Technical Advisor for climate science, research and innovation at GIZ Rwanda: Deadline 28 December 2023

Technical Advisor for climate science, research and innovation at GIZ Rwanda: Deadline 28 December 2023

Vacancy Announcement

Technical Advisor for climate science, research and innovation for “Capacity Development for the Implementation of Rwanda’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)” project

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federally owned international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations. The GIZ Office in Kigali covers GIZ’s portfolio in Rwanda and Burundi. GIZ Rwanda/Burundi implements projects on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the European Union and other commissioning authorities in the following priority areas: Sustainable Economic Development, Good Governance, Climate and Energy, Digitalization, Extractive Governance and Peace and Security in the Great Lakes Region.

In March 2022, the Rwandan-German Climate and Development Partnership was signed by the two governments, which includes bilateral projects for technical assistance commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment (MoE) of Rwanda. Under this Partnership, the project “Capacity Development for the Implementation of Rwanda’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)” implemented by GIZ aims to enhance the institutional and financial framework conditions of relevant state and non-state actors in Rwanda for the coordination, implementation, financing and monitoring of the country’s NDCs. Additionally, the project aims to establish and foster gender-responsive cooperation formats to promote and improve evidence-based climate policy advice in cooperation with the scientific community in Rwanda, including by considering evidence-based climate science and research to better inform decisions for the implementation of national climate goals and strategies.

To support the implementation of the NDC project, GIZ Rwanda is recruiting a candidate for the position of Technical Advisor for climate science, research and innovation in Kigali.

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Fixed Term: 12 months (with the possibility of renewal)

Position: One (1)

Start date: 15.02.2024

Under the supervision of the Director of the NDC project, the Technical Advisor for climate science, research and innovation is responsible to: 

A. Key responsibilities

• Contribute to the overall achievement of the objectives and outputs of the NDC project, particularly the output on climate science and research for climate cooperation (SRC) for NDC implementation through capacity development, research and innovation,
• Advise the Project Director and the project team on strategies to establish and sustain evidence-based policy advice regarding climate science and research cooperation,
• Establish and maintain sound relationship with the representatives of the project’s main partner (MoE) and other relevant stakeholders involved in the project,
• Plan, implement and monitor individual activities both independently and in cooperation with other colleagues and/or project partners,
• Follow the national and international development of climate science and research to keep an updated overview of current initiatives in Rwanda and at the regional and international levels and promote regular sharing of experiences,
• Support the involvement of and networking among academic and research institutions in the project to improve data on NDC’s Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV).

B. Specific tasks 

The Technical Advisor performs the following tasks:

1. Technical and policy advice

• Develop and apply together with the project team a strategy for the networking of climate science and research actors in Rwanda in the area of NDC implementation,
• Provide technical and process-related advice to the Ministry of Environment (MoE), the Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA), the Rwanda Meteorology Agency (Meteo Rwanda) and other public and non-public institutions on the integration of climate science and research-related knowledge into selected strategies, policies and plans,
• Advise academic and research institutions as well as relevant civil society stakeholders on knowledge sharing, networking, and communication among them and with the policy level and decision-makers,
• Develop terms of reference (ToR), service contracts, concept notes and other related documentation for the recruitment of national and international consultants to support the project activities in the areas of climate science, research and innovation for NDC implementation,
• Provide technical advice on the integration of a gender dimension into the project’s output on climate science and research for climate cooperation for NDC implementation.

2. Stakeholder coordination and cooperation

• Support the identification of the project partners’ needs and formulate approaches and ways to address them in line with the project’s objectives and Project Director’s advice,
• Advise the Project Director and the project team on the coordination and communication with the MoE and other relevant stakeholders involved in the project,
• Establish sound working relations with partner institutions and relevant stakeholders,
• Identify potential international partners, particularly academic and research institutions, and facilitate exchange between them and Rwandan academic and research stakeholders,
• Define relevant platforms, tools and innovative approaches for the coordination of the project’s stakeholders and the communication between the project and these actors.

3. Knowledge management, communication and reporting

• Support the planning and production of communication-related materials and documentation for the project, such as newsletters, factsheets, policy briefs, concept notes, activity reports, meeting minutes, stakeholder mapping, etc.,
• Support and/or conduct research activities, information gathering and innovative ideas on topics related to climate science, research and innovation for NDC implementation,
• Support the planning, organization, implementation and follow-up of internal and external project meetings, events, workshops, training sessions, travels, etc.,
• Maintain a good flow of communication and information sharing within the project team and between the project and the partners (MoE, line ministries, agencies, civil society, private sector, academia, etc.), including through data collection and management,
• Support knowledge management, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), reporting-related activities as well as knowledge transfer to partners and within GIZ,
• Report regularly to the Project Director on the implementation of project activities.

4. Other duties/tasks

• Support the coordination and implementation of the project activities in accordance with the project objectives, GIZ procedures, rules, quality standards, and existing agreements,
• Support the operationalization of the project and the formulation of project-related action plans while monitoring the budgeting and financial flows of project expenses,
• Participate in the project, GIZ Cluster and GIZ Rwanda-related activities and strategic planning events, such as meetings, team building events, team retreats, etc.,
• Carry out any other relevant tasks for the project as requested by the Project Director.

C. Required Qualifications, Competences and Experience 

Qualification

• University degree (Master’s Degree) in a relevant field such as: natural resources management, environmental sciences (agriculture, forestry, geography, energy, etc.), atmospheric and climate sciences, climatology, environmental policy, sustainable development studies, or any other fields related to climate change and environment.

Professional experience

• In total 5 to 7 years of relevant professional experience in project management in the fields of climate change, climate science, climate research and/or climate policy,
• Experience working with (international) academic and research institutions and climate change-related research and science stakeholders, through scientific conferences and/or projects, planning and presentation of research findings, research cooperation,
• Good knowledge of Rwanda’s climate change, climate science, research and higher educational policies, strategies, legislation, institutional landscape, relevant implementation structures and actors, planning processes, coordination forums, etc.,
• Experience working with Rwandan public institutions in the fields of climate change, climate science, research or innovation (e.g. MoE, REMA, MINAGRI, MeteoRwanda),
• Specific experience and/or expertise in coordinating and implementing cooperation projects and working on stakeholder coordination as well as management in Africa,
• Work experience in advising and/or providing technical, administrative, and project-related support to governmental and/or civil society organisations on climate change,
• Very good knowledge of the international climate change processes under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Paris Agreement,
• Proven experience in managing external (national and/or international) consultants.

Personal competencies

• Very good communication and excellent self-management and coordination skills,
• Self-creativity, proactivity and proper initiative towards the results of the project,
• Excellent ability to share knowledge and experience and to work and deliver high quality work sometimes under time pressure as well as within tight deadlines,
• Be a good team player with teamwork skills including in multicultural environments,
• Strong motivation to work in a multicultural team and environment, including remotely.

Other required knowledge and skills

• Excellent command (oral and written) of English (required). French would be an asset,
• Good knowledge of the use of ICT applications, e.g. MS Office, Outlook, MS Teams,
• Basic or advanced IT knowledge in the areas of data management, databases, technology for innovation, digitalization and/or Artificial Intelligence would be an asset,
• Willingness to develop new skills and competencies as required by the job and tasks,
• Flexibility to support other team members of the project in his/her areas of expertise,
• Ability and availability to travel outside of the place of employment as required.

Interested candidates should submit their application (motivation letter, updated CV, certificates and references) via our electronic job portal by using the button “apply”; until 28^th December 2023 at 4:00 PM. All attachments should be put together in one PDF file not larger than 2 MB. 

GIZ is a signatory of the Diversity Charter. Recognition, appreciation and inclusion of diversity in the company are important to us. All employees shall be valued – regardless of gender and gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, social background, age or sexual orientation. We support equal opportunities and welcome applications from people with disabilities.

This includes the provision of reasonable accommodation, if needed, in order to participate in the job application and interview process and to perform essential job functions. Please let us know, if you have any particular requirements should you be invited for assessment/interview or that you wish us to consider, when considering your application.

Women and persons with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for test and interview. 

GIZ Office Rwanda

KN 41 St. / Nr.17, Kiyovu

P.O. Box 59, Kigali,

Rwanda

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