The U.S. Mission in Accra, Ghana is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for the position of Regional Biodiversity & Climate Change Advisor in the Regional Economic Growth Office of USAID/West Africa.

USAID/West Africa has expanded its activities in climate change adaptation and mitigation. The Regional Biodiversity and Climate Change Advisor will provide expert technical input and policy advice on a broad range of issues related to the USG’s global climate change (GCC) initiative, biodiversity, water-sanitation-hygiene (WASH), and natural resource management (NRM). He/she will coordinate with the technical programs of USAID/West Africa, USAID Missions in ‘presence’ and ‘non-presence’ countries, USAID/Washington, U.S. Embassies, more broadly with US Government (USG) agencies, ECOWAS and its member institutions, as well as other African institutions and conventions such as the Mano River Union and the Abidjan Convention

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:

•   USAID/West Africa has expanded its activities in climate change adaptation and mitigation. The Regional Biodiversity and Climate Change Advisor (the ‘Advisor’) will provide expert technical input and policy advice on a broad range of issues related to the USG’s global climate change (GCC) initiative, biodiversity, water-sanitation-hygiene (WASH), and natural resource management (NRM).

•   He/she will coordinate with the technical programs of USAID/West Africa, USAID Missions in ‘presence’ and ‘non-presence’ countries, USAID/Washington, U.S. Embassies, more broadly with US Government (USG) agencies, ECOWAS and its member institutions, as well as other African institutions and conventions such as the Mano River Union and the Abidjan Convention

•   The overall aim will be to advance USAID’s environment strategies, including climate change, to mainstream climate change into development planning, and to work with all technical teams to incorporate environmental considerations into their portfolios of technical programs. He/she will assist with designing and managing the implementation of contracts, grants, implementation letters and/or inter-agency agreements. The ‘Advisor’ will work with other team members concerned with NRM, biodiversity, climate change, WASH and environmental impact assessment. The position is based in Accra, Ghana with the USAID/West Africa Regional Economic Growth Office, Environment Team.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES % OF TIME

Program Planning, Development and Technical Support (40%)

1. Serve as a key regional technical and analytical "focal point" for USAID’s Biodiversity programs,
particularly for forestry, wildlife anti-trafficking, and Climate Change Initiative (CCI) programs,
including providing timely information on emerging biodiversity and climate problems, actions,
resources and needs.

2. Maintain collaborative and team working relationships with USAID field missions in ‘presence and non-presence’ countries in West Africa and USAID/Washington on strategic planning, development, implementation and reporting of environment, biodiversity and climate change activities, including those that mitigate wildlife trafficking, deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, promote and advance REDD+ and that contribute to adaptation to climate change across sectoral portfolios; e.g., Biodiversity, Integrated Water Resource management/WASH, trade/Investment, Health, Education and Peace/Security.

3. Serve as a key regional technical and analytical "focal point" for Biodiversity and climate change affairs, including:

•   Provide timely information on emerging biodiversity and climate change problems, actions, resources and needs;
•   Provide expert technical assistance, training, and leadership at the highest levels to West Africa regional organizations and bilateral USAID missions within the West Africa region, and periodically other parts of Africa, regarding biodiversity and climate change and related policies, program and activity planning, evaluation and dissemination of results; and
•   Serve as a resource to USAID Bureaus, Missions, Offices and staff in planning and finalizing procurements in the environment sector and in sectors with programs having potential negative impacts on the environment or human health.

4. Serve as a resource to USAID Bureaus, Missions, Offices and staff in planning and finalizing procurements with the aim of ensuring environmental awareness and considerations are taken into account and of responding or adapting to biodiversity threats and climate change as appropriate. The Advisor will bring expertise to bear in identifying new opportunities, in designing solicitations and will participate in the technical review of applications and proposals.

5. Provide USAID liaison and leadership at the highest levels with governmental and nongovernmental development partners, stakeholders, clients and customers concerning environment issues and climate change response in policies and related issues within the West Africa region.

6. Work closely with Agency and any Regional Global Development Alliance advisors to create and expand public-private sector partnerships to achieve and sustain greater developmental impacts in environmental improvements and climate change mitigation. In addition to environmental impact, opportunities in the realm of carbon finance will be evaluated in light of equity and how they might provide incentives for securing access and rights to natural resources and public environmental benefits.

