Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist - Environmental Protection Authority - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(2025-01)
Assesses, mitigates, and monitors the environmental and social risks of development for the project Enhancing Adaptive Capacity of Communities by Up-scaling Best Practices and Adopting an Integrated Approach in Ethiopia.
- Ensure project activities align with national laws and international standards of UNDP, managing impacts to protect vulnerable groups, workers, and ecosystems
- Lead the preparation of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) and Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs)
- Conduct due diligence to screen projects for potential risks, such as involuntary resettlement, pollution, and occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards
- Identify directly or indirectly affected communities and lead consultations to ensure public participation and inclusive dialogue
- Support and manage transparent systems to address, document, and resolve community or worker complaints
- Conduct regular field visits and site audits to verify that contractors and implementing partners adhere to required safeguards
- Provide training and guidance to project teams, contractors, and stakeholders on safeguard policies and risk management
Project Manager - United Nation Development Program- Ethiopia Office - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(2020-07 - 2024-04)
Project Manager - United Nation Development Program- Ethiopia Office - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(2017-08 - 2020-02)
Project Coordinator - Mission for Community Development Program - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(2006-07 - 2017-08)
Program Coordinator - Ethiopia Heritage Trust - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(2003-06 - 2006-06)
Natural Resource Desk Head - East Gojjam Zone Office of Agriculture - Debre Markos, Ethiopia
(1999-12 - 2003-05)
- Improved existing technical and institutional capacity challenges by enhancing institutional and technical capacities of climate action transparency in Ethiopia, and prepared and submitted the Third National Communication Report (TNC) and Biennial Update Report (BUR) of Ethiopia to UNFCCC in 2023/24
- Enhanced the country's compliance with the Paris Agreement and implemented its transparency framework
- Strengthened the national institutions for transparency-related activities in line with national priorities
- A GHG measuring, reporting, and verification database system was developed
- A mitigation policy assessment was developed, and a Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) Plan for the GHG Inventory was developed and distributed to the Sectors
- Strengthen institutions/sectoral and human resource capacities for GHG inventory and MRV, including developing GHG inventories for regional and city administrations
- Train 845 (597M & 248F) regional and sectoral experts on climate transparency, the Paris Agreement, the IPCC 2006 Guidelines, and related issues
- Prepared Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for Enhancing Adaptive Capacity of Communities by Up-scaling Best Practices and Adopting an Integrated Approach in the Ethiopia Project
- Achieved the submission of the National Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources (ABS) Law/Regulation for approval by the Council of Ministers and Parliament
- Improved the capacities of National Competent Authorities and related agencies for process access applications, developed model contractual clauses under mutually agreed terms, including the negotiation and tracking of ABS agreements and biodiscovery projects, and ensured compliance
- Strengthen the Database System of the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute – Online Application (Users of Genetic Resources Can Easily Request through the Online System)
- A Series of Training and awareness-raising programs on ABS has been provided to stakeholders, including universities, Research Institutes, indigenous local communities, Checkpoints, Industries, and users of Genetic Resources and Community Knowledge
- Improved the capacities of National Competent Authorities and related agencies on processing access applications, developing model contractual clauses under mutually agreed terms, including the negotiation and tracking of ABS agreements and biodiscovery projects, and ensuring compliance
- Coordinated cross-functional project teams to ensure the timely delivery of project milestones and objectives
- Developed and maintained comprehensive project documentation, including schedules, budgets, and reports to track progress and communicate updates to stakeholders
- Facilitated regular team meetings to discuss project status, address challenges, and foster collaboration with the team members
- Implemented project management software to streamline processes and enhance communication, resulting in improved project tracking and accountability
- Developed two bankable project proposals and effectively conveyed project goals and benefits to potential clients and stakeholders
- Carried out restoration projects including removal of non-native plants in Entoto Hills of Addis Ababa, planted more than 3 Million Indigenous trees, watered native plants, seed collection, top-soil salvage, and meadow restoration
- Developed a methodology for baseline data collection for Joint Forest Management
- Collaborated with stakeholders to identify needs and deliver tailored solutions that improved program outcomes, such as the Addis Ababa EPA, Addis Ababa University (Science Faculty), Addis Ababa Youth Association, and Ethiopian Forestry Research Center
- Facilitated workshops and training sessions to enhance participant engagement and knowledge retention
- Managed relationships with external partners and vendors to optimize resource allocation and streamline operations
- Applied the principles, methods, and practices of ecosystem management, natural resource protection, restoration and enhancement, and erosion control methods and techniques
- Implemented land restoration and management based on a watershed approach
- Oversaw a team of specialists in resource allocation, optimizing workflows to enhance productivity and reduce operational costs
- Managed the budget for natural resource projects and achieved a cost reduction of 15% through strategic planning and resource optimization
- Led training programs for staff on best practices in resource management and sustainability, enhancing team capabilities and knowledge
- Skilled in stakeholder engagement and capacity-building initiatives that have empowered diverse groups, enhancing project visibility and impact
