Are you a proactive post-doc interested in the coupled challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change and food security? Are you interested in exploring how to scale up biodiversity-friendly behaviors in general, and specifically consumption and production behaviors in the food system? Are you comfortable with both quantitative and qualitative research method? Are you interested in interdisciplinary research (particularly linking economics and system thinking)? Then, you could be the ideal candidate to join our project on “scaling up biodiversity-positive food systems”.

A range of initiatives and innovations in food systems are being developed, and increasing by the day, to address the interlinked crises of biodiversity loss, climate change and food security. However, these initiatives largely remain theoretical, contested and/or niche. What is blocking innovations from scaling across the value chain from production to consumption and end of life? What makes an initiative and innovation suitable for scaling? And how can we speed up this change? What role do norms and values ​​play in scaling up biodiversity positive food systems? What is the role for value chains, producer associations and/or the financial sector in achieving these changes?

The selected candidate will be situated in group of researchers under the investment theme “biodiversity-positive food systems” of Wageningen University & Research. The candidate will have a leading role in understanding the many barriers and enablers to scaling up and accelerating promising sustainable production initiatives. They will evaluate the potential multi-scalar outcomes this could have on biodiversity, food and other societal goals, such as climate change, livelihoods or good quality of life. The work will be grounded in two case studies and contrasting internationalized value chains of the dairy sector in the Netherlands and the cacao value chain.

You will join an international and transdisciplinary team lead by Prof. dr. Francisco Alpizar ( ENR group ),dr. Jeanne Nel ( ESG group ) and Dr. Raimon Ripoll-Bosch ( APS group ), and will be located in the Environmental Economics and Natural Resources group ( ENR ).
 

we ask

• you have completed a PhD in economics, environmental economics, agricultural economics or a similar field;
• you are interested in understanding how to shift the food system towards biodiversity positive production and consumption;
• you want to explore the interventions that can trigger a transformation of the food system and the mechanisms through which those operate;
• you have experience with both quantitative and qualitative research methods;
• you are a team player who can communicate clearly and comfortably with scientists, consultants and policy makers;
• you are interested in biodiversity; cocoa and diary value chains; the financial sector;
• For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1  level .
• you have interest and demonstrable skill in publishing in renowned scientific journals.

we sacrifice

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent  terms of employment . A few highlights from our Collective Labor Agreement include:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will, depending on your experience, receive a gross salary of between €3.282,- and €4.490,- for a full-time working week of 38 hours, in accordance with the  Collective Labor Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU)  (scale 10). We offer a temporary contract for 1 year which will be extended for the remaining period of the project if you perform well. The total duration of this project is 2 years.

Wageningen University & Research encourages internal advancement opportunities and mobility with an internal recruitment policy. There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “ Best University ” in the Netherlands for the 17 ^th  consecutive time.

More information

Do you want more information?     
For more information about this position, please contact Prof. dr. Francisco Alpizar ( francisco.alpizar@wur.nl ), Dr. Jeanne Nel ( jeanne.nel@wur.nl ) or Dr. Raimon Ripoll ( raimon.ripollbosch@wur.nl )

For more information about the procedure, please contact Jeanine van ‘t Veer, Recruiter via  recruitment.ssg@wur.nl .

Do you want to apply?    You can apply directly using the  apply button  on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval.    


This vacancy will be listed up to and including July 3 2022. We hope to schedule the first job interviews in the 2nd and 3rd week of July 2022.

The intended starting date is September 1, 2022.

This announcement is copied from here.

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Good news for African students at the master’s and doctoral levels. They have the opportunity to participate in a program of the African Centre of Excellence for Water Management (ACEWM). It is the PhD Program in Water Management, counting for the academic year 2022/2023. The call for applications was issued on April 25, 2022.

Ethiopian students are exempt from this offer. The students from Eastern and Southern Africa concerned have until June 10, 2022 to submit their applications. They will participate in lectures, seminars and field studies. The program also includes courses that will be delivered through video conferencing and technology-enhanced learning approaches.

