UGANDA STANDARD GAUGE RAILWAY PROJECT MANAGEMENT UNIT (SGR–PMU)
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Senior Environmental Officer
Job Grade: SGR 5A
Number of Vacancies: One (1)
Terms: Contract (Four Years)
Reports To: Head, Environment and Social Safeguards
Responsible For: Environmental Officer
Job Purpose
To coordinate and provide technical supervision, monitoring, and reporting on environmental safeguards for the SGR Project in accordance with National Environmental laws, institutional policies, and international lender standards.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
i. Policy and Planning
- Review and contribute to the formulation of environmental management policies, plans, and guidelines in line with National and International standards.
- Ensure that environmental objectives are integrated into project planning and implementation processes.
ii. Environmental Assessment and Compliance
- Conduct or review Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) for the SGR Project and associated facilities to ensure compliance with relevant laws and international lender standards (IFC, AfDB, IsDB, World Bank).
- Provide expert environmental guidance to project teams, consultants, and contractors to ensure adherence to approved Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs).
iii. Environmental Risk Management
- Identify, assess, and manage environmental risks throughout the project lifecycle.
- Oversee the integration of environmental safeguards into all project activities and ensure mitigation measures are effectively implemented.
iv. Monitoring, Auditing, and Reporting
- Monitor, audit, and evaluate environmental performance at project and contractor levels.
- Investigate environmental incidents, ensure corrective actions are undertaken, and prepare periodic environmental compliance reports.
- Track and report on key performance indicators and areas for improvement.
v. Technical Support and Design Integration
- Provide environmental design inputs during planning, engineering, and construction phases to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and international best practices.
- Support the preparation and review of tender and contract documents to integrate environmental safeguard requirements.
vi. Regulatory Liaison and Approvals
- Coordinate the acquisition of environmental permits, licenses, and approvals from relevant regulatory agencies, including NEMA and the Ministry of Water and Environment.
- Ensure timely renewal and compliance monitoring of all approvals.
vii. Ecosystem Restoration and Management
- Monitor and coordinate the implementation of ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation activities in collaboration with relevant authorities.
- Promote sustainable environmental practices across project operations.
Person Specifications
Qualifications
- A Master’s degree in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or a related field from a recognized University.
- A Bachelor’s degree (Honours) in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Botany and Zoology, or Forestry.
- Registration with the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) as a Certified Environmental Practitioner is mandatory.
Experience
- Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in preparing and implementing Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) aligned to IFC, World Bank, and AfDB standards.
- At least five (5) years of experience managing environmental safeguards for large infrastructure projects, preferably those aligned to IFC Performance Standards, World Bank Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs), or AfDB Integrated Safeguards System (ISS).
Competencies
- Strong knowledge of environmental and social safeguard policies, standards, and best practices, including those of international financial institutions (IFIs).
- Excellent analytical, communication, and report-writing skills.
- Leadership and team coordination capabilities.
- Proficiency in computer applications relevant to environmental management.
- Strong stakeholder engagement, ethics, and integrity, with a results-oriented mindset.
Application Procedure
Interested and qualified candidates should fill the attached “Application for Employment Form” as part of the application and submit their applications with detailed CVs, copies of certified academic and professional certificates, and contact details of at least three referees to:
The Project Coordinator,
Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Project,
Ministry of Works and Transport,
P.O. Box 7174, Kampala, Uganda.
Nakawa Business Park
4th Floor Block D