Climate Adaptation Specialist

WWF Zambia

Job title:  Climate Adaptation Specialist

Location: WWF Zambia Field office- Mazabuka, Zambia

Reports to: Programme  Manager – Voices for Climate Action- Zambia programme

Contract Tenure: 2  years

Supervises: None

Context

WWF Zambia and its consortium partners (Hivos Zambia, South North- SSN, Akina Mama, and Slum Dwellers International – SDI) are implementing a five-year climate adaptation programme covering 10 Districts around Lusaka and the lower Kafue landscape. The programme focuses on building a just transition to a low carbon and climate resilient future for Zambia through stimulating strong civil society leadership in climate adaptation and local resilience building, largely at the grass root level through advocacy.

The overall aim of the VCA programme is to enable a world where civil society is heard and respected as it influences & co-creates locally relevant, inclusive, and fundable climate solutions that deliver real benefits to people and nature as a part of local and global responses to the climate Crisis.

WWF Zambia seeks the services of a Climate adaptation specialist for the Voices for Climate Action programme (VCA) to support the delivery of intended project outcomes specific to climate adaptation and local resilience building.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The main function of the position is to  strengthen the capacity of the WWF Zambia office to systematically  mainstream and engage  government and other stakeholders in the  design  and implementation of strategic  sector specific  climate change adaptation initiatives at the national level  while  supporting  ZCO  and  Its consortium partners design  and  promote nature positive and climate resilient livelihoods in the  target districts that will support  policy advocacy work .

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Lead development of WWF Zambia policy positions  on Climate change and climate adaption to inform policy making processes
  • Coordinate WWF Zambia input  and participation in the review of NDCs, and offer monitoring support of the implementation of the national plan of action for climate change
  • participate in national processes around the implementation of climate change policy
  • provide expert analysis for existing reforms around the climate change legislation and policies in Zambia
  • Map and assess  existing climate adaptation actions in implementing districts with a focus on District integrated plans (DIPs)
  • Lead climate vulnerability assessments and monitoring activities in targeted VCA districts
  • Provide technical guidance on the design, development and implementation of nature based climate adaptation solutions in both flood and drought prone areas
  • Coordinate strategic partners and  WWF Zambia high level engagement on climate change
  • Work with local partners, support the designing and roll out of appropriate climate adaptation actions for local communities
  • Provide technical assistance to local partners of local resilience building in both flood and drought prone communities
  • Work with farmer groups to strengthen their climate smart agricultural practices in liaison with the Ministry of Agriculture in targeted Districts
  • working with identified private sector actors, design appropriate programmes for the promotion of climate responsive entrepreneurship
  • support the analysis of government policies and programmes on climate adaptation and provide expert analysis on opportunities for further strengthening
  • working with the District coordinator- secure unusual partnerships for the promotion of the climate agenda at the grassroot level
  • provide technical support to grassroot communities on integration of technology with indigenous  local solutions for climate change
  • Design community models for local resilience building, working with local partners to promote scalability and adoption by Government.
  • Lead the  development of scientific papers on the climate response on the Kafue flats
  • Provide expert analysis at landscape level on the impacts of climate change on the Kafue flats ecosystems and support the development of appropriate strategies , including impacts to biodiversity
  • working with the  head of policy and strategic partneships, and POV programme manager and thematic/ sectoral  to secure partnerships with other actors of climate change at the landscape level- including strategic engagements at national level with actors such as the world bank; AfDB
  • supervise specialized consultancies on climate adaptation aspects of the programme.

Working Relationships

  • Internal: Interacts regularly with staff within WWF Zambia and WWF NL , specifically with staff responsible for the VCA programme
  • Interacts with Alliance members  and their climate adaptation specialists of the VCA programme in Zambia.
  • External: Interacts with government departments, research centers, universities and members of the National advisory Council- NAC for the VCA programme in Zambia
  • Interacts with privates sector entities

Required qualifications:

  • Master’s degree or higher qualification in climate change adaptation, water resource management, engineering, development studies, economics, business, or environmental sciences, or a related field.
  • Additional project/financial management designations preferred.

Preferred Experience:

  • Evidence of successful professional experience leading  innovative   climate adaption advocacy and piloting of  measurable community led climate smart models
  • 5 years relevant experience in environmental and development fields
  • 5 years of practical experience in climate change adaptation planning and implementation as it relates to natural resource management.
  • Significant experience working with a wider range of consortium members and partners
  • Experience working with high level decision makers and business leaders
  • Highly networked  with relevant climate stakeholders
  • Prior experience working in the Kafue landscape will be ad added advantage
  • Experience in capacity building to national governments in the development of climate change programming;
  • Experience working with climate finance institutions; or climate financing projects would be an asset
  • Experience managing complex multi-stakeholder relations.

Required Skills and Competences

  • Fluency in English with outstanding verbal and written communication skills, particularly within a diverse cultural context;
  • Technical expertise in climate change adaptation, particularly on nature-based solutions,  including experience providing technical assistance and advisory services to governments in the design and development of projects and programmes addressing climate change;
  • Excellent leadership, resource management and mentoring skills to work with and train dispersed multidisciplinary and multicultural cross-functional teams;
  • Excellent skills in developing alliances and working in partnerships with the private sector, government, local/international NGOs, and donors/development partners; and
  • Ability to provide technical inputs and advice in conducting capacity building needs assessment of local authorities.

How to apply?

Email a cover letter and Curriculum Vitae clearly indicating the position applied for to [email protected]. Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Deadline for receiving applications is 21st July, 2021.


* Legitimate employers do not ask for payment. Find out more at safe job search tips.