Climate Nature-Based Solutions and Biodiversity Advisor, national position

Climate Nature-Based Solutions and Biodiversity Advisor, national position – Chad or Cameroon

Open to all candidates with valid work permit in either Cameroon or Chad

Position type and closing date

National position

Location: to be determined Cameroon or Chad

Starting date: as soon as possible

Duration of Contract: 1 year contract, with possibility for extension

The closing date for applications: 3 May 2024

Lutheran World Federation (LWF) World Service (WS)

LWF World Service is the humanitarian and development arm of the Lutheran World Federation. We are a widely recognized, international, faith-based organization working in over twenty countries. We seek to bring people of all backgrounds together in the common quest for justice, peace, and reconciliation in an increasingly complex and fragmented world.

A commitment to the human rights of every individual, regardless of their status, guides our work, actions, and operations. We are particularly known for our timely, compassionate, and professional humanitarian work, and for our field presence in hard-to-reach areas. Our work is people-centred and community- based. Above all, we work with the most vulnerable, and in order to claim and uphold their rights, we engage proactively with local government and community structures.

In response to the crisis in Ukraine, LWF Ukraine has established humanitarian operation in Kharkiv and Chernihiv oblasts in the areas of Shelter rehabilitation, Winterization, Education/school rehabilitation, Protection including Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Multipurpose Cash Assistance and Livelihoods. LWF Ukraine aims to support internally displaced persons and other affected communities in the Kharkiv and Chernihiv oblasts.

For additional information, please see www.lutheranworld.org/WorldService.

Purpose

To guide and assist the program teams in 1) understanding and mainstreaming climate change mitigation and adaptation 2) developing gender transformative interventions for climate justice 3) connecting with global and regional research and policy debates 4) building the expertise and learning of LWF on climate justice, in relation with the Policy and Thematics team and Program Executive for climate justice in Geneva. This involves delivery on the Gender Nature Based Solutions for climate programming, biodiversity and LWF standards, the development of operational and strategic partnerships with local organizations, internal and external coordination, capacity building and technical support towards LWF field teams and program partners.

Required qualifications.

University degree in climate, biodiversity and/or related environmental related sciences.

Agriculture or human, social or related sciences with relevant experience would be considered.

Proficiency in French and working level English. Knowledge of local languages spoken in southwestern Chad and northern Cameroon an asset.

Advanced level computer literacy especially with Microsoft Office suite.

Knowledge, skills and experience

Advanced work experience of at least three years in the climate, environmental conservation and nature-based solutions programming.

Significant expertise and knowledge of climate change impact and mitigation in the Central African Region, particularly in Chad and / or Cameroon or in a similar context.

Demonstrated practical experience in livelihood responses that integrate climate justice, environmental rights and nature-based solutions.

Developed strategic thinking and planning skills to incorporate climate mitigation and adaptation into the Project Cycle Management.

Evidence of skills to develop capacity building plans and deliver customized high-quality training to local and national NGOs.

Proven experience in matrix and direct management of teams and on the job, hands on.

Excellent communication skills to lead in building relationships with key external/internal contacts. Capacity to explain complex issues in simple & relevant terms.

Experience in coordination and representation in thematic fora, clusters and other coordination spaces.

Language Skills

English: advanced verbal and written skills.

French: advanced verbal and written skills.

LWF Core Skills

Leadership – Level advanced*

Achieving results – Level resource

Accountability – Level resource

Analytical thinking – Level resource

Initiative – Level advanced

Working effectively with others – Level advanced

LWF Functional Skills

Communication – Level resource

Capacity-building/training – Level advanced

Advocacy – Level resource

Facilitation / Negotiation – Level advanced

Innovation – Level resource

Stakeholder Management / Partnership – Level advanced

Networking – Level resource

LWF 3 skills levels are: basis – advanced – resource.

Main duties

Capacity Building and Matrix Management

Capacity building (training, mentoring etc) of partner organizations on climate justice, climate adaptation and mitigation, nature-based solutions;

Build the capacity of LWF staff on how to integrate climate justice from a programmatic perspective and orientation on NBS;

Matrix manage and work with project officers and management teams so that climate and biodiversity considerations are embedded in all LWF work in Chad, Cameroon and other programs when consulted;

Encourage inter team collaboration and learning to integrate climate in all LWF work.

Programme design, climate partnership development

Map and assess capacities of potential partners on climate justice;

Conduct assessments, selection and capacity building of potential partners: civil society organizations / environmental activists and networks;

Provide strategic analysis on climate justice and relevant tools for programming and advocacy on an on-going basis;

Ensure environmental analysis are carried out systematically throughout the LWF’s field offices and that proposals and reports address climate justice in a significant and meaningful way.

Strategic programming

Provide direct technical support and advice to the Chad and Cameroun Country Offices, as well as other LWF country programs on designing relevant programming in climate justice as well as in setting up relevant tools for monitoring and evaluations;

Contribute to the articulation of LWF’s vision and approach of climate justice in upcoming strategy development;

Provide strategic leadership in the implementation of specific gender-focused activities aiming at increasing women and girls’ agency to mitigate the negative impact of discrimination and injustice;

Lead on strategic thinking and planning on climate justice interventions linked to livelihoods;

Provide technical support to program staff on NBS and climate mitigation/adaptation.

Influencing, representation and coordination

Work with the Advocacy team to develop policy positions on key climate issues in the region;

Lead the articulation of climate specific advocacy/influencing aspects and contribute to the achievement of strategic objectives related to climate justice with duty bearers;

Represent LWF in the climate related clusters and coordination structures and provide significant technical inputs in those fora (including local NGOs, INGOs, UN, government etc). Represent LWF in other spaces as required;

Liaise and coordinates with local authorities when and where needed in order to advance the implementation of climate justice interventions.

Learning and measuring impact

In collaboration with the MEAL Advisors, ensure that there are systems in place and used by the project officers to monitor, document and measure impact of climate adaptation and climate mitigation interventions;

Ensure there is systematic and documented, participatory review and learning on successes and challenges to improve effectiveness and share good practice on climate programming in the region. Share learnings with the Central African region and the wider LWF.

Accountable for the achievement of the outcome level impact identified in the LWF Framework on climate and nature-based programming.

Special duties: As may be assigned by the direct supervisor.

Major challenges:

To provide tailor-made technical support and coaching to the staff in Chad and Cameroon so that they can be able to implement, monitor and report on the project outcomes using a climate and nature-based lends.

To balance between supporting the Chad and Cameroon teams with technical guidance and hands-on support, and linking up with LWF HQ, local, regional and global networks on climate change mitigation, adaptation and climate justice and advocacy issues.