Technical Specialist – Climate Adaptation, Eastern Africa

Fauna & Flora

At Fauna & Flora, our shared purpose is to protect the diversity of life on Earth, for the survival of the planet and its people. We work closely with local conservation partners around the world to save nature, together. We harness this collective expertise to inspire positive change globally.

Africa Programme

Working closely with local partners, Fauna & Flora currently operates in 13 countries in West, Central, East and Southern Africa, and is implementing a range of projects focused on species and habitat conservation, biodiversity planning, protected area management, institutional development and capacity building, sustainable use and community-focused wildlife management initiatives.

Uganda Programme

Fauna & Flora has been working in Uganda, supporting local partners to protect key habitat and species, virtually since our foundation well over a century ago. We opened an office in Kampala and established a formal country programme in 2010. Through our work in Uganda, we have piloted an innovative approach to protected area management that demonstrated how cultural values could be integrated in order to improve outcomes both for conservation and the well-being of communities.

We’ve also helped to establish community-conserved areas on the western fringes of Lake Victoria that link up with national legislation to formally protect areas that are important for communities while also safeguarding biodiversity. Today, our work in Uganda focuses on building on our successes with mountain gorillas, through the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP), and community-based restoration of ecological corridors between chimpanzee forests blocks in Uganda’s Albertine Rift.

In Uganda, Fauna & Flora has been working to improve habitat connectivity in the Ugandan Albertine Rift, since 2013, focusing on the Budongo-Bugoma landscape and habitat connectivity between four Central Forest Reserves (CFRs; Budongo and Mukihani, Wambabya and Bugoma). Fauna & Flora’s approach has been to implement community-based restoration of ecological corridors to improve habitat connectivity between the four CFRs working with Private Forest Owners’ Associations (PFOAs) from Bulyango, Bulimya-Kidoma and Kasenene Parishes. In parallel, we’ve worked to ensure that these communities benefit from diversified incomes and reduced human-wildlife conflict by developing sustainable agroforestry and enterprise initiatives and applying human-wildlife conflict mitigation strategies. Going forward, the framing will be broadened, focusing on the importance of the project area in building resilience to climate change impacts through the protection and restoration of biodiversity, critical ecosystems and improved ecological connectivity, underpinned by locally led, ecosystem-based adaption to climate change.

South Sudan Programme

Fauna & Flora began working in what is now South Sudan at our foundation in 1903, when concern for the future of the area’s wildlife provided the catalyst for the founding of our organisation. Since then, we have gained decades of experience in navigating conservation activities in areas of conflict and post-conflict and continue to work with partners in South Sudan to protect the country’s biodiversity. Our work centres around supporting local communities and the Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism to improve the sustainable management of natural resources, with a focus on three key protected areas – Southern National Park and Bire Kpatuo and Bangangai Game

Reserves – combatting illegal wildlife trade and unsustainable resource extraction, while protecting habitats and the species living within them. Conservation here, and around the world, is most effective when we utilise local expertise, and when activities benefit the people who live there.

Climate & Nature Linkages Team

The Climate and Nature Linkages (CNL) team support Fauna & Flora project teams and partners (including NGOs, governments, communities and corporates) to design and implement high quality, locally appropriate Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to climate change that create measurable benefits for nature, climate and people. To achieve this, the CNL team works to support our projects and partners to integrate climate change mitigation and adaptation approaches within conservation design and implementation, and to access climate finance. In 2024 we launched a significant expansion of our work to build capacity and scale up action to assess and respond to climate risk, through the use of locally-led, ecosystem-based adaptation approaches.

Fauna & Flora is currently working with local communities and partner organisations across several geographies, including grassland, tropical forest, coastal and freshwater ecosystems, to assess climate change vulnerability of these critical ecosystems and the local communities living in and around them, and to work to enhance climate resilience. Some projects have conducted climate risk and vulnerability assessments using the latest science and participatory approaches (as with communities around the Pemba Channel in Tanzania), while others are already demonstrating the positive impact of targeted climate adaptation activities – as on Ometepe Island in Nicaragua. In collaboration with regional and cross-cutting teams we aim to significantly scale up this work and drive transformational change in the institutional capacity of Fauna & Flora and our partners to respond proactively, and adapt, to climate change.

The Opportunity

This role will work at the heart of efforts to advance lasting conservation impact in the face of climate change. Fauna & Flora launched a new initiative to implement a systematic and catalytic approach to integrating climate risks into Fauna & Flora projects, and to support the development of locally appropriate adaptation solutions that respond to local needs and opportunities. We are seeking a qualified candidate to join the team to support the delivery of this exciting and ambitious programme of work. The role will be based in Uganda and primarily support Fauna & Flora’s work in Uganda, with additional support to Fauna & Flora’s work in South Sudan and across similar contexts in Africa.

