Livelihoods And Natural Resources Officer Refugee Law Project (RLP)

Position Summary:
To support RLP’s efforts to develop “Livelihood and Climate SMART” adaptation responses to the social and biological impacts of natural resources and to mitigate/ moderate environmental degradation resulting from forced migration and poverty. The Officer supports the implementation of Climate SMART livelihood activities of RLP and will provide strategic advice to RLP’s field projects and programmes on livelihoods and building resilience through capacity building, organisational change and provision of technical support and common tools and methods.

Key Performance Areas
KPA 1: Support to Strategic Positioning
Undertake research (desk and field) to identify livelihood innovations, organise piloting of new context-specific innovations
• Preparing a tool for market monitoring during the implementation of the project
• Implement livelihoods needs and market assessments through focus group discussions, questionnaires, household surveys, Key Informant Interviews and other appropriate methodologies to inform livelihood projects.
• Support the Programme Manager and Project Coordinator/Manager in the design and coordinate the baseline surveys, market assessments, conduct feasibility studies and Identify Livelihood opportunities and supervise the smooth start-up and running of selected livelihood project
Support the establishment of social enterprise projects for RLP and its clientele
• Actively engage in the identification and location of beneficiaries and participate in the beneficiary selection process under the guidance of the Project Manager.
• Provide overall technical expertise and management of all agricultural-related activities.
• Build up the capacity on skill-based innovative sustainable livelihood community models.
• Providing strategic advice on the implications of local, regional, State, National and Natural Resources and Livelihoods policy developments
• Consult and liaise with key stakeholders to establish community mitigation, resilience, and adaptation programmes
• Support the Programme Manager in the effective management of natural resources and emergencies
• Enhance and increase the opportunities for all people in the community to participate in recreational activities
• Protecting and enhancing the natural resources and livelihoods for the benefit of current and future generations

KPA2: Supporting community groups
• Promoting and facilitating refugee and selected vulnerable host community youths’ participation in business planning, cooperative works and post-course activities.
• Providing support to sustainable living groups in the conduct of reduction activities within resource constraints;
• Provide technical direction, leadership and training to the livelihoods beneficiaries on business planning, income generation, group savings and loans, revolving funds, vocational skills training and strengthening of small-scale businesses for the beneficiaries to enhance their self-reliance.
• To conduct household visits, focus group discussions and key informant interviews on livelihood aspects through the guidance of the Project Manager.
• In consultation with local government and other government agencies, manage and implement externally and internally funded projects consistent with RLP’s mitigation and adaptation plans;
• Promoting relevant community programmes and events;
• Investigating general customer requests, generating community project requests where appropriate and monitoring community projects to ensure appropriate action is taken;
• innovative ideas and document and disseminate the best practices on sustainable livelihoods.
• Diversify the livelihood options for the target communities, particularly by introducing activities which add value to the traditional crops/products and technologies

KPA3: Networking
• Explore the need, organise necessary market and value chain research and enhance linkages with the private sector, financial institutions and technical services.
• Engage relevant government departments and relevant stakeholders/partners in the livelihoods projects formulation and implementation.
• Facilitate stakeholder engagements with critical development stakeholders
• Establish strong working relationships with targeted communities, including local leaders and identification of local focal points
• Consultant with stakeholders, undertaking reviews of existing action plans and strategies
• Collaborating with staff from local governments to develop and implement mutually beneficial projects
• Represent RLP in Livelihood Sector and Cluster meetings in the settlements and at the district level and where relevant in other locations
• Ensuring communications to external parties about particular issues, including facilitating external groups’ understanding of RLP’s vision, direction, resource constraints and operating protocols
• Preparing correspondence relating to advise and reports in response to Council and external requests

KPA 4: Reporting
• Document field achievements, innovations, failures, and lessons learned to integrate into project activities and inform project strategy.
• Develop the necessary reports as detailed in the work plan on all activities implemented
• Ensure that all online and offline data capturing and management tools are up-to-date.

Job Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in disciplines related to Economics, Social Anthropology, Social Sciences, Environment, Climate Change.
• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience in the development of environment and management, policy formation and capacity building
• A sound scientific background in climate change, natural resource management or biodiversity and/or the demonstrable ability to master complex scientific issues
• A broad understanding of the various aspects of climate change adaptation methods, tools and frameworks
• Sound experience working on climate change or related environmental issues either in an NGO or the public or private sector
• Knowledge of local government processes and natural resources, and livelihood ted agencies
• Substantial skills and field experience in project and programme design, management, monitoring and evaluation
• Excellent presentation, communication, facilitation and negotiation skills
• Specific expertise in certain aspects of climate change adaptation practice would be welcome, organisational change, climate change science and integration of climate change issues into the design, monitoring and evaluation of projects and programme
• An understanding of climate change and conservation challenges for host communities and refugee camps, with the ability to recognise and work with local and national level priorities to identify linkages, policy and adaptation in practice
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to respect and work well with people from different backgrounds and disciplines
• Ability to work within complex institutional environments
• Proven ability to work as part of a team and as part of a wider network is essential
• The commitment and drive to achieve timely and challenging goals; problem-solving attitude
• Well-developed group facilitation and negotiation skills, with the ability to build and maintain working partnerships
• Proven writing and analytical skills in designing relevant operations; ability to initiate innovative approaches and originality at work, conceptual and strategic thinking skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and in a team environment
• Be self-motivated, versatile and adaptable to different cultures and people
• Basic knowledge of child protection and safeguarding
• Prior experience in working with the forced migration context or other vulnerable communities