Programme Officer Climate Resilience at IUCN

IUCN has had its operations in Tanzania for more than four decades working with many partners and supporters to implement a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects ranging from management of protected areas, forest ecosystems, coastal resources, aquatic ecosystems, and climate change resilience. IUCN/Tanzania, among other projects, is currently implementing the activity, “Scaling-up Nature-based Solutions for Climate Change Resilience in Tanzania” (RESOLVE-NbS).

RESOLVE NbS focuses on the deployment of NbS to address challenges posed by changing climatic conditions to enhance the resilience of social and ecological systems. The activity targets on the ground implementation to demonstrate the contribution and impact of NbS in the implementation of Tanzania’s ambitious climate resilience goals as stipulated in the Tanzania’s NDC of reducing emissions between 30-35% by 2030 and restoring 5.2 million hectares by 2030. The priority sectors are biodiversity and natural resources management, business and climate finance.

Specifically, the project intends to:

• Enhance awareness, capacity, and knowledge management for improved NbS planning, mainstreaming and implementation.
• Implement NbS for ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA), disaster risk reduction and mitigation through pilot and scale-up projects and contribute to conservation, sustainable management, and restoration of natural ecosystems.
• Integrate gender-sensitive NbS and climate-smart planning into adaptation and disaster reduction policies, strategies, and plans.
• Based on the above background, IUCN Tanzania is seeking to recruit a Programme Officer, Climate Resilience to support the execution of Resolve NbS project that will be implemented in Morogoro and Iringa regions.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES;

• The Programme Officer, Climate Resilience will be responsible for overseeing and coordinating the implementation of RESOLVE NbS project and ensuring high-quality project management, effective partner relations and support. The position requires strong technical expertise in NbS, climate change, climate finance, and the ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to further develop and implement proposed NbS measures. The role will involve frequent travel related to project development, project implementation, and partner support and engagement.
• Under the supervision of the Programme Manager, the Programme Officer, Climate Resilience will as well be responsible for coordination and support of implementing partners to ensure effective and timely activity development, implementation, monitoring, and reporting coordinating closely with partners, and other project staff.
• She/He will regularly liaise with RESOLVE NbS implementing partners, local government agencies, other CSOs and NGOs, local communities and community-based organizations representing the values and interests of IUCN.

SPECIFIC DUTIES ;

Under the direction of the Programme Manager, the specific responsibilities of the Programme Officer, Climate Resilience, are to:

Project Management;

• Oversee and coordinate the planning, implementation and reporting of RESOLVE NbS.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance on activities carried out by partners, ensuring coherence with the project’s Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.
• Lead NbS mainstreaming capacity enhancement advocacy efforts working with key public and private sector actors for climate change finance priorities in target districts.
• Lead the preparation of detailed work plans, budgets and schedules for successful landscape level project development and implementation in collaboration with other team members, partners and stakeholders.
• Manage project reporting, including technical and financial reports, work plans, partnership agreements, and service contracts on assigned partners.
• Promote the dissemination and application of IUCN’s knowledge tools and standards on NbS, including the IUCN Global Standard for NbS and accompanying tools
• Lead the identification of opportunities for implementing new and innovative financing interventions to support the decentralization of climate finance in target districts.
• Ensure participatory development and implementation of Climate Adaptation NbS interventions in or around selected sites.

Financial Management;

• Contribute to landscape project budgeting, procurement and manage activity-based budgets and funds to ensure that all the activities are executed timely, efficiently, and effectively.
• Ensure that project activities are on-time, on-budget, and on-track for contributing to the achievement of the projects’ objectives and contractual obligations.
• Ensure timely financial expenditure monitoring and accountability for IUCN-led and partners activities.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Communications and Knowledge Management;
• In coordination with M&E Officer develop and apply the project monitoring instruments and systems including periodic data collection and reporting.
• Lead the development and ensure timely submission of all required IUCN and donor reports.
• Undertake regular visits to project sites and evaluate programmatic outputs and impact both quantitatively and in terms of quality implementation.
• Support the updating of the project on the IUCN portal with relevant project data.
• Document case studies, best practices and lessons learned and contribute to the development of communication materials for dissemination to target audiences working with the communication team.

