As a global leader, CARE is shaping the future of the humanitarian and development sector. Each year, we deliver support and services to millions of people in over a hundred countries. We do this by focusing on our mission and living the values that drive our organization. A career at CARE is an opportunity to be part of a movement that brings communities together to solve complex problems and foster lasting change throughout the world. We seek individuals who are passionate about humanitarian and development work, collaborate well with others, embrace learning and innovation, and deliver results.

Job Description:

The Environmental Specialist / Horticulturist / Forestry Expert will provide technical leadership on environmental sustainability, community plantation, and climate-resilient environmental practices within the project. The position will support integration of environmental stewardship with Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions to promote green households, improved environmental health, and climate resilience in project communities.

The specialist will guide the design and implementation of community plantation campaigns, environmental awareness initiatives, and sustainable natural resource practices while ensuring compliance with national environmental regulations and donor safeguard requirements, including standards commonly used by the donor.

The role will work closely with community institutions, government line departments, teachers, health workers, and project teams to promote sustainable environmental practices and strengthen local capacity for long-term environmental management.

This position is being advertised for an anticipatory project, with the duty station to be based in either Islamabad or Lahore.

1-Technical Leadership on Environmental Sustainability and Integration of Environmental Health with WASH Programming (30% of Time)

Provide technical leadership on environmental protection, community forestry, and climate-resilient plantation initiatives.

Develop technical guidelines for household and community plantation activities, focusing on indigenous and climate-adapted species.

Support integration of environmental sustainability principles into project design, planning, and implementation.

Ensure environmental interventions contribute to improved ecosystem health, water conservation, and climate adaptation.

Provide technical inputs for developing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) materials on environmental health, safe water, sanitation, hygiene, and household greening.

Ensure that tree plantation, environmental hygiene, and climate resilience messages are integrated into WASH communication materials.

Design and promote Green Household Campaigns linking hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, air quality, and tree plantation benefits.

Support community awareness on waste management, water conservation, and environmental sanitation practices.

2-Capacity Building, Community Engagement and Environmental Initiatives (25% of Time)

Conduct training sessions for Social Mobilizers (male/female), Village Organizations, community leaders, teachers, and local institutions on environmental stewardship and sustainable plantation practices.

Build local capacity on:

Plant selection and nursery practices

Plantation techniques

Watering schedules

Tree protection and maintenance

Facilitate community workshops and dialogues with local government officials, teachers, and health workers to promote environmental-WASH linkages.

Promote community ownership and participation in environmental conservation initiatives.

Provide technical guidance for tree plantation at household and community levels in target villages.

Lead planning and implementation of community plantation drives and environmental awareness campaigns.

Build local capacity on plant selection, plantation techniques, watering, and aftercare to ensure survival of household and village trees.

Supervise field teams during plantation activities ensuring proper site selection, spacing, planting techniques, and aftercare.

Provide technical guidance for tree plantation at the household level in target villages.

Promote agroforestry and household nutrition gardens where appropriate.

Ensure the use of indigenous, climate-resilient plant species suitable for local ecosystems.

3-Environmental Safeguards, Compliance Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (20% of Time)

Ensure project compliance with environmental and safeguard standards (national regulations and donor frameworks).

Support preparation and implementation of environmental screening, mitigation measures, and environmental management plans if required.

Monitor project activities to ensure environmentally responsible practices in WASH infrastructure and community interventions.

Provide technical inputs to safeguard documentation required by the donor.

Track tree survival rates and environmental outcomes in project areas.

Provide technical advice and corrective measures to improve plant survival and environmental impact.

Work closely with the MEAL team to develop monitoring indicators related to environmental sustainability and plantation activities.

Document best practices, lessons learned, and case studies from community environmental initiatives.

Contribute to learning events and knowledge products for project stakeholders.

4-Coordination, Stakeholder Engagement Reporting and Documentation (20% of Time)

Coordinate with relevant government departments such as Forestry, Agriculture, Environment, and Local Government

Engage with community organizations, schools, and health facilities to promote environmental awareness.

Work closely with WASH, Social Mobilization, and MEAL teams to ensure integrated implementation.

Represent the project in environmental and climate-related coordination meetings at district and provincial levels.

Prepare technical progress reports highlighting environmental interventions, plantation outcomes, and capacity-building activities.

Maintain documentation on plantation activities, training sessions, and environmental campaigns.

Provide inputs to donor reports, project updates, and environmental assessments.

5- Other responsibilities as assigned: (05% of time)

Any other tasks or responsibilities based on organizational and programming needs as assigned by the Line Manager.

 A) Qualifications (Know How)

Education/Training

Master’s degree in environmental science, Forestry, Horticulture, Natural Resource Management, Agriculture, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field from a recognized university.

Formal training or certification in environmental management, climate change adaptation, natural resource management, or sustainable agriculture.

Training in environmental safeguards, environmental impact assessment (EIA), or environmental compliance frameworks.

Desired

Advanced training or specialization in Forestry, Agroforestry, Horticulture, Climate-Smart Agriculture, or Ecosystem Restoration.

Training on environmental safeguard policies and frameworks used by international development partners, particularly those commonly applied by the World Bank.

Professional training in WASH-environment linkages, environmental health promotion, or community environmental education.

B) Experience/Technical Skills

Minimum 10 years of professional experience in environmental management, forestry, horticulture, natural resource management, or environmental sustainability programs.

Demonstrated experience in community plantation initiatives, afforestation/reforestation programs, or environmental awareness campaigns.

Proven experience in providing technical guidance on plant selection, plantation techniques, and tree care practices suitable for local ecological conditions.

Experience in designing and delivering training for community groups, social mobilizers, and local institutions.

Experience integrating environmental sustainability with development programs, particularly WASH, health, or rural livelihoods.

Experience working with community-based organizations, village institutions, or local government structures.

Strong experience in monitoring environmental indicators such as tree survival rates, environmental behaviour change, or community stewardship practices.

Demonstrated experience in report writing, technical documentation, and contribution to donor reports.

Experience working with international NGOs or development partners, particularly organizations such as CARE International or projects funded by multilateral institutions including the World Bank.

Desired

Experience in integrating environmental safeguards within infrastructure or WASH-related projects.

Demonstrated experience in climate-resilient agriculture, agroforestry systems, or community-based ecosystem restoration initiatives.

Experience in developing IEC/BCC materials related to environmental health, sanitation, and climate resilience.

Experience coordinating with government departments such as Forestry, Agriculture, Environment, or Local Government.

Experience supporting monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) systems for environmental or climate-related interventions.

Experience working in rural or climate-vulnerable areas and facilitating participatory environmental planning processes.

Experience documenting best practices, case studies, and knowledge products for environmental or climate programs.

CARE participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we hereby request information from the candidate’s previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the candidate left employment. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

CARE is an Equal Opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Note: The applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis