Climate Change Officer Job Vacancies – Refugee Law Project (RLP)
Job Title: Climate Change Officer
Organisation: Refugee Law Project (RLP)
Duty Station: Uganda
Reports to: Head of Programmes
About US:
The Refugee Law Project (RLP) is an outreach project of the School of Law, Makerere University. Our Mission is to empower asylum seekers, refugees, deportees, IDPs and host communities to enjoy their human rights and lead dignified lives. The Refugee Law Project has a wide physical presence with offices in Kampala, Hoima, Mbarara, Gulu, Kitgum, Nakivale, Kyangwali, Kiryandongo, Lamwo, Adjumani, Maaji II, Bidibidi (Yumbe), Palorinya (Moyo) and Arua.
Job Summary: To support RLP’s efforts to develop “climate smart” adaptation responses to the social, biological and political impacts of climate change, to mitigate environmental degradation resulting from forced migration and poverty, and to prevent further environmental destruction. The Officer will provide strategic advice to RLP’s field projects and programmes on building resilience to climate change through capacity building, organisational change and provision of technical support and common tools and methods.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic advice on the implications of local, regional, State, National and International climate-change policy developments
- Further develop and refine RLP’s environmental policy, including establishing a mitigation framework that follows an action cycle of completing inventories, establishing reduction targets, formulating a plan to achieve those targets, implementing abatement actions and measuring the success of mitigation initiatives by completing re-inventories
- Ensure community climate-change mitigation, adaptation and prevention action plans are developed and met
- Consult and liaise with key stakeholders to establish community mitigation, adaptation and protection programs
- Work across programmes to develop training activities for community groups, governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, as well as RLP staff
- Organise training for tree-growers association and selected stakeholders on management of trees and other climate change mitigation mechanisms
- Enhance and increase the opportunities for all people in the community to participate in recreational activities
- Organise district inter-school debate competition on climate change and environmental management
- Support selected schools to raise seedlings for distribution and planting in selected field sites and persons with whom MoUs have been signed with
- Organise exchange tour programmes bringing university students and community members on climate change mitigation activities
- Manage reforestation activities and initiatives
- Undertake climate-change related research
- Develop the Compendium of Indigenous Tree Species (CITS) and its annual revisions
- Draft press statements and other publications on climate change issues, as well as developing RLP’s social media presence with regard to environmental issues
- Provide support to sustainable living groups in the conduct of climate-change related
- activities within resource constraints;
- 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;
- Promote relevant community climate-change programs and events;
- Promote, with support from RLP’s legal staff, the creation of and registration of Tree Growers Associations at district level
- Consult with stakeholders, undertaking reviews of existing action plans and strategies including district and national Environmental Impact Assessments and Environmental Audits
- Collaborate with staff from local governments to develop and implement climate change projects that are mutually beneficial
- Ensure communications to external parties in relation to particular issues, including
- facilitating external groups understanding of RLP’s vision, direction, resource constraints and operating protocols
- Prepare correspondence relating to advice and reports in response to Council and external requests
- Attend settlement sector, district, sub-regional, and national coordination meetings on climate change and environment protection
- Communicate and liaise with universities and schools on tree growing initiatives and other climate change activities implemented by RLP
- Develop IEC materials on climate change and environmental protection
- Coordinate activity implementation with respective District Forest Officers, Environmental Officers, and District Disaster Preparedness Team for effective implementation of RLP CC Programmes
- Support RLP’s Fundraising Team in developing funding proposals on Climate Change issues
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- A minimum of three (3) years relevant professional and/or activist experience in 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
- Bachelor or Master’s degree in disciplines related to Environment, Agro-Forestry, Climate Change, and Agriculture
- Sound experience of working on climate change or related environmental issues either in an NGO or the public or private sector
- Knowledge of local government processes and climate change related agencies
- Substantial skills and field experience of project and programme design, management, monitoring and evaluation
- Strong 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 approached and originality at work, conceptual and strategic thinking skills
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and in a team environment
- Self-motivated, versatile and adaptable to different cultures and people
How to Apply:
For all positions listed, please submit an application cover-letter and up-to-date Curriculum Vitae, as well as links to any publications you wish us to consider. Copies of academic credentials are NOT required at this stage.
Applications should be sent by email addressed to the Human Resources Officer at
recruitment@refugeelawproject.org with the title of the position applied for in the subject-line.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates must be in a position to cover their own travel expenses to interview.
Hand copy applications will be accepted for the position of COMMUNITY MOBILISER Only.
Refugee Law Project is a human-rights based organization with strong Anti-Discrimination policies.
We encourage refugees to apply
Deadline: By 11.59pm on Friday 1st November 2019