Environmental Safeguards Specialist - KOSAP

About SNV

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner, rooted in the contexts and societies where we work. Inspired by the transformational principles and objectives set out by the SDGs, we are committed to building resilient agri-food systems that deliver food security and adequate nutrition; to increasing the reliability and availability of water and sanitation at an acceptable quantity and quality; and to improving access to affordable and sustainable energy for all. In doing so, we aim to strengthen institutions, markets and effective governance within and across the agri-food, energy, and water sectors, reducing gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enabling adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

We are one team of over 1,600 people, the vast majority of whom come from the contexts where we work, in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia. Together, we are committed to effective and efficient stewardship of resources and maximising positive, lasting impacts.

Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience, knowledge, evidence and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information on our operations in Kenya and SNV generally visit our website: www.snv.org

About KOSAP

Driven by the imperative to provide equal opportunities across the entire Kenyan territory as key to achieving Kenya’s Vision 2030, and the national target of achieving universal access to electricity by 2026 and universal access to clean cooking solutions by 2028, the Government of Kenya (GoK) seeks to close the access gap by providing electricity and clean cooking services to remote, low density, and traditionally underserved areas of the country. The GoK intends to use US$150 million, in Kenya Shillings equivalent, of financing from the World Bank to deliver the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP). 

The KOSAP project promotes these objectives by supporting the deployment of clean cooking technologies for households, and the use of solar to drive the electrification of households, enterprises, community facilities, and water pumps. The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum (MoEP), Kenya Power and Lighting (KPLC) and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) are implementing the project in 4 components: 

1. US$78M: Mini grids for Community Facilities, Enterprises, and Households 
2. US$15.7M: Stand-alone Solar Systems and Clean Cooking Solutions for Households 
3. US$21.3M: Stand-alone Solar Systems and Solar Water Pumps for Community Facilities 
4. US$35M: Implementation Support and Capacity Building 

SNV is the KOSAP Facilities Manager (KFM) for the Component 2 of the project. Component 2 consists of two sub-components; (i) sub-component 2A which is a Solar Service Providers Results-Based Financing (SSP RBF) Facility and (ii) sub-component 2B which is a Clean Cooking Solution Results-Based Financing (CCS RBF) Facility. The activities of Component 2 are aimed at increasing access to modern energy services in remote, low-density, and traditionally underserved territories of the country. The implementation period of the project started on November 23, 2018, and ends on May 31st, 2025. 

These underserved areas, which cover the geographical scope of the KOSAP project, are identified as 14 counties, deemed ‘marginalized’ by the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA). Due to the remoteness and sometimes dispersed nature of the target populations and considering the socioeconomic profile and lifestyles of those residing in these counties. The KOSAP project is designed to address the high costs of developing the market infrastructure, low affordability of the potential users, and sustainability of service provision using an abundantly available renewable energy resource. These counties are: West Pokot, Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta and Narok. 

Objective of the Assignment

To provide technical assistance to the facility manager and provide support services for environmental and social safeguard issues. The officer will be expected to ensure that all documents mainstream environmental and social safeguards issues so that the project under component 2 does not detrimentally influence the environment and social well-being of the populations

The K-OSAP project has triggered the following Environmental and Social Safeguards policies of the World Bank (a) Safeguard OP 4.01.Environmental Assessment ; (b) OP 4.10,Indigeneous People ,(c) OP 4.04 Natural Habitats, and (d) OP 4.12, involuntary Resettlement. Additionally, it has triggered relevant laws and regulations of the government of Kenya concerning Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups (VMG’s)

Scope of the Assignment

The Environmental Specialist will report to the Project Co-ordinator-SNV/Sun funder and will have the following major duties and responsibilities: -

