Kyrgyzstan: ISO Specialist

The John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer Program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aims to promote sustainable improvements in food security and agricultural processing, production, and marketing by leveraging the expertise of U.S. volunteers.

ACDI/VOCA seeks a specialist in ISO 14001 for a Volunteer Assignment in Kyrgyzstan. The selected Volunteer will coolaborate with the host to conduct a thorough gap analysis to identify areas for improvement in alignment with ISO 14001 requirements. Key steps include developing an implementation plan with clear objectives, responsibilities, and timelines, and helping develop an environmental policy reflecting the organization's commitment to sustainability.

***As part of the Farmer-to-Farmer Consortium, this assignment is made possible through USAID funding. In accordance to USAID guidelines, any candidates submitted for consideration under this project must have a valid US passport or Green Card

This is a 2-week assignment, scheduled for Spring/Summer 2024.

Provisions for the Volunteer:

All international and local travel

All lodging

A per diem to cover meals and incidentals

Travel Visa (if applicable)

Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance

In-country support from field office staff

Local cell phone to use during assignment (if needed)

Responsibilities

While in-country, the Volunteer will:

Review existing documentation, policies, and procedures related to environmental management to gain insights into the organization's current state of compliance with ISO 14001 standards.

Collaborate with the organization's management team to develop a detailed implementation plan outlining the steps, timeline, and resources required to achieve ISO 14001 certification.

Define roles and responsibilities for key personnel involved in the implementation process and establish mechanisms for monitoring progress and addressing challenges.

Deliver training sessions or workshops for staff members to raise awareness about ISO 14001 standards, their implications for the organization, and the role of employees in achieving compliance.

Provide hands-on training on specific tools, techniques, and procedures related to environmental management, such as conducting risk assessments, developing environmental objectives and targets, and performing internal audits.

Plan and conduct internal audits to assess the organization's compliance with ISO 14001 requirements and identify opportunities for improvement.

Establish procedures for ongoing monitoring and measurement of environmental performance indicators to track progress towards achieving environmental objectives and targets.

Facilitate regular review meetings with the organization's management team to evaluate the effectiveness of ISO 14001 implementation efforts and identify areas for continual improvement.

Encourage a culture of continuous learning and improvement by promoting feedback mechanisms, sharing best practices, and recognizing achievements in environmental management.

Assist the organization in preparing for external certification audits by conducting mock audits, reviewing documentation, and addressing any non-conformities or gaps identified during internal audits.

Provide guidance and support throughout the certification process to ensure a successful outcome and compliance with ISO 14001 standards.

Qualifications

MSc or PhD in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, or a related field

More than 10 years of experience in environmental management, with a focus on implementing ISO 14001 standards.

Practical experience in formulating enterprise strategic plans related to environmental sustainability and compliance with ISO 14001 standards.

Strong understanding of enterprise operations and processes, particularly in relation to environmental impact mitigation and sustainability initiatives.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with host and facilitate ISO 14001 standards.

Excellent cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills

Previous international experience a plus

Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel and apps like Zoom, WhatsApp, Facebook Etc.