The African Climate Foundation
Climate Adaptation and Resilience Adviser (CARA) – Malawi
Terms of Reference
Overview
As the Government of Malawi seeks to develop a more ambitious and impactful understanding of the country’s response to climate change, there is an opportunity to access a range of finances from targeted capital pools. This will require both prioritisation and additional expertise such that individual projects or programmes can be effectively resourced.
The African Climate Foundation is offering to provide funded support in the form of a Climate Adaptation and Resilience Adviser (CARA), who will be a technical expert positioned at the highest level of government such that they can provide most value across Government.
Responsibility
The Climate Adaptation and Resilience Adviser (CARA) will provide strategic counsel to the Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) and her team within the Office of the Cabinet and President (OPC) in liaison with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change in their support to the Government.
The CARA will be responsible for:
- The CARA will have delegated responsibility from PS NRCC for coordinating and driving the process to finalise and prioritise the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for PS NRCC approval and Cabinet agreement.
- Managing the process of the prioritisation of several flagship projects that meet international adaptation and resilience criteria for investment through the Adaptation and Resilience Investment Platform (ARIP).
- The CARA will have delegated responsibility from PS NRCC to lead the Development Partner Coordination Committee for Climate Change and engagement across MDAs.
- Advising the Government on regular engagement with representatives from across the private sector in Malawi on climate adaptation and resilience.
- Providing specialist counsel on climate adaptation and resilience to the President and the Cabinet as requested (and in consultation with PS NRCC).
- Acting as a line of communication to the Africa Climate Foundation and others seeking to provide funded support to climate adaptation and resilience in Malawi. This will include the prioritisation of requests for support from ACF and their partners and will be a key line of activity in the development of an Adaptation and Resilience Investment Platform (ARIP) to support the NAP.
The CARA does not remove the responsibility or authority of GoM to address the consequences of climate change in line with its mandate to govern, published policies or signed international treaties.
The CARA is meant to be a deep specialist in adaptation and resilience investment to complement the expertise of the Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change. They will assist as a focal point for the Government to identify, prioritise and coordinate policy, investment, and engagement on the issues of climate adaptation and resilience. This will be in discussion with ALL MDAs, development partners and the private sector, as necessary.
Working Practice
The CARA will have a full-time desk within the OPC and will report directly to the SPC in support of the OPCs Director of Policy. They will work full-time in support of the Government of Malawi but will provide monthly reports to the ACF.
A salary package for the CARA will be funded by the ACF, together with a travel budget to support MDAs with activities nationwide.
Any costs associated with specific work streams highlighted within the responsibilities will be at the cost of the Government of Malawi or Development Partners.
Requirements
- Postgraduate degree in Climate Change, International Development, Development Economics, Environmental Sciences, Finance, or another relevant subject
- Minimum of 10 years’ experience of working in Southern Africa to include engagement with senior government officials.
- Understanding of the geopolitics of Southern Africa
- Understanding of the finance/investment context of Malawi
- Demonstrable understanding and experience of policy development
- Understanding of the UNFCCC process and dialogue
- Demonstrable understanding of climate adaptation in the context of Malawi
- Experience in a similar position will be an added advantage.
The role will require the adviser to be based in Lilongwe, Malawi, for the duration of the contract. The role will also require some level of local and international travel in support of the Government of Malawi.
Process for Application
If interested, please send your CV and cover letter to cara@longevitydev.com by Sunday, 18th August, 2024.
In addition to the application, please respond to the following questions (less than 500 words per question):
- Prioritization Challenges and financial constraints
Malawi faces a multitude of adaptation needs. Outline a framework you would use for prioritization amidst financial constraints in the country. - Political Landscape vs harmonised voices
Climate adaptation efforts can be politically sensitive, especially in a country like Malawi. Share your approach to securing buy-in and ensuring policy coherence with all stakeholders in the specific context of Malawi.