AfricaAdapt Knowledge Sharing Network

Call for a Network Coordinator

Reporting to: Coordinator, ENDA Energy and Programme Manager, Africa Adapt

Responsible for: Implementation of work plan and activities of AfricaAdapt knowledge sharing network

Introduction

The mission of the AfricaAdapt Network is to facilitate the flow of climate change adaptation knowledge for sustainable livelihoods between researchers, policy makers, civil society organisations and communities who are vulnerable to climate variability and change across the continent

AfricaAdapt use the latest web-based applications, face-to-face interactions, and other media for: sharing resources; facilitating learning; and strengthening the African adaptation community. Our online activities are complemented by a range of offline activities and services, including:

  • An innovation fund offering small grants for new approaches to knowledge sharing
  • Radio-based programming and dialogues in local languages, developed with community radio broadcasters across the continent
  • Face-to-face meetings bringing people together to exchange ideas and overcome challenges
  • A CD-Rom and paper-based dissemination service for network news and resources

AfricaAdapt is collaboratively hosted by four organisations: Environment and Development in the Third World (ENDA-TM), Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), and Institute of Development Studies (IDS).

Enda Tiers Monde works to improve the tools of knowledge for initiatives linked to the environment and sustainable development. It is active in 21 countries, based in Dakar, Senegal.ENDA works with African policy and decision makers at all levels, researchers and communities with a strong participative action research methodology. Enda’s Energy Programme focuses on access to energy, climate change and sustainable development.

The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) is an umbrella organization with headquarters in Ghana. FARAcomplements the activities of African national, international and sub-regional research institutions to promote agricultural innovation. It aims to reduce poverty in Africa through sustainable broad-based agricultural growth and improved livelihoods, particularly of smallholder and pastoral enterprises.

The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) enables East African countries to cope better with risks associated with extreme climate variability and change through the provision of climate early warning information. It supports specific sectors to contribute to poverty alleviation efforts, environmental management and sustainable development, improving systems to share climate information and expands the climate knowledge-base to enable appropriate responses.

The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) is a global organisation for research, teaching and communications on international development. It maintains programmes of multidisciplinary research programmes, research and action networks and consortia and hosts a number of knowledge services. Its growing team of experts on climate change works closely with a strong network of partners in developing countries to pioneer research and knowledge partnerships for development in a changing climate.

The AfricaAdapt Network is jointly funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Climate Change Adaptation in Africa Programme.

Scope

The AfricaAdapt Network seeks to appoint a Network Co-ordinator with a range of technical and management skills and practical experience in the area of knowledge sharing/management, communications, marketing and organisational development. The Network Coordinator will be responsible for co-ordinating the day-to-day implementation of the AfricaAdapt work programme, working closely with a set of knowledge sharing officers and implementation teams based in partner organisations across Africa.

The Network Co-ordinator will be based at ENDA Energy Programme offices in Dakar, Senegal. ENDA is the new managing organisation of the Network. The Network Co-ordinator will convene the network’s management group (consisting of Programme Manager and management representatives from each partner organisation) to ensure oversight of implementation activities.

Responsibilities include:

Networking

  • Taking the lead in co-ordinating implementation to strengthen the AfricaAdapt Network in line with its objectives, working closely with Knowledge Sharing Officers (one per partner institution whose main focus is on implementation at each partner. Assessing and building demand from prospective network members, acting as a champion for members’ interests and ensuring response to demand from the Implementation Team.
  • Monitoring successful implementation of AfricaAdapt’s programme or work including its membership, convening, facilitating, logistics and planning.
  • Forecasting emerging priorities for knowledge sharing on climate adaptation by staying in close touch with representatives of stakeholder groups
  • Attending meetings, conferences and workshops, where appropriate, to promote AfricaAdapt and to build or strengthen relationships with members of Africa’s climate adaptation community.
  • Helping management team to develop relationships with strategic partners who can help AfricaAdapt to accelerate progress towards its objectives.

Management and Co-ordination

  • Convening the Implementation Team (including each of the Knowledge Sharing Officers)
  • Convening and participating in management group meetings.
  • Reporting progress on implementation to the Programme Manager and to the management group at monthly meetings, representing KSOs and presenting guidance to the group on how to shape the work programme.
  • Working with Programme Manager to administer and report on the Network including co-ordination of reporting, monitoring and evaluation, financial management
  • Maintaining a close relationship with managers in partner organisations to set expectations for implementation and to monitor institutional commitment in line with priorities agreed by the management group.
  • Help develop the strategic plan for the Network to present at Advisory Board meetings (every 6 months).
  • Upholding quality and timeliness of implementation.
  • Oversight of monitoring and evaluation.
  • Coaching Knowledge Sharing Officers in their areas of responsibility and managing and prioritising tasks in close communication with them and their responsible management group representative.

Profile

The Network Co-ordinator should be able to demonstrate considerable experience in co-ordinating networks and programmes, in knowledge sharing and editorial processes, in communications technologies and in working on climate change or related issues. The post holder will hold a Masters degree or equivalent qualification in a social science field related to environment and social development. The successful candidate will have outstanding interpersonal and presentation, including written skills and evidence (e.g. publications) of knowledge of climate change, vulnerability, impacts and adaptation strategies. He/she will be experienced in motivating and co-ordinating distributed teams and those from different cultural/linguistic backgrounds and be fully fluent in English and French. Demonstrable skills in website management and writing for the web are another key essential.

Requirement / Essential / Desirable / Method of Assessment
Educational Qualifications / A relevant higher degree (Masters or similar), in a social science that focuses on environment and/or social development / Formal training in one or other social science disciplines relevant to climate change. / Application
Knowledge / Understanding of key issues and approaches relating to climate change and adaptation, and sustainable development.
Excellent knowledge of network management, co-ordination and facilitation
Good knowledge of networking tools (appropriate digital and social technologies) and strategies
Some demonstrable understanding of management and information systems
Good knowledge of national, regional and international actors working on climate change adaptation and related approaches / A developed area of specialised expertise around climate change and development / Application
Interview
Skills / The ability to build, motivate and inspire an effective team consisting of Knowledge Sharing Officers and implementation team at each partner organisation taking cognisance of the line management structures in place at each organization.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to listen actively and respond in a measured way to a range of situations and partners
Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and demands, to plan, prioritise, delegate effectively and meet deadlines.
Excellent presentation and facilitation skills, with the ability to guide discussion to reach resolution or agreement.
Bilingual – English and French
Excellent writing skills –English and French / Third language – Portuguese, Arabic or a local African language / Application
Written exercise
Publications list
Interview
Experience / Experience of team building and mentoring staff effectively, preferably in a team context.
Experience of knowledge/information product management
Experience of developing communications strategies
Experience of interaction with donors, developing proposals
Experience of marketing and monitoring and evaluation techniques / Experience of having led significantclimate change/knowledgenetworking and management process / Application
Written Submissions
Interview
Health/Other / Location of posting – Dakar, Senegal. Must be available and willing to travel widely in Africa and elsewhere. / Interview

Applications

There is no prepared form. Applications should send a full CV which should include: publications list and relevant conference/workshops participated in, plus details (e-mail and postal address, telephone numbers) of at least two referees who can be contacted; a letter of introduction; scanned copies of certificates of academic achievement;and a short motivational text (maximum 2 pages)explaining how you perceive the post, why you are interested and why you think you are a suitable candidate. You may use the above table as a guide.

Closing date for applications is Friday 16 April 2010.

Please send applications (or requests for further information) as e-mail attachments to. Hardcopy is not required.

This call is issued on behalf of the Africa Adapt partnership network by:

ENDA Energy, Environment and Development Programme

54 rue Carnot

Dakar

BP 3370

Senegal