You will provide technical and operational support for project delivery through the entire adaptation cycle (from planning to implementation), including research, conducting climate risk and vulnerability assessments, engaging communities and other key stakeholders, organising workshops and fieldwork, supporting fundraising and contributing to capturing evidence and knowledge exchange with Fauna & Flora’s teams and partners. The post will suit an individual with excellent organisational and communications skills; and experience in and a passion for biodiversity conservation and grassroots action on climate change.

The successful candidate will have proven experience in implementing ecosystem-based adaptation approaches with a focus on sustainable agricultural livelihood development and empowering local actors to lead sustainable and effective adaptation to climate change at the local level. You should be adept at understanding different stakeholders' viewpoints to help identify solutions to obstacles and challenges. A self-motivated individual, you will be committed to producing the highest quality of work. Your excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills will enable you to build strong working relationships with colleagues across Fauna & Flora and partner NGOs and support effective delivery of an ambitious programme of work.

Terms and Conditions

Start Date: As soon as possible

Duration of Contract: Two-year contract with potential to extend or make permanent depending on funding

Probation Period: Six months

Gross Salary: USD 30,830 per annum

Location: Fauna & Flora’s office in Kampala, Uganda. With regular travel to field sites, and regional travel within East Africa as required.

Benefits:

• National appointments – benefits according to local labour law
• Annual leave entitlement of 25 working days, plus national holidays observed in Uganda.
• Medical insurance
• Hours of Work: This is a full-time position, working 40 hours, Monday to Friday inclusive. These hours may vary depending on the requirements of the job in the field.

Reports to: Technical Specialist, Biodiversity & Conservation Monitoring, Africa

Line Manages: No line management responsibilities at present

Key working relationships: Uganda Programme Team (Uganda) South Sudan Programme Team (South Sudan) Africa Regional Team (UK / Africa) Climate & Nature Linkages Team (UK) People & Nature Team (UK)

Purpose:

• To provide climate adaptation technical and operational input to Fauna & Flora’s regional project teams in Uganda (primarily), South Sudan and across similar contexts in Africa. The role will backstop on all technical climate approaches through the entire adaptation cycle (from planning to implementation), working closely with and supported by adaptation specialists in the Climate & Nature Linkages and People & Nature Teams (core Fauna & Flora expert teams). Responsibilities will include undertaking desk-based research, conducting climate risk and vulnerability assessments using participatory approaches and best available science; organising fieldwork and community engagement, capturing and disseminating evidence and learning, facilitating internal and external meetings and travel, and enabling effective compliance with organisational policies and funder requirements;
• To contribute to climate focused fundraising processes, providing input for the Africa regional teams (in collaboration with the Climate & Nature Linkages and Fundraising Teams) to project design, the timely preparation and submission of proposals, proposal reviews as requested and compliance tracking.

Specific duties:

Technical and Development

• Undertake desk-based research, and drafting and proofreading of technical reports, including conducting climate change and climate adaptation related literature reviews for the target site(s)
• Conduct climate vulnerability assessments using participatory approaches (e.g., CARE’s Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis) and build regional Fauna & Flora staff capacity on the same, including organising and coordinating fieldwork
• Provide guidance and technical input to teams in climate risk assessments using USAID’s Climate Risk Screening and Management Tool
• Coordinate and enable adaptation planning processes using Fauna & Flora’s integrated model of locally-led, ecosystem-based adaptation, and build regional Fauna & Flora capacity on the same
• Coordinate and provide technical input on the design, implementation and adaptive management of ecosystem-based adaptation measure(s), and build regional Fauna & Flora capacity on the same
• Identify opportunities and proactively input into the development of funding opportunities to secure access to adaptation focused funding opportunities that will sustain and expand current work across the Africa region, in collaboration with relevant teams and key staff
• Coordinate travel logistics of relevant workshops/events/field activities, working closely with relevant staff and partners to ensure effective implementation, within budget and in line with Fauna & Flora protocols, policies and procedures
• Coordinate delivery of project activities and deliverables against the MACP adaptation work plan, targets, reporting timeline and budget

