Senior Adaptation Consultant

Background:

The Government of Kenya is dedicated to strengthening climate resilience to safeguard lives and livelihoods, and promote socio-economic development. This commitment is especially critical in the agricultural sector, which is a major contributor to the country’s gross domestic product and a primary source of employment.

Kenya is at the forefront of Africa’s adaptation and climate action agenda, driven by a bold vision for green growth that optimizes the continent’s abundant human and natural resources. This vision integrates enhanced climate-positive growth to promote effective climate action, enhance livelihoods, accelerate growth, and prevent emission-intensive development. With a significant focus on solution-oriented approaches, Kenya aims to mobilize attention and momentum for climate adaptation while highlighting the interconnected nature of the topic. This includes taking advantage of opportunities to advance resilience, addressing challenges in the context of these opportunities, and ensuring Africa’s voice is elevated globally. Kenya’s leadership is showcased through initiatives such as green hydrogen projects, renewable energy adoption, and nature conservation efforts. These efforts align with the broader African climate action agenda, driving a holistic green growth agenda and securing climate finance tailored to Africa’s needs.

Kenya’s Office of the President has been a strong champion for climate change in Africa and on the global platform. The Special Envoy for Climate Change supports the vision of the President of Kenya to position Kenya and Africa as leaders in driving climate action. The Senior Adaptation Consultant will be pivotal in advancing sustainable adaptation strategies to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure food security amidst the challenges posed by climate change.

Activity Background:

SoCha is seeking a Kenyan national with the requisite knowledge, skills, and attributes to support Kenya’s Climate Envoy by providing expert guidance and strategic advice on climate adaptation, particularly focusing on sustainable agricultural practices and resilience-building initiatives.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The Senior Adaptation Consultant will perform the following tasks:

Strategic Policy Advisory and Planning:

• Provide strategic advice to the Climate Envoy on agriculture and food systems in addition to climate adaptation solutions in Kenya and Africa, informed by research and verifiable data.
• Support the Climate Envoy in developing a comprehensive adaptation, agriculture, and food systems agenda for the Office of the President that aligns with national priorities, international best practices, and Africa’s green growth agenda.
• Work to ensure the Envoy’s adaptation agenda elevates Kenya’s and Africa’s voice globally and is integrated into existing international forums such as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), G7/G20 processes, and UNFCCC COP 28. This includes showcasing Kenya’s and Africa’s adaptation initiatives globally at international events.
• Support the Climate Envoy in aligning Kenya’s adaptation efforts with the broader African vision for a green growth agenda.

Technical Expertise and Guidance:

• Solution-Oriented Approach: The consultant will structure the adaptation agenda around solutions, mobilizing attention and traction, while highlighting the intersection of different adaptation topics to Kenya’s and Africa’s economic growth. This climate-positive framing will focus on opportunities first, presenting challenges in the context of potential benefits and identifying constraints that need resolution to unlock these opportunities.
• Emphasis on Innovation: Building on President Ruto’s vision for a resilient and adaptive Kenya, the consultant will support the Envoy in elevating the integration of innovative agricultural solutions. This includes the promotion of climate-smart agriculture, leveraging adaptation technologies and their accessibility to smallholder farmers in Kenya and on the continent, enhancing their capacity to cope with climate variability.
• Advocacy and International Engagement: The consultant will support the Climate Envoy in drafting speeches and talking points to elevate Kenya’s advocacy efforts for Kenya and the African continent. This includes content for participating in negotiations, conferences, and workshops to advocate for Kenya’s and Africa’s adaptation priorities. The consultant’s work is expected to position Kenya as a leader in climate adaptation with special attention to agriculture and food systems, sharing best practices and learning from other countries’ experiences.

Mobilizing Finance for Adaptation:

• In line with Kenya’s and Africa’s call for increased financing for adaptation, the consultant will play a pivotal role in positioning Kenya and Africa on the global stage in mobilizing investment and resources for climate adaptation. The consultant will lead development of bankable proposals for funding on agriculture and food systems. This will call for coordination between the Envoy’s office and the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the National Treasury to catalyze the development of a pipeline of projects for funding from international climate funds such as the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund, bilateral and multilateral donors, and private sector investments. The consultant will also lead efforts in liaising with the National Treasury and the Ministry of Environment in the development of innovative financing mechanisms, such as green bonds and climate adaptation funds, to ensure sustainable financing for adaptation projects.
• In developing content for the Climate Envoy’s and the President’s representational roles, the consultant will highlight private sector investments that focus on business opportunities emerging from the green growth agenda, emphasizing the economic benefits of adaptation and resilience-building efforts.
• By integrating these elements into their role, the consultant will help advance a sustainable approach to Kenya’s climate adaptation agenda on the international stage, and align with Africa’s broader climate action goals.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Environmental Science, Agriculture, Climate Change, or related field.
• At least ten (10) years of experience in climate adaptation, with a focus on agriculture in Kenya. Experience in other African countries is also desirable.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing adaptation strategies.
• Demonstrated understanding of agricultural policies and climate change adaptation positions and negotiation interplays at national and regional level.
• Strong understanding of modern agricultural technologies and practices.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, and local communities.

Additionally, the candidate should have the following skills:

• Gravitas: Demonstrate the ability to interact with the highest levels of government, commanding respect, and credibility.
• Diplomacy: Demonstrate tact, sensitivity, emotional intelligence with superior negotiation skills to interact with the highest levels of government and the donor community.
• Advocacy: Demonstrate the ability to make persuasive presentations and enhance strengthening of partnerships and building collaborative relationships between diverse stakeholders.
• Relationship Building: Establish credibility and earn the trust of those they work with in support of successful outcomes.
• Communication: Ability to effectively organize and present data to various audiences using a multitude of media channels. Additionally, the ability to speak and write persuasively to various audiences is valuable.
• Teamwork: Ability to work closely with the Climate Envoy, Government entities, the donor community, and stakeholders toward a common purpose, shared goals, and objectives.
• Effective Management of Complexity and Ambiguity: Demonstrated ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, and diplomacy in a complex, fast-paced environment.
• Research: Ability to conduct information gathering and operational research and synthesize evidence from the data.
• Personality: Ability to maintain a calm demeanor and keep the team focused and productive when under pressure.
• Remote Working: Ability to effectively work virtually, and conversant with virtual meetings apps (e.g. Zoom, Google Meet, etc.).

Period of Performance:

260 days LOE over 12 months (August 2024 – July 2025)

Location:

Nairobi, Kenya

Open to Kenyan nationals only.