Based on a whole-of-society approach, LoCAL-Uganda will be fully aligned with the country’s climate change policy, the Nationally Determined Contribution, with the National Adaptation Plan process, financial systems for local governments, and related institutional and regulatory frameworks.

Within this program context, UNCDF is seeking to hire  up to eight (8) Field Associates. The Field Associates will contribute to the effective delivery of the program’s activities in the districts of Nakapiripirit, Nabilatuk, Kitgum, Bulambuli, Kasese, Nwoya, Zombo and Nebbi . This role reports to theProgramme Specialist (P4) based in Kampala, Uganda..

In Uganda, UNCDF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, in partnership with the Ministry of Water and Environment (MoWE) and the Ministry of Local Government, to deploy LoCAL in four (4) pilot districts of Kasese, Nwoya, Nebbi and Zombo . The program is entering into phase two and expanding to another four (4) additional districts of Kitgum, Bulambuli, Nabilatuk and Nakapiripirit.  The program provides participating districts with annual PBCRGs, to finance investments that promote adaptation to climate change. Eligible investments may range from climate smart agriculture activities, sustainable livestock production, improved irrigation and water systems, flood control systems, to climate-proof infrastructure, sustainable land management, forestry, disaster risk reduction, climate information technologies, health, education, energy, and so forth.

• Support implementation of LoCAL activities in the field in line with Annual Work Plan (AWP) and support the preparation of periodic technical and financial reports on the implementation of LoCAL activities and undertake regular monitoring of the activities, including through field sites visits
• Assist target DLGs to understand the LoCAL’s objectives and effectively support them in the management, implementation, and monitoring of Performance-Based Climate Resilience Grants (PBCRGs) and activities/interventions/investments and propose improvements through reviewed work plans.

Support the preparation and participate and contribute to the Annual Performance Assessment (APA) of PBCRGs

• Regular monitoring of the progress of target DLGs in implementation of the LoCAL and its PBCRGs, in line with PBCRGs guidelines and manual and applicable government’s regulations and procedures. This calls for effective support to Districts in the management, implementation, and monitoring of PBCRGs and activities/interventions/investments and propose improvements through reviewed work-plans; Provide programme support to subnational government counterparts and key stakeholders.
• Support Districts to collect and interpret climate-related data and information, as well as undertake local climate risk assessments, and to mainstream climate change into local public planning and budgeting systems;
• Under the guidance of the National Climate Change Technical Specialist and District Natural Resource Officer (DNRO), support target DLGs to collect and interpret climate-related data and information, as well as undertake local climate risk assessments, and to mainstream climate change into local district planning and budgeting systems;
• Under the guidance of DNRO, ensure LoCAL mechanisms is integrated in District Climate Change Action Plans (DCCAPs)
• Under the guidance of the National Climate Change Technical Specialist or  National Local Development Specialist MoWE and MoLG, support capacity building (“learning by doing”) and preparation of local government development and investment plans and budgets that foster inclusive and climate resilient local economies and communities.
• Facilitate the coordination and preparation of resources for the conduct of capacity building activities, and providing technical guidance and advice, of the production of materials, coordinating schedules and participation of stakeholders.
• Support the preparation and participate and contribute to the annual performance assessment of participating Districts;

Administrative support to the implementation of activities.

• Participate in planning and organization of trainings/events facilitating the wide representation and full participation of local stakeholders by following UNCDF rules and regulations and ensuring gender equality
• Assist in the organization of field visits, missions, conferences and other logistics arrangements;
• Support DLGs to collect and compile expenditure reports and other related financial documents, as required
• Participate in LoCAL biweekly field staff coordination meetings and draft routine correspondence, minutes including preparing background materials for discussions and briefing sessions.
• Support the preparation of periodic technical and financial reports on the implementation of LoCAL activities and undertake regular monitoring of the activities, including through field visits; missions, conferences and other logistics arrangements.

Support effective mainstreaming of gender equality and community participation.

• Support DLGs in ensuring gender equality and participation of communities throughout the PBCRG cycle, in particular during the local adaptation planning process;
• Ensure that all the data, when collecting and compiling inputs relating to programme, are gender disaggregated.
• Organize and participate in planning of trainings/events at the national and local level, facilitating the wide representation and full participation of local stakeholders by following UNCDF rules and regulations and ensuring gender equality;

Support facilitating knowledge sharing and communication

• Support and facilitate consultation and exchange of information, synergies, learning and know-how at the local level, in particular in relation with partners and stakeholders involved with LoCAL expected results, especially Output 1 – “Awareness and capacities to respond to climate change adaptation are increased at central and subnational levels” and Output 2 – “Climate change adaptation is integrated into  district  plans and budgets, and climate change adaptation interventions and investments are implemented in line with the PBCRG”;
• Support the knowledge and communication efforts of LoCAL in Uganda  (i.e. LoCAL stories, news articles, photos, videos, social media presence, country webpage and web presence, as appropriate) with support and guidance from Lead LoCAL communication expert;
• Assist in providing inputs to the LoCAL roadmap development and support the identification of skills gaps and training needs in the area of climate change and PBCRG mechanism; support the mapping of training providers and skill areas in target Districts in line with LoCAL investment menu and climate resilience grant priorities;
• Perform any other related duties as required by supervisor/ management or guided by the LoCAL Steering Committee and other key stakeholders.