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Field Officer, CBA-SCALE+
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BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND;
Southern Africa is highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, which affects water availability, the integrity of ecosystems, food and livelihood security and human health. This vulnerability stems from a number of factors. First, Southern African countries are highly exposed to climate risks including increased rainfall variability, floods, droughts, extreme temperatures and, in the case of coastal countries, cyclones. The devastating 2019 cyclones Idai and Kenneth, which killed more than 1,000 people and led to agricultural losses of at least USD 141 million in Mozambique alone, are only one recent example. This requires both short-term, emergency response efforts and investments in adaptation for the longer term. Poverty rates remain high, with Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe having 21-62% of the population living below the poverty line, based on World Bank data. About 70% of the region's population depends on agriculture for food and income, making people’s livelihoods reliant on rainfall. Land degradation, coupled with pollution and poor management of natural resources, have reduced the resilience of ecosystems and the people that depend on them. Social inequalities, notably based on gender, also exacerbate vulnerability across the region, constraining access to information, resources and decision-making power.
Over the last few years, a number of projects and programs have promoted community-based adaptation (CBA) approaches across the region, in an effort to reduce local vulnerability to immediate as well as future climate change impacts. However, implementation of CBA at scale has not occurred. Many of these initiatives have operated as pilots, achieving localized impacts and generating useful learning, but without putting in place the systems and capacities for sustained implementation and institutionalization of the approaches. Another challenge is the disconnect between national-level policy processes and the realities on the ground in communities – even when good policies are in place, implementation is often lacking. Sub-national governments, the essential link between the local and national levels, are under-resourced and over-stretched and lack the capacity to bridge this gap. As decentralization processes advance, their role will only become more important, making it essential that they have the resources and capacities to support climate-resilient development in the communities they govern.
In this regard the IUCN and its programme partners, will implement a BMU-IKI funded project: Community-Based Adaptation: Scaling up Community Action for Livelihoods and Ecosystems in Southern Africa and Beyond (CBA-SCALE Southern Africa+) in Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe between 2023 and 2027. The overall objective of the intervention is to building climate resilience, including: the integration of adaptation (incl. disaster risk reduction) in policies, planning and budgets at different levels; promote actions to build climate resilience and address climate risks in key sectors such as water, agriculture and fisheries; strengthening climate information, early warning and disaster management systems; and ecosystem and biodiversity protection; among others. The expected outcome of the project is increased resilience to climate change, for all genders and social groups, in over 100 communities of different size in Southern Africa. Inclusive, gender-responsive and nature-based planning and implementation of CBA actions will target over 500,000 community members in managing climate-related risks to human security, livelihoods and food security. Through learning networks and knowledge dissemination we will engage another 100+ communities
The Field Officer will work in the project site of Chiredzi, executing project activities together with consortium partners, the local district council and the community. S/he will ensure effective and efficient implementation of the CBA-SCALE+ project activities through timely implementation in accordance with the project workplan.
Southern Africa is highly vulnerable to the adverse impacts of climate change, which affects water availability, the integrity of ecosystems, food and livelihood security and human health. This vulnerability stems from a number of factors. First, Southern African countries are highly exposed to climate risks including increased rainfall variability, floods, droughts, extreme temperatures and, in the case of coastal countries, cyclones. The devastating 2019 cyclones Idai and Kenneth, which killed more than 1,000 people and led to agricultural losses of at least USD 141 million in Mozambique alone, are only one recent example. This requires both short-term, emergency response efforts and investments in adaptation for the longer term. Poverty rates remain high, with Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe having 21-62% of the population living below the poverty line, based on World Bank data. About 70% of the region's population depends on agriculture for food and income, making people’s livelihoods reliant on rainfall. Land degradation, coupled with pollution and poor management of natural resources, have reduced the resilience of ecosystems and the people that depend on them. Social inequalities, notably based on gender, also exacerbate vulnerability across the region, constraining access to information, resources and decision-making power.
Over the last few years, a number of projects and programs have promoted community-based adaptation (CBA) approaches across the region, in an effort to reduce local vulnerability to immediate as well as future climate change impacts. However, implementation of CBA at scale has not occurred. Many of these initiatives have operated as pilots, achieving localized impacts and generating useful learning, but without putting in place the systems and capacities for sustained implementation and institutionalization of the approaches. Another challenge is the disconnect between national-level policy processes and the realities on the ground in communities – even when good policies are in place, implementation is often lacking. Sub-national governments, the essential link between the local and national levels, are under-resourced and over-stretched and lack the capacity to bridge this gap. As decentralization processes advance, their role will only become more important, making it essential that they have the resources and capacities to support climate-resilient development in the communities they govern.
