International Tropical Forests and Biodiversity Specialist, South Sudan MELS Activity Job Listing at Tetra Tech in Sudan (Job ID 46737)

Description

Management Systems International (MSI), a Tetra Tech Company, is a Washington, D.C. metro area management consultancy with a 40-year history of delivering results for our clients. Our expertise is in the fields of monitoring and evaluation; democracy and governance; peace and stability; rule of law and accountability; education; gender and inclusion; strategic communications; and leadership and organizational development. MSI has implemented projects in 90 countries around the world such as Colombia, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Ukraine, and works domestically. We support clients ranging from the U.S. Government (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Departments of State and Labor, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation) to large bilateral and multilateral donors (e.g., the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program). We also work with national and local governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), think tanks, foundations and universities. For more information, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.

Project Summary:

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Support (MELS) activity supports the Mission's implementation of USAID/South Sudan's Strategic Framework (2020-2024) through effective monitoring and evaluation processes in support of adaptive management and ensuring alignment with the USAID Program Cycle, as well as supporting the Mission's organizational learning and knowledge management agenda. The MELS activity serves as the Mission's primary mechanism for monitoring, evaluation, and learning and adaptive management services for ongoing activities and programs. In a dynamic operating environment, MELS provides USAID/South Sudan with flexible, demand-driven technical, analytic, and advisory support in order to strengthen collaboration, learning and adapting (CLA); train and build the capacity of USAID staff with a particular focus on Foreign Service Nationals (FSN); promote institutional memory; produce monitoring, evaluation, learning products as appropriate; strengthen knowledge management and organizational learning (KMOL), organizational effectiveness and operational efficiency; and strengthen data-driven decision-making through an efficient use of GIS and other innovative spatial analysis.

**Please note: All citizenships are eligible for this position**

Position Summary:

The International Tropical Forests and Biodiversity Specialist will deliver to USAID/South Sudan a Tropical Forests and Biodiversity Desk Review that will inform the Environmental Annex of the USAID/South Sudan Strategic Framework process. This desk review will identify important issues with respect to environmental conditions and threats which USAID/South Sudan must be aware of as it drafts its new Strategic Framework (SF). The Specialist will be familiar with the impacts of government policy on biodiversity conservation and natural resource conditions. This is a short-term technical assistance position with approximately 30 days of LOE on a six-day work week.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct field data collection activities, including surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions, in accordance with the established research protocols.
• Ensure the accurate and timely collection of quantitative and qualitative data from diverse populations, adhering to ethical standards and guidelines.
• Assist in the development and testing of data collection tools, such as questionnaires and interview guides, to ensure they are effective and culturally appropriate.
• Provide feedback on the usability and clarity of data collection instruments based on field experiences.
• Ensure accurate and complete data collection in accordance with the evaluation objectives.
• Adhere to USAID regulations and project-specific guidelines throughout the data collection process.
• Prepare brief reports on data collection progress and any challenges faced, providing insights for ongoing project adjustments.
• Document the state of key natural resources by quantifying trends in their management, biophysical condition, productivity, abundance and distribution and identifying the threats (e.g., degradation, depletion, pollution) to which they are subjected.
• Conduct an analysis of how past events and current initiatives have shaped the country's development trajectory.
• Analyze existing and proposed laws, policies, and initiatives that have implications for the environment.
• Identify and evaluate gaps in the existing knowledge base, both within and outside the purview of existing agencies.
• Review of the desk review statement of work (SOW) including specific timeline for completion of the desk review and draft desk review report.
• Prepare final report incorporating USAID/South Sudan comments and recommendations.

Qualifications: 

• Master's degree in biology, zoology, forestry, natural resources economics, or a closely related field in natural resource management is required. PhD preferred.
• Minimum five years of experience in natural resources and environmental management with a background in tropical biodiversity, water resources management, and/or natural resource conservation is required.
• Experience in assessing development programs for impacts on environment and tropical ecosystems is required.
• Experience in environmental impact assessments (EIA) is required.
• Experience in environmental law, the policy and legal frameworks governing natural resources, environmental management, and agriculture in the analysis of relevant policies is required.
• Knowledge of South Sudan and of USAID Strategic Framework process related to Environmental Threats and Opportunities Assessment is required.
• Knowledge of 22 CFR 216 and of FAA Sections 117, 118 and 119, and related USAID and USG directives is required.
• Strong written and verbal English language skills required.

**Application deadline for this position – December 17, 2024**

MSI is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We strive to develop and maintain a culture that honors the perspectives and identities of our employees, our communities and those impacted by our work.

We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, we make reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.

MSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Americans with Disabilities/Veterans Employer.

Reasonable Accomodations:

MSI is dedicated to hiring an inclusive workforce. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations during the application process, please visit Tetra Tech's Disability Assistance Page. Our recruitment team looks forward to engaging in an interactive process to provide reasonable accommodations for candidates.

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

Project opportunity

U.S. Teams and Clients

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (International Development)

• Organization: 216 MSI