Eligibility Criteria

ACEWM’s goal is to train the next generation of water educators, researchers, managers, and professionals and to engage in community outreach for improved access to clean water. An average of 418 million of Africa’s 1.3 billion people still lack access to safe drinking water, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

According to ACEWM, applicants to the doctoral program must hold a master’s degree from a recognized college or university with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent in ECTS. Students with a GPA between 3.0 and 3.5 will also be considered based on their experience and achievement. Applicants will also provide evidence of their research ability. This includes a published article in a reputable journal following a master’s thesis or other appropriate evidence of the ability to conduct high quality research.

Candidates with foreign degrees are also eligible for the four-year PhD program in water management. The center is internationally accredited by the German-based Agency for Quality Assurance through Accreditation of Study Programs (AQAS). The PhD program in water management is an initiative of the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the World Bank and the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Center (ESA) hosted by Addis Ababa University (AAU).

For more information on the call for applications, click here.

This announcement is available here.

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The Hydrology, Water Management and Water Protection Department focuses in research and teaching on the integrated consideration of the amount of water and water quality of the surface and groundwater. In particular, the interactions between hydrological systems and human intervention under the increasing influence of extremes are in focus. To improve the understanding of the system, we design and test monitoring approaches and drive the development of algorithms and coupled simulation models in an interdisciplinary team. We are looking for a dynamic, motivated young scientist to further develop the work area of ​​water quality and ecohydrology.

Requirements:

• A PhD or equivalent degree in hydrology or a related field of environmental science or engineering
• In-depth knowledge of substance transport and conversion processes in the landscape and in water
• Experience in the application of process-based hydrological and eco-hydrological models
• Experience in the application of hydrodynamic water quality models
• Knowledge of the evaluation of geo and environmental data
• Experience in the planning and implementation of measurement campaigns as a basis for model applications (advantageous)
• Knowledge in the field of sampling and laboratory analysis of water samples (advantageous)
• Experience in supervising theoretical and practical courses
• Independent and reliable way of working in an interdisciplinary team
• Teamwork and social skills as well as professional and social commitment
• Good knowledge of spoken and written German and English

What do we offer?

Payment is made depending on the assignment of tasks and the fulfillment of personal requirements up to salary group 13 TV-L. The position is generally suitable for part-time work, but should be filled 100 percent.

Please send your written application to s.festerling@tu-braunschweig.de by July 13th, 2022 with the usual documents (letter of application, curriculum vitae, certificates). Please send us your documents as a PDF file with a maximum file size of 3 MB.

You are welcome to email Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ask Kai Schröter (kai.schroeter@tu-braunschweig.de).

We look forward to receiving your application!

Handicapped applicants will be preferred if equally qualified. Applications from people of all nationalities are welcome. The TU Braunschweig strives in all areas and positions to reduce under-representation within the meaning of the NGG. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Application costs cannot be reimbursed. Personal data is stored for the purpose of carrying out the application process.

The announcement is taken from here.

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Given the challenging funding environment and quality of services UNHCR commissioned Oxfam to develop a five-year strategy for extending the water-supply networks in the camps, with associated developments in the areas of systems operation, governance and capacity building, and community engagement. This strategy was completed in late 2019 and is meant to inform the overall water supply work over the coming 5 years.

Oxfam in Algeria has recently developed a series of projects contributing to the improvement of WaSH services (e.g. water storage at household and production levels) and infrastructure for Sahrawi refugees living in the five camps of Tindouf, including the delivery of detailed design and bills of quantities for the improvement of water-supply infrastructure. Oxfam is also working on strengthening the capacity of the different actors in the WaSH sector through the development of a capacity strengthening strategy, implementation plan and the delivery of training.

Oxfam in Algeria is seeking a senior Programme Manager with Solid WASH experience to support its programmes aiming at improving access to safe water and overall WASH services. The WASH PM will be working as part of the response team in the Sahrawi camps and will be based in Rabouni with regular travels to the different camps in the governorate of Tindouf. S/He will act as technical focal point for Oxfam and work closely with the local and international WASH actors in the camps.

Job Purpose

To coordinate and support a team of WASH and Public Health Experts, ensuring that WASH activities implemented by Oxfam in the Sahrawi Refugee Camps are delivered to the agreed standard and timelines.

Job Responsibilities

Staff Management and Leadership

· Recruit and manage staff in line with Oxfam policies, ensuring that they have the necessary induction, training and support as required.

· Develop and maintain a healthy environment for the team, coordinating timely discussions on strategic programming issues and guaranteeing that the staff members reflect the institutional character in their relationships with partner organizations and allies.

· Ensures excellent people management and development of staff managed, in accordance with Oxfam’s performance management cycle and policies on development of staff, particularly national staff capacity building plans

· To take part as an active member in the Country Management Team.

Development and Management of WASH programme

· Lead in the development of programme design in line with the WASH strategy.

· Ensure that the programme is implemented in a consultative, participative, transparent, and gender sensitive way.

· Monitor programme expenditure to ensure budgets are adhered to.

· Ensure Oxfam representation in appropriate external programmatic forums

· Leads on all technical aspects of the programme as well as delivery.

· Work with other managers for the development of a single country programme with strong synergy between the different elements

· Supports local partner in developing and delivering projects within agreed parameters

Driving improvements in programme quality

· Ensure that the WASH programme is in compliance with donor contractual obligations and that all reporting is of good quality and is done in a timely manner.

· Monitor and evaluate programme work to maintain and/or improve the quality, incorporating learning in the programme and ensuring achievement of desired impact.

· Lead in the development and achievement of a programme of high quality in all aspects of the Programme, consistent with Oxfam and other agreed standards.

· Ensure that the programme is monitored, and the impact reviewed (changes in the lives of poor people) as well as programme activities and spending.

· Monitor and evaluate programme work to maintain and/or improve the quality, incorporating learning in the programme and ensuring achievement of desired impact.

Fundraising & Grant Management

· In close collaboration with the Funding Coordinator identify and develop opportunities for fundraising

· Ensures all donor grant management requirements are met.

· Provide written and verbal briefings on the context and Oxfam’s programme to donors

Representation and influencing

· Represent Oxfam in appropriate WASH fora at a local and national level with government authorities, UN organisations, NGO’s and donor agencies.

· Liaise with appropriate government officials, local level organisations and other bodies as necessary on lobbying and advocacy activities promoting Oxfam WASH and overall programme principles

· Strengthen alliance building and develop strong cooperation with wide range of partners and stakeholders

Other

· Readiness to work with flexibility and take on additional tasks as may be delegated to meet programmatic objectives

· Perform other program related task assigned by supervisor.

· Eager and required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values as well as the promotion of gender justice and women’s rights

· Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles.

Job Requirements

Education & Experience:

· Postgraduate degree in Hydrology, Mechanical Engineering or other relevant field(s).

· A minimum of 8 years of practical experience in implementation of complex water supply systems.

· Experience of development and humanitarian work.

· Experience and ability to work in remote and isolated environments, including the ability to travel and work flexibly

· A proven ability to be a team player, and to provide technical leadership.

· Analytical skills and ability to think to think beyond the existing local frames.

· Diplomacy, tact and negotiating skills.

· Sensitivity to cultural differences, and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts.

· Good written and spoken English and Spanish/Arabic are essential; French would be an asset.

· Excellent communication skills;

· Ability to troubleshoot issues on site in a timely and effective manner

· Good computer skills and command of Microsoft Office software (Excel and Word)

· Adhere to Oxfam’s values : Equality, Empowerment, Solidarity, Inclusiveness, Accountability, and Courage (for more information check out our website https://www.oxfam.org/en/what-we-do/about/what-we-believe)

Key Attributes:

· Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities.

· Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender/gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work.

· Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.

How to Apply

If you believe your qualifications meet the job requirements, please send your CV and a cover letter including references “Last Name First Name + Programme Manager WASH” before 31 May 2022 to obe.jobs@oxfam.org.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, regrettably, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted usually within 2 weeks of the closing date.

For Oxfam, equal opportunities are important. Applicants are therefore selected based on their qualities and skills, without taking into account age, origin, gender or any other criteria unrelated to professional skills.

Oxfam is committed to protecting and promoting the well-being of all human beings and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through common values and a code of conduct (more info: https://www.oxfam.be).

Apply by 31 May, 2022.

This announcement is available here.

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As part of NWO project ‘Geometric Algorithms for Perpetually Changing Channel Networks in Rivers and Estuaries’, the Utrecht University is looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate. Do you have an interest in developing into a scientific researcher? Are you enthusiastic about working with large datasets of real rivers and clever software for the analysis of complex patterns? Are you curious about scale experiments under controlled laboratory conditions?

Tidal systems such as the Ems and Scheldt estuaries and the Wadden Sea have perpetually changing channels and shoals of sand, mud and vegetation. Understanding these dynamic patterns is scientifically fascinating, and highly important for management. We integrate state-of-the-art landscape scale experiments  external linkwith computer models, field measurements, shallow coring and remote sensing observations on two planets. We explicitly address the interaction between the natural environment and human activities, such as coastal protection and nature restoration. 

The NWO project ‘Geometric Algorithms for Perpetually Changing Channel Networks in Rivers and Estuaries’ aims to develop and test algorithms that recognize channels in estuaries, and connect them not only in space but also through time. You will use a large existing field data set of depth maps of the Western Scheldt estuary and collect new data in Metronome experiments under controlled laboratory conditions. These experiments are like a time machine: an entire estuary, that takes centuries to form in reality, forms before your eyes and scanners in a few weeks, and changing the formative conditions is elementary. These experiments will therefore enable you to explore the long-standing fundamental problems of equilibrium, self-organization and chaos in estuarine morphology on spatial and temporal scales that are inaccessible in field data. You will also test the algorithms to address fundamental questions about dynamics of channel junctions, emergent network properties and the propagation of disturbances through the channel networks. The latter is of immediate societal relevance, since disturbances are mainly induced by dredging and dumping for shipping fairway maintenance. You will be part of a collaborative project team, led by Prof Bettina Speckmann of TU Eindhoven and Prof Maarten Kleinhans of Utrecht University.

Qualifications

We are looking for a candidate with:

• a MSc degree, or equivalent, in complexity science, earth science, physical geography, civil engineering or another closely related research field;
• demonstrable enthusiasm for experimentation and working with large datasets;
• affinity with numerical modelling of river/estuarine morphodynamics will be an asset;
• the willingness and flexibility to work in multi-disciplinary teams of scientists, specialist programmers and lab techno-wizards;
• English oral and writing skills; you should be able to demonstrate English language proficiency. We require a qualification English at C1 level (comparable to level 3 of the Lecturer Assessment Grid) or you should be willing to obtain this level by training;
• gardening skills, technical skills or artistic skills are welcomed.

Offer

You will be offered a PhD position (0.8 – 1.0 FTE), initially for one year with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period. The gross salary ranges between €2,443 in the first year and €3,122 in the fourth year of employment (scale P according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment.

Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions  external link (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University  external linkcan be found here.

Additional information

For more information about this position, please contact: 
Prof Maarten Kleinhans  external link, via m.g.kleinhans@uu.nl. external link

Apply

Everyone deserves to feel at home at our university. We welcome employees with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. To apply, please send the following documents via the ‘apply’ button below:

• Let us know what your motivation for this position is, why should we hire you? (1-page motivation letter);
• Send your resume, including a list of your publications if you have any;
• What are your research interests? (1-page statement of concrete research interests);
• Who can we contact as your references? (state the names and contact details of three references);
• Interviews will be held in June, either in person or via video call.

The application deadline is 31 May 2022.

The announcement is available here.

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FutureWater is looking for an experienced agricultural water expert for our expanding international activities, particularly in Asia and Africa, who has affinity with technical tasks but also appetite for leading and coordinating some of the projects. At FutureWater you work in a dynamic organization, independently or in a team, on both organizational and technical aspects of challenging projects at the interface of water management, agriculture, nature-based solutions, and climate change. The following tasks and responsibilities are associated with the position:

• Lead analytical work in projects on the interface of water resources and agriculture
• Provide technical support and guidance within the team around these topics
• Work directly with clients to ensure project scope and expectations are well-aligned, and deliverables fall within the applicable scope and budget
• Project planning and coordination of budget and resources, and communication and cooperation with partner organizations (private sector, NGO, universities)
• Collaborate on or lead project proposals and have affinity with project acquisition

It is expected that about half of the work will consist of technical contribution to projects (data analysis, modeling, interpretation of results, reporting), and half of the time to the other tasks and responsibilities listed here.