7. Provide briefings to visitors to USAID/WA and to the press on the status of USAID’s climate adaptation and mitigation-related activities and on climate change issues in the region.

8. Represent USAID/WA at meetings, workshops and conferences organized by various organizations, including other donors and international organizations. If called for, the ‘Advisor’ will prepare and deliver presentations relating to biodiversity and climate change at these venues.

9. Work collaboratively with technical teams in USAID Missions to prepare reports on the status of each Mission’s activities regarding biodiversity and climate change and how programs advance USAID’s overall environment strategies.

10. Provide technical assistance in the identification, design and development of regional and bilateral
biodiversity and climate change policies and regulations. To this end, the ‘Advisor’ will work to strengthen host country capacities in biodiversity and climate-sensitive program design/assessment, monitoring and evaluation. As a secondary priority, the ‘Advisor’ will promote the flow and use of information and analyses for biodiversity conservation and climate change policy formulation in West Africa.

Program Management (30%)

•   The ‘Advisor’ will be required to prepare activity approval and pre-obligation documentation as part of the activity development process. The ‘Advisor’ will serve as a requestor in the USG’s new ‘Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS)’. He/she will serve as a Contracting/Agreement Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR), provide administration and oversight for biodiversity and climate change adaptation and mitigation activities, including monitoring activities through site visits and the review of work plans and progress reports; ensuring
compliance with USAID’s ‘Environmental Procedures’ (22CFR216) and environmentally sound design (ESD); track expenditures and accruals against obligations.

•   The ‘Advisor’ will make recommendations to implementing partners to increase project impact and enhance sustainability and will monitor project results. He/she will draft official USAID documents required for reporting the status of activities, such as the Annual Operational Plans, Performance Plan and Review, action memoranda, and procurement documents. He/she may be called on to lead the development of the performance monitoring plan for adaptation and mitigation-related activities including data quality assessments and ensure activities achieve
planned results. The ‘Advisor’ may document developmental impacts and resolve any implementation issues in an efficient and professional manner.

•   As a member of the USAID/West Africa Environment Team, the ‘Advisor’ will help prepare subject matter documentation for and participate in Environment strategic planning sessions and portfolio reviews, annual reports, environmental compliance reports, Congressional Budget Justifications and other reporting documentation.

Mentoring and Training (15%)

•   Identify, develop, promote, and conduct training activities that address key technical, programmatic and policy issues and that increase the technical competence of personnel in biodiversity and climate change as related to agriculture, health, infrastructure and other USAID investment sectors. The target audience for these training activities will be USAID Missions, NGOS, PVOs and host-country government representatives in the West Africa region.
•   Prepare/deliver, if required, training manuals and related information on emerging issues in biodiversity conservation and climate change sectors on best practice in adaptation/mitigation; and conduct regular training courses on the same.
•   Provide technical backstopping and on-the-job training to professionals, scholars and scientists collaborating in regional research and policy networks on topics related to biodiversity conservation and climate change.
•   Mentor and train staff in USAID/WA and in bilateral missions on biodiversity conservation and climate change response and in programming USAID resources toward climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Knowledge Management (15%)

•   Collect and serve as a source of information on biodiversity, forest conservation and climate information, climate response, and emerging policy issues in the W/Africa region. Keep abreast of reports and data available from regional initiatives in the biodiversity and climate change sectors funded by USAID, the World Bank, the African Development Bank and other donors. Organize these findings into reports, computer files and memos appropriate for informing technical specialists and related policy decision-makers within and outside of USAID. As appropriate, disseminate these and other relevant findings within USAID, to West Africa governments, private
sector organizations and other donors and also provide feedback on these efforts and make necessary changes as needed to better inform decision-makers.

•   Take responsibility for the preparation and dissemination of information on issues, accomplishments and worldwide best practices in biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation and mitigation to Mission staff, USAID/Washington and implementing partners. Prepare and disseminate reports as required on the impact and results of region-wide NRM activities as related to other sectors and initiatives (e.g., Tropical Forestry, Biodiversity and Climate Change, Agriculture).

•   Work closely with Development Outreach and Communication specialists to document success stories in improving biodiversity conservation and adaptation and mitigation responses.