Fundraising and project development;

• Support the identification of new funding opportunities to scale-out project activities.
• Contribute to identification of opportunities for programme growth and develop high-quality projects in coordination with IUCN Programmatic Teams, Members, and partners.
• Support the development of new project proposals.
• Support networking with key development partners, national institutions and NGOs to support project implementation.
• Keep abreast of development needs and programme opportunities in the landscape including those in line with IUCN’s sectoral priorities and programmatic principles.

Representation;

• Network and liaise with all the partners and potential partners, developing and maintaining partnerships and strong relationships across all sectors (including the private sector).
• Maintain good working relationships with MDAs, non-state actors, private sector, community leadership and visiting donor teams.
• Represent IUCN on issues at strategic, policy and technical meetings, seminars and other events and processes as may be required from time to time.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education;

• Post-graduate degree in environmental science, resource economics, climate change, public finance management, natural resource management, sustainable development, or a related field.
• A good understanding of existing and emerging climate change resilience and financing approaches, and methodologies and processes.
• Familiarity with established and emerging biodiversity conservation approaches, and methodologies and processes related to ecosystem management and including the context of the newly established Global Biodiversity Framework.
• Foundational knowledge and expertise on NbS and related ecosystem-based approaches.
• Computer literacy in relation to office applications (word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint) use of internet and online communication tools.
• Additional and relevant professional trainings/ certifications would be an advantage.
• Excellent communication, and representation skills.

Work Experience;

• At least seven years of professional experience in environment, natural resources management, climate resilience / adaptation, biodiversity conservation, landscape restoration, agribusiness or in sustainable development and climate finance.
• Prior experience and knowledge of Tanzania’s institutional framework and polices of climate change is an asset.
• Proven track record of working in climate change, climate change finance, natural resource management and private sectors on climate/sustainability initiatives. Experience in creating and facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues, partnerships and synergies.
• Prior experience working in capacity development, knowledge management, communication, monitoring and evaluation will be an asset.
• Strong ability to plan, organize, prioritize work, and multitask to meet tight deadlines
• Knowledge of issues related to climate change, nature-based solutions i.e. restoration will be an added advantage.
• Experience in the working with local government entities, community conservation groups, FFPOs, CBOs, Private Sector, and other value chain actors.
• Computer literacy in relation to office applications (word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint) use of internet and online communication tools such as MS Teams.

Language Requirements;

• Fluency in English and Kiswahili (both written and verbal).

Core Competencies;

Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner; provides clear guidance to ensure that objectives and desired measurable results are understood by members of the team.

Inclusiveness: Understands and accepts cultural diversity, and provide a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.

Professionalism: Promote the organization’s interests, objectives, and values in a diligent and professional manner.

Accountability: Takes responsibility of individual and collective actions, promotes the IUCN One Programme approach.

Functional Competencies;

• Adheres to IUCN ESARO core values of Transparency, Inclusiveness, Professionalism and Accountability
• A strong delivery-oriented work ethic with the ability to meet competing demands and challenging timelines.
• Demonstrates strong leadership and people – management experience including supervision of staff, consultants, and coordination of programme/projects teams in a multi-disciplinary environment and effective management of virtual team settings.
• Must be strategic thinker, highly motivated, results driven and able to energize and motivate teams.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to support building networks and partnerships.
• Must be a strong team player with proven communication and diplomacy skills and ability to work effectively with multicultural environment displaying sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Committed to continuous learning, proactive and mature attitude towards self-development.
• Willing to travel and work in rural areas frequently within Tanzania and occasional regional travel.

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the “Apply” button.

Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.