Job requirements

The ideal candidate has an academic background in agro-hydrology, irrigation, or agricultural water management, followed by at least 5 years of progressively autonomous, professional experience.

Further requirements include:

• Proven planning and organizational skills
• Demonstrable experience with contact with clients, ideally demonstrated by successful completion of multiple international projects
• An existing network of relevant public and private organizations, in The Netherlands and/or abroad
• Experience with crop water modeling or similar (e.g. AquaCrop or CROPWAT)
• Affinity with programming (e.g. Python, R) is appreciated
• Affinity with climate smart or precision agriculture
• Fluent in English (required) and Dutch (preferred)
• Valid permission to work in The Netherlands (already obtained)

In the event of proven suitability, there is the possibility of a permanent employment contract.

Organization
FutureWater is a research and consultancy company with the objective of contributing to the sustainable management of water, worldwide. FutureWater focuses on the application and development of scientific methods and concepts to provide advice and solutions in the field of water management. Simulation models, Geographic Information Systems, remote sensing, innovative data processing techniques and training play a key role in this. Activities take place in the Netherlands and abroad. Typical clients include World Bank, Asian Development Bank, NGOs, river basin organizations, national and regional governments, and research organization.

More information or apply?

Interested? Send your application letter and CV to jobs@futurewater.nl.
This vacancy is open until a suitable candidate is found.

this announcement is available here.

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Organizational Unit: PPECB -> Statutory Operations -> Food Safety and Technical Services

Job Type: Internship

Location: Head Office – Cape Town, WC 7500 ZA (Primary)

Salary (TCTC per annum): Market Related

Closing Date: 18/4/2022

Job Description:

To ensure accuracy in Admin tasks to assist with food safety audits and to supervise assist direct reports to ensure organizational compliance and client satisfaction.

• Database Management: FBO Registrations – To ensure data on system corresponds with DAFF database and clients’ registration information.
• General Administration: Audit Report File Preparation – Printing of Audit Reports and Filling
• Data Capturing: Timesheet Capturing
• Financial: Maintain Asset register
• Logistics: Courier arrangement and stock ordering.

Job Requirements:

• Food Technology , Environmental Health / Management ,Occupational Health
• Computer literacy with proficiency in MS Office
• Ability to be tactful and diplomatic
• Planning, organizing and attention to detail skills
• Demonstrate interpersonal, intrapersonal  and communication skills at all levels of an organization
• Knowledge of FBO and food safety Audits .
• Proven skills on data capturing, filing and document control

The job announcement is taken from here!

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Country: Kenya

Company: Starsight Premier Energy Group

Segment: C&I

Experience: 7+

Background:

We are looking for an experienced Head of Credit to join Starsight Premier Energy Services (SPES) based in Nairobi, Kenya to undertake all aspects of credit risk management including credit evaluation and monitoring, portfolio analysis, adherence to credit underwriting standards and processes, and recommending changes to policy and procedures whenever required. The role also envisages managing relationships with prospective and existing clients and networking with other counterparties in the local financial ecosystem that will help in onboarding appropriate credit opportunities to ensure a healthy asset book.

Purpose of the Role

The credit and risk department assumes the most critical function in any financial services company as it is directly responsible for the health of the organization. Accordingly, the Head of Credit must ensure an appropriate quality of the portfolio while contributing to the growth of the asset book. The deliverables include credit risk evaluation, preparation of credit and other reports, portfolio analysis and management, adherence to the guidelines laid down in the Credit Policy and other governing documents and maintaining relationship with various stakeholders for industry information and knowledge.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Assessment of creditworthiness of a client, prospective or existing, by analyzing its business and financial profile.
• Preparation of spreadsheets and credit reports and making clear recommendations on the client proposal.
• Compliance with all internal processes and procedures of SPES.
• Coordination in the preparation of financing agreements and ensuring compliance with the provisions of the sanctioned facility.
• Regular monitoring of existing exposures and highlighting those that have witnessed a deterioration in credit quality.
• Reporting key parameters of the portfolio and suggesting actionables, if any.
• Maintaining relationship with existing clients through regular calls and visits.
• Networking with participants in the financial services industry such as banks, financial institutions, rating agencies, etc.
• Facilitating senior management interaction with clients and other key players in the financial eco system.

