Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and oversight of the Deputy Commissioner (EFCCC) the National REDD+ Coordinator, will coordinate, facilitate and provide guidance to the implementation of the National REDD+ program including the RIP-DD and Oromia Forested Landscape Program (OFLP).

Specifically, the REDD+ Coordinator will have the following tasks and roles - He/she will be responsible to:

• Lead and coordinate activities of the staff of the National REDD+ Secretariat;
• Coordinate national stakeholders and development partners in the implementation of the national REDD+ strategy;
• Help establish and maintain implementation framework for REDD+ (systems for carbon accounting, emissions tracking and registry, carbon transactions and benefit sharing schemes);
• Facilitate dialogue and discussions with development partners for ensuring the continuity of financing (fund mobilization) for the implementation of the national REDD+ strategy;
• Facilitate the coordination of policy development processes on issues related to REDD+, forestry and climate change;
• Put in place the necessary capacity at national and subnational levels for ensuring compliance to international standards with respect to REDD+ safeguards, carbon accounting, emission tracking and MRV;
• Support the design and implementation of capacity building and investment programs related to REDD+ programs for national and subnational actors for ensuring an effective and efficient REDD+ program implementation;
• Provide support in activities and to institutions involved in the design and implementation of the Ethiopian’s REDD+ program;
• Ensure proper engagement and participation of stakeholders on REDD+ processes using its governance structures at various levels;
• Provide secretarial services for recording and documentation of stakeholders meetings, workshops and trainings;
• Support the development of regional emission reduction programs (ERPs) in coordination with the RRCUs;
• Ensure the proper communications and dissemination of information related to Ethiopia’s REDD+ to national and international stakeholders in a transparent manner through appropriate channels (e.g., website);
• Consolidate reports on REDD+ actions at national level, and supports the preparation of international reports on emission reduction from forestry;
• Participate in REDD+ related dialogues, negotiations, conferences, meetings and acts as a national REDD+ focal point;
• Create a mechanism to consolidate and disseminate lessons learned to the national REDD+ program level;
• Coordinate, facilitate, support and monitor the RIP DD being implemented in three regional states;
• Ensure RIP-DD implementation complies with the international REDD+ requirements such as the MRV system, the reference levels, the benefit sharing structure and dispute resolution mechanisms;
• Take responsibility and leadership to initiate, manage, and coordinate various activities, such as activity and budget planning, M&E and preparing periodic reports on RIP-DD implementation and national REDD+ program;
• Organize meetings with the national and regional stakeholders as appropriate;
• Enable and support dissemination of best practices, good results and findings related to REDD+/PFM implementation to stakeholders at the national and sub-national levels, including non-government stakeholders;
• Report periodically to different stakeholders (including government, donors, private sector and civil society) on the progress of the RIP-DD and national REDD+ program as appropriate;
• Provide support to data collection and completion of quarterly and annual reports;
• Supervise RIP team staff at federal and regional levels, including the Safeguards Specialist, National MRV Specialists and Communication Specialist and others;
• Engage with and accomplishes tasks assigned to it by EFCCC, as required.

Competencies

Innovation:

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Level 6: Exercises stakeholder-centered design approaches for office / programme / division;

Leadership:

• Ability to persuade others to follow.

Level 6: Ensures teams are resourced for success  and empowered to deliver;

People Management:

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Level 6: Guides substantive specialists / teams and expands credibility and innovation capacity;

Communication:

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Level 6: Creates confidence among stakeholders by delivering authoritative positions, compelling analysis, and contextual acumen;

Delivery:

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.

Level 6: Accepts accountability for the outcomes of programme delivery and facilitates improvement and innovation in the delivery of products and services.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s or advanced degree in forestry, forest ecology, ecosystem ecology or climate change sciences.

Experience:

• At least 6 years of relevant working experience in forestry or climate change, and at least 5 years of project management experience in climate change and forestry areas;
• Knowledge and experience in global climate change mitigation and adaptation concepts and practices;
• Experience of implementation of similar projects is an added advantage;
• Knowledge and experience in Ethiopia’s climate, forest sector and natural resource management sector policies and strategies;
• Excellent knowledge of the concepts and issues of REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation), especially MRV (Measurement, Reporting, Verification) and FRL;
• Demonstrated team leadership qualities including strong managerial and partner or stakeholder engagement skills, particularly on REDD+ programs is desirable;
• Experience with the design, preparation and organization of technical workshops and other national/regional meetings;
• Understanding of REDD+ policies and readiness mechanisms, national forestry policy, natural resource management and conservation, and forest restoration;
• Understanding of the national REDD+ strategies, drivers and implications for designing demonstration activities based on national priorities;
• Project development and management experience (development and implementation of work plans, financial and technical management of contracts, supervision of consultants, liaison with relevant stakeholders, etc.);
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively and deliver quality outputs under pressure and within agreed tight deadlines;
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English;
• Demonstrated strong aptitude and ability to communicate both informally (interpersonal skills and networking) and formally (presentations).
• Proven experience in capacity building to a range of different stakeholders including communities and, and government officials;
• Skills to coordinate a group of experts and facilitate discussions with national key stakeholders;
• Ability to manage multi-tasks, uptake new and innovative knowledge, and manage time effectively in a dynamic and fast-paced working environment.

Language requirements:

• Demonstrated ability and skills to communicate effectively in English (both oral and in written) and also skills and ability in Amharic and other languages is an advantage).