SENIOR OFFICER, ENVIRONMENT, HAITI, CLEAN COOKING ALLIANCE

Position Overview

The Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA) works with a global network of partners to build an inclusive industry that makes clean cooking accessible to the three billion people who live each day without it. Established in 2010, CCA is driving consumer demand, mobilizing investment to build a pipeline of scalable businesses, and fostering an enabling environment that allows the sector to thrive. Clean cooking transforms lives by improving health, protecting the climate and environment, empowering women, and helping consumers save time and money. In alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, CCA is working to achieve universal access to clean cooking by 2030. As the Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA), we commit to cultivating an environment that is diverse, inclusive, and equitable in our work and in the communities, we will serve through the “Haiti Cookstoves and Clean Energy Market Project.” We affirm and reinforce our belief in equality and inclusion at all levels by hiring from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and voices. And we recognize that by committing to gender diversity, we will be better equipped to build an inclusive industry that makes clean cooking accessible to the three billion people who live each day without it.

The Haiti Cookstoves and Clean Energy Market Project (the “Project”) will set the foundation for a long-term, sustainable transformation of the market for cleaner and more efficient cooking solutions. This is driven by a motivation to reduce negative climate, environment, economic, and health impacts from traditional cooking practices on the Haitian population, with a focus on reducing the disproportionate impacts on women and girls.
Our efforts will entail a combination of sector-wide, market development activities, including capacity-building support for the government, the private sector, and other stakeholders; advocacy and technical assistance on the development of policies and regulations conducive to market development; and various other support and sector coordination. The Project will be led by CCA, in close collaboration with the Government of Haiti, local stakeholders, practitioners, the private sector, donors, civil society organizations, and UN agencies.

This Project takes a cross-cutting approach to environmental sustainability and therefore environmental considerations are integrated throughout and are critical to the success of the Project. The Project is designed to reduce negative climate and environment impacts by supporting the development of a clean cooking market, but due to the pervasive use of charcoal and the length of time it will take to fully transition Haiti to a clean energy future, it was also determined that market development activities should be complemented with activities in the charcoal value chain that will realize more near-term environmental impacts and mitigate any unintended consequences on rural livelihoods. As such, the Project’s environment component focuses on four workstreams—1) increasing sustainability in the woodfuel value chain through improving sustainable charcoal production; 2) establishing a robust picture of Haiti’s woodfuel supply/demand dynamics and the impact on biomass resources through advanced modelling based on field data; 3) promoting capacity building with government agencies and relevant stakeholders to conduct long-run energy planning; and 4) supporting government agencies in developing or reinforcing policies and in implementing their climate change action plans and access climate finance.

The Senior Officer, Environment, Clean Cooking Alliance, is responsible for managing the development and implementation of the Project’s environment strategy. This position will lead the design and implementation of country-level activities, which include but are not limited to: greening the charcoal value chain, and providing targeted government capacity-building support to relevant ministry stakeholders.

The Senior Officer, Environment will also be responsible for the government engagement aspect of the project, focusing on maintaining close collaboration with Haitian government stakeholders, particularly the Ministry of Environment, the Bureau of Mines and Energy, amongst other government stakeholders and provide support on policy development and implementation. This position will collaborate with other in-country environmental programs and stakeholders including, but not limited to, the USAID/Chemonics Reforestation Project, Haiti Takes Root, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB). S/he will identify and participate in key environment/climate working groups, committees, and networks in Haiti and the region to foster collaboration and strong working relationships with organizations and stakeholders. S/he will also be responsible for exploring any external climate finance opportunities available such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs), or other relevant climate finance opportunities.

We seek applicants with an interest in and ability to proactively manage multiple requests and jump in where needed. The ability to cultivate effective working relationships with people, internally and externally, from a wide variety of types of organizations, cultural backgrounds, and areas of expertise.

The Senior Officer, Environment, Clean Cooking Alliance will work in close coordination with members of CCA’s Headquarter in Washington, D.C. and members of the Haiti office, supporting the implementation of the climate and environment components of the Project. The role will report to the Chief Program Officer.

This position is based in Haiti.

Essential Functions

• Lead the development and activity implementation of the environment strategy in consultation with the Haiti Country Director and the Haiti Project Team
• Lead civil society organization and government engagements to develop gender-sensitive policy frameworks, identify gender-balanced advocacy and technical groups, and provide advocacy support to women’s organizations, in collaboration with the Gender Manager
• Lead the implementation of the Project’s policy work in collaboration with CCA’s policy team and identify issues and risks related to the Project’s policy implementation in a timely manner and make appropriate adjustments in collaboration with the Haiti Team
• Assess gaps and needs for a national policy environment that support dynamic clean cooking markets
• Capture, package and disseminate lessons learned from the project related to policy or to environment
• Translate evidence into policy insights and recommendations through various means
• Design and implement the Project’s strategy for awareness-raising, policy reforms, institutional development, and governance within the public sector
• Lead the Project’s climate and environment pillar through implementation, monitoring, and evaluation activities, and contribute to the development of strategies and programs to enhance the Project’s impact
• Foster close working relationships with government agencies and other relevant stakeholders through trainings/workshops, consultations, