Position: Advisor or Advisor in Climate Planning and Adaptation
Location: Abidjan
Supervisor: Project Director
Duration of the contract: 1 year with possibility of renewal
Salary: Between 1,000,000 and 1,400,000 CFA monthly + benefits
Registration deadline: In Classes
Languages required: Master of French AND English required
Background
The Guinean forest of West Africa has been identified as a « hot spot in global biodiversity (‘ Hotspot ’) due to its high concentrations of endemic species and exceptional habitats. The main climate challenges in the region include increasing temperatures and more irregular precipitation, both of which are expected to increase in the future. The direct consequences are a shortening and a lag in the average growth season and a reduction in the productive potential of ecosystems. In addition, the contemporary landscapes of the ecoregion have been greatly modified by human activities, in particular slash-and-burn agriculture, wood extraction and the extension of commodity plantations, including cocoa, coffee, etc. This situation was aggravated by the negative impacts of the loss of biodiversity.Migration of populations to these forest areas from the northern regions of the Sahel, also strongly impacted by climate change, is already creating demographic pressure on degraded forests and will likely continue in the years to come. These challenges have a different impact on women and men, due to their distinct roles and differentiated control over forest management and agricultural systems. Deforestation has increased the burden on women for the collection of firewood, medicines and other forest products, therefore reducing their free time while reducing their income potential. The unequal roles of men and women in forest livelihoods, and the different adaptations available for men and women,are shaped by complex social, cultural and economic relationships. These are unequal power relations that require special attention to the context and wide inclusion of diverse voices.
The nature-based climate adaptation project in Guinean forests in West Africa funded by World Affairs Canada ( AMC ) is implemented in Guinea, in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana through Canada’s World University Mutual ( EUMC ) and the Center for Study and International Cooperation ( CECI ), in close collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ), the International Forest Research Center and the International Center for Research in Agroforestry ( CIFOR-ICRAF ) and ABANTU for Development. The project aims to strengthen the adoption of gender-sensitive and inclusive climate change adaptation solutions ( ACC ) among communities residing in the Guinean forest region of Côte d’Ivoire, from Ghana and Guinea.This will be done by improving women’s leadership in ACC planning processes, by increasing the restoration of degraded forests and key habitats with benefits for biodiversity, and by increasing gender-sensitive investments that have high income potential for women. The project will engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including women’s organizations and local and national organizations, to prioritize relevant solutions at the local level.The project will engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including women’s organizations and local and national organizations, to prioritize relevant solutions at the local level.The project will engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including women’s organizations and local and national organizations, to prioritize relevant solutions at the local level.
As part of the regional technical team to support the implementation of project activities in Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, the Advisor or the Regional Advisor in Climate Planning and Adaptation will be responsible for defining and implementing capacity building strategies in terms of climate planning and adaptation, transversely in project activities in the three target countries. These tasks should be carried out in close collaboration with the other members of the Project team and in collaboration with the main partners of the – ABANTU for Development, IUCN and CIFOR-ICRAF project.
As such and under the direction of the Project Director, the Advisor or the Regional Advisor in Climate Planning and Adaptation will assume the following main tasks :
Project advice and technical assistance
- Serve as the technical focal point of the project on climate planning and adaptation, keeping project members and partners informed with emerging information on nature-based solutions ( NbS ), including climate change issues, biodiversity in the region, as well as planning strategies.
- Ensure collaboration with project partners in Ghana, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire on aspects of their work plans relating to strategic planning, development and implementation of activities related to biodiversity and climate change
- Provide technical direction to the project in terms of biodiversity and adaptation to climate change, including the preparation of training materials / manuals, conducting training activities to address the important technical and programmatic skills of the project partners and the personnel in the field of NbS, biodiversity, adaptation to climate change and strategic planning.
- Provide technical advice to partners on supplies related to the implementation of project activities related to biodiversity, climate adaptation and strategic planning activities.
Knowledge management and collaborations with stakeholders
- In collaboration with the project partners, develop relevant research concepts that support the project’s efforts in terms of climate adaptation and biodiversity in the region, and translate research results into knowledge products, and other products to guide project implementation strategies.
- In collaboration with the regional research and learning advisor, use the project data to contribute to the process of preparing knowledge products, including guidance notes, managers, methodologies related to the climate adaptation and biodiversity aspects of the project.
- Organize and participate periodically in events to share knowledge on the lessons learned from the project, by taking advantage of their expertise to make the project visible and advance the knowledge position of EUMC-CECI in the field of climate adaptation and biodiversity.
- Actively collaborate with other members of the project technical team, in particular with the project gender advisers, to ensure that activities are planned and implemented from a gender perspective, economic empowerment of women and social inclusion of vulnerable groups in the target areas of the project.
- Participate ( remotely ) in the community of practice on NbS facilitated by World Affairs Canada
Global support for the project
- Liaise periodically with the program development team to provide contributions on the subject to internal proposal development processes
- Liaise with government, civil society organizations, private sector organizations and women’s associations to keep abreast of any developments in trends related to climate adaptation, biodiversity and strategic planning.
- In collaboration with the national coordinators of the NBS project, provide expert support to partners in their implementation of project activities
- Coordinate the working groups of the Biodiversity and Restoration Project.
- Perform other tasks inherent to the position, such as writing annual work plan sections, narrative reports and analyzes.
- Undertake follow-up visits to the field at national and regional level to support efforts to implement activities related to climate adaptation and biodiversity in the project ;
- Perform other tasks inherent in the position, such as writing parts of annual work plans, narrative reports, analyzes and all other relevant tasks.
.Qualifications required
Training and professional experience
- Master ( M.Sc. ) in climatic sciences, environment, sciences related to the agroforestry or agrifood sector, or in a related field.
- Experience of at least seven ( 7 ) years ( or equivalent ) in program design, project development, advisory support in the field of climate change and sustainable development with an emphasis on participatory approaches.
- Experience in resilience of food systems.
- Experience in climate adaptation projects or programs in Africa and preferably in West Africa
- Relevant experience in the representation and development of programs with donors – foundations, multilateral and / or bilateral agencies – and solid networking skills
- Advanced level of knowledge in one or more of the following themes and strong familiarity with others: ecosystem-based adaptation and biodiversity conservation, nature-based solutions, adaptation of agrifood systems, food security and climate change, agroforestry, gender equality in adaptation to climate change.
- Experience in the design, implementation and / or monitoring of projects including the promotion of gender equality in adaptation to climate change.
- Familiarity with several financing mechanisms in the field of climate change ( Global Environment Facility, Green Climate Fund, Climate Change Adaptation Fund, etc. ).
- Strong editorial and oral skills in French and English.
HOW TO POSTULATE :
Since the activities of the EUMC aim to rebalance inequalities and contribute to global sustainable development, the working ethics of our staff, our volunteers, of our representatives and our partners must reflect our values and our mission. The EUMC puts forward responsibility, respect, honesty and professionalism. Harassment, coercion, sexual exploitation and abuse of all kinds is not tolerated.
The EUMC is an employer subscribing to the principle of equal access to employment. We encourage people with disabilities to apply. Accommodation is offered on request for candidates and candidates who participate in the selection process.
Only the selected applications will be contacted for an interview. No phone calls please.
How to apply
If you are interested, please apply here via our site.