Economic Recovery Officer (Forestry), 3 positions.
Founded in 1956, The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations – refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and host communities – in more than 40 countries around the world. DRC has been implementing emergency response projects in Tanzania since the onset of the Burundi refugee crisis in 2015 in three refugee camps in the Kigoma Region at the border with Burundi. DRC’s integrated projects for refugees, asylum seekers and host communities comprise sectors such as Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), Protection (CBP, PSN, GBV, CP and Legal), Shelter and infrastructure, and Economic Recovery.
Overall purpose of the role:
The Economic Recovery (Forest) Officer, under the overall management and supervision of the Economic Recovery Coordinator, and in close collaboration with donors, and Local Government Authorities will be responsible for overseeing and providing technical and programmatic support for all DRC’s in-country carbon offsetting/environment project initiatives in line with the overall DRC environment and climate change framework. The Economic Recovery Officer will particularly be responsible for supporting the development and implementation of a novel carbon offsetting project in one of the refugee-hosting districts of Kibondo, Kakonko, and Kasulu districts in the Kigoma region
Main Responsibilities:
Technical Roles
- Implementation of locally-led forest carbon credits offsetting project under Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard among others at the district level
- Conduct awareness-raising sessions on Free, Prior, and Informed consent to the communities in the project sites
- Conduct studies of selected field areas on fuel wood consumption, grazing, charcoal, and agriculture production
- Support the process of Village Land Use Plans (VLUPs) and Forest Resources Assessments (FRAs) including designing forest inventories and sampling protocols for the estimation of carbon and other forest inventory variables in line with Verra’s relevant methodologies.
- Surveying (mapping) and demarcating village-level forest reserves and supporting the preparation (development) of forest management plans
- Support the establishment and/or strengthening of the Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) at the Village and district levels.
- Provide technical advice on tree nursery establishment and management as well as post-planting management activities including the assessment of tree survival rates.
- Provide regular technical training and capacity building to Economic Recovery staff, and relevant partners regarding the implementation of Nature-based Carbon removals, particularly through forest carbon credits offsetting.
- Work with the Economic Recovery Team Leader and Coordinator to regularly review and provide technical advice on project work plans and provide input in the development of SOPs and guidance.
- Support the development of awareness curricula for energy and environment materials for the implementation of a comprehensive training and awareness package.
- Participate in designing interventions, national and local strategies, and plans for the implementation of carbon offsetting/environmental programming activities.
- Providing technical inputs to the program throughout the project cycle and carrying out sector needs assessments, as needed.
- Undertake regular field/onsite visits to ensure technical support to carbon offsetting/environment programming staff and proper monitoring of the activities implemented in the area of operation.
- Foster and ensure Economic Recovery staff members including Community Mobilizers maintain productive, supportive, and respectful relations
- Work in the multi-functional team approach and work in close collaboration with the program and other technical experts, to ensure carbon offsetting/environment interventions are approached from a cross-sectoral perspective.
- Ensure implementation of carbon offsetting/environmental activities is compliant with the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and the DRC Code of Conduct (CoC).
- Liaise closely with other DRC sectors especially Protection, Camp management, and support services to ensure productive coordination and smooth implementation of the program activities.
- Represent DRC at relevant coordination meetings, and Energy and Environment Working Groups, ensuring that issues from the field are raised and addressed.
- Ensure targets are met under DRC’s agreement with donors, to be accountable to the stated goals of the program.
- Ensure the highest quality of the interventions including adherence to best practice programming and minimum standards in coordination with the Economic Recover Manager.
- Hold regular meetings with the team and beneficiaries to understand programmatic challenges and technical support requirements. Highlight when programs are off-track in implementation for further discussion with Team Leaders, Coordinators, and EcRec Manager. Identify any areas where further technical support, oversight, or resources are needed
Monitoring, Evaluation, and reporting
- Ensure transparency and accountability tools, processes, and mechanisms for affected communities are in place.
- Work with the Economic Recovery Team and MEAL team to ensure the M&E plan is being implemented, data is being collected from the field and regular reports are being produced.
- With support from IMs and MEAL review and update of the carbon offsetting/environment Monitoring system on an annual basis or as needed.
- Participate in preparing monthly/quarterly/annual highlights/reports and proposals and budgets as needed
- Ensure equal participation by all segments of the community, taking into consideration issues regarding gender, age, clan, and tribal and religious affiliations.
- Ensure lessons learned are documented, shared, and reflected in program planning and decision-making.
- Provide regular updates on progress to Economic Recovery management and senior management.
Required knowledge and working experience
- Two years’ experience working in forestry, land-use management, ecosystem modeling, carbon markets, and forest carbon project development process, including quantification, monitoring, and/or verification.
- Knowledge of energy and environmental programming with a particular focus on Nature-based Solutions to climate change mitigation initiatives such as carbon offsetting schemes.
- Experience in methodologies for carbon project development and certification in the AFOLU sector of the Voluntary Carbon Market, including familiarity with carbon standards like Verra’s VCS, CCB, and SD Vista, in particular the development and validation of project design documents.
- Experience working on carbon projects that restore landscapes, and working directly in carbon finance and other result-based finance markets is preferred.
- Experience working with indigenous/local communities, government authorities/institutions, and line ministries in environmental and climate change issues.
- Experience in local governance, community development, and participatory natural resources management programming is highly advantageous.
- Knowledge of and experience in handling situations of statelessness and durable solutions preferred.
- High level of computer literacy and associated software (Microsoft Word PowerPoint and Excel, SPSS)
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
- Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity, and flexibility.
- Comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well, able to engage with community members openly and maintain confidentiality and respect.
- Demonstrated ability for rapid analysis of complex issues, strong decision-making, and translation of programmatic learning and priorities into operational strategies.
Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)
- University Degree in forestry, natural resources management, climate change, or closely related fields. A Master’s Degree is an added advantage.
- Strong scientific and technical skills that include a mixture of statistical analysis, remote sensing, GIS, carbon modelling, and/or forest biometrics.
- This role requires a proven understanding of Village Land Use Planning, forestry management, forest inventories, carbon dynamics, and issues around the science of climate change and climate policy and regulation at the national, regional, and global levels.
- Fluency in English is required.
Languages:
- Fluency in English
- Fluency in Kiswahili
Information
Employment category: Grade H
Reporting to: Economic Recovery Coordinator
Technical Line Manager: Economic Recovery Manager
Direct report:N/A
Unit/department: Economic Recovery
Location: : Kankooo/ Kibondo /Kasulu
Key stakeholders: (internal and external)
- Donor, coordination bodies
- Partners
- Government Bodies (Central and Local)
- Beneficiaries in host communities
- Staff
All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:
- Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
- Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
- Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
- Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
- Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.
Providing equal opportunities We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.
DRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff within its programs. As such, we strongly encourage national and diaspora candidates to apply for this position. However, candidates should take into consideration that DRC cannot employ, under an international contract, a national of the country in which he or she will be working (in this case, the United Republic of Tanzania)
Promoting high standards : DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.
Application and CV
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered.
DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under JOB.
DRC as an employer
By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of around 8000 employees in 40 countries. We pride ourselves on our:
- Professionalism, impact & expertise
- Humanitarian approach & the work we do
- Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
- Culture, values & strong leadership
- Fair compensation & continuous development
DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.
