Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

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Position Title:                     Senior Dryland Development Expert

Number of positions:        1

Reference:                           ICPALD-DDE

Organizational Unit:          IGAD Center for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD)

Reporting line:                    ICPALD Director

Duty station:                      Nairobi with frequent travel in the IGAD region

Duration:                            One year with possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance and availability of funds

Deadline for Applications: 27^th September 2024

Expected start Date:         1^st December 2024

1. Background

IGAD was established in 1986 to mitigate the effects of recurrent drought and environmental degradation, boost agricultural production, and facilitate sustainable management of natural resources. IGAD’s mandate expanded into protecting the environment while simultaneously pooling resources for regional development efforts. With the emerging political, security, and socio-economic challenges, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in 1996 resolved to expand IGAD’s mandate to include cooperation and integration, peace and security, and socio-economic dimensions. IGAD region member States include Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. IGAD’s mandate is to promote the resilience of the region through regional cooperation and integration, fostering peace and security, boosting agricultural sector development, facilitating sustainable management of natural resources, and environmental protection.

The IGAD Centre for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD) was established in July 2012 as an IGAD Specialized Institution mandated to “promote and facilitate sustainable and equitable drylands and livestock development in the IGAD region.” To fulfil its mandate, ICPALD serves as a platform for the regional cooperation and coordination in Livestock, pastoralism and Arid and Semi-arid land (ASAL) development. ICPALD’s three focus areas include livestock development; research, policy and knowledge management; Pastoralism, climate change and ASAL development. ICPALD is operating in alignment with IGAD’s regional integration mandate and all development initiatives with the development agenda of its Member States, African Union 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) account for about 60 – 70% of the land area of the countries in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHoA). Pastoral, agro-pastoral livestock production systems are the primary economic enterprise and main economic driver in the ASALs. Most of this area is affected by moderate to severe land degradation and frequent drought and flood attributed to climate change impact. About 30% of the IGAD MS populations live in the ASALs, largely dependent on livestock and other rangeland products. Social, technical and economic services are however not well developed, especially to the mobile pastoral populations. In addition, the long-term development needs of the ASALs are generally under resourced. Local conflict and insecurity in the region exacerbate vulnerability and hinders effective response and other development interventions.

ICPALD has the mandate of promoting and facilitating sustainable and equitable Drylands and livestock development in the region. Since inception in July 2012, ICPALD has been engaged in several interventions including: – Linking climate prediction products to end users in ASALs; contributing to conflict resolution through targeted development interventions; expanding sources of wealth and employment creation in the ASALs; support to regional drylands training and research institutions networks and supporting the expansion of frontiers of knowledge. Pastoral production systems in the IGAD region depend on natural vegetation, water and other natural resources. They play a key role in the protection and maintenance of ecosystems and services. These ASAL ecosystems are characterized by highly variable temporal and spatial production of herbaceous biomass, which impact on livestock production and productivity.

The dependence of the IGAD region on rain-fed crop agriculture and livestock production systems and the associated industries makes it vulnerable to the adverse impacts of increased frequency and intensity of climatic extremes associated with climate change. It is widely acknowledged that the HoA is facing a daunting challenge of pursuing sustainable development in the face of Climate Change (CC). Most of the IGAD region is highly vulnerable to the extremes of climate variability especially the recurrent droughts and floods. Women and the youth are most vulnerable to the effects of these climatic calamities.

Natural resources (NR) such as water, wildlife, rangelands and general ecosystems often extend beyond the boundaries of countries, and they are accessed by transhumant pastoralists. Periodic conflicts over these natural resources have been witnessed in many parts of the IGAD region. Climate change induced forced migration and conflicts will be key challenges of this century in this region.

ICPALD is mandated to address development challenges in ASALs of MS by providing evidence based sustainable development options, coordination and interventions in cross-border area. Pastoralism and climate change and dryland development are key areas of intervention.

2. job summary

The IGAD Centre for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD) is seeking a highly qualified senior livestock and climate change expert for services ranging from technical lead in capacity building on livestock sector climate change adaptation and mitigation; design programs and projects related to livestock and climate change; facilitate exchange visits among member State experts and private sector for scaling up good practice in climate change mitigation and adaptation; closely work with IGAD team in concept note and proposal development for resource mobilization, and produce reports, policy briefs and others.

3. Specific Tasks and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of ICPALD Director, the Senior Dryland Development Expert will undertake the following tasks related to dryland development:

• Coordinate and lead dryland development, and adoption of climate smart livestock in the IGAD region
• Promote and facilitate the development policy and legal frameworks supportive of climate smart livestock
• Lead regional effort related to communal land governance, sustainable use of rangeland resources
• Lead and Support resource mobilization and joint programming for climate smart livestock
• Spreadhead implementation of projects and programs on pastoralism, pastoral conflict prevention, and other pastoral development
• Implement and transpose pastoral policies into national policies
• Link the regional policies with national policies
• Lead strengthening of livestock sector early warning, anticipatory action and preparedness to climate shock
• Any other task assigned by ICPALD Director

4. Academic qualification, Professional experiences and Core Competencies required
   • Academic Qualification

• A minimum of master’s degree in pastoral development, rangeland resource management, resource economics, dryland development, or relevant degree combined with certificate in climate change adaptation and mitigation in the livestock sector
  • Professional Work Experience
• A minimum of 10 years in development, policy research and analysis in the field of pastoral areas and drylands. Of which at least three years of work experience in climate change in livestock sector
• At least 5 years of experience in complex programme formulation and implementation (multi-country) and resource mobilization
• A good understanding of natural resources/ land use issues in pastoral/ASALs
• Working experience with regional economic communities, INGO, UN agencies and regional and Africa wide organizations an added advantage
• Working experience in the IGAD region member states in similar capacities a definite advantage
  • Skills and competencies
• Self-starter with the ability to strategically plan and knowledge management work
• Experience in multi-stakeholder project results-based management
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to deal with technical, and people management challenges
• Verbal and written communication skills in English; Knowledge of French is an added value
• A demonstrated ability (through previous similar assignments) to analyze, compile and synthesize information in coherent and succinct formats
  • Language requirements

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French language is an added advantage

5. Remuneration

Negotiable with IGAD salary scale and policy and based on applicant’s qualification and experience

6. How to apply

Qualified applicants from IGAD Member States are eligible to apply.

Interested candidates should send their applications in PDF accompanied by cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, academic credentials, copy of passports/ ID cards biometric page and three reference persons including the last employer.

Applications should be sent by E-mail to the following addresses: recruitment@igad.int with subject line “ICPALD-DDE”

Closing date for application will be on 27^th September 2024. Due to the large number of applications we expect to receive; only successful candidates who meet the required experience & qualifications for this position will be contacted. Contact: + 25321354050

IGAD is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Download the attached ToR document in PDF below.
Vacancy Announcement – Senior Dryland Development Expert