Role Head of Credit

Reports to Managing Director, Direct Reports Credit Officer

Requirements and Skills

• Proven working experience as a credit and relationship officer.
• 7+ years of experience in credit evaluation and monitoring.
• Good understanding of financial statements and strong analytical ability to evaluate credit risk.
• Strong understanding of portfolio analysis.
• Experience in writing credit reports.
• Experience in relationship management.
• Chartered Accountants or MBAs will be preferred.

Competences

• Well-developed leadership skills.
• Self-starter with ability to drive the in-country credit function.
• Ability to work within a larger group.
• Excellent people skills.
• Proven experience in credit risk management.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong report writing skills
• Good communication skills.
• Good relationship skills

Interested candidates should please send a cover letter and detailed CV to jobs@spegea.com 

The announcement is taken from here!

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Office/Unit/Project Description

1) Organizational Context

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

2) UNDP’s work on Energy and the Sustainable Energy Hub

UNDP has been a leading advocate and the largest UN implementing agency for the energy transition at global, regional and national levels for several decades. UNDP’s Energy Programme supports policy makers with high quality data to make informed decisions on selecting and designing cost-effective public instruments to promote private investment in clean energy, contributing to SDG 7 and in line with UNDP’s ‘signature solution’ on energy. UNDP has a successful track record in using policy instruments to de-risk and catalyze investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy access projects, including a series of sustainable energy initiatives specifically adapted to the needs (and resilient recovery) of fragile and crisis-impacted countries.

Under the new Strategic Plan (2022-2025), energy is one of UNDP’s six signature solutions – alongside poverty and inequality, governance, resilience, environment, and gender equality – to support countries towards three directions of change: structural transformation, leaving no one behind and resilience. Scaled-up programming efforts on energy access and the energy transition will be coordinated under the newly established Sustainable Energy Hub (SEH), which represents parts of the organization’s systematic and programmatic approach to respond to the energy and climate change agendas. As per UNDP’s new Strategic Plan 2022-2025, the first objective of UNDP is increasing energy access for those furthest behind. By speeding up investment in distributed renewable energy solutions, especially for those hardest to reach and in crisis contexts, it aims to increase access to clean and affordable energy for 500 million people by the year 2025. The Africa Minigrids Programme, for example, is improving the financial viability of renewable energy mini-grids in 18 countries, encouraging private investment, lower tariffs and expanded service.

Second, UNDP will work to accelerate the clean energy transition and access through systems changes that support inclusive, green and resource-efficient economies. This work will capitalize on technological gains, clean energy innovations and new business models in the energy sector.

Through the Sustainable Energy Hub, UNDP will harness networks, experience and innovation to scale-up energy programming efforts and shape policy, building on the existing portfolio of energy projects, covering over 100 countries to harness clean energy and support the energy access and transition as well as on UNDP’s Climate Promise, UNDP’s Sustainable Finance Hub and UNDP’s Digital offer. UNDP will also work with Governments in programme countries as they recover and build forward better from COVID-19 and with investors to unlock and harness public and private finance to power progress towards multiple SDGs.

Finally, recognizing that change will be disruptive, UNDP will strive to ensure that such transitions are just, and that their impact on vulnerable people is understood and duly mitigated.

3) Background on Regional Engagement

To provide country support and work with relevant teams for local action, the Sustainable Energy Hub is structured to work in close contact with UNDP’s Regional Hubs (i.e., Africa, Asia Pacific, Arab States/Middle East & North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe and Central Asia). Therefore, the Regional Energy Specialist will be located at the Regional Centre to which he/she applies.

The Regional Energy Specialist will work closely with  the Regional Team Leaders for Nature, Climate and Energy and other regional specialists in the regional team to advance the sustainable energy agenda, while engaging with country offices in the region and enabling strategic partnerships with regional organizations and partner UN agencies. Therefore, working closely with other regional specialists, the Specialist will provide policy and programme support to: (1) de-risk energy investments; (2) scale up energy finance; (3) promote innovation, technology, and data for sustainable energy, (4) enable SDGs through an inclusive, just energy transition, (5) advance energy access and transition policies and the enabling policy environment e.g. on carbon pricing, energy auditsand fossil fuel subsidy reform; and (6) expand energy access for poor and displaced communities, among other activities.

Based in one of UNDP’s Regional Hubs, the Regional Energy Specialist will be supervised by the Regional Team Leader for the NCE Team (primary supervisor). The person will also work closely with the Director of the Sustainable Energy Hub in UNDP Headquarters (secondary supervisor).

Institutional Arrangement

• The Regional Energy Specialist will be located at the UNDP Regional Hub in Amman, Jordan – RBAS; and will work from the Regional Hub
• The Regional Energy Specialist will work in collaboration with the BPPS/NCE Energy team and the Director of the Sustainable Energy Hub.
• The Regional Energy Specialist will report to, and be directly supervised by, the Regional Team Lead (primary director) and will functionally report to the Director of the Sustainable Energy Hub (secondary supervisor).
• The Regional Energy Specialist will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment.
• The Regional Energy Specialist will be provided a working station (i.e., desk, laptop, docking station, monitor, internet, scanner/printer access, assignment specific software, etc.) through support of the Sustainable Energy Hub.
• Given the global scope of the work to be undertaken during this assignment, the Regional Energy Specialist is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability taking into consideration different time zones.

(1) Innovation, Strategic Leadership, Programme Support and Policy Advice

• Develop and define strategic approaches for UNDP’s work on sustainable energy and climate change mitigation, drawing on UNDP’s existing work under the Sustainable Energy Hub as well as an analysis of the global/regional policy context.
• Support UNDP’s work to assist countries at the regional level in designing energy policies to support energy access priorities  promote the energy transition and foster low carbon growth in the context of their sustainable development efforts, aligned with the service offer under the Sustainable Energy Hub.
• Provide expert advice and support in establishing strategic partnerships and developing new partnerships with UN agencies, donors, NGOs, private sector and other.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of new strategic programming and partnerships in areas of energy access and the energy transition to achieve results set within UNDP’s Strategic Plan, Energy Offer, SIDS Offer, and the work plans of Sustainable Energy Hub and the regional NCE team.
• Collaborate with global, regional, national and sub-national staff to promote UNDP’s de-risking approach and implementation of the corporate sustainable energy strategy.
• Provide support to Regional Hub and Country Office teams in their application of risk management tools across country typologies by answering questions, providing guidance and sharing relevant documents and lessons learned.
• Provide guidance and input on energy policies in UNDP’s Climate Promise initiative.
• Support country offices in developing and implementing strategic energy policy frameworks, as well as policy-related interventions in energy programmes and projects.
• Work collaboratively with the mitigation, adaptation and climate and disaster risk management policy staff to identify policy issues regarding the implementation of energy-related SDGs and the nationally determined contributions (as they relate to energy).
• Apply multi-disciplinary approaches, including through setting up, coordinating, and engaging with other relevant technical teams,  to meet policy and programming needs in line with corporate guidance and standards.

(2) Policy Positioning and Representation

• Under the guidance of the Regional Team Leader, mobilize, foster and strengthen strategic partnerships with UN entities,  and other relevant bodies at the regional level, and provide inputs to those partnerships in support of UNDP initiatives;
• Prepare briefing notes and speeches. Advocate the importance of the thematic area in various fora at the regional level, including academia and civil society, with a view to deepen related political commitment and related reforms.
• Support Regional Team Leader in engagement in UN interagency coordination in relevant policy areas by organizing and participating in regional meetings.
• Provide regional support to UNDP’s Sustainable Energy Hub, where needed.

(3) Research and Knowledge Management

• Provides substantive inputs for HQ policy briefs/position papers prepared in collaboration with other practices that address links between energy and development concerns.
• Coordinate and conduct analysis of data, case evidence and research findings to distill relevant lessons from regional projects and programmes to inform policy formulation and guidance and other products.
• Develop relevant analysis on issues related to energy, including on emerging issues of significance to the region, and contribute to new research, technical paper or reports, as needed by the Regional Hub and/or the Sustainable Energy Hub.
• Collect and compile information on the energy profiles of countries in the region, including key indicators and policies, and identify areas of strategic significance for programming and policy work.
• Support the development of sustainable energy policies and tools, including for crisis contexts (where relevant, as these efforts may vary by region).
• Coordinate team contributions and support to corporate Knowledge Management activities, at region-specific level to help influence/advance policy dialogue in the thematic area in collaboration with policy teams at HQ and in Regional Hubs.
• Contribute regional energy insights and programming priorities to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Coordinate and perform knowledge extraction, analysis, documentation, codification of results/lessons learned in the specific thematic area and verify that knowledge sharing and content management is in line with guidelines and performed using corporate tools.
• Contribute, and coordinate as requested, substantive inputs for energy programming outputs (e.g. work-plans, project documents, inception missions, workshops, technical working papers, methodologies).

Read about competencies, and required skills and experience here!

The post Job Opportunity// Regional Energy Specialist for the Arab States/Middle East and North Africa – IPSA 11 – Office-based appeared first on WEF Nexus.

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is looking for enthusiastic students to tackle Africa’s food, water and climate change challenges through research and development under the Institute’s internship program. These interns will work closely with CGIAR scientists and country partners to gain exposure and enhance their skills in research for development. Through this internship, enthusiastic individuals will be able to develop bottom-up polycentric governance processes that provide opportunities for self-organization and learning across systems, and independent decision-making for adaptation planning and implementation at the local level. As part of the CGIAR Building Systemic Resilience Against Climate Variability and Extremes (ClimBeR) initiative, the interns will work closely with the ClimBeR Work Package 4 team (Governance for Resilience [G4R]) to conduct a detailed scoping study (including a systematic literature review); and develop an integrated theoretical framework that combines institutional, social and policy network approaches to promote socially equitable transformative adaptation, in order to support the implementation of sustainable strategies in response to climate change.

The ClimBeR initiative will work closely with country partners in Senegal, Zambia, Guatemala, Kenya, Morocco and the Philippines to integrate bottom-up multi-scale polycentric governance frameworks for reducing systemic cascading risks, and co-demonstrate transformative adaptation options with relevant actors to illustrate applicability across scale to target local investment. There are several internship opportunities within the ClimBeR initiative to work closely with a team of researchers on a range of activities including the following:

• Review and document existing and proposed policies related to climate, water and food at multiple scales and multi-sector levels.
• Review institutional capacity and implement already developed frameworks, ensuring appropriate multi-scale governance and accountability in bottom-up processes to enable transformative adaptation.
• Assist in the development of a polycentric framework for potential climate adaptation plans, integrating resilience and adaptive capacity for transformative adaptation.
• Review the anticipatory action governance structures for adaptation in socio-ecological systems, and assess how organizations and government agencies anticipate changes to vulnerable ecosystem services (e.g., water) in the priority countries of the ClimBeR initiative and adapt governance structures accordingly.
• Co-conceptualize an early warning to early action and early finance (AWARE) framework and implement it to increase food and nutrition security of vulnerable households.

Qualifications, exposure and skills:

• MSc or PhD or students who have recently graduated in social sciences or a related discipline (sociology, public policy, community development, innovation systems, climate adaptation, or development economics).
• Experience in using a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods and participatory approaches to design and conduct field research within a systems thinking context.
• Experience in policy engagements and advocacy.
• Ability to communicate research findings in English and/or French.
• Experience in using quantitative (e.g., STATA, SPSS) and qualitative (e.g., NVivo, ATLAS.ti) data analysis software.
• Solid working knowledge of English and French (preferable).

The interns will be based at one of IWMI’s offices (Accra, Ghana; Cairo, Egypt; or Colombo, Sri Lanka), or will work remotely in any of the priority countries of the ClimBeR initiative, depending on the prevailing Covid-19 conditions. Successful candidates will receive a monthly stipend.

The duration of the internship will be for 6 months, and the level of effort is approximately 20 hours per week.

To apply, visit www.iwmi.org/jobs. Applications must be submitted by 24:00 (Colombo time) on March 31, 2022 (Thursday).

Click here to apply!

Based out of headquarters in Colombo, Sri Lanka or at one of the institute’s major regional offices in Africa.

Closing Date – March 31, 2022

This announcement is available here!

The post Job Opportunity// Governance for Resilience (G4R) – Internship Program appeared first on WEF Nexus.