Environment and Climate Change Specialist – Gulu – Ministry of Local Government

About US:
The Government of the Republic of Uganda has received a loan and a grant from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to finance the Project for Restoration of Livelihoods in the Northern Region (PRELNOR), and intends to apply some of the proceeds to recruit staff to implement the project. PRELNOR will cover the districts of Adjumani, Agago, Amuru, Gulu, Lamwo, Kitgum, Nwoya and Pader.

About PRELNOR Project:
The overall goal of the PRELNOR is: Increased income, food security and reduced vulnerability of poor rural households in the project area. This will be through increased sustainable production, productivity and climate resilience of smallholder farmers with increased and profitable access to domestic and export markets.

Job Summary: The Environment and Climate Change Specialist will be responsible for orienting and ensuring the climate resilient implementation of PRELNOR activities supporting value chain development, so as to ensure that the project‘s climate resilience becomes reality. The incumbent will also ensure that climate and environment issues are mainstreamed in all aspects of project and activity development, implementation and follow-up. The incumbent will render support in institution building and developing strong working relationships with the major GoU and climate change and environment agencies working in Uganda and East Africa.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Work in liaison with the agronomist /agricultural extension and agribusiness specialists design and supervise baseline assessments of the production systems and rural infrastructure development and develop strategy/guidelines for necessary modifications to make them climate resilient.
Work with the technical experts recruited to provide advice on climate resilience in the infrastructure component of the project (more specifically roads) to ensure appropriate integration of climate change and climate risks in project-sponsored infrastructural works.
Providing support to the project implementers (local governments, district farmer associations and other agencies) on climate risk management in PRELNOR. This includes:
Steering the identification, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of climate resilient project activities for community level production improvement and in post-harvest handling and value-adding support to farmer and SME groups,
In charge of promoting climate-smart production and post-harvest practices in farmers‘ groups and organisations;
Working with the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA) and MAAIF to facilitate the development and transmission of climate and agro-climate information from central level to districts and to farmers, including through the development of Memoranda of Understanding and training, where relevant.
Working with UNMA and MAAIF to collect data from the existing agro-met stations in each of the project districts and facilitate analyses relevant to PRELNOR
Supporting the development of agro-meteorological products and decision support systems designed for transmission to the various departments of the MAAIF, relevant extension services and the private sector/business partners
Ensuring the sound integration of climate-resilient technologies in production and market access development
Building PMU, MoLG and MAAIF capacities in climate resilient approaches;
Supporting the MEL specialist in developing the project learning system;
Monitoring the climate resilient activities and, in collaboration with the MEL specialist, ensure related knowledge management and the identification of policy lessons;
Identifying training needs for public and private sector stakeholders and planning and implementing a capacity building project based on identified need;
Conduct radio programmes of climate change information.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The applicants should preferably hold a Master’s degree in agricultural development / climatology/ environmental Science or related discipline from a recognised University / Institution.
A minimum of five to ten years’ experience in climate change adaption work and risk management or risk disaster management in a smallholder farming context.
Prior experience in mainstreaming climate change adaptation issues within both public and private sector organizations for a wide range of agricultural sub-sectors would be advantageous, particularly rural and market infrastructure.
Proven ability and capacity to take on a leadership position with strong managerial skills and capacity to manage people and interact with a wide range of private and public sector partners as well as managers and implementers of large-scale rural / community / SME development programmes.
Result oriented management skills.
Detailed knowledge and understanding of aspects of technical writing to different categories of audiences
Ability to bring together various stakeholders for policy dialogue.
Strong oral and written communication skills in English.
Good knowledge and understanding of gender and, community and institutional capacity building issues.
Computer literacy skills
Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and meet crucial deadlines.

How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send their applications accompanied with detailed curriculum vitae, copies of academic certificates, transcripts and testimonials including names and addresses of three referees to: Ag. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Worker’s House, 3rd Floor, P.O. Box 7037 Kampala. Uganda

Deadline: 16th November, 2015

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