Program Officer, Food Security and Rural Well-being

The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) seeks a Program Officer for Food Security and Rural Well-being in Nairobi, Kenya. The role involves collaborating with various stakeholders to implement climate adaptation solutions, particularly for smallholder farmers. Responsibilities include evaluating project proposals, supporting advocacy efforts, and organizing events to promote climate resilience. A Master's degree in a relevant field is required.
JOB DETAILS:
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization working to accelerate action on adapting to climate change. We support adaptation solutions at the international and the local levels, partnering with the public and the private sector. Founded in 2018, our global headquarters is hosted by the Netherlands in the largest floating offic...

As a Program Officer, you will report directly to the Global Program Lead, work with team members in the Food Security & Rural Wellbeing Program, and collaborate with other colleagues across different programs in GCA. You will also closely collaborate with officials of multi-lateral development banks and financing institutions including African Development Bank, World Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development, Islamic Development Bank among others) ;technical partner organizations (including the CGIAR, NARS), Think-Tanks and private sector players to mainstream climate adaptation solutions, specifically; upscaling climate-resilient seeds to promote resilience of smallholder farmers in the design and implementation of investment projects. Furthermore, you will play a key role in positioning the GCA as international organization specializing in climate change adaptation.

Responsibilities
Reporting to GCA’s Food Security Global Lead, you will carry out the following:
Programmatic Support
• Participate in the preliminary evaluation of project proposals to assess their feasibility for financial support and/or technical assistance by GCA, including initial screening of projects, carrying out desk reviews, preparing preliminary evaluation notes for presentation to the Global Program Lead
• Contribute to accelerate the transmission of science into practice by linking upstream climate science and the development of adaptation innovations with downstream investments financed by International Financing Institutions, governments, and the private sector.
• Contribute to the implementation of the GCA-TAAT-CGIAR’s partnership to scale up climate adaptation technologies in agricultural investment projects in Africa and beyond
• Strengthen the mainstreaming of digital climate advisory services into the design of agricultural investment projects
• Support the multi-stakeholder advocacy and policy dialogues for incentives and investments targeted to maintain support for resilient seeds and other adaptation solutions at various levels.
• Provide inputs for linkage with the work of other programs of GCA: infrastructure, water, finance, youth employment and climate finance

Events and Outreach Support
• Contribute to convening and hosting of forums and events (training sessions, workshops) to promote climate adaptation to policy makers and other stakeholder and build the resilience of farmers and the associated value chains;
• Contribute to position GCA as a key solutions broker on climate change adaptation for achieving food security in climatic uncertainties in Africa;
• Participate in sector-specific working groups and coordination meetings to ensure the program's alignment with national and international standards.
• Perform additional tasks that may be assigned by the Global Program Lead and senior management of GCA.

REQUIREMENTS
• Master's degree in the climate-agriculture nexus, agricultural economics, international development, development economics, or related fields.
• 3 to 5 years of experience in program management and support, or similar fields.
• Strong understanding of relevant institutions and key players in the agricultural sector.
• Previous work experience in Africa.
• Excellent command of the English language.

Desirable Qualifications:
• Experience working with a development bank or other financing institution.
• Experience in procuring digital climate information and agricultural advisory services.
• Proficiency in French language is highly desired.
• Prior working experience and understanding of CGIAR or other partners.

Required competencies:
• Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated ability to actively engage with key stakeholders.
• Communication Skills: Excellent command of written and spoken English, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and persuasively. French is a plus.
• Adaptability: Thrives in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment, maintaining effectiveness when facing changing tasks and responsibilities.
• Multicultural Collaboration: Proven ability to work collaboratively within diverse teams, respecting and integrating different cultural perspectives.
• Planning and Organizational skills: with a proven track record of managing multiple priorities efficiently.
• A commitment to improve people’s lives through climate resilience and adaptation.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 36

Level of Education: Postgraduate Degree