Programme Lead, Climate Resilience

BACKGROUND

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a leading global development organization working to tackle the root causes of poverty. For more than 50 years, we have helped create strong community institutions that support sustainable, locally driven initiatives to improve the lives of millions of people. By combining local knowledge with global best practices, we strive to bring about transformative and long-lasting improvements to quality of life. Working alongside the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network and through partnerships with local communities, civil society, and businesses, as well as governments and international aid agencies, we are building a future where we all thrive together. AKF has been operating in Tajikistan since 1993 and, through its programme partners, continues to work in more than 60 districts and towns across the country. Together with state institutions, AKF Tajikistan (AKFTjk) directly contributes to the objectives of Tajikistan’s National Development Strategy and supports national efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE

AKF Tajikistan is seeking for highly motivated and experienced Programme Lead, Climate Resilience to lead the overall strategic direction, management, coordination, and reporting of climate resilience programme portfolio theme at Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Tajikistan. He/She will provide technical support and ensure quality assurance of all the climate resilience projects and/or components, manage the overall planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of all the climate resilience projects. Lead the technical design, development of climate resilience concept notes, project proposals. Represent AKF Tajikistan climate resilience portfolio at national, regional, and international fora.

DUTY STATION AND REPORTING LINE

The Climate Resilience Programme Lead will be based in Dushanbe City and report to the Head of Programmes AKF Tajikistan.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme leadership and projects development

In coordination with AKF Global Program Team (GPT), AKF Tajikistan senior management team and other team members develop and revise (upon need) AKF’s climate resilience programme strategy, internal safeguards on climate resilience and lead policy discussions relevant to the programme.
Lead on organizational capacity assessment on climate change and environmental protection and deliver recommendations for improvement. Develop appropriate capacity building plan, lead, and mobilize external expertise for quality implementation.
Position AKF as a thought leader on environmental protection and climate change and represent AKF at relevant external platforms, including national level working groups.
As part of the development of climate resilient program strategy and with the support from the Partnerships, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning Unit (MERLU) and AKDN sister agencies, lead on the mapping of key players in the climate and environmental change ecosystem in Tajikistan, identify and cultivate strategic partnership to deliver on the AKF Climate Change ambition in country.
In close consultation with relevant AKF Global Programme Team (GPT) members, lead on technical design of environmental and climate change programs, including development of the theory of change, technical contents ongoing and upcoming projects and programmes focusing on Tajikistan as well as regional/cross-border climate resilience initiatives.
Accountable for the overall Climate Change portfolio is delivered in line with AKF global and national strategy.
In coordination with MERLU, develop climate/environmental smart logframes, performance measurement framework (PMFs) for new as well as ongoing projects if it does not exist or needs revision in line with climate change and environmental safeguards.
In coordination with Partnerships unit, engaging with existing and potential funders and providing timely technical inputs in the project proposals, including leading on the design of the projects and programmes.
Support the Finance unit with the development of cost-effective budgets, provide programmatic and technical inputs during budget development.
Ensure that gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE), safeguarding, and other relevant AKF safeguards and policies are embedded in AKF’s climate resilience and environmental protection programming in AKF programs, concepts notes and project proposals.

Programme and projects implementation and management

Coordinate and develop climate resilience project(s) detailed implementation plan (DIP) which is in line with grant agreement, donor approved project documents.
Mainstream climate resilience into ongoing projects and programes by providing technical expertise to the project team and supporting them in the development of project implementation plans, M&E systems, in line with the AKF internal climate safeguarding system as well as with donor regulations.
Develop and embed Climate Resilient monitoring framework to ensure that AKF projects deliver on set ambition.
Act as a project manager for a Climate Resilience Program Portfolio and ensure that adequate resources and technical expertise is available to deliver on the programmatic ambition.
Monthly monitoring of projects’ implementation progress and budget spending.
Support to projects team on developing and maintaining regular updates on projects level risks management matrix.
In coordination with MERLU and GPT, set the annual climate resilience programme targets for AKF Tajikistan. Quarterly and annual review of the progress, provide presentations on actuals against the programme annual, quarterly targets per region and national level.
Ensure that gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE), safeguarding, environmental protection, disaster risk reduction is mainstreamed and adequately considered in projects planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
Matrix and line manage relevant project staff to ensure delivery of Aga Khan Foundation’s climate resilient ambition.
Provide mentorship to supervisees as relevant to develop and foster competencies and leadership in roles. Coordinate project/programme staff recruitment and capacity development with HR unit.
Ensure the complaint reporting mechanisms are in place within projects locations with various range of channels for beneficiaries safely to report.

Monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning

Coordinate with MERLU and projects team to ensure that each project with climate resilience component has adequate and timely updated monitoring and evaluation plan and its effectively, timely implemented.
Monthly and quarterly review of climate resilience projects records update, actuals against targets in Awards Information Management System (AIMS). Coordinate with projects and M&E personnel to ensure that records and updates in AIMS are added timely and they are accurate.
Support MERLU in maintaining the programme level accurate data and information management.
Review and provide programmatic feedback, inputs in projects assessment and evaluation ToRs, reports produced by MERLU or external evaluators.
Coordinate technical research on climate resilience with relevant Research Institutes and partners of AKF.
Document climate resilience programme level best practices, lessons learnt.
Regularly study and be updated of the developments in climate resilience sector and contribute to climate resilience community of practice as well as learning hub at AKF.
Learn, explore, and share best practices, innovation, innovative and innovative approaches in programming.
Plan and facilitate climate resilience related knowledge management sessions and events.
Conduct regular field monitoring visits to AKF projects sites, provide de-briefing and share monitoring findings, recommendations in written.
Support MERLU in setting up of effective community and beneficiaries’ feedback, complaint reporting mechanism.

Coordination, communication, and reporting

Coordinate with relevant government ministries, agencies on AKF climate resilience programme, projects. Consult and collect government ministries, agencies feedback, input during the design of new projects.
Lead and coordinate amongst AKF implementing partners including AKDN and non AKDN agencies on climate resilience programming.
Effectively represent AKF and AKDN in external, sectorial, thematic working groups, coordination meetings at national level on climate resilience theme (e.g., DCC meetings on Climate Change).
In coordination with communications officer, develop high quality communication materials including case studies, success stories, press releases, factsheets, photography, video materials/films on climate resilience programme and publish, disseminate in relevant channels upon sign off from AKF and donor.
Ensure that all climate resilience projects have a communications and visibility plan in line with AKF and project donor guidelines and effectively and timely implemented.
In coordination with partnerships and finance units, support project managers and their team on climate resilience related components in the drafting of donor reports.
Lead on preparation and submission of climate resilience programme level reporting and information sharing to government, AKDN representation office, AKF Geneva, GPT.
Lead on Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) data collection on AKF projects, programmes and reporting.

Other

Perform any other tasks, assigned by direct supervisor, which are relevant to the nature of the job.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Master’s degree in environmental management, environmental protection, environmental engineering or other related discipline.

Special skills & knowledge

Advanced knowledge of the RIO conventions and their respective national programmes, strategies and action plans, with in depth knowledge of the Nationally Determined Contributions of the Republic of Tajikistan under the Paris Agreement.
Advanced knowledge and understanding of the situation, policies, strategies and national plans on climate change management and environmental protection.
Extensive knowledge of and experience in implementation of environmental safeguards and monitoring standards of different partner organizations and donors.
Ability to work across projects and programmes with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to perform at a high level and diplomatically with a range of stakeholders (e.g., local provincial, national government, private sector, NGOs, and beneficiaries).
Experience in working with governments, bilateral, multilateral, and other development partners or private sector.
People management experience.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop effective networking, partnerships with civil society, government and private sector.
Excellent analytical and communications skills.
Excellent written and verbal skills in English, Tajik and Russian.

Desirable:

Good knowledge, skills of planning, budgeting, managing, monitoring and coordinating projects.
Good knowledge and experience in application of the Human Centered Design principles and methods in projects development process.
Strong knowledge and understanding of gender equality principles and integration in programme design, planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Good understanding of climate change and principles of climate resilience building through multisectoral interventions.

Experience:

At least 10 years’ experience in the field of environmental management and environmental protection and climate change in Central Asia or Tajikistan.
Programme development and management experience in design, and implementation of initiatives focused on environmental management and climate change.

APPLICATION PROCESS

A CV and a Cover Letter clearly demonstrating how applicants meet essential qualifications and asset criteria should be submitted via AKDN Career Center through the following link www.the.akdn/careers/2177765 by no later than 5th September 2024. Only full packages will be considered. This is a local position, and international applications will not be considered.

AKF strongly encourages qualified female applicants for this position. AKF seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities and that staff members are able to keep an appropriate balance between work and private life.

For more information on the Aga Khan Foundation and Aga Khan Development Network visit: http://www.akdn.org.

AKF Tajikistan recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to equal opportunity, safeguarding of children from abuse and zero tolerance of sexual harassment.

DISCLAIMER

By sharing their cover letter and resume with AKF in response to this job application, applicants consent for AKF to keep this information on file for recruitment and human resources management purposes.