Climate Adaptation Advisor – Agriculture and Food Security Africa

Company Description

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner working in more than 20 countries across Africa and Asia. Building on 60 years of experience and grounded in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we work on the core themes of gender equality and social inclusion, climate adaptation and mitigation, and strong institutions and effective governance.  Together with our team of over 1,600 people, our mission is to strengthen capacities and catalyse partnerships that transform the agri-food, energy, and water systems, which enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information on SNV, please refer to our website: www.snv.org.

Job Description

SNV takes upon a crucial role as a partner in the management of the Origination Facility (OF) under the Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD, www.thedfcd.com). The primary objective within this facility is to source and develop projects until they reach the level of ‘bankability’. This phase is crucial as it paves the way for FMO (Netherlands Development Bank) and CFM (Climate Fund Managers) to secure private sector funding necessary for the implementation of impactful, climate-resilient projects. The OF is uniquely dedicated to identifying promising business ideas or projects and conducting preliminary feasibility studies, all with a specific focus on various thematic subsectors encompassed by the DFCD. We are strategically positioned to exploit landscape strategies to source activities and transform them into viable business propositions for our two investment windows, Water and Land use.

In a promising development, the Dutch government has recently granted approval for an additional €40 million in funding for the Origination Facility, covering the period from 2024 to 2027.

As a Climate Adaptation Advisor – Agriculture and Food Security at SNV, your role is to provide technical advisory support, focusing on the development of climate-resilient agriculture and food security projects. This dynamic role encompasses guiding these projects from inception to a bankable stage, enabling private sector investment within the region. You will report directly to the Project Manager and working closely alongside SNV DFCD regional staff and at the country level with other SNV personnel and DFCD consortium members.

This role empowers you to drive impactful climate-resilient projects in agriculture and food security. We seek an ambitious, innovative, and collaborative individual deeply committed to sustainability and positive change in these vital sectors. Join us in shaping a more sustainable and resilient future on a global scale.

You will have a crucial role in driving the mission of the DFCD Origination Facility, with key responsibilities including:

1. Origination Pipeline Development: Collaborate closely with the Regional Business and Investment Experts to craft and execute a strategic origination pipeline that is not only comprehensive but also climate resilient, spanning multiple countries.
2. Project Enhancement: Take charge of enhancing individual origination projects, with a particular focus on optimizing their climate adaptation relevance within a landscape impact framework.
3. Landscape Narrative Development: Develop and periodic updates of landscape narrative documents together with the Regional Business and Investment experts, M&E advisors, and other key DFCD consortium partners.
4. Capacity Building: Building the capacity of companies and SNV colleagues in the region, focusing on climate change adaptation strategies.
5. Strategic Documentation: Develop pertinent learning documents and strategic documentation to provide comprehensive origination support.
6. Representation: Prepare and present DFCD initiatives at regional and global events, effectively communicating our mission and impact.
7. Partnership Identification: Identify and foster partnerships with relevant partners and networks that offer valuable learning opportunities and amplify the impact of our initiatives.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications:

• Hold an MSc degree in a field related to Agriculture and Climate Change.
• Possess in-depth knowledge and demonstrable experience in climate change adaptation, especially within the context of agriculture and food security.
• Expertise in landscape approaches that contribute significantly to climate r