NRM Officer

. ORGANIZATION AND POSITION OVERVIEW

Welthungerhilfe (WHH) Welthungerhilfe is one of the biggest private development organizations in Germany. It was founded in 1962 as the National Committee for the Freedom from Hunger Campaign of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Welthungerhilfe is non-profit, non-political, and non-denominational. With a global presence in 33 countries, WHH has been actively engaged in multisector interventions across four regions of Somaliland (Awdal, Maroodi-jeh, Toghdeer, and Sanaag) since 2001 and recently secured EU funding for Toghdeer, Somaliland.

WHH is looking for a professionally confident, self-motivated, experienced, and committed team player to fill the vacant position of Natural Resource Management Officer. The primary responsibility involves collaborating with project target groups to promote sustainable land management, rangeland protection, and community engagement. The selected expert will closely liaise with implementing partners such as ACTED and Candlelight (CL) while fostering collaboration with relevant government agencies.

1. Objectives of the position

The position's objective is to lead and coordinate environmental and Natural resource management initiatives, implementing sustainable agricultural solutions, flood-based production systems, and water and land management programs. The Natural Resource Management Officer is responsible for coordinating disaster management committees, implementing context-specific approaches, and conducting cash transfer programs for soil and water conservation. The role involves organizing workshops, participating in forums, contributing to reports, and promoting environmentally sustainable practices. Collaboration with stakeholders and ensuring compliance with environmental policies, plans, and the National Development Plan to enhance environmental protection, sustainable land management, and community resilience in targeted project areas.

2. Duties and area of responsibility

2.1.      Duties with own area of responsibility

1.    Develop and implement environmentally sustainable agricultural solutions tailored to address the challenges posed by climate change.

2.    Facilitate and support the adoption of flood-based production systems for improved water and land management.

3.    Collaborate with cross-functional teams to plan, formulate, and execute comprehensive water and land management programs and strategies.

4.    Take the lead in coordinating the establishment and operation of village-level disaster management committees, ensuring effective linkages with higher administrative levels and relevant line ministries.

5.    Design and implement context-specific and scientifically informed approaches for disaster management components within the project.

6.  Implement cash transfer program as part of soil and water conservation initiatives and environmental protection activities

2.2        Duties without own area of responsibility

1.    Organize and oversee specialist workshops to disseminate knowledge and best practices.

2.    Participate actively in forums and workshops related to disaster management and environmental protection subjects to stay updated on industry trends and innovations.

3.    Adopt and promote best practices to be integrated into other WHH projects to enhance project effectiveness and outcomes.

4.    Produce/contribute to WHH and donors reports as per set schedules weekly, monthly, and end of project.

5.    Actively participate in the developing biweekly work plan, ensure execution and timely reporting on agreed deliverables

6.    Regular reporting of activity progress against the target/ plan, lessons learnt and challenges.

7.    Ensure all monitoring activities are fully documented, including systematic and timely data collection as required under the EU grant and for WHH MEAL purposes.

8.    Share at least one case/success story on quarterly basis.

9.    Fulfillment of any other tasks which are assigned by the management and correspond in general with the character of this position.

2.3        Specific Activities and duties of the position

1.    Design effective methods and tools for conducting participatory site selection, studies, and investigations related to degraded lands.

2.    Collect and consolidate climate-related information and data from relevant stakeholders and meteorological forums, applying this information to support WHH project objectives.

3.    Develop local by-laws, responsibilities, and sanctions for protected areas to ensure their sustainability.

4.    Support MoECC technical teams in analyzing and disseminating simplified national environmental laws and policies, conduct awareness sessions on the laws and policies, and support the production of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials for widespread dissemination.

5.    Promote income-generating activities within the protected areas, such as honey production, seed collection, and fodder production.

6.    Establish school clubs in the targeted schools to sensitize children on sustainable land and water management techniques and build their leadership capacities.

7.    Collaborate with CL to promote the Blue Schools approach and community engagement in environmental issues.

8.    Collaborating with ministries, the UN system, and universities, integrate successful elements of climate change resilience and livelihood activities into technical packages, producing handouts/handbooks that align with ministerial policies, plans, and the National Development Plan.

9.    Supervise the implementation of soil and water conservation measures in protected areas, rotational grazing zones, and agricultural lands, while advocating for innovative plant-based erosion control and administering cash-for-work programs to foster community involvement and livelihood support.

10. Implement Green Roads for Water (GR4W) interventions to integrate water management and climate adaptation in road rehabilitation.

11. Select and assist communities in establishing or re-establishing Community Disaster Management Committees (CDMCs), providing comprehensive training in disaster risk reduction, climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as early warning systems.

12. Assist trained CDMCs in developing community climate security action plans aligned with national environmental policies.

13. Proposes pragmatic methods at all levels to solve water and soil management problems and to assure coordination of resource protection activities.

14. Lead technical implementation of relevant promotion methods and tools in the project areas.

1.  Knowledge/ Qualifications

1.1 Bachelor’s or master’s degree in environmental protection, natural resource management or related fields.

1.2 Professional/ formal qualification

▪            Extensive experience in implementing sustainable land management, rangeland protection, and community engagement projects.

▪            Strong project management and community mobilization skills.

▪            Knowledge of Somali environmental laws and policies is an advantage.

1.3 Job-related professional experience

3 to 5 years professional experience in planning and implementation of environmental protection and natural resources components.

1.4 Foreign language skills

Ability to communicate in both English and Somali

1.5 Miscellaneous

Ability to cope in a tropical climate.

2. Social skills

2.1        Social skills

Communicates and liaises with others.

2.2        Capacity for teamwork

Ability to work in a team.

2.2        Intercultural competence

3. Disciplinary Leadership of staff

None

4. Responsibility

Activity-based on instructions, the scope of action within the assignment.

Welthungerhilfe is an equal-opportunity employer and seeks to employ and assign the best-qualified talent. If you think you are a great fit for this position, please submit your detailed and up-to-date CV and a cover letter and contact details of 3 professional referees in one document by email to [email protected] with the subject of the email as “APPLICATION FOR NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT OFFICER” by no later than

on 11th December 2023.

All applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the selection process.