Natural Resource Management Advisor

Vacancy Announcement #210/2023

Natural Resource Management Advisor

Climate Change Cluster

CDSDR III

Contract duration: 30.06.2026

Application deadline: 30.12.2023

Duty station: Jijiga, Somali

GIZ supports the Ethiopian Government in various areas, increasingly also in the Ethiopian lowlands, which account for nearly 60% of Ethiopia’s land area. They are inhabited by more than 18 million (agro)- pastoralists.

Due to population growth and the increasingly frequent occurrence of extreme weather events, this livelihood system is increasingly put at risk and the people, their livestock and the harvests have become increasingly vulnerable. Extensive resource use like overgrazing and deforestation causes food insecurity, soil degradation, and erosion. The result are dry valleys, in which rainwater flows quickly out of the area before being able to infiltrate into the soil. This further exacerbates desertification and food insecurity. To address this issue, the Dry Valley Rehabilitation and Productive Use (DVRPU) approach was developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the Bureaus of Agriculture (BoA) in Afar and Somali regions.

The Capacity Development for Strengthening Drought Resilience (CDSDR) Project has started its third phase. It promotes the DVRPU approach with a series of technical, biological, economic, social, institutional, and managerial measures applied to rehabilitate entire dry valleys for the benefit of the inhabitants and their livestock. Besides upscaling of the approach in Somali and Afar regions, it will expand its application to Oromia and SNNPR regions.

The approach recognizes that effective management of natural resources by dry valley communities is crucial for both livelihoods and environmental sustainability. It recognizes that dry valley communities are interconnected with other communities across different landscape typologies, and therefore a broad holistic understanding of this interconnectedness is needed for more effective land management.

Dry valleys are fragile ecosystems that face challenges of water scarcity, directly impacting the communities dependent on these resources. By implementing sustainable practices, such as land, soil and water conservation technologies and approaches, communities can ensure a sustainable supply of resources for agriculture, livestock, and income generation. Additionally, proper management mitigates environmental degradation and builds resilience against climate change, securing both the livelihoods of the inhabitants and the long-term health of the environment they rely upon.

This position involves providing expert guidance and support in managing natural resources sustainably within dry valley systems while maximizing their productive use for the benefit of local communities, environmental conservation, and sustainable development. The advisor will provide guidance in participatory land use management, soil and water conservation technologies and approaches, and the use of geographical information systems (GIS) for dry valleys. This role will involve supporting capacity building efforts from the community to the regional government partner level.

1.    Strategic Planning:

a.    Conduct assessments of dry valley systems, evaluating biodiversity, water resources, soil conditions, and vegetation to identify land rehabilitation needs, and land productivity potentials.

b.    Identify opportunities and innovative approaches to maximize productive use while preserving ecosystem integrity.

2.    Technical Expertise:

a.    Foster participatory approaches for community involvement in decision-making and implementation of natural resources management approaches, taking into consideration both those deriving their primary livelihoods directly (primary users) from within dry valleys, and those that seasonally migrate (secondary users) there for resource use.

b.    Provide technical expertise and guidance on water conservation, soil management, reforestation, and other relevant practices suitable for dry valley conditions.

c.     Advise on sustainable agricultural techniques, alternative livelihoods, and land-use practices that mitigate land degradation and enhance resilience.

3.    Community Engagement:

a.    Engage with local communities, regional government bodies, and relevant stakeholders to design and implement participatory land use and natural resource management strategies tailored to the specific needs of the drylands in the Somali Region.

b.    Contribute to formulation of community bylaws in all aspects of natural resources management and soil and water conservation.

4.    Capacity Building:

a.    Conduct training sessions and workshops for agro-pastoralists and farmers, local communities, and relevant stakeholders on dry valley use and management techniques, best practices, and sustainable land management approaches.

a.    Design and deliver training programs for community members, local organizations, and government agencies on sustainable resource management techniques and best practices.

b.    Empower stakeholders to implement sustainable land-use strategies and optimize resource utilization.

5. Partnerships and Networking:

a.    Establish and maintain partnerships with governmental agencies, NGOs, research institutions, and other stakeholders to leverage resources and knowledge for effective resource management.

b.    Network with relevant experts and organizations to stay updated on best practices and emerging trends in dry valley resource management.

c.     Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure alignment with regional policies and best practices.

6.    Monitoring and Evaluation:

a.    Develop monitoring frameworks to assess the impact of resource management interventions on ecosystem health, community livelihoods, and economic development.

b.    Conduct regular evaluations to measure the effectiveness of implemented strategies and make necessary adjustments.

Other duties/additional tasks

The Advisor performs other duties and tasks at the request of the management.

Qualifications

1.    Bachelor’s or master’s degree in environmental science, natural resource management, geography, or a related field.

Professional experience

1.    Minimum 15 years of experience in participatory land use management, soil and water conservation, and geographical information systems (GIS), preferably in dryland areas.

2.    In-depth knowledge of soil and water conservation technologies and approaches suitable for arid and semi-arid environments.

3.    Proficiency in GIS software and other relevant data analysis tools for spatial planning and decision-making.

4.    Strong facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse stakeholders and build collaborative partnerships.

5.    Experience in capacity building, training, and knowledge transfer from local communities to government levels.

6.    Proven experience with all MS-office products.

Other knowledge, additional competencies

1.    Strong knowledge of the socio-cultural and environmental context of the Somali Region is highly desirable.

2.    Somali language written and oral capability, and good English skills, both written and oral.

3.    Knowledge of government institutions active in Natural Resource Management and pastoralism in Somali is an advantage.

4.    Previous work experience in Somali Region is an advantage.

5.    High degree of initiative, integrity and accountability.

6.    Good self-organization, strong interpersonal skills and results-orientation.

7.    Required is the ability to work: in a structured manner whilst maintaining an overview in a complex environment; independently and as part of a team; under time pressure.

8. Willingness to travel.