Environmental Officer

Job Summary The Youth-Led Community Climate Action and Environmental Resilience in Kabul and Balkh Provinces of Afghanistan project will be implemented in Kabul and Balkh. Its integrated portfolio includes school and household waste management, plastic reduction, rainwater harvesting, participatory climate-risk mapping, community-led micro-projects, tree planting and protection, bio-briquette training and kits for 50 women, support for four youth innovations, university collaboration, ALCOY, MEAL/accountability, and donor reporting. Job Requirements 1. Key Responsibilities 1.1 Project-Specific Responsibilities Ø Provide technical leadership for school and household waste management, plastic reduction, rainwater harvesting, participatory climate-risk mapping, community climate micro-projects, tree planting/protection, bio-briquette technology, and youth-led environmental innovation. Ø Develop technically sound specifications, screening tools, environmental and social mitigation measures, training curricula, field protocols, maintenance guidance, and quality-verification criteria. Ø Conduct baseline/site assessments and regular monitoring in Kabul and Balkh; verify ecological suitability, survival or functionality, safe use, community ownership, and sustainability of interventions. Ø Train staff, teachers, students, households, women’s groups, youth, community actors, and partners using participatory and locally appropriate methods. Ø Analyse environmental results and risks; provide corrective recommendations; and contribute verified technical data, lessons, case evidence, and recommendations to donor reports and knowledge products. 1.2 Functional Responsibilities Ø Provide context-appropriate technical advice on climate adaptation and mitigation, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity, waste management, water and soil conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental awareness, as relevant to the project. Ø Conduct or support environmental assessments, baseline studies, site screening, field verification, consultations, and technical feasibility reviews using approved methodologies. Ø Prepare technical designs, guidance notes, bills or specifications, training materials, field protocols, and environmental management measures within the officer’s professional competence. Ø Screen proposed activities for environmental and social risks; develop proportionate mitigation actions; monitor compliance; and immediately escalate serious or unforeseen impacts. Ø Ensure technical activities reflect do-no-harm, climate-risk, conflict-sensitivity, gender and inclusion, occupational safety, and local ecological knowledge. Ø Train and coach staff, volunteers, community groups, schools, and partners on relevant environmental practices and support participatory environmental action. Ø Establish and monitor technically sound indicators; verify environmental outputs and outcomes; analyse field data; and contribute evidence to reports and learning products. Ø Liaise with relevant technical departments, academic institutions, specialists, community leaders, and environmental networks to support quality and coordination. Ø Document lessons, case evidence, innovations, maintenance requirements, and sustainability arrangements for environmental interventions. Ø Promote resource-efficient operations, including waste reduction, responsible purchasing, energy and water conservation, and low-impact events and field practices. 1.3 Coordination, Reporting and Learning Ø Maintain effective working relationships with relevant internal functions and authorize external stakeholders. Ø Provide accurate and timely inputs to monthly, quarterly, annual, donor, management, and ad hoc reports as relevant to the position. Ø Document implementation challenges, corrective actions, good practices, lessons learned, and recommendations for adaptive management and future programming. Ø Participate in planning, review, coordination, and learning meetings and follow through on assigned actions. 1.4 Safety, Security, Gender, Inclusion and Safeguarding Ø Comply with SWOE safety and security procedures and contribute actively to individual and team duty of care. Ø Integrate gender equality, youth participation, disability inclusion, cultural sensitivity, conflict sensitivity, and do-no-harm principles into assigned work. Ø Uphold the code of conduct and zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, child abuse, discrimination, retaliation, fraud, corruption, and conflicts of interest. Ø Protect confidential and personal information; obtain informed consent; and immediately report safeguarding, security, fraud, or serious environmental and social concerns through authorized channels. 2. Key Working Relationships Internal: Project Manager; project team; MEAL/accountability; finance and administration; human resources; safeguarding/security focal points; and senior management. External: relevant line ministries and local authorities, communities, schools, universities, youth and women’s groups, civil society, suppliers/service providers, media, donors, and partners, as appropriate to the role and delegated authority. 3. Qualifications and Experience Ø Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, climate change, forestry, natural-resource management, ecology, agriculture, water resources, environmental engineering, or a related field; a master’s degree is an advantage. Ø At least three years of relevant technical and field experience in Afghanistan or a comparable fragile and climate-vulnerable context. Ø Experience with environmental assessment/screening, community-based natural-resource management, environmental education, or climate-resilience programming. Ø Ability to analyse environmental data and produce clear technical reports and practical recommendations. Ø Proficiency in Dari and/or Pashto and working English. 4. Required Competencies Ø Environmental analysis and technical accuracy Ø Field assessment and problem solving Ø Participatory facilitation Ø Safeguards and risk awareness Ø Evidence-based reporting Ø Respect for local knowledge and ecological integrity Ø Proven ability to analyse problems, identify practical solutions, and work effectively under changing field conditions. Ø Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant project, financial, HR, communication, or data-management systems.