Junior Social & Environmental Officer (Garissa)

About the role

The Junior Social & Environmental Officer supports social, environmental and health and safety activities on field-based water projects, including community engagement, social safeguards, environmental monitoring, data collection and reporting. The role requires strong fieldwork and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in remote and arid environments. It is a 3-month contract, renewable quarterly depending on the project's needs.

Key responsibilities

• Social and community engagement: conduct household and community interviews, surveys and consultations; collect and document socio-economic and community data; support stakeholder engagement and community meetings; identify and document community concerns, social risks and project impacts; support social safeguards, including gender and GBV-related considerations; help prepare social assessment reports and field notes.
• Environmental and health and safety: carry out environmental field observations, inspections and surveys; collect baseline and monitoring data; support identification of environmental risks and compliance and monitoring activities; support basic health and safety monitoring; document observations and assist with corrective actions; keep accurate field records and contribute to project reports.
• Field and reporting: collect, verify and maintain field data; prepare field reports and supporting documentation; work closely with project teams and stakeholders; travel and work in remote and arid/semi-arid locations for extended periods.

Required profile

• Diploma in Sociology, Social Sciences, Community Development, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Natural Resource Management, Occupational Health & Safety or a related field.
• 1-2 years of relevant field experience.
• Experience in community engagement, social surveys, environmental fieldwork, social safeguards or similar project work.
• Experience in arid and semi-arid areas preferred; exposure to water, infrastructure, ESIA or community-based projects is an added advantage.
• Knowledge of gender, GBV, social safeguards, environmental management and health and safety is an advantage.
• Proficiency in English and Kiswahili; knowledge of a relevant local language is an added advantage.