Climate Change Specilaist-Rural Development/Food Security Programme

Description

Climate Change Specialist-Rural Development/Food Security Programme: Zimbabwe

About DAI

DAI works at the cutting edge of international development, combining technical excellence, professional project management, and exceptional customer service to solve our clients’ most complex problems. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 developing and transition countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS, avian influenza control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and host-country governments.

Objective of the programme:

This large scale programmeaims to improve the food and nutrition security of smallholders in select rural districts of Zimbabwe. The programme seeks the following outcomes:

• Increase farmer productivity through climate-smart agriculture and effective natural resources management practices
• Facilitate links between commercial markets and farmer groups to bring about steep increases in farmer productivity and income
• Strengthen safety nets by increasing farmer income and establishing basic community infrastructure
• Increase availability and demand for nutritious foods
• Deliver and communicate evidence to influence policy change

Objective of the role:

We are seeking applications from highly experienced experts for the role of Climate Change Specialist.  The Climate Change Specialist will ensure that the programme fully incorporates attention to climate risk management by guiding the promotion and adoption of climate smart agricultural practices, to reduce the farmers’ vulnerability to climate shocks that threaten productivity, food security and the development of stable markets. The Climate Change Specialist will ensure that the programme efforts are linked to ongoing efforts from universities, research institutions and other programmes promoting climate smart agriculture

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct research and produce a comprehensive inventory of possible climate smart  agricultural practices
• Identify the “best-fit” practices for adoption in the different districts of operations for the programme
• Conduct environmental impact assessments for all commercial activities to minimise any adverse environmental and climate change impacts
• Work with relevant organisations to provide guidance on the implementation of climate smart agricultural practices
• Encourage the adoption of sound natural resources management practices
• Provide training to farmers and other stakeholders on improved agricultural and climate smart practices
• Work with the Agricultural Specialist  and other relevant organisations to facilitate the experimentation and adoption of climate resilient crop and livestock practices
• Work with different stakeholders to encourage use of improved agricultural practices and encourage climate smart practices
• Support private sector in the development and marketing of technological innovations that enable climate smart practices.
• Work with the monitoring, Evaluation and Research Specialist to develop an evidence base in support of Climate Smart Agricultural investments and policies
• Work with the Communications Specialist to devise appropriate messages, document and disseminate awareness and educational information on “best fit” practices aimed at the whole range of stakeholders from the farmers to the policy makers.
• Participate in national forums, share information and create awareness among public, private and NGO sectors

Requirements:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) agriculture, rural development and natural resource management
• At least 5 years of experience in leading climate smart centred interventions on large programmes
• Experience in improved agricultural practices or natural resource management  capacity building
• Knowledge of the wide ranging climate smart agricultural practices for crops, livestock and natural resource management that include (but not limited to) conservation agriculture, agro-forestry, water harvesting, integrated pest management, improved pasture management etc
• Working knowledge of DFID and donor funded projects desirable
• Working knowledge of DFID’s Value for Money approach preferred
• Fluency in English (both written and oral) is essential and fluency in local languages
• Working knowledge and understanding of the climate change challenges for Sub Saharan Africa smallholder farming sector, most preferably in Zimbabwe
• Must be able to communicate with farmers, private sector and public sector actors.

Project Location: The Project will be based in Zimbabwe

Length of the project:

5-7 years

Anticipated Project Start date:

January 2013