Qualification Required & Experience

Applicants must address each required qualification listed below with specific information supporting each item. Failure to do so may result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified.

A. Education: Completion of Post-graduate degree - MSc/MA - in an environmental, ecological, biological, climate or agricultural science, engineering or other relevant discipline is required.

B. Prior Work Experience: At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in technical, scientific and policy issues in two or more of the following technical areas: i) climate change adaptation/mitigation; ii) integrated water resources management, including watershed management, impacts from dams, and environmental flows; iii) environmental impact assessment; iv) biodiversity conservation; v) sustainable natural resources use and conservation; vi) diversified livelihoods for natural resource-dependent communities; vii) public policy and financing, including carbon financing; viii) environmental regulations and enforcement; or ix) other technical areas related to assessing vulnerability to climate change and the design of adaptation and mitigation measures in response to projected impacts. Of total experience (professional and research), five
(5) years of documented experience in some aspect of climate change. Of total experience
(professional and research), five (5) years of experience must be in a developing country with
experience in Africa.

C. Language Proficiency: An S-4/R-4 level in English and an S-4/R-4 level in French are required. Must have a demonstrated ability to function as a technical specialist in francophone countries, e.g. conduct environment-related training, participate in meetings and provide technical assistance in the French language.

D. Job Knowledge: Must have broad knowledge of international development programs and policies relating to NRM and climate change within key development sectors - biodiversity Conservation, integrated water resource management/WASH, health and agriculture.

•   Must have detailed knowledge of technical, scientific and policy issues in two or more of the following technical areas, including climate change adaptation/mitigation; integrated water resources management, including watershed management, impacts from dams, and environmental flows; environmental impact assessment; biodiversity conservation; sustainable natural resources use and conservation; diversified livelihoods for natural resource-dependent communities; public policy and financing, including carbon financing; environmental regulations and enforcement; or other technical areas related to assessing vulnerability to climate change and the design of adaptation and mitigation measures in response to projected impacts.

•   Demonstrated ability to effectively plan, strategize, direct, administer, monitor and supervise effective climate-focused programs is required. Demonstrated skills in integrating the social, economic, and environmental aspects in development assistance programming, and the processes that underlie sustainable governance will be required. Other required skills include: project design, implementation and grant and contract management, financial management, performance monitoring and evaluation.

•   Must have analytical ability and skill in interpreting public policies and assisting in the revision of policies as required to improve the enabling environment for climate change programming across sectors related to sustainable economic development; Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multi-cultural setting; Demonstrated ability to work on his/her own, as a member of a team or office and as a mentor to junior staff and to achieve consensus on policy, project and administrative matters, effectively motivate and train staff, understand basic human needs, respect national pride and sensitivity of others. Must have the ability to work effectively under pressure to carry out specific results-oriented tasks in developing countries given constraints in time, information, and logistical support and experience supervising and/or leading teams of professionals.

•   Excellent verbal and written communication skills, tact, and diplomacy are required to make and maintain productive contacts with senior government officials, non-governmental and private sector officials, advise senior USAID and US Embassy officials, negotiate activity plans and resolve activity implementation issues with counterparts, partners and team members and to prepare regular and ad hoc reports, activity documentation and briefing papers.

•   Must have good computer skills (word processing, spreadsheet applications and PowerPoint) are necessary to plan against objectives and targets and to report progress and achievements. Demonstrated strong English writing and analytic skills are necessary to meet tight deadlines with clear and effective reports and analyses. Language proficiency will be tested.

Salary Range: Development Grade FSN-10 = GH¢ 63,369.00 – GH¢ 95,060.00 and FSN–11= GHC77, 305.00 – 115, 970 p. a; (depending on qualification and experience).

Location: Accra

How to Apply for The Job

Interested individuals should submit a signed cover letter, certificates and CV with references to:

Regional Executive Office
USAID/West Africa
P.O. Box 1630, Accra

Or by Email to:

acpersonnel@usaid.gov

Closing Date: 04 January, 2017

Note: Applicants must address each required qualification listed above with specific information supporting each item to be eligible for consideration. When submitting your application via email, start the subject line with the position title. Failure to state this and submit signed letter with required documents will result in a determination that the applicant is not qualified. No relocation expenses are provided to the job location, Accra-Ghana. If transportation to Accra is required, it will be the employee’s responsibility.