The US Forest Service, International Programs (USFS/IP) and Management and Engineering Technologies International, Inc. (METI), as a part of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Malawi REDD+ Program, seeks a full-time REDD+ Advisor to work with the Malawi Department of Forestry to provide technical assistance on its REDD+ readiness efforts.
Background
Malawi has been investing in REDD+ readiness since 2012, with a particular focus on national forest inventories, forest monitoring, forest carbon estimations, forest resource assessments, and related efforts toward REDD+ readiness in Malawi. This investment reflects the important linkages between forest resources, economic development, food security and climate change in Malawi, where forests provide livelihoods and ecosystem services for many Malawians.
In the field of climate change in Malawi, REDD+ is a focal area and is seen as a key mitigation opportunity. In addition to the clear climate change mitigation benefits of REDD+ preparation activities, improved forest monitoring and management has clear adaptation benefits: increased resilience to natural disasters, and increased adaptive capacity to threats such as forest fires, flooding, drought and loss of biodiversity. Improved understanding and monitoring of forest resources for REDD+ can also increase access to emerging financing mechanisms.
The Government of Malawi has requested the continued assistance of a long-term REDD+ advisor, along with short-term technical experts and training opportunities.
Position Description
Responsibilities of the REDD+ Advisor include, but are not limited to
•Work on a daily basis with designated counterpart staff in the Department of Forestry.
•Advise the Department of Forestry in convening and coordinating governance structures of the Malawi REDD+ Program, including the REDD+ Expert Group and REDD+ technical working groups on matters key REDD+ readiness topics.
•Lead coordination on REDD+ activities in Malawi.
•Liaise with multilateral REDD+ bodies, potential bilateral partners, and other REDD+ institutions in consultation with Malawi’s National REDD+ Focal Point in the interest of building and strengthening relationships and support.
•Identify appropriate USFS technical assistance on REDD+ activities and coordinate short term details.
•Identify relevant REDD+-related workshops for the Department of Forestry and REDD+ governance bodies and contribute substantively to the preparation and execution of the workshops.
•Plan and execute communications and awareness building activities on REDD+, utilizing appropriate media outlets, including development of outreach materials tailored towards government, the private sector, non-governmental and community audiences.
•Coordinate REDD+ activities with key government agencies and institutions, such as the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, the Department of Environmental Affairs, the Department of Land Resources and Conservation, the Department of Surveys, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Management, and the National Climate Change Program.
•Build relevant REDD+ linkages with other ongoing technical interventions such as USFS fire training with the Malawi Department of Forestry.
Qualifications
The REDD+ Advisor should have the following skills and experience.
•A master's degree in natural resource management, environmental science, or a related field.
•At least five years of international work experience in a natural resource or environment related field, preferably related to REDD+.
•Experience living and working in Africa, in particular in Southern Africa and Malawi, and working on REDD+ or other natural resources management activities.
•Knowledge of core technical and policy issues pertinent to the development and implementation of Reducing Emissions through avoided Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) policies and programs.
•Demonstrated ability to provide technical coordination and leadership with a broad range of interested parties, across cultures, languages and varying capacity levels in order to catalyze improved conservation outcomes.
•Experience in program management and monitoring, climate change, biodiversity conservation, and constructive engagement with African institutions (including land management agencies, NGOs, universities, and research institutes).
Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
Contact Information:
christamanderson@fs.fed.us