As one of the five decentralized parts of the IFRC Secretariat, the Africa Regional Office leads support to 48 National Societies across sub-Saharan Africa. With headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, and 15 Country Cluster Delegations, it supports all African Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies in the region.
Our Agenda for Renewal provides a vision for how the IFRC sees its role in the implementation of Strategy 2030 and ensures that the IFRC provides strategic and operational membership coordination, National Society development services and represents the collective with humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy.
The IFRC Secretariat work is guided by its Plan and Budget 2021-2025, articulated around five strategic priorities: Climate and Environmental Crises, Evolving Crises and Disasters, Growing gaps in health and wellbeing, Migration and Identity, Values Power and Inclusion. The IFRC in Africa has embarked on an ambitious strategic direction from 2021 to 2030, focusing IFRC’s resources on large-scale pan-African initiatives which address the major challenges facing the region including Climate and Environmental Crises. These initiatives aim to build on the extensive experience and expertise of African Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies to achieve real and sustainable change for the most vulnerable people in Africa.
In recognition of the close linkages between climate change, disasters, food insecurity, and environmental degradation, one of the four pan-African initiatives is Tree Planting and Care. With this initiative, IFRC contributes to Africa-wide climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts through planting and caring for multipurpose trees, in alignment with continental, sub-continental and national plans and strategies. The target of the initiative is to have 5 billion new trees planted and cared for until the end of 2030. Beyond this general target, the initiative also supports a host of other nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation and/or mitigation - contributing to global carbon sequestration, disaster risk reduction, increased food security and improved environmental practices and knowledge across the region.
JOB PURPOSE
The Regional Tree Planting and Care Coordinator is responsible for providing robust technical support and coordination in implementing the pan-African Tree Planting and Care initiative. The role holder will actively coordinate efforts in tree planting and other nature-based solutions on the continent, identify funding opportunities, support the drafting of a solid implementation and marketing strategy for coming years, support proposal development with African National Societies and contribute to policy and advocacy efforts at various regional forums to increase local financing and policy implementation regarding forests and land use. The incumbent will also coordinate and support IFRC Country Cluster Delegations and National Societies in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the initiative, including country plans and operations.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Coordination of the Tree Planting and Care Initiative
- Maintain overall strategic and annual planning and reporting cycles for the Tree Planting and Care Initiative.
- Provide robust coordination and collaborate with different IFRC units and technical leads in the African National Societies, ensuring integrated technical support for effective implementation of the initiative.
- Coordinate with Movement counterparts where related projects are being implemented to ensure a concerted approach to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
- Coordinate with private organisations, UN Bodies, and other stakeholders to support the implementation of the initiative in African National Societies.
- Set up effective mechanisms at the regional level, aiming at joint learning and exchange.
- Ensure alignment of all activities relating to the initiative with regional and global strategies and approaches.
Technical Support to implementation of the initiative by African National Societies
- Convene and lead a Technical Working Group for the initiative, with representatives from African and Partner National Societies and relevant IFRC units.
- Provide technical support and guidance to African National Societies in developing proposals for implementing actions relating to the initiative.
- Ensure strong technical support, guidance and coordination in planning and implementation of the initiative by the African National Societies, jointly with IFRC regional staff and Country Cluster Delegations.
- Actively engage with technical peer group of all relevant stakeholders (UNEP, UNCCD, other UN agencies, Africa Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities, Governments, international organizations, civil society organizations, local non-government organizations, academic/research organizations etc.) to promote tree planting and nature-based solutions.
Strategies, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization
- Ensure that a clear strategic plan is developed to implement Tree Planting and Care initiative for coming years.
- Together with the Africa Regional Office and other stakeholders, identify and seek new possibilities and partners to support the Tree Planting and Care Initiative.
- Offer strategic guidance and support to National Society leadership and management in issues related to the Tree Planting and Care Initiative.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Work closely with IFRC regional staff, including Country Cluster Delegations, to provide support and guidance to African National Societies in developing detailed programme documents and monitoring tools.
- Closely follow up and report on progress in implementing the initiative throughout the Africa Region.
Policy and Advocacy
- Proactively advocate for increased local financing for the initiative in local and regional forums.
- Develop and implement advocacy and visibility plans.
- Coordinate/organise the participation of African National Societies in meetings, forums, conferences, and workshops to promote the initiative and share lessons learnt.
How to apply
More details will be found through the link to the IFRC website below. Qualified and experienced candidates are requested to apply on or before 28 June 2023.