EA Climate and Environmental Adaptation Head 36 views0 applications

Do your skills and experience not precisely match the requirements? MSF is an organization committed to promoting diversity and equity by providing equal access to professional opportunities. We understand that women, people of color, indigenous individuals, members of the LGTB+ community, and other underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply for employment if they don’t meet all the requirements. At MSF EA, we strive to create a diverse, inclusive, and genuine workplace. Therefore, if you’re interested in this position but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with the selection criteria, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the ideal candidate for this or other positions.

Introduction

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organisation that provides assistance to people affected by conflicts, epidemics, and natural or human-made disasters and excluded from healthcare. We provide this assistance without discrimination, irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation.

About MSF Eastern Africa

MSF Eastern Africa is the regional institutional office of MSF. It focuses on representation and networking, recruiting and supporting staff from the region, communications and fundraising, as well as working on other dossiers of importance to MSF such as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Data Protection, mutualization, training, medical operational support and environmental health.

Rationale/Objective for Position

The EA Climate and Environmental Adaptation Head is responsible for developing, supporting, and managing MSF Eastern Africa’s climate adaptation programs, with a particular focus on the interaction between climate change and conflict, as well as climate change and infectious diseases.

This position will be hierarchically accountable to the Executive Manager, and functionally accountable to the Lead of HACE (Humanitarian Action on Climate and Environment – MSF Canada).

Tasks & Responsibilities

Strategic Responsibilities

• Actively participate in the development and review of the overall MSF EA organizational strategic plan.
• Develop, review, and implement MSF EA Climate Unit strategic plan with clear workplans for implementation.

Technical and Operational Responsibilities

Leadership

• Co-Develop, support, and/or manage MSF EA Climate adaptation initiatives in the region and globally.
• Develop MSF’s technical expertise on the interaction between climate change, environmental degradation, conflict and population displacement.
• Propose investment in emergency preparedness and climate-linked early warning systems to enhance resilience and improve disaster response.
• Coordinate climate adaptation efforts in East Africa amongst all MSF operational directorates (ODs) present in the region. Advocate for open collaboration, mutualization, shared workstreams for MSF climate adaptation efforts.
• Manage climate-related information for East Africa.
• Lead MSF Eastern Africa’s climate mitigation efforts, with support from the climate focal point, and develop or co-develop a comprehensive climate reduction roadmap
• Actively network and engage with climate adaptation actors in Nairobi and throughout the region.

Climate Change Adaptation

• Coordinate the development of climate adaptation capacity at regional and national levels.
• Develop tailored products (seasonal outlooks, spotlight reports, seasonal calendars, risks assessments, etc.) and services.
• Foster ongoing awareness and proactivity in decolonizing humanitarian and climate action, engaging MSF colleagues and communities in climate hotspots.
• Communicate climate and environmental knowledge.
• Participate in strategic webinars, workshops, and other MSF discussions to contribute to capacity building and knowledge exchange.
• Contribute relevant climate adaptation content to the MSF Climate Hub platform.
• Promote and facilitate the integration of climate adaptation and anticipatory initiatives into the MSF movement, including early warning systems.
• Support research initiatives investigating the intersection of climate, environment, displacement and conflict, as well as climate, environment and infectious diseases.
• Write scientific articles/abstracts for MSF Scientific Days, the Lancet Countdown, and other relevant platforms.
• Regional engagement and networking, i.e., external MSF engagement with identified institutions, ICPAC, UNFFC.
• Lead knowledge transfer and capacity building initiatives, including conducting IMS briefing updates with a focus on incorporating climate and environmental perspectives.

Climate Mitigation

• Develop a carbon reduction roadmap for MSF EA.
• Monitor and report on carbon reduction efforts based on roadmap.
• Coordinate/align with ODs regional carbon reduction efforts.
• MSF regional coordination efforts.
• Collaborate with current EA bodies. Suka, Epicenters,
• Collaborate with regional cells and missions.
• Identify synergies in the region between climate adaptation and mitigation
• Foster regional engagement and networking, building strong relationships with key stakeholders, partners, and organizations.
• Knowledge transfer and capacity building:
• IMS briefing updates adding a climate and environment perspective
• In collaboration with the movement, preparation of training material and workshops.

Other Responsibilities

• Provide regular briefings to MSF advocacy teams in the region, helping to build and position climate and environmental issues as key priorities in advocacy efforts.
• Collaborate with current NBO base Units/efforts: ASA, Anthropology, Communications Team, Medical Teams surveillance etc.
• Foster innovation by identifying and engaging with new ideas and approaches to address climate and environmental challenges, ensuring MSF remains at the forefront of effective solutions. Project Management. Identification of projects, long term duration.
• Team Management.

Qualifications

Education

• A Master’s degree in an Environmental (climate science, water science, biology, environment, etc.), and/or Health-related (epidemiology, public health, etc.) field.
• A Bachelor’s degree in an Environmental (climate science, water science, biology, environment, etc.), and/or Health-related (epidemiology, public health, etc.) field.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and one additional language (Swahili, Arabic, French and/or Spanish).

Experience

• At least eight (8) years of experience within international humanitarian assistance programs with demonstrated capabilities in planning, organizing, and executing humanitarian operations.
• Proven experience in analysis and reporting.
• Proven experience in managing multiple stakeholders’ projects.

Competencies

• Technical Competencies
  • Ability to translate complex climate science into actionable policies and strategies.
  • Strong skills in climate advocacy, public speaking, and report writing.
  • Ability to develop and implement decarbonization strategies for organizations.
  • Ability to conduct climate risk and vulnerability assessments for different sectors
  • Data Analysis and Climate Modelling.
• Behavioral/General Competencies
  • Commitment to MSF’s Principles
  • Cross-cultural Awareness
  • Strategic Vision
  • Results and Quality Orientation
  • Planning and Organizing
  • Initiative and Innovation
  • Teamwork and Cooperation
  • Networking and Building Relationships

What We Offer:

• An open ended, full-time employment contract through MSF East Africa Section Office in Nairobi, Kenya.
• An annual salary of EUR 40,582 at HQ Level 10 based on a full-time appointment.
• Global benefit package; includes school fee benefit/support for dependents and other allowances ranging between EUR 620 to 1,159/month based on individual & administrative status.
• Other benefits include; 25 days of annual leave, Employer Pension contribution, Medical Insurance cover (staff and family), Relocation support for non-Kenyan residents etc based on MSF EA terms/conditions.