Climate Resilience Specialist

August 20, 2024
Urgent
Application deadline closed.

Job Description

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA

MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS

SKILLS FOR EMPLOYABILITY, INCLUSION AND PRODUCTIVITY (SEIP) PROJECT

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTING SERVICES)

Social Sector

Financing Agreement reference: 2100155042177

Project ID No.: P-SO-IAO-002

Somalia, situated in the Horn of Africa, is highly susceptible to the adverse impacts of climate change. The nation experiences recurrent and severe climate-related disasters, including prolonged droughts, devastating floods, and extreme temperature variations. These events have far-reaching consequences, affecting agricultural productivity, water availability, food security, and the overall livelihoods of millions of Somalis. Given the country’s dependency on natural resources, the effects of climate change exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, making it imperative to build resilience across all sectors.

The Climate Resilience Specialist will be instrumental in supporting the National Transformation Plan (NTP) 2025-2029 by developing and implementing strategies to enhance Somalia’s resilience to climate change. This role focuses on promoting sustainable natural resource management, disaster risk reduction, and community resilience, ensuring that Somalia can adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. The specialist will work closely with government agencies, international partners, and local communities to create robust frameworks and initiatives that address both immediate and long-term climate challenges.

The importance of climate resilience in Somalia cannot be overstated. The country’s economy is predominantly agrarian, with a significant portion of the population engaged in agriculture, livestock rearing, and fishing. These sectors are highly sensitive to climatic variations, making the livelihoods of a vast majority of Somalis precarious. By enhancing climate resilience, Somalia can safeguard its food security, protect its natural resources, and ensure sustainable development. This involves not only addressing the direct impacts of climate events but also integrating climate considerations into national planning and policy-making processes.

The role of the Climate Resilience Specialist is therefore critical in driving forward Somalia’s agenda for sustainable development. By focusing on innovative and evidence-based approaches, the specialist will contribute to the creation of a resilient society capable of withstanding and thriving amidst climate challenges. This includes developing adaptive strategies, promoting renewable energy, improving water management, and supporting the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. The specialist will also engage in capacity-building initiatives to empower local communities and institutions, ensuring that resilience efforts are sustainable and community-driven.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the Climate Resilience Specialist are to:

Develop and implement strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Promote sustainable natural resource management practices.
Enhance disaster risk reduction and management capabilities.
Build community resilience to climate-related shocks.
Key Responsibilities

Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
Strategic Planning: Develop and implement comprehensive climate change adaptation strategies that are aligned with national development goals and international climate commitments.
Sustainable Practices: Promote the adoption of renewable energy sources and sustainable practices across key sectors, including agriculture, water management, and infrastructure development.
Vulnerability Assessments: Conduct climate vulnerability assessments to identify and prioritize areas and communities most at risk from climate change impacts.
Natural Resource Management
Policy Development: Develop policies and frameworks for sustainable natural resource management, ensuring the conservation and sustainable use of land, water, and biodiversity.
Community Engagement: Facilitate community-based natural resource management initiatives, empowering local communities to take active roles in conserving their environment.
Capacity Building: Conduct training programs to enhance the capacities of local institutions and communities in sustainable resource management and climate resilience.
Disaster Risk Reduction
Risk Assessment and Planning: Strengthen disaster risk reduction and management systems through comprehensive risk assessments and the development of robust emergency response plans.
Early Warning Systems: Develop and implement early warning systems to provide timely and accurate information on potential climate-related hazards, enabling proactive risk management.
Preparedness Training: Conduct disaster preparedness training programs for communities, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to respond effectively to emergencies.
Community Resilience Building
Resilience Programs: Implement programs that enhance the resilience of communities to climate shocks, including the promotion of climate-resilient agricultural practices and infrastructure.
Climate Finance Access: Facilitate access to climate finance for vulnerable communities, supporting the implementation of adaptation projects and resilience-building initiatives.
Public Awareness: Conduct public awareness campaigns to educate communities about climate change and the importance of resilience-building measures.
Skills and Qualifications
The ideal candidate for the Climate Resilience Specialist position should possess the following qualifications:

Educational Background: A master’s degree in environmental science, Climate Change, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
Professional Experience: A minimum of 7 years of experience in climate resilience and natural resource management, with a proven track record of implementing successful initiatives.
Technical Skills: Strong understanding of climate policies, adaptation and mitigation strategies, and best practices in natural resource management.
Analytical Skills: Excellent analytical skills to assess climate risks, develop strategic solutions, and evaluate the impact of initiatives.
Communication Skills: Strong communication and report-writing skills to effectively convey information to various stakeholders and prepare comprehensive reports.
Collaboration Skills: Proven ability to work collaboratively with government officials, local communities, and international partners to achieve common goals.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs now invites eligible individual consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested individual consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services by sending his/her CVs and Cover letter.

Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s Procurement Framework dated October 2015, which is available on the Bank’s website at http://www.afdb.org. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs is under no obligation to shortlist any individual consultants who expresses interest.

Attachments
REOI Climate Resilience Specialist EOI-Indivitual consultant .docx
How to apply
Intrested Individuals should sent their CVs and Cover letter Electronically to the address below by 5th September 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (Midnight EAT) and mention ‘‘Climate Resilience Specialist.”

Attn: SEIP Procurement Specialist

Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs

Street address: Juba Road, Shingaani District

Address: Head Quarter, Shingaani – Mogadisho – Somalia

E-mail: seipprocurement@molsa.gov.so