Climate resilient livelihood expert (agronomist/forestry specialist)

Background

The Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources in partnership with UNOPS Kenya office has designed a project aimed at climate change adaptation and sustainable use of natural resources in rural areas of Kenya through the eco-village model. Climate change is one the greatest challenges facing the world today and Kenya is already experiencing the impact of climate change as witnessed in the constant drought occurrences as well as floods, crop failure and environmental degradation through deforestation among others.

The project introduces the eco-villages, which have been named in the United Nations’ top 100 listing of Best Practices as excellent models of sustainable living. Eco-villages are human settlements in which human activities are integrated into the natural environment with minimal harm, while considering economic, social and environmental principles. This proposed response not only brings climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability to the grassroots and community level, but also encourages sustainable livelihoods.

The project will mitigate climate change associated risks to food security and livelihoods in 50 vulnerable communities established as a network of eco-villages. Given the scope of the project, implementation will be performed in three successive phases: 
i) feasibility and preparatory assessment phase 
ii) a pilot phase on 5 selected villages 
iii) a roll out phase to the 50 foreseen eco-villages. 

The selected candidate will be part of a team of technical experts who will complete the first phase of this project, the feasibility and preparatory assessment phase. The second and third phase of this project will be implemented once the required additional funding is secured.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of designated official at UNOPS, the selected candidate will be an eon agronomy and forestry and must have a strong knowledge of climate change adaptation programming with respect to agriculture, ideally in the Kenyan context. A sound knowledge of the other components of the project (alternative energy, livelihoods, water, and livestock) and work experience on similar projects would also be beneficial. The Agronomist/Forestry Specialist will be required to perform the following duties and responsibilities

- Work with the project team towards determining
• A locally suitable model for eco-villages that include adaptation to climate change as a core element
• A selection of suiable sites for pilot villages

- Develop community-driven adaptation strategies that increase crop production through diversification of crops and adoption of technologies resistant to changing environmental conditions. This will include
• Identification of crops resistant to changing environmental conditions and suitable for the local context
• Work with other project team members on development/rehabilitation of irrigation systems

- Determine location and feasibility of establishing
• Protected forests, to preserve water catchment areas and natural habitats
• Community plant nurseries integrated with sound water management
• Community-based plantations of local plant species

- Identification of traditional agricultural practices or other livelihood strategies in the community to cope with climatic variations, including economic parameters + incorporation of these practices/strategies into project planning

- Provide technical guidance in the broader areas of agriculture program identification and assessment in the face of climate change and its impact on food security

- Conduct multi-stakeholder consultations to identify and confirm all adaptation options including their costs, benefits and risks
 
- Together with the Project Manager, develop a detailed framework (tasks, activities, responsibilities, timelines) for the successful implementation of Phase II of the project

- Assess and analyze existing farming systems (inc. sales) 

- Identification of agricultural inputs and other materials and supplies, including cost-estimates, necessary to improve agriculture resilience in line with the anticipated adaptation and mitigation measures

- Provide cross-sectoral technical support to all other project members

- Actively participate in planned workshops by providing concrete technical recommendations for survey design; potential assessment locations; a sound community approach; identification of risks/challenges and mitigations 

- Develop a succinct, quality report that covers
• All above indicated agriculture/forestry componets of a model for eco-villages
• Recommendations, agreed with other technical members of the project team, on locations of pilot eco-villages
• Analysis and detailed description of how farmers and households can be more adapted to climate change variations, including associated costs
• Cost estimates for both infrastructure and software componets
• A determination of whether the agriculture/forestry component is a useful, cost-effective, and environmentally sound part of this project
• Assist with review relevant sections of existing logical framework

Required Selection Criteria

Competencies

- Ability to transfer analytical results into simple and workable project activities
- Work experience with government projects helpful 
- Extensive knowledge, experience and skills in agriculture programming, particularly assessment experience
- Demonstrated experience in agriculture/forestry field studies/research
- An understanding of rural development theory and practice
- Excellent communication skills in English with Swahili as an added advantage
- Ability to work as part of a team in a fast-paced professional environment
- Excellent time management skills, with an ability to deliver high-quality outputs on time
- Willingness to travel extensively in rural areas

Academic Qualifications/Experience/Language

- Advanced University degree in environment, agriculture, forestry, agronomy. Additional years of relevant work experience, preferably in combination with a relevant bachelor’s degree, may substitute for the requirement for a master’s degree
- At least 5 years experience in both agronomy and forestry (ideally in the Kenyan context)
- Climate change adaptation (ideally in the East African / Kenyan context)
- Ability to assess agriculture/forestry assets and their vulnerability to present and future climate impacts
- The candidate must be thoroughly proficient in written and spoken English.

Additional Considerations

- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
- Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.