CONSULTANCY- Masters in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Scholarship Announcement under the IGAD-RICCAMA Project

1. Introduction

The European Union (EU) has funded the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) towards strengthening resilience to climate change impacts at regional and national levels through its member states. The project is entitled “Strengthening the Resilience of the IGAD region to the adverse Impacts of Climate Change through effective Adaptation and Mitigation Actions (RICCAMA)” and it is being implemented within eight the IGAD member states. This funding is within the framework of an existing Financing Agreement with the Secretariat of the ACP Group of States for the implementation of the Intra-ACP Global Climate Change Alliance Plus (GCCA+) Programme.

The overall objective of this Action is to increase the resilience of the IGAD region to the adverse impacts of climate change and contribute to the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in particular its Goal 13 “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts” in order to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development. It also contributes to the implementation of the regional component of the GCCA+ Programme.

The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) eight (8) Member States, namely; Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda are all signatories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change. The member states are now implementing their respective Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and require technical human capacity for its success.

The RICCAMA project is being implemented by IGAD/ICPAC for three years i.e. June 2019 to May 2022 and it aims to achieve the following result areas;

• IGAD’s specialized institution, ICPAC, has dedicated operational and institutional capacity to support the needs of Member States in relation to climate change issues and to the implementation of the Paris Agreement (including resource mobilization for NDCs).
• The implementation of regional and national climate change strategies and policies that contribute to the achievement of the Paris Agreement objectives (including NDCs) is supported.
• Strategic dialogue between IGAD and its Member States is strengthened, negotiation capacity built, relevant information and knowledge about climate actions shared.
• The provision of services by regional and national institutions involved in capacity building, research and innovation in relation to climate change adaptation and mitigation is strengthened.

The implementation of the RICCAMA project is mainly focusing on strengthening human and institutional capacity in support of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and other MS endeavors. ICPAC therefore seeks to identify suitable and qualified candidates for three scholarships leading to the award of master’s degree in climate change adaptation and mitigation or related fields.

2. Objectives of the Scholarship Award

The objective of the scholarship award is to equip theoretical and practical skills to successful candidates in:

• Background of climate change and related fields including assessments, reporting and negotiations
• Tools and techniques for climate data analysis including developing climate change and extreme indices
• Climate change vulnerability and impacts assessment
• Climate change adaptation and mitigation assessment and reporting at various scales.
• Greenhouse gas (GHG) baseline determination, measurement, monitoring and inventory.
• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems and tools.
• Development of policy interventions to respond to climate change challenges at various levels.

3. Requirements from the Applicants

Applicants should;

• hold Bachelors of Science degree in climate change related field, earth science, and engineering from a recognized University
• have good computing skills
• be working in any institution of the IGAD Member States preferably in ministries responsible for climate change and provide evidence that he will work in his/her own country for at least two (2) years upon completion of the study
• be willing to study in a University outside their home country with a modest stipend
• undertake a research project in the area of climate change adaptation and mitigation
• be below 40 years of age at the time of application and must be a citizen of one of the IGAD member states
• submit a motivation letter expressing their interest in the scholarship
• Submit two recommendation letters, one from the employer and the other from academic mentor in support of the application

4. Timelines

The following timelines shall apply:

• 22 March – 09 April 2021: Advertisement on IGAD webpage
• 19 – 30 April 2021: Selection, interview and communicating the outcome to successful candidates
• 10 – 21 May 2021: Selection of Universities and processing of admission for study programmes
• 15 September 2021: Expected commencement of Masters programme

5. Duration of the Scholarship

The scholarship will be for a duration of 18 – 24 months from September 2021

6. Gender and Country Balance

The consideration of Gender and Country balance will be based on IGAD policies.

7. Application procedure

Interested candidates should send a motivation letter, two recommendation letters, admission letter (if available) and copies of their academic credentials by 09 April 2021 at 1700hrs to recruitment@igad.int with a copy to recruitments@icpac.net.

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