1. Familiarization with each of the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Safeguards policies that have been triggered for the project
2. Develop a comprehensive Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP for E-waste/WEEE-Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment and ensure compliance of the same by the Solar Home Systems providers
3. Appraise the entire management processes including de-manufacturing, collection, storage, recycling, transport and disposal) in accordance with the Environmental Management and Co-ordination (E-waste Management Regulations 2013) and World Bank Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines
4. Develop a project-specific environmental code of practice (ECOP) as a guidance on approach for the collection, transport, storage and disposal/reuse of spent batteries, Solar panels and waste generated from Cook stoves with the aim of ensuring that risks to the environment and human health are prevented or mitigated
5. Develop an elaborate and specific plan on recycling and disposal of spent batteries, solar panels and cook stoves for the solar home systems providers at the end of their useful lives.
6. Develop a Stakeholder Engagement strategy that will seek to inform discussion and build awareness of all stakeholders, including rural remote community members, vendors/suppliers of products and service providers, around safe management, handling and disposal of E-waste/WEEE including used batteries.
7. Supervision and monitoring of the implementation of environmental and social instrument-ESMP-WEEE in accordance with the respective Bank’s guidelines and policies
8. Supporting Solar companies in the review of documentation pertaining to environmental and Social compliance
9. Supervision and overseeing the implementation of the EPOC and World Bank’s safeguard procedures triggered for KOSAP in the operations of the solar home systems and cook stoves providers
10. Contribute to project’s Component 2 progress reports pertaining to overall implementation of Environmental and Social requirements of the project
11. Preparing training materials and conducting technical training workshops to Solar Companies and Microfinance organization on environmental and Social Safeguards requirements
12. Prepare environmental information materials and disseminating the information to the relevant stakeholders; and organize environmental and social orientation & awareness, consultations, and training programs;
13. Generate a screening checklist, guided by the ESMF against which solar home systems providers and cook stoves companies will be gauged as a precondition for accessing debt facility and Result Based financing to assess their preparedness on safeguard issues
14. Review bid documents to ensure environmental and social factors and mitigations are incorporated, and they are in harmony with environmental and social requirements;
15. Support the formation of the grievance/complaints redress mechanism and committees and communication of the grievance mechanism to all the stakeholders and other relevant procedures
16. Working with the social specialist, appraise the social aspects of the Project interventions. Advice on how the programme activities can be more gender sensitive to meet the priories of both men and women beneficiaries in K-OSAP project area
17. Ensure that each activity under the project-component 2 is subjected to the Project ESMF process and procedures, and carry out environmental screening of activities, and prepare specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (EMPs)
18. Undertake routine site visits during project execution and operation to assess how environmental and social screening and mitigation measures are succeeding or have succeeded in minimizing impacts
19. Preparation of environment and Social monitoring and evaluation reports and, perform tasks and responsibilities related to the social issues including sexual Exploitation and Abuse by solar companies staff, Gender-based violence, HIV/AIDS program, issues related to labour influx and child labour (people coming into the project area for project related work
20. Facilitate communication among various project stakeholders to promote socially and environmentally sound project implementation with sustainable development outcomes
21. Liaise on a regular basis with the Ministry of Energy and other implementing Agencies
22. Produce and document environmental and social safeguards implementation reports; and Undertake other duties as per the requirements of the project or as directed by Project Coordinator.

Deliverables/ Reporting Obligations

The Officer will be required to submit reports as follows:

­-One copy of quarterly progress on activities undertaken and solutions to challenges

-One copy of annual progress report; and

-One copy of project completion report after the completion of the task period

• The candidate should have, as a minimum, a postgraduate degree from any recognized institution in the area of Environmental science, Environmental Engineering, Natural Resource Management or any related discipline with combination of appropriate trainings;
• Registered with NEMA as a Lead expert
• A minimum of ten years of relevant work experience in environmental and social issues, experience in development project is an added advantage. Direct experience in working on implementation of ESIA and ESMF, environmental and social safeguard issues preferably in Conservation organization or large industries in any private or public sector
• At least 8 years experience working on projects financed by the World Bank with a good knowledge and understanding of the World Bank’s Operational Policies and Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines
• Experience with Community development, gender mainstreaming issues, VMG’s and participatory  approaches are an added advantage
• Good communication skills both verbal and written
• Fluency in English is essential and fluency in Kiswahili is an added advantage

Additional information

Contract Type: National Employment Contract
Contract Duration: 4 months

Expected Start Date: ASAP

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya with travels in-country.

Supervision

The safeguard specialist will work in close co-operation with and under the guidance and supervision of the Project lead – SNV and the PCU Project Coordinator in the Ministry of Energy.

Interested and qualified candidates should apply by clicking on the “I AM INTERESTED” tab on this page and submitting a CV in English (as an attachment) and an application letter and Three professional references in English on or before 20th August 2025

NB: Only shortlisted will be contacted.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.