empleo

Organization: Tetra Tech
Country: Colombia, Peru
Closing date: 18 May 2017

Tetra Tech is seeking to hire a qualified Chief of Party to lead all technical and administrative aspects of a 5-year USAID-funded biodiversity conservation initiative titled the Amazon Knowledge Learning Platform Activity. The purpose of the project is to support the adaptive management of USAID programs under the Amazon Vision; and improve knowledge and evidence for the conservation of Amazon biodiversity and climate change mitigation services.

The COP will be responsible for leading all technical, financial and administrative aspects of the program and will coordinate closely with USAID in developing, implementing, and revising the project’s overall field strategy. The COP will be the principal link between USAID, Tetra Tech ARD, and other partners and provide overall strategic and technical guidance to subcontractors. The COP will provide comprehensive expert technical oversight and guidance in all aspects of the program, including monitoring and evaluation, and reporting to USAID. This would be a full-time position and likely be based in Peru or Colombia for the full life of project (anticipated five years).

Responsibilities:

Provide leadership and technical expertise for the project, and supervise expatriate and local teams;

Develop strategic objectives and confirm project compliance with USAID regulations;

Manage the project’s implementation, including overall responsibility for personnel and efficient budgeting and financial management

Oversee technical activities of the project and ensure that impact is achieving the results defined in the contract;

Evaluate and document project progress and lessons learned;

Assume responsibility for overall USAID contract management ensuring quality control and timeliness of deliverables.

Qualifications:

Minimum of 5-7 years in director-level role leading and managing complex development programs and multi-disciplinary teams in the Latin America Region, preferably as a Chief of Party for a USAID-funded project.

Not less than 10 years’ project experience working in one or more technical disciplines: biodiversity conservation, knowledge management and learning, monitoring and evaluation, deforestation monitoring, land-use planning, and/or other relevant technical areas.

Proven track record managing multi-disciplinary development programs and teams, engaging effectively with stakeholders (multicultural and/or multi-country), fostering collaborative learning and adaptive management, and understanding and addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.

Excellent communication skills in English and Spanish. Brazilian Portuguese a plus

Strong familiarity with the policy, social, economic, environmental, and cultural context(s) in the Amazon basin region.

Familiarity with ‘Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation’ a plus

* Minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is required (biology, forestry, ecology, and/or other relevant natural, environmental or social sciences).

How to apply:

To be considered applicants must submit the following as part of the on-line process:

Cover Letter

CV in reverse chronological format

* A list of at least 3 professional references including name, contact information, and statement of relationship to the reference.

Applications that do not meet the minimum requirements listed above will not be considered. Please ensure that all necessary documents are uploaded, as incomplete applications and/or corrupt files may delay processing of your application or remove you from consideration. No phone calls will be accepted.

Please indicate where you saw Tetra Tech ARD’s ad posted.

Apply on-line at: https://goo.gl/8MbteT

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting, engineering, and technical services worldwide. Our reputation rests on the technical expertise and dedication of our employees—16,000 people working together across disciplines and time zones to provide smart, sustainable solutions for challenging projects. We are proud to be home to leading technical experts in water, environment, infrastructure, resource management, energy, and international development. Tetra Tech combines the resources of a global, multibillion dollar company with local, client-focused delivery in 400 locations around the world. We offer competitive compensation and benefits and are searching for innovative people to join our teams. We are an equal opportunity employer: EOE AA/M/F/Vets/Disability.

Challenge The grasslands of the Pampa biome in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul State support high levels of biodiversity, and the area is considered one of the most globally significant for endemic birds. It occupies 176,496 square kilometers, 63 percent of the state’s total area (and 2.07 percent of Brazil’s total area). These natural grasslands provide forage for approximately 18 million animals, mainly cattle and sheep, and livestock production is a primary economic activity in the biome. In recent decades, the area has gone through a process of intense land use change and degradation as natural vegetation has been replaced by rice paddies, soybean fields, and forests of alien species. The Pampa consequently became the second most devastated biome in Brazil. In 2009, only 35.6 percent of its natural vegetation remained, leading to losses of both biodiversity and socioeconomic opportunities. Consequently, the Rio Grande do Sul government recognized the complex issue of the interaction between agriculture and biodiversity conservation to be a central development and conservation challenge. Approach The goal established for the Rio Grande do Sul Biodiversity Project was to contribute to the protection of natural habitats and biological diversity through the following activities: •  Strengthening state policies and the operational capacity of the institutions charged with environmental management and rural development. •  Strengthening the system of state protected areas. •   Promoting sustainable practices by rural producers in the cattle ranching and forestry sectors that, when integrated into agricultural activities, lead to reversion of marginal agricultural areas to forest. • Increasing knowledge about biodiversity conservation and sustainable rural production systems in the Pampa biome to provide a sound scientific basis for developing a strong regulatory framework for the control of invasive alien species and the restoration and conservation of relevant sites and indigenous species. Though this was a pilot project, the strategy intended to support a small number of landholdings and demonstration units as a basis for strong outreach and dissemination activities to educate potential beneficiaries on sustainable practices.

