Environmental Specialist job at Ministry of Lands Housing and Urban Development

Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

The incumbent will be responsible to the Operation Manager for performing the following duties:-

Responsibilities or duties

1. Ensure that all program planning and execution fully comply with the environmental policies, laws, and regulations of the Government of Uganda (GoU) and the World Bank, including the Environmental and Social System Assessment (ESSA) and Operation Implementation Manual.

2. Support environmental reporting and documentation, including reporting of E&S Incidents to the MLHUD and World Bank in accordance with GoU and WB requirements.

3. Review, develop Terms of Reference (ToRs) for, and oversee the preparation and implementation of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Project Briefs, and Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs).

4. Liaise directly with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and relevant regulatory bodies to facilitate and fast-track all necessary statutory environmental approvals and conditions.

5. Collaborate with the Social Development Specialist to draft ToRs and participate in selecting competent Safeguards Firms to undertake ESIAs, ESMPs, and Resettlement Action Plans (RAP).

6. Document environmental safeguard requirements clearly in revised Standard Bidding Documents and ensure ESMP recommendations and NEMA conditions are integrated into contractors' Bills of Quantities (BoQs).

7. Participate in shortlisting and evaluating bidders based on explicit environmental safeguard criteria, and verify that enforcement clauses are legally captured in final contracts

8. Review and advise on contractor proposals, environmental specifications, and plans for temporary auxiliary facilities (e.g., campsites, equipment storage, quarries, and borrow areas).

9. Conduct regular site visits to sub-national entities and local governments to track the performance and execution of identified environmental, health, and safety mitigation measures.

10. Develop, maintain, and update environmental and social (E&S) monitoring checklists, compliance trackers, and systems for use during implementation. Participate actively in formal environmental audits and inspections.

11. Guide and advise the project implementation team on the formation, operationalization, and management of Grievance Redress Committees (GRCs) for both project workers and local communities.

12. Provide leadership in undertaking E&S Root Cause Analysis of Incidents, development and implementation of Safeguards Corrective Action Plans, ensuring closure of all reported cases.

13. Develop and maintain a central UpToDate Environmental and social Incidents/ Accidents Register and associated reports and documents.

14. Review and provide advice on Contractor’s TORs, proposals, and plans for temporary works and supporting facilities such as campsites, equipment storage, quarries, murrum borrow areas, temporary access roads, etc.

15. Lead the investigation and Root Cause Analysis of E&S incidents, and design, implement, and verify the closure of Safeguards Corrective Action Plans.

16. Compile and submit high-quality monthly, quarterly, and annual E&S monitoring progress reports, ensuring immediate escalation of critical incidents to MLHUD and the World Bank.

17. Institutionalize environmental safeguards by planning and conducting targeted capacity-building, training initiatives, and hands-on support for MLHUD, sub-national entities, and Local Government staff.

18. Coordinate and participate in community engagement and feedback mechanisms to share project information and capture implementation lessons.

19. Provide technical environmental safeguards backing to the broader Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and other Ministry projects as institutional needs dictate.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

1. Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Engineering, Forestry, Biological Sciences, or related field.

2. Master's Degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Forestry, Natural Resources Management, or related field

Experience needed

1. Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in environmental safeguards management.

2. Experience in World Bank-funded or donor-funded projects.

3. Experience in Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), environmental audits, and regulatory compliance.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Minimum Age: 35

Vacancies: 1

• Ensure that all program planning and execution fully comply with the environmental policies, laws, and regulations of the Government of Uganda (GoU) and the World Bank, including the Environmental and Social System Assessment (ESSA) and Operation Implementation Manual.
• Support environmental reporting and documentation, including reporting of E&S Incidents to the MLHUD and World Bank in accordance with GoU and WB requirements.
• Review, develop Terms of Reference (ToRs) for, and oversee the preparation and implementation of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Project Briefs, and Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs).
• Liaise directly with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and relevant regulatory bodies to facilitate and fast-track all necessary statutory environmental approvals and conditions.
• Collaborate with the Social Development Specialist to draft ToRs and participate in selecting competent Safeguards Firms to undertake ESIAs, ESMPs, and Resettlement Action Plans (RAP).
• Document environmental safeguard requirements clearly in revised Standard Bidding Documents and ensure ESMP recommendations and NEMA conditions are integrated into contractors' Bills of Quantities (BoQs).
• Participate in shortlisting and evaluating bidders based on explicit environmental safeguard criteria, and verify that enforcement clauses are legally captured in final contracts
• Review and advise on contractor proposals, environmental specifications, and plans for temporary auxiliary facilities (e.g., campsites, equipment storage, quarries, and borrow areas).
• Conduct regular site visits to sub-national entities and local governments to track the performance and execution of identified environmental, health, and safety mitigation measures.
• Develop, maintain, and update environmental and social (E&S) monitoring checklists, compliance trackers, and systems for use during implementation. Participate actively in formal environmental audits and inspections.
• Guide and advise the project implementation team on the formation, operationalization, and management of Grievance Redress Committees (GRCs) for both project workers and local communities.
• Provide leadership in undertaking E&S Root Cause Analysis of Incidents, development and implementation of Safeguards Corrective Action Plans, ensuring closure of all reported cases.
• Develop and maintain a central UpToDate Environmental and social Incidents/ Accidents Register and associated reports and documents.
• Review and provide advice on Contractor’s TORs, proposals, and plans for temporary works and supporting facilities such as campsites, equipment storage, quarries, murrum borrow areas, temporary access roads, etc.
• Lead the investigation and Root Cause Analysis of E&S incidents, and design, implement, and verify the closure of Safeguards Corrective Action Plans.
• Compile and submit high-quality monthly, quarterly, and annual E&S monitoring progress reports, ensuring immediate escalation of critical incidents to MLHUD and the World Bank.
• Institutionalize environmental safeguards by planning and conducting targeted capacity-building, training initiatives, and hands-on support for MLHUD, sub-national entities, and Local Government staff.
• Coordinate and participate in community engagement and feedback mechanisms to share project information and capture implementation lessons.
• Provide technical environmental safeguards backing to the broader Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and other Ministry projects as institutional needs dictate.

• Environmental safeguards management
• World Bank-funded or donor-funded projects experience
• Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA)
• Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs)
• Environmental audits
• Regulatory compliance
• Reporting and documentation
• Liaising with regulatory bodies
• Contractor proposal review
• Site visits and performance tracking
• Monitoring and compliance tracking systems
• Grievance Redress Committees (GRCs) management
• Root Cause Analysis
• Safeguards Corrective Action Plans
• Capacity building and training
• Community engagement

• Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Engineering, Forestry, Biological Sciences, or related field.
• Master's Degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Forestry, Natural Resources Management, or related field