New

Democratic Republic of the Congo Climate Fellow (Kinshasa, DRC)

Management & Engineering Technologies International, Inc.
United States, D.C., Washington
Dec 20, 2024
Management and Engineering Technologies International, Inc. (METI), in support of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Office of International Programs, may require the services of a Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Africa Climate Fellow to advance climate ambition in DRC and the broader Central Africa Region through the provision of technical assistance in the areas of climate finance, forest and climate change measurement, reporting and verification (MRV), implementing DRC's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and design and implementation of results-based emission reduction programs including but not limited to Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). Background The Congo Basin rainforest is the second largest tropical contiguous forest in the world providing climate regulation ecosystem services locally, regionally and globally. It is an essential rich resource for the communities that depend on it and provides a haven of unique biodiversity including many endemic species. Unlike other tropical forest areas, the Congo Basin forest still acts as a carbon sink, but these trends could be reversed if there is an increase in deforestation and forest degradation. The U.S. Forest Service International Programs has been working in the Congo Basin for more than 20 years through several different U.S. Government technical assistance programs including the USAID Central Africa Regional Program for the Environment (CARPE), the U.S. Government interagency SilvaCarbon program, the USAID Sustainable Wetland Adaptation and Mitigation Program (SWAMP), the U.S. Department of State and USAID Support Hub for Forest Finance and Landscape Engagement (SHuFFLE), and the U.S. Department of State Climate Fellows program. The Department of State-funded Climate Fellow's program places technical experts within select government ministries to assist in priority natural resource management needs. They provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to address key challenges identified by country partners. The urgency for immediate action to ensure sustainable management of the Congo Basin forest has been underlined through projected climate trends and the recent UNFCCC COP27 negotiations. To support countries in meeting their emission reduction commitments as well as building technical capacity within Central Africa, and in the DRC specifically, the U.S. Forest Service may seek a DRC Climate Fellow to advance climate action in DRC and the broader Central Africa region through technical support to implementation of NDCs, establishment of national carbon markets, strengthening of MRV and design and implementation of results-based emission reduction programs. Position Description: The Climate Fellow will be based in Central Africa, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and will work with the broader U.S. Forest Service International Programs Central Africa team to provide technical assistance in DRC and more broadly within the Central Africa region. Core duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: Initiate and participate in national conversations on forest monitoring, climate change reporting, Nationally Determined Contributions, REDD+ programming and other climate change mitigation and adaptation programs and processes; Provide technical support to key government partners responding to specific technical assistance requests and needs, including, but not limited to backstopping national processes and providing trainings and workshops; Develop and maintain effective partnerships with government partners for program design and implementation; Support the implementation of climate change mitigation and adaptation activities in Central Africa; Facilitate program activity planning, logistics, reporting including managing budgets and financially tracking activities; Coordinate closely with other USFS-IP team members within the central Africa region on Climate Change and other forestry management programs; Provide implementation support to emission reduction programs such as REDD+ both on MRV as well as safeguards and benefit sharing; Provide implementation support to backstopping countries to understand and access forest / climate finance within their country-specific context including backstopping the creation of national carbon markets; Facilitate technical regional exchanges on technical climate change related topics; As needed, support the development of project concept notes and additional climate finance proposals for new programs and attracting investments in emission reduction activities in forestry and land sectors; Represent the U.S. Forest Service at technical and partner meetings and international forums. Specific focus and engagement of the Climate Fellow will be determined by evolving programming and partner needs within the region. Qualifications: The applicant must meet the following minimum professional qualifications to be considered for the position: A master's degree or doctorate (preferred) or equivalent experience 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 climate change; Demonstrated track record of building relationships with partners in national governments to accomplish project tasks; Experience in the implementation of MRV systems and inter-agency data-sharing systems (desired); Knowledge of core technical and policy issues pertinent to the development and implementation of climate change mitigation and adaptation policies and programs; Experience working on result-based payments emission reduction projects such as REDD+ or other climate forest finance mechanisms (desired); Experience working with US Government agencies and development organizations such as the US Agency for International Development (USAID) or the Department of State (DOS) (preferred); Demonstrated ability to provide technical coordination and leadership with a broad range of interested parties, across cultures, languages, and varying capacity levels; Experience working with national governmental technical agencies and other international technical partners (preferred); Strong program management and organizational skills including concept note development and donor reporting; Strong representational, inter-personal and communication skills; Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Office and database management (required); Experience in living and working in Africa/Central Africa (strongly preferred); Excellent oral and written communication skills in French and English; Location: The position would be based in Kinshasa, DRC with travel regionally or internationally as needed. Period of Performance: One year with the possibility of extension Compensation: Commensurate with experience and qualifications To Apply: Interested candidates should apply to the posting by clicking on this link: https://jobs.localjobnetwork.com/j/75547540 OR send a resume and letter of interest to the HR Department at METI to IPJobs@meticorp.com with DRC Climate Fellow in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position open until filled. If the US Forest Service were to secure the services of an individual with these technical skills, the successful applicant would be hired through a contractor. IMETI is an Equal Opportunity Employer: M/F/V/D www.meticorp.com