USAID Kosovo Investment Promotion and Access to Finance 

STATEMENT OF WORK

Description of Project

The USAID Investment Promotion and Access to Finance Activity (hereinafter “Activity”) is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Activity is implemented by DT Global as prime contractor, along with Kosovo-based Recura Financials and US-based Connexus Corporation, as subcontractors. 

The Activity is a five-year project which aims to strengthen the private sector’s capacity to deliver sustainable economic growth through two mutually re-enforcing objectives: 

• Objective 1: Attracting investment.
• Objective 2: Increasing access and utilization of diversified finance.

The Activity addresses one of the key constraints to private sector growth i.e. the lack of access to alternative forms of investment and financing. Increased sources of investment and finance will enable the private sector to expand, create productive jobs, increase exports, and adopt new technologies and business practices. By doing so, this activity contributes to USAID’s overall goal of increasing opportunities for inclusive democratic and economic participation.

Name of Position:  Environmental Review Specialist

General Responsibilities: The Environmental Review Specialist will support implementation of the provisions of the USAID Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) applicable to the Activity, according to which the Activity must assess all of its interventions as to their environmental impact, to determine first whether they are categorically excluded, and if not, to conduct Environmental Reviews, implement appropriate mitigating actions, and conduct adequate monitoring to ensure environmental concerns are addressed.  The main objective of this assignment is to ensure that all requirements of USAID’s environmental regulations at 22 CFR 216 are met. The Specialist will also make sure that the Activity complies with compatible Kosovo environmental regulations.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities: The Environmental Review Specialist will complete an Environmental Review Form to screen the proposed grant activities to ensure that they will not result in any adverse environmental impact, to develop mitigation measures if necessary, and to specify monitoring and reporting. 

1. Per the Activity sector requests, the Environmental Review Specialist will identify all proposed grant activities in a relevant table and determine if they fall under a categorical exclusion.
2. For any activities that do not fall under a categorical exclusion, conduct an IEE that identifies and describes the proposed activities and recommend one of the following threshold decisions:

• The activities have no significant adverse impacts (negative determinations);
• The activities have no significant adverse impacts, given specified mitigation and monitoring (negative determinations with conditions); or
• The activities have significant adverse impacts (positive determination).

3.For activities that will have no significant adverse impacts if mitigation and monitoring measures are put in place, prepare an environmental mitigation and monitoring plan that proposes mitigation measures to prevent adverse effects on the environment;

4.Prepare together with the Activity staff an Environmental Review Form to be submitted to the COR when requesting USAID approval to award a grant;

5.Prepare together with the Activity staff the report on Environmental Compliance Requirements for routine Activity reporting to USAID (Quarterly Report, Annual Report); 

6.The Activity does not envision to have activities that will have significant adverse impact; therefore, it is not expected to have any positive determination. Nonetheless, the Expert will review and identify activities with potential to have significant adverse impacts if any and will provide written recommendations for further steps to the Activity. The consultant will facilitate the process of Environment Impact Statement or Environment Assessment if required by the Activity. 

A.Deliverables, Outputs, and Outcomes

Outputs and deliverables for this position are:

1. Environmental Review Forms, for activities that fall under “categorical exclusion”
2. Environmental Review Forms, for activities that have no significant adverse impacts (negative determinations);
3. Environmental Review Forms, for activities that have no significant adverse impacts (negative determinations with conditions) including environmental mitigation and monitoring plan that proposes mitigation measures to prevent adverse effects on the environment;
4. Deliver report with recommendations for activities which need Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for activities with significant adverse impact in accordance with 22 CFR 216 requirements if needed;

5.Deliver report with recommendations for activities which need Environmental Assessment for activities with significant adverse impact in accordance with 22 CFR 216 requirements if needed;

1. Deliver reports on Environmental Compliance Requirements for routine Activity Reporting to USAID (Quarterly Report, Annual Report).

Minimum Education Requirement: Relevant University Degree

Minimum Professional Experience: 

• 5 years of relevant experience in the nature of the Scope of Work, preferably in large donor projects;
• Thorough knowledge of USAID Environmental Regulations as well as 22 CFR 216;
• Strong conceptual and communications skills in verbal presentations and writing, in both local language and English;
• Ability to work and communicate with the Activity grantees in a way to get the information required to complete the work/reports;
• Strong communicator with interpersonal skills and exceptional ability to motivate teams;
• Experience with adaptive management to facilitate collaborating, learning and adapting (CLA) approach and learning culture;
• Strong relationship-building skills;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage staff;
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate and partner with government, private sector, and other stakeholders. Knowledge of USAID and other funded donor programs;

Period of Performance: July 2024 – June 2027

Level of Effort: The level of effort (LOE) for this assignment is up to 50 working days, to be use based on the Activity needs for conducting Environmental Reviews, which depend on interventions that will be considered for funding.

Supervisor: Grants and Subcontracts Manager 

Supervisory role: None

Application Instructions: DT Global is accepting applications from individual consultants to complete the above scope of work. 

To apply please submit a CV and proposed cost proposal in English to [email protected] . The cost proposal must include all anticipated costs, including level of effort (LOE), and materials required to complete the above scope of work. Applicants are encouraged to use the budget template provided in Annex A. Please include the position you are applying for in the email subject line. 

Application deadline is July 2, 2024, at 17:00 CET. 

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 

DT Global, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or national origin. DT Global, LLC prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant.

Annex A Budget