Information management and reporting

• Ensure information management and documention of key learnings from good practice and approaches including ongoing capturing of evidence and learning from target projects, knowledge exchanges in the relevant internal working groups/meetings on a regular basis, and information dissemination with local partners
• Conduct data collection, analysis and reporting for climate adaptation relevant social and ecological indicators, ensuring accurate and timely information is available for decision-making and project evaluation, and build regional Fauna & Flora capacity on the same
• Contribute to the development of key learning outputs from the project (including supporting translations, as required), and inputting to the production of both internal and external-facing products to strengthen internal and external learning
• Contribute to the development capacity building materials on climate change and nature- based solutions (including ensuring translations, as required)
• Identify and monitor assigned project risks, issues, mitigating activities, communicating and escalating these as required to the line manager(s) and Senior Technical Specialist, Climate Change
• Help ensure appropriate structures and processes are in place for tracking progress, taking into account Fauna & Flora’s approaches and requirements for project implementation, and
• grant terms and conditions. Ensure all relevant fund documentation is up to date and stored in the relevant folders Partnerships
• Establish productive working relationships with the Network of Champions working under the MACP grant and other Fauna & Flora teams across the Africa region to ensure open communication, problem identification and information-sharing
• Facilitate Fauna & Flora partners in Uganda, and South Sudan, to increase representative community participation, climate-resilient agriculture practices, sustainable livelihoods and ownership of climate adaptation initiatives
• Provide guidance and ongoing training and accompaniment to partners on data collection, management, and reporting for adaptation relevant social-ecological indicators pertaining to Fauna & Flora’s projects
• Engage with government representatives, local authorities, community leaders and other relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment of project activities with broader community, climate and nature goals, and to stay informed on relevant policies and developments

Other Activities

• Assist with representation of Fauna & Flora in relevant events and meetings, as required – in coordination with the Senior Technical Specialist, Climate Change
• Undertake any other activities that you may from time-to-time be asked to perform commensurate with skills and experience

Person Specification

Essential Desirable

Skills

• Exceptional interpersonal and intercultural skills, and ability to work effectively with diverse teams and project stakeholders
• Demonstrable skills in information management and stakeholder engagement
• Demonstrable organisational skills
• Attention to detail, analytic skills and ability to support development of technical work to a high standard
• Prioritisation and time management skills, with a structured and methodical approach to work
• Fluency in English (spoken and written) and excellent communication skills
• Computer literate, with good knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Working proficiency in French and/or Portuguese

Knowledge and experience

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent relevant experience (with links to climate change and natural resource management)
• Good knowledge of climate change impacts,
• Higher degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline (with links to climate change and natural resource climate adaptation, nature-based solutions, ecosystem services, and sustainable development
• Experience of implementing ecosystems- based and locally-led/community-based climate adaptation approaches
• Able to demonstrate a good understanding of the socio-economic dimensions of environmental issues, with a particular focus on sustainable agricultural practices
• Experience of conducting climate risk and/or vulnerability assessments using participatory approaches, and a basic understanding of tools (e.g. CARE’s CVCA or USAID’s Climate Risk Screening and Management Tool)
• Experience in conducting community consultations, focus group discussions and/or household surveys/questionnaires
• Experience in undertaking relevant desk- based research, reporting and information management
• Experience of working within and/or with the NGO sector and/or a conservation organisation
• Experience of planning and organising fieldwork (including in remote locations), workshops, and meetings (including providing logistical support) management)
• Knowledge and experience in conservation and/or climate adaptation in Uganda / East Africa
• Experience in supporting proposal development and fundraising

Behavioural qualities

• Commitment to Fauna & Flora’s values
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to deadlines
• Excellent team player, highly collaborative and able to work flexibly and effectively with geographically dispersed teams
• Ability to work independently and use initiative to solve problems
• Willingness to learn and acquire new knowledge/skills
• Flexible and adaptable in evolving work situations

Other

• Entitlement to live and work in Uganda
• Ability to undertake fieldwork and international travel, if required
• Willingness work in remote locations with limited resources and amenities for extended periods of time
• Driving license or willingness to learn, and willingness to drive as part of this role

Fauna & Flora Values

Values underpin who we are and how we act. Just as values shape who we are as individuals, they define us as an organisation, creating the culture of success for which Fauna & Flora is renowned. Our people exemplify our shared values, which are interconnected and interdependent:

• We act with integrity
• We are collaborative
• We are committed
• We are inclusive, supportive & respectful
• We get things done

How to Apply

Applications should consist of the following:

• Covering letter explaining why you are applying, relating your experience and skills to the role
• Full CV
• Contact details for two referees (who will not be approached without your permission) 
• Applications should be submitted electronically to africajobs@fauna-flora.org.

Please mark your application Technical Specialist – Climate Adaptation, Eastern Africa and indicate in your covering letter where you saw the position advertised.

The closing date for applications is 24 November 2024. Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing 2 December 2024.

No agencies please.

Regrettably, due to limited resources and the high number of applications we receive, we are only able to contact short-listed candidates. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.

Applicants with Disabilities

Fauna & Flora encourages applications from individuals with a disability who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If you have special needs in relation to your application, please contact Stella Ajilong, Finance and Operations Manager, Uganda on: Stella.Ajilong@fauna-flora.org 

Fauna & Flora values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity