Profile
GCA seeks an experienced and dynamic individual to fill the role of Senior Program Officer Food Security and Private Sector Engagement, working as a core team member to drive forward the Global Center on Adaptation’s role as a solutions broker in the field of adaptation action. The primary focus of this work will be in Africa.
The Senior Program Officer Food Security and Private Sector Engagement will report to the Program Lead Rural Well-being and Food Security, while working closely with other members of the Leadership Team, thematic leads and colleagues. S/he will play a key role in positioning the GCA as the foremost international organization specialising in climate change adaptation.
Responsibilities
- Helping position the GCA as a key solutions broker on climate change adaptation for achieving food security in Africa;
- Taking a leadership role on private sector engagement of key players in the food and agriculture sector with a priority on Africa;
- Working closely with partners to help small-scale agricultural producers access markets, and to build climate resilient value chains;
- Proactive assessment of relevant national, regional and international events and associated opportunities for the GCA to realise its adaptation acceleration objectives, in relation to food security and enhancing private sector investments that build the resilience of farmers and the associated value chains;
- Develop programs to position the GCA with key stakeholders in the food security community, including maintaining active relationships with key interlocutors within these stakeholders;
- Research and prepare briefings related to identified key external stakeholders relevant to the GCA’s execution of its business plan.
Desired Qualifications/Experience
· Minimum of 10 years’ experience working on issues related to agriculture, food security, climate change and the private sector in low- and middle-income countries;
· Excellent experience engaging with the private sector;
· Excellent analytical skills around the role of the private sector in food security, and written and oral communications skills in English;
· Masters’ Degree or PhD in international development, finance, development economics, agri-business or a related field desired;
· Excellent interpersonal skills and experience of working in international, intercultural environments;
· Excellent planning and organisational skills, enabling stakeholder knowledge to be effectively disseminated and shared within the leadership team;
· Experience in working in Africa.
What we offer
The GCA offers a dynamic, high-profile and international working environment in a growing organisation. You will be contributing to our global mission on climate adaptation. You will have the opportunity to draw upon the substantial expertise available at the GCA and its partner organizations across the world and you will be given an opportunity to support the shaping of international policies and global action on climate change, working at the highest governmental levels and collaborating with governments on all continents.
Subject to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions, this staff post is located at the GCA’s office in Rotterdam, the Netherlands on a full-time basis (32-40 hours per week).
How to apply
If you are interested in this position, please submit your motivation letter and CV at opportunities.gca.org opportunities.gca.org before 15 February 2021, 5 pm CEST. Kindly mention the date as of which you would be available to start in Rotterdam and remotely due to COVID-19.
Equal Employment Opportunities Statement
GCA does not discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, nationality, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
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The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization that works as a solutions broker to catalyze action and support for adaptation solutions, from the international to the local, in partnership with the public and private sector, to ensure we learn from each other and work together for a climate resilient future. Adapting to impacts of climate change provides a “win-win” for health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security and economic growth. The work of the GCA elevates the visibility and political importance of climate adaptation and facilitates solutions, such as smarter investments, new technologies and better planning to become more resilient to climate-related threats. GCA is a rapidly growing organization with offices in Abidjan, Beijing, Dhaka, Groningen, and Rotterdam.
The GCA has an ambitious 2020-2025 business plan with three pillars:
· Programs: GCA’s Programs include: Food Security; Using Nature for more resilient infrastructure; Water for Urban Growth and Resilience; Climate Finance; Youth Leadership
· Knowledge: Building adaptation knowledge globally and in countries through cutting edge knowledge products such as the State and Trends in Adaptation Report; Data and Knowledge Platform
· Advocacy and Awareness: Formulating policy messages to move adaptation agenda forward globally and in countries.
GCA’s work program in Africa is of paramount importance. All of the components of GCA’s Business Plan must succeed to support changing the momentum and pace of adaptation in Africa. Guiding GCA’s program in Africa are two flagships: 1) Africa Adaptation Accelerator Program (AAAP), co-created and implemented with African Development Bank Group (AfDB) to support African countries on key adaptation initiatives; and 2) State and Trends in Adaptation: Africa, a flagship knowledge publication prepared with the Africa Adaptation Initiative (AAI), and regional and global knowledge partners to advance the knowledge base and provide evidence-based knowledge for African countries to take stock of progress and develop improved adaptation measures.
