoods, WASH, DRR, livestock, food systems, business sustainability etc.)
• Experience working with USAID as a donor preferred.
• Experience working in the Kenyan ASALs is a plus.
• Registration with NEMA as a Lead/Associate Expert in Environmental Impact Assessment, with a valid current practicing license.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhances team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.  

What we offer: 

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. 

CRS Kenya strives to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and work, stay, and do their best.

CRS provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition and any other status protected by law. As an equal opportunity employer, CRS will recruit, hire, train and promote persons solely on their qualifications and abilities.

CRS’ emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a baby room at the office, and flexible working hours where possible. Women and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

Catholic Relief Services is committed to ensuring the security and protection of the personal information that we process, and to provide a compliant and consistent approach to data protection.

The protection of your personal data is important to CRS. By submitting your application, you consent to CRS using your personal data only for the recruitment process to have all the information and documents necessary to proceed with the recruitment, validation of your application and selection of the most suitable candidate. Your personal data will be treated confidentially. CRS will not use your personal data in any other way other than for purposes of recruitment.

We wish to notify that CRS do not demand or charge any fee from the aspiring candidates for considering their candidature or at any time during the recruitment process, nor have we authorized any individual, agency or firm for recruiting candidates for us. Any person seeking employment with CRS needs to be cautious and not trust any agency or individual, claiming to be our representative, and charging fees for providing/securing employment with us.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people – especially children and vulnerable adults – to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer