Climate change programme officer

Major functions

Under the supervision of the Conservation Science and Species Programme Coordinator, the Climate Change Programme Officer has the main function:

- Develop WWF progammes’ capacity and knowledge to capture climate change in conservation and develop appropriate and effective response to cope with its impacts.
- Support the Programme in all issues related to climate change adaptation.
- Ensure effective implementation of climate change projects in accordance with the overall strategy of the Programme and in synergy with the other WWF projects/programmes.

Major duties and responsibilities

Technical Aspects

- Support the Programme in the development, planning and implementation of climate change adaptation projects;
- Support the Programme in the development of new initiatives linked to climate change adaptation and develop proposals to be submitted to the donors;
- Build and reinforce WWF staff capacity and knowledge on climate change, its impacts and responses especially adaptation;
- Promote the integration of the climate change adaptation in all WWF projects;
- Support the Conservation Science and Species Programme in (i) the gathering, compiling and communication of climate change information, knowledge and scientific data, especially those related to Madagascar and the West Indian Ocean region and (ii) the development of a comprehensive data base on climate change adaptation;
- Support the Geographic Information System Unit in the integration of the climate change issue in the priority-setting process and analysis;
- In close collaboration with the Footprint Programme Coordinator, who holds the lead on climate change mitigation, represent WWF in the National Committee on Climate Change,
- In collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, develop a monitoring-evaluation system for climate change projects and ensure its implementation and follow-up;
- Ensure the development and smooth running of workshops, conferences, seminars and any other form of meetings related to climate change adaptation;
- Inform the Programme on current issues and trends regarding climate change, and climate change-related research;
- Maintain permanent communication and links with the Ecosystems and livelihoods Adaptation Network (ELAN);
- Ensure that climate change projects are planned and implemented according to WWF project management standards;
- Represent the Conservation Science and Species Programme Coordinator in meetings with partners, when appropriate.

Administrative and Financial aspects

- Ensure that climate change projects are planned, implemented and reviewed according to WWF standards on administrative and financial management;
- Develop annual, bi-annual and quarterly work plans for climate change projects and ensure coordination with other WWF projects;
- Develop quarterly, bi-annual and annual technical reports to donors and WWF International;
- Organize the planning and implementation of evaluations and reviews of climate change projects and ensure all recommendations are implemented;
- Maintain a regular communication with donors and provide support in the organization of their eventual visits to Madagascar;
- Prepare and ensure the follow-up of all contracts (providers, consultants and researchers), establish and monitor the budgets;
- With the support of the Project Support Officer, monitor the financial health of the projects: funding status, budgets, financial reports, burn-rate;
- Supervise the climate change projects staff;
- Contribute to the preparation and the coordination of the internal and external evaluation of climate change projects.

Required knowledge and skills

- At least 5 year-experience in applied researches related to climate change adaptation;
- At least Masters Degree in Biology, Agronomy, Forestry, Earth Science or equivalent;
- Strong analysis, conceptualization and long term vision capacity; proven experience in the design, implementation, and direction of complex and diverse projects, encompassing multiple programs;
- Proven capacity to generate successful collaboration with partner institutions;
- Excellent communication and writing skills in French and English;
- Capacity to work in a multidisciplinary team;
- Strong computer skills (Word, Excel, E- mail); background on database management and GIS tools (Arcview, ArcGIS etc) would be an asset.