In this regard the IUCN and its programme partners, will implement a BMU-IKI funded project: Community-Based Adaptation: Scaling up Community Action for Livelihoods and Ecosystems in Southern Africa and Beyond (CBA-SCALE Southern Africa+) in Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe between 2023 and 2027. The overall objective of the intervention is to building climate resilience, including: the integration of adaptation (incl. disaster risk reduction) in policies, planning and budgets at different levels; promote actions to build climate resilience and address climate risks in key sectors such as water, agriculture and fisheries; strengthening climate information, early warning and disaster management systems; and ecosystem and biodiversity protection; among others. The expected outcome of the project is increased resilience to climate change, for all genders and social groups, in over 100 communities of different size in Southern Africa. Inclusive, gender-responsive and nature-based planning and implementation of CBA actions will target over 500,000 community members in managing climate-related risks to human security, livelihoods and food security. Through learning networks and knowledge dissemination we will engage another 100+ communities
The Field Officer will work in the project site of Chiredzi, executing project activities together with consortium partners, the local district council and the community. S/he will ensure effective and efficient implementation of the CBA-SCALE+ project activities through timely implementation in accordance with the project workplan.
JOB DESCRIPTION
SPECIFIC DUTIES;
More specifically, the roles and responsibilities of the Field Officer are as follows:
Programme Implementation;
Develop a thorough understanding of the CBA-SCALE+ project as it relates to Zimbabwe’s climate change priorities and outcomes; and craft strategic and operational workplans for the delivery of projects and other programmatic initiatives.
Take responsibility for implementing all project activities in Chiredzi and ensuring that they are delivered in a timely, effective and accurate manner; Contribute directly to the delivery of technical outputs, ensuring high quality, relevance and technical accuracy;
Work effectively with the Chiredzi Rural District Council (CRDC) and other consortium members to deliver project products and communicate results;
Convene regular project meetings with the local communities and CRDC to review progress well and provide monthly reports to the Team Leader
Represent the IUCN team in all local events organised by the CRDC and consortium partners
Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies for learning and knowledge generation from ongoing initiatives for sharing with the wider Regional Team as well as the broader IUCN Constituency;
Support the identification of needs and opportunities for Programme development and work with the Team Leader, CBA-SCALE+ and other members of the team to develop new concept notes and mobilizing resources
Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by, and mutually agreed with the line manager
More specifically, the roles and responsibilities of the Field Officer are as follows:
Programme Implementation;
Develop a thorough understanding of the CBA-SCALE+ project as it relates to Zimbabwe’s climate change priorities and outcomes; and craft strategic and operational workplans for the delivery of projects and other programmatic initiatives.
Take responsibility for implementing all project activities in Chiredzi and ensuring that they are delivered in a timely, effective and accurate manner; Contribute directly to the delivery of technical outputs, ensuring high quality, relevance and technical accuracy;
Work effectively with the Chiredzi Rural District Council (CRDC) and other consortium members to deliver project products and communicate results;
Convene regular project meetings with the local communities and CRDC to review progress well and provide monthly reports to the Team Leader
Represent the IUCN team in all local events organised by the CRDC and consortium partners
Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies for learning and knowledge generation from ongoing initiatives for sharing with the wider Regional Team as well as the broader IUCN Constituency;
Support the identification of needs and opportunities for Programme development and work with the Team Leader, CBA-SCALE+ and other members of the team to develop new concept notes and mobilizing resources
Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by, and mutually agreed with the line manager
REQUIREMENTS
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• REQUIRED SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES Education and Work Experience; A Bachelor’s Degree in environmental management, resource economics, forestry, agriculture, water resources or development studies. A post graduate qualification is advantageous At least 3 years’ experience in programme implementation in the environment, climate change or forestry sector, preferably with an international organization Experience with results-based project cycle management including monitoring and evaluation methodologies and principles and project budget management Experience working with local communities in Zimbabwe in desirable Excellent command of written and spoken English is essential. Fluency in a local language is vital High personal integrity especially in matters related to finance, official information and communications; Ability to work with minimum supervision and function in multicultural and multidisciplinary environment. Good team player with leadership abilities. 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. Functional competencies; Must be highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated with the ability to multi-task and prioritize needs Possess energy, drive, enthusiasm, commitment and passion for high quality work. Proven interpersonal skills and be to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity Must be dependable, a good team player and able to work independently as well as have the ability to learn quickly and expand scope of functions; Capacity to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines and produce high quality documents at short notice. Excellent writing and communication skills Willingness to 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.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
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IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
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