Challenge Despite advances in criminal procedural reform and more transparent processes, lack of access to justice was a fundamental challenge in Peru. The costs of accessing justice services was high, including formal costs such as attorneys’ and court fees and informal ones such as bribes paid and opportunity costs for time invested in the process. Another challenge was the limited technical capabilities and professionalization of staff at the judiciary and in the Attorney General’s Office, as no permanent system existed to select, evaluate, train, or remove judges and prosecutors. Related challenges to professional development were weak accountability mechanisms and inefficiencies in judicial processes. Finally, the gradual implementation of the new criminal procedural code (NCPC) required coordination and close cooperation among the central stakeholders, including the judiciary, the Ministry of Justice (MINJUS), the Attorney General’s Office, the Judicial Academy, and the National Judicial Council. Approach The World Bank’s 2007–11 Country Partnership Strategy for Peru identified as an essential pillar the modernization of state institutions, with special focus on improving justice and reducing corruption. Additionally, improving access to justice (understood as both having the opportunity to present claims before a competent authority and receiving a timely process) ­­was one of the government’s main priorities. The Justice Services Improvement II Project sought to improve the quality of service delivery of the institutions forming part of the Justice Service Administration System and to enhance access to justice services. Overall, project activities targeted improved justice services delivery, strengthened managerial capabilities of justice-sector institutions, and enhanced transparency and access to justice.   

Challenge With a GDP per person of US$673, Haiti is the poorest country in Latin America and the Caribbean and one of the poorest countries in the world. In the last several years, a series of external shocks have hit, including the 2010 earthquake, exacerbating the country’s fragility and reversing the poverty gains achieved since 2001. Haiti’s education sector faced tremendous challenges post-earthquake, including significantly diminished capacities for responding to them. The losses of schools, teachers, and staff from the Ministry of National Education and Professional Training (Ministère de l’Education Nationale et de la Formation Professionnelle, MENFP) compound the problems of a sector that already faced a shortage of schooling infrastructure, trained teachers, and effective governance mechanisms. On the supply-side, there were simply not enough spaces for children to enroll in free public schools, as four out of five primary schools in Haiti are private.  Tuition, even in the lowest-cost private schools, was prohibitive for poor families, especially for those living in rural areas characterized by poverty rates of 82 percent (77 percent living in extreme poverty). Although access to education has improved dramatically over the past twenty years, due to high demand from families and a proliferation of low-cost private schools, challenges still exist regarding late entry and school progression due to the cost burden on families and the relatively low quality of education. While 90 percent of children aged between 6 and 12 are enrolled in school, they start primary school on average two years later than national goals suggest, and once at school, only 50 percent of students successfully reach sixth grade on time. Approach The objective of Education for All Project for Haiti: Phase II is to support (i) enrollment of students in select non-public primary schools in disadvantaged areas; (ii) student attendance in select public and non-public primary schools in disadvantaged areas; and (iii) strengthened management of the Haiti’s primary education sector.  Project financing aims at (i) improving access to primary education through the tuition waiver program and provision of basic educational services in underserved rural communities; (ii) supporting teaching and learning through a school health and nutrition program, as well as through pre-service and in-service training for primary school teachers; and (iii) improving sector management by building the institutional and monitoring and evaluation capacity of the MENFP

Challenge Pernambuco, a poor, largely arid northeastern state, was characterized by low education attainment. The resulting poorly qualified labor pool was considered a bottleneck to growth and reduced the impact of state-planned investments. P…

Houve um tempo em que os guaranis da terra Tekoa Marangatu, no sul do Brasil, caçavam e coletavam para se alimentar. Hoje, a dieta é completamente diferente. A comida é comprada pelos indígenas ou doada pela população da cidade. Saíram as frutas, verduras, legumes e carnes; entraram os enlatados, biscoitos e outros produtos industrializados. A mudança na alimentação cobrou seu preço. Faltam vitaminas e proteína animal. Não há estatísticas, mas em conversas com o cacique e com os extensionistas rurais e sociais que trabalham na área, vêm à tona relatos de colesterol alto, sobrepeso, diabetes, problemas dentários e doenças de pele. “Depois de termos contato com os não indígenas, passamos a gostar dos alimentos produzidos por eles”, reconhece o cacique Ricardo Benete. “Mas queremos voltar a ser como antigamente, comer o que plantamos”, continua o líder guarani depois de mostrar os novos pomares, um pequeno apiário e as hortas que aos poucos estão surgindo na Tekoa Marangatu. O novo empreendimento do grupo é uma padaria onde os guaranis assarão pães e bolos saudáveis usando as frutas, verduras e raízes (como mandioca e batata-doce) disponíveis no local. A ideia é que os alimentos sirvam inicialmente para consumo das 45 famílias, tanto nas casas quanto na merenda da escola indígena. No futuro, eles querem também vender os produtos para obter uma nova fonte de renda. Hoje, a maior parte dos recursos da aldeia vêm da venda de artesanato nas cidades próximas, mas eles não suprem as necessidades da comunidade.   Essa história evidencia os estados de nutrição e saúde dos indígenas depois do contato com o homem branco e os impactos positivos que um projeto pode ter se for algo nascido dentro do grupo. A padaria foi construída com apoio do Santa Catarina Rural, um programa do governo do estado e financiado pelo Banco Mundial, que beneficia 40.000 pequenos agricultores, incluindo mais de 1.200 famílias indígenas. “Foi importante incluir as comunidades indígenas rurais nesse trabalho por duas razões: porque elas produzem alimentos e porque o atendimento a elas passou a ser feito de forma integrada pelo governo”, explica Diego Arias, gerente do programa no Banco Mundial. A iniciativa conta com outros resultados positivos, como o da terra Xapecó, onde a etnia kaingang predomina entre as 1.350 famílias. Desde 2008, os indígenas vêm se especializando na criação de gado de leite. Setenta e nove famílias estão na atividade e conseguiram vencer os preconceitos do mercado, segundo o relatório de resultados do workshop Povos Indígenas e Projetos Produtivos Rurais na América Latina.

Challenge As in most resource-limited settings, the health of the population depends on equity and efficiency and on overcoming access gaps in the provision of healthcare services. In 2010, Nicaragua was one of the poorest countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Between 2005 and 2010, the country experienced a slight reduction in maternal and infant mortality, with better control of transmissible diseases and improved immunization coverage. However, the health system continued to respond poorly to other health challenges, including the spread of H1N1 and dengue and the rise in non-communicable diseases, creating a double burden of disease. Through the introduction of health reform in the early 2000s, Nicaragua created a new Community and Family Health Model focused on universal access to basic health and nutrition services; health promotion and prevention; access to health services for vulnerable populations of indigenous residents, women, children, and the elderly; and community participation. Approach The Improving Community and Health Care Services Project (and its additional financing) was designed to support the Community and Family Health Model, and it aligned with Nicaragua’s 2009–11 National Human Development Plan (NHDP) and the World Bank’s 2008–12 and 2013–17 Country Partnership Strategies (CPS). The project’s interventions included introduction of the results-based financing mechanism in 66 municipalities; establishment of social contracts for well-being between administrative levels; results-based budgets at the hospital level; development and implementation of the National Strategy for Sexual and Reproductive Health; strengthened knowledge and skills bases for health workers; improved Ministry of Health (MOH) operational capacity at the central, regional, and local levels, including rehabilitation of health centers; maintenance and repair of medical equipment; and activation of a public health emergencies component. The project also effectively supported several policy goals articulated in the NHDP and CPS, including reducing maternal and child mortality and progressing toward the Sustainable Development Goals. It narrowed gaps in health service coverage and quality for vulnerable groups, and it implemented strategies for the better use of existing financial funds and health infrastructure. 

WASHINGTON, April 13, 2017 – One million preschool, primary and secondary students of public schools in Nicaragua will benefit from improved teaching practices and infrastructure thanks to a US$55 million loan approved by the World Bank Board of Directors today. The project “Partnership for Quality Education” is aligned with the 2013-2017 Country Partnership Strategy in its objective to strengthen the skills and comprehensive development of Nicaraguans by improving the quality of preschool and basic education. The project also works toward the objectives of the 2017-2021 Education Sector Strategy. “The Government of Nicaragua is solidly committed to a quality education that includes strengthening the teaching skills of our preschool, primary and secondary teachers, as well as improving the learning environments of our students, who will have safer schools that are less vulnerable to natural disasters. This will help advance the idea of education as a right and education paths led by the education community,” said Miriam Ráudez, Minister of Education of Nicaragua. With a view to strengthening teaching practices, this project will offer continuing education courses and mentoring to some 52,000 practicing teachers. Teacher training will include a gender-based approach, as well as one to develop students’ socioemotional skills. Learning and child development assessments will reinforce these activities. Additionally, students and teachers will receive educational materials to guarantee the availability of classroom learning materials. To contribute to the overall improvement of learning environments, the project includes activities to develop quality infrastructure. It will directly benefit some 50,000 students by remodeling and enlarging schools. Moreover, new construction standards and protocol will be developed for schools nationwide, including the highest standards to reduce infrastructure vulnerability to flooding, hurricanes and earthquakes.  “This project focuses on strengthening educational quality in Nicaragua, as a key pillar for sustaining the visible progress observed in recent years,” said Luis Constantino, World Bank Representative in Nicaragua. “The project will contribute to Sustainable Development Goal Nº 4 by strengthening preschool education and increasing access to a quality basic education. Moreover, promoting resilience to climate and geophysical threats is pivotal for sustainable development,” he added. The US$55 million loan from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the poorest, has a 20-year maturity date, including a five-year grace period. The project will be implemented for five years. Contacts: Washington: Marcela Sánchez-Bender, +1 (202) 473-5863, msanchezbender@worldbank.org San José, Costa Rica: Cynthia Flores Mora, (506) 88220956, cfloresmora@worldbank.org Learn more about the work of the World Bank in Latin America and the Caribbean: www.worldbank.org/lac   Visit us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/worldbank Be updated via Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BancoMundialLAC   For our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/BancoMundialLAC   News Release 2017/209/LAC  

WASHINGTON, 13 de abril de 2017 –  Un millón de estudiantes de preescolar, primaria y secundaria de escuelas públicas en Nicaragua se beneficiarán de mejores prácticas docentes e infraestructura con la implementación de un préstamo por US$55 millones aprobado hoy por el Directorio Ejecutivo del Banco Mundial (BM). El proyecto “Alianza para la Calidad Educativa” (ACE) está alineado con la Estrategia de Alianza de País 2013-2017, en su objetivo de fortalecer las habilidades y el desarrollo integral de los nicaragüenses a través de una mejor calidad en la educación preescolar y básica. El proyecto también cumple con los objetivos planteados en la Estrategia del Sector Educativo 2017-2021. “El Gobierno de Nicaragua está firmemente comprometido con una educación de calidad que incluye el fortalecimiento de las capacidades pedagógicas de nuestros docentes de preescolar, primaria y secundaria; así como la mejora de los ambientes de aprendizaje de nuestros estudiantes, que contarán con escuelas más seguras y menos vulnerables a desastres naturales, avanzando así en una educación concebida como derecho y rutas educativas protagonizadas por la comunidad educativa”, dijo Miriam Ráudez, Ministra de Educación de Nicaragua. A fin de fortalecer las prácticas docentes, con este proyecto se darán cursos de formación continua y acompañamiento pedagógico a unos 52 mil educadores en servicio. Entre otros temas, se les impartirá entrenamiento enfocado en género y de desarrollo de habilidades socioemocionales en los estudiantes; reforzado con evaluaciones de aprendizaje y de desarrollo infantil. Además, estudiantes y docentes recibirán materiales didácticos, lo que asegurará la disponibilidad de instrumentos de trabajo en el aula. En cuanto a la mejora integral de los ambientes de aprendizaje, el proyecto incluye el desarrollo de infraestructura de calidad. Por un lado, se beneficiará directamente a casi 50 mil estudiantes con escuelas rehabilitadas o ampliadas. Por otro lado, se desarrollarán nuevas normas y protocolos para la construcción de escuelas a nivel nacional, que incorporarán los más altos estándares para reducir la vulnerabilidad ante inundaciones, marejadas ciclónicas y terremotos. “Este proyecto se enfoca en el fortalecimiento de la calidad educativa en Nicaragua, como un pilar clave para dar sostenibilidad a visibles progresos observados en los últimos años”, explicó Luis Constantino, representante del Banco Mundial en Nicaragua. “El proyecto contribuirá al Objetivo de Desarrollo Sostenible Nº 4 a través del fortalecimiento de la educación preescolar y el aumento del acceso a una educación básica de calidad. Asimismo, la resiliencia ante las amenazas climáticas y geofísicas es un paso vital para el desarrollo sostenible”, agregó. El crédito de US$55 millones por parte de la Agencia Internacional de Fomento (AIF), el fondo del Banco Mundial para los más pobres, es reembolsable a 20 años, incluyendo un período de gracia de cinco años. La duración del Proyecto está prevista para un período de cinco años. Contacto: En Washington: Marcela Sánchez-Bender, (202) 473-5863, msanchezbender@worldbank.org En Managua: Cynthia Flores Mora, (505) 2270-0000 x210, cfloresmora@worldbank.org Para conocer el trabajo del Banco Mundial en América Latina y el Caribe visite: www.bancomundial.org/alc   Visítenos en Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bancomundial Manténgase informado via Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/WorldBankLAC Nuestro canal de YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/worldbank Comunicado de Prensa 2017/209/LAC

IDA Credit: US $55 million equivalent Terms: Maturity = 20 years, Grace = 5 years Project ID: P161029 Project Description: The project’s objectives are to introduce innovative mechanisms for the improvement of teacher quality through in-servi…

Hubo un tiempo en que los guaraníes de la aldea Tekoa Marangatu, en el sur de Brasil, cazaban y recolectaban frutas para alimentarse. Hoy en día, la dieta es completamente diferente. La comida es comprada por los indígenas o donada por la población urbana. Frutas, verduras y carnes fueron sustituidos por enlatados, galletas y otros productos procesados. Pero este cambio en la dieta ha cobrado su precio. No hay estadísticas formales, pero líderes indígenas y los asistentes rurales y sociales que trabajan en la zona relatan casos de colesterol alto, diabetes, sobrepeso, problemas dentales y enfermedades de la piel. "Luego de tener contacto con las culturas no indígenas, empezamos a apreciar otros tipos de comidas", admite el cacique Ricardo Benete. "Queremos tratar de volver a ser como antes, comer lo que plantamos", continúa el líder guaraní mientras enseña los nuevos huertos y un pequeño colmenar cuidado por los indígenas. El nuevo emprendimiento del grupo es una panadería donde la comunidad horneará panes y pasteles sanos usando frutas, verduras y raíces (como la yuca y la batata) disponibles en la aldea. Los alimentos servirán inicialmente para el consumo de las 45 familias locales, tanto en los hogares como en la merienda de la escuela indígena. En el futuro, también quieren vender estos productos para obtener ingresos. Hoy en día, la principal fuente proviene de las artesanías vendidas en los pueblos cercanos, pero los recursos son insuficientes para satisfacer las necesidades de la comunidad. Esta historia muestra el estado de nutrición y salud de los indígenas luego del contacto con los blancos y también el impacto positivo que una iniciativa puede tener si nace en el grupo. La panadería se construyó con el apoyo del programa Santa Catarina Rural, del gobierno estatal, financiado por el Banco Mundial. La iniciativa beneficia a 40.000 pequeños agricultores, incluyendo más de 1.200 familias indígenas. “Fue importante incluir a las comunidades rurales indígenas en este trabajo por dos razones: porque ellas producen alimentos y porque la atención a las comunidades indígenas ahora se ofrece de manera integrada por el gobierno”, dijo Diego Arias, director del programa en el Banco Mundial. La iniciativa tiene otros resultados positivos, como en la tierra Xapecó, en Santa Catarina, donde la etnia Kaingang predomina entre las 1.350 familias. Desde 2008, los indígenas se han especializado en la crianza de ganado lechero. Setenta y nueve familias están en la actividad y han superado los prejuicios del mercado contra productos elaborados por los indígenas, de acuerdo con el informe del taller Pueblos Indígenas y Proyectos Productivos Rurales de América Latina.

Organization: Checchi
Country: El Salvador
Closing date: 08 May 2017

Checchi and Company Consulting, Inc. seeks a Law Enforcement Specialist for the USAID-funded Justice Sector Strengthening Activity in El Salvador. This activity supports initiatives to improve inter-institutional coordination of justice sector actors, reduce impunity, enhance court administration practices, and promote citizen participation and awareness of legal reforms to fight corruption.

The Law Enforcement Specialist will be based in San Salvador and will assist with the implementation and management of key project efforts. Among other activities, the Law Enforcement Specialist will support project initiatives to strengthen the National Civilian Police’s capacity to conduct robust investigations of homicide and sexual violence cases; assist in the design and implementation of training programs to improve evidence handling and crime scene management; and collaborate with other law enforcement specialists in the implementation of community policing activities. He or she also will provide technical assistance to the National Civilian Police and the Attorney General’s Office to improve inter-institutional efforts regarding the investigation of crimes.

Candidates for this position must have a minimum of 10 years of experience with a law enforcement agency in the United States. Candidates must be fluent in Spanish. Preferred candidates will have prior experience in Latin America.

How to apply:

Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to jssp@checchiconsulting.com (please put “Law Enforcement Specialist” in the subject line of the e-mail). The closing date for submitting applications is May 8, 2017. Candidates are encouraged to visit our website at www.checchiconsulting.com. No telephone calls please.