The GCAP, financed by the World Bank and USAID, is Ghana's flagship agricultural project.The project is currently being restructured including the following  revised Project Development Objective:

To improve agricultural  productivity of both smallholder and nucleus farms in selected project  intervention areas through increased access to reliable water, land,  finance, agricultural inputs, and output markets.

The restructured GCAP will consist of the following seven components:

(i) Strengthening investment promotion infrastructure and facilitating secure access to land;
(ii) Securing PPPs and smallholder linkages in  the Accra Plains; (Hi) Securing PPPs and small-holder linkages in the  SADA Zone;
(iv) Project Management including M&E and impact analysis;
(v) Investments in physical rehabilitation and modernization of existing  public irrigation and drainage infrastructure;
(vi) Support to the  restructuring of irrigation and drainage institutions of the Government  of Ghana; and
(vii) Support for the development of Water Users'  Associations and new scheme management institutions.

Organizational Reporting:  Reports to the Operations Manager, GCAP.
GCAP is looking for a dynamic and energetic Environmental Safeguards Specialists (located in Tamale) with knowledge and hands-on experience in the use of environmental assessment, environmental impact analysis, and application of environmental safeguards for ensuring the adequate incorporation of environmental considerations in all GCAP activities

General:

The  Environmental  Safeguards Specfalists (ESS) will  be  responsible  to  ensure that environmpntal safeguards screening is taking place as per agreed environmental and social management framework (ESMF) and in full compliance with World Bank environmental safeguards  policies and  the Government of Ghana's  Environmental  Protection  Agency regulations and procedures. The ESS will provide recommendations, advice and guidance on measures to enhance the effectiveness of project implementation and achievement of the project development objectives through appropriately addressing the social and environmental issues of the project. The ESS will report to the Project Coordinator.

Specific:
Specific responsibilities would include but not limited to;

•   Preparing  internal  environmental   and   social  guidelines for  the  preparation, and  social  documents implementation,  monitoring and  reporting of environmental required by various safeguards instruments.
•   Reviewing of ESIAs/ESMPs and other environmental and social safeguards  documents prepared  by consultants in collaboration  with the  EPA and GCAP team  to ensure compliance with relevant safeguards policies of the Government of Ghana and the World Bank.
•   Ensure that all safeguards reports like ESIAs, EMPs are reviewed and  provide qualityoversight to ensure speedy clearance by designated institutions like the World Bank and the EPA.
•   Facilitate consultations and in-country disclosure of ESIAs/ESMPs  and RAPs/ARAPs.
•   Work with GCAP team to ensure that environmental  screening is carried out in a timely manner and ensure that follow up action is undertaken.
•   Ensure that environmental safeguards issues are incorporated into bid and specificationdocuments for all sub project documents.
•   Coordinate with other members of the PIU in monitoring of contractors and works fo ensure environmental safeguards compliance.
•   Provide review of documentation  pertaining to environmental and  social compliance (including bidding documents, reviews on-site, reports from contractors etc.) during project implementation.
•   Conducting audits in  matters pertaining to timely payments,  provision  of temporary measures etc. to affected persons.
•   Contribute  to  project   progress   reports  pertaining  to  overall  implementation  of environmental and social requirements of the project.
•   Coordinate and facilitate the work of consultants engaged to carry out environmental and social impact assessments  and   monitoring   of environmental  safeguards instruments implementation.
•   Organize technical aspects of workshops and  meetings as required as outlined in section on training and capacity building in the ESMF/RPF
•   Prepare   training materials, and conduct technical training  workshops to the PIU Government staff and  project  implementation  agencies on environmental safeguard requirements.
•   Undertake held visits to ascertain if the grievance redress mechanism established for the project is functioning appropriately and the individual projects are implemented in an environmentally sustainable manner.
•   Collate appropriate performance and monitoring indicators as input into the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework of the project
•   Prepare  quarterly/annual Environment Monitoring and Evaluation reports
•   Establish close relationship and liase on a regular basis with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and WB safeguards team,
•   Perform regular sub-project inspections and monitoring, and provide technical advice to other members of the PIU.
•   Perform any other environmental safeguards duties assigned  by the Operations Manager or Project Coordinator.

Qualification Required & Experience

Essential:

•   At least a Master's degree in Environmental Management, Social Science, Economics, Environmental/Civil Engineering, or other relevant field,
•   Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience of which at  least 5 years in projects funded by international financing institutions.
•   Proven experience in formulating, assessing, and reviewing  environmental and social safeguards compliance documents,
•   Knowledge of institutional, environmental and social  issues in Ghana,
•   Knowledge of Ghanaian national and regional legislations  related to environmental issues, particularly those affecting the agriculture and water sectors.
•   Familiarity with Ghana EPA's regulations and procedures  and World Bank Safeguards Policies.
•   Proven track record in working effectively within  multidisciplinary teams.
•   Evidence of being able to work effectively in high-pressure environment and to tight delivery deadlines.
•   Computer literate.
•   Excellent verbal and written English language skills.

Desirable:

•   Experience in carrying out stakeholder consultations and  organizing environmental safeguards training workshops/seminars.
•   Established working relationship with the Ghana EPA.
•   Experience and ability to work with Geographical  Information System (GIS).

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

The Chief Director
Ministry of Food and Agriculture
PO Box M 37,
Accra, Ghana

For further information please contact:

The Project Coordinator
Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP)
Ministry Of Food And Agriculture (MOFA)
Po Box MB.37, Accra

jobs@gcap.org.gh

Tel: +233-0302686948

Applicants are to include direct contacts (reliable telephone, fax numbers and email address) in their applications in order to facilitate early and easy conract Only short listed applicants will be contacted.

Closing Date: 13 July, 2015