Organization: CIFOR – Center for International Forestry Research
Location: Remote | Remote – Based | Nairobi
Grade: Junior level – Junior
Occupational Groups:
Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
Managerial positions
Closing Date: 2025-01-06

Reference number: 202465
Job status: In-progress
Job category: Global Position
Duty station: Nairobi or remote, Kenya
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CIFOR-ICRAF
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

Overview

The Regional Coordination Officer is a seasoned professional accountable for a range of functions pertaining to ILC operations in the region, also providing technical insights on organizational evolutions, to develop focused regional strategies, effective implementation plans and overall impact on the ground. They are responsible for the on-going monitoring of operations and to assess the regional overall landscape to support ILC’s regional positioning as an impactful, reliable and leading organization on land governance matters in the region. The Regional Coordination Officer (ILC Secretariat) supports the establishment and implementation of regional workplans in line with ILC global priorities and reflecting the engagement of ILC members in the region in support of effective regional governance. The Regional Coordination Officer works under the overall supervision of the Senior Impact, Regionalization and Learning Specialist (ILC Secretariat) to facilitate the work of a regional team in accordance with ILC and host organizations’ policies and procedures to implement an effective business model in collaboration with the other ILC clusters. They support the strengthening of ILC’s role and influence in the region, help alignment between global priorities and procedures and a bottom-up approach, including by informing key decisions at ILC global level. They support the coordination of high-performing regional teams. The Regional Coordination Officer reports to the Senior Impact, Regionalization and Learning Specialist (ILC Secretariat), is accountable to all ILC work leads and supports the coordination of the regional support team. Compliance of operations with the implementation of ILC Strategy 2030, established targets and monitoring of achievement of results. Assignments require the provision of technical expertise and input for the area of responsibility as well as in knowledge sharing with peers and counterparts. The impact of the work performed directly affects the overall reputation of the regional team in its ability to effectively deliver in its support function to the Coalition. They follow established procedures and contribute to their enhancement by voicing the concerns of regional members. Work at this level is considered moderately complex requiring in-depth technical analysis and reporting. It requires knowledge of the technical issues at stake, the political context and the priorities of the ILC membership. The work relationships of the Regional Coordination Officer are primarily responsible for the exchange of information regarding delivery capacity of the ILC in the region of competence. They are responsible for the set-up of a small support team in collaboration with the regional host. They interact closely with other ILC workleads, mainly with those responsible to coordinate the work around the three ILC strategic objectives as set forth in the strategy 2022-2030. The position represents ILC in the continent, hence it involves regular interactions with partners across the continent such as governments, regional integration institutions and regional partners. They communicate with donors and with ILC Africa Regional Committee and Coalition Council.

Responsibilities

1.Work planning, implementation and positioning: The Regional Coordination Officer facilitates the regional work-planning, implementation and reporting systems in support to the delivery of the ILC Strategy 2030. They support impact-oriented member-led initiatives in the region and position ILC as a relevant and reliable development network in the region. Accountabilities include:

• Analyze regional trends to identify opportunities and threats in support of strategic planning.
• Develop regional plans, ensuring consideration of members’ priorities and land governance context in the region.
• Coordinate the implementation of regional plans ensuring alignment to ILC Strategy 2030.
• Support the selection of high performing, impact-oriented regional and national initiatives in line with ILC Strategy 2030.
• Collect members’ feedback and report issues and areas for improvement in ILC strategy implementation.
• Coordinate the production of regional progress reports towards the achievement of ILC’s objectives as per ILC Strategy 2030 (by initiative, platform and Regional Coordination Unit)
• Identify and promote strategic partnerships (political, technical and financial) with like-minded organizations for better regional positioning and increased impact.
• Position ILC in important regional processes as a key player for securing land rights.

2.Regional governance and support to regionalization: The Regional Coordination Officer facilitates the development of a regionalized governance and One Team to support impact capacity of the ILC in the region, in ways that the network dynamics are reinforced and the role of the regional governance is well-established. Accountabilities include:

• Support regional governance bodies, including by promoting accountability, transparency and a proper membership representation.
• Support the participation of ILC regional governance representatives in the Coalition Council to ensure coherence across governance direction and decisions at global, regional and national level.
• Coordinate members engagement in ILC initiatives and the overall network vibrancy at regional level, including by playing an active role in various governance processes of the ILC (mid-term reviews, evaluations, governance reform, membership intake, etc.).
• Facilitate a primary role in all governance bodies and operations of the ILC and a strong voice in the definition of regional priorities for Peoples’ Organizations (POs) .
• Coordinate commitment to ILC pledges at regional level.
• Coordinate a high-performing regional team to support ILC operations and their impact on the ground within the parameters set forth by the regional governance, the ILC Strategy and budget.
• Identify capacity needs that hinder the effectiveness of the support team and ensure that capacity-building is provided where needed.
• Support the use of common tools and work systems designed and made available by ILC Secretariat by regional teams.

3.Provide coordination to global functions in the region: The Regional Coordination Officer (ILC Secretariat) collaborates with ILC global work leads to coordinate functions at regional level, ensuring alignment to ILC objectives and mandate as established by the Director ILC and the Coalition Council. They facilitate the inclusion of regional needs into global frameworks under the lead of relevant ILC global work leads and support global strategies defined and deployed in ways that support ILC regionalization. Accountabilities include:

• Support a global communication strategy by providing timely and relevant input to ensure regional priorities are well reflected.
• Support a global resource mobilization strategy by providing timely and relevant input to ensure regional priorities are considered and help identify opportunities.
• Support a learning and knowledge approach in the region, including leadership development.
• Partake to overall planning, oversight and delivery of ILC flagship events, such as Coalition Council meetings and Global Land Forum when they happen in the region of responsibility.

4.Managerial functions: is accountable for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of ILC resources. Accountabilities may include but are not limited to:

• Manage ILC regional operations in liaison with colleagues in the Strategy, Network and Knowledge cluster.
• People Management and evaluation of performance of consultants and staff under their purview.
• Contribute to the personnel and financial management of the work area, including the development and implementation of work plans and budgets.

Requirements

• At least five (5) years progressively responsible experience in, and demonstrated understanding of, development initiatives in the field of specialization.
• Three (3) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.
• Position-specific experience: Experience in fieldwork and international policy frameworks related to global environment, natural resource management and rural development is an asset. Extensive experience of working with grass-roots or smaller NGOs as well as into multi-actor partnerships within UN-multilateral system would be an asset.
• Languages:

oEnglish (Excellent) – required

oFrench (Excellent) – desirable

Requirements

Education, knowledge and experience

•At least five (5) years progressively responsible experience in, and demonstrated understanding of, development initiatives in the field of specialization.
•Three (3) years in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing support on a global scope.
•Position-specific experience: Experience in fieldwork and international policy frameworks related to global environment, natural resource management and rural development is an asset. Extensive experience of working with grass-roots or smaller NGOs as well as into multi-actor partnerships within UN-multilateral system would be an asset.
•Languages:
oEnglish (Excellent) – required
oFrench (Excellent) – desirable

Terms and conditions

•This is a Globally Recruited Staff (LRS) position and on competitive remuneration in US$, commensurate with skills and experience.
•The appointment will be for one (1) year, including a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent on performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
•The RCU team is currently based in Nairobi, Kenya. However, ILC operates as a dispersed team and supports remote working arrangements for the selected candidate. The duty station is negotiable and will be determined in consultation with the selected candidate.

Application process

The application deadline is 06 Jan 2025
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.

How to apply

Simply click on the apply button, fill out of the form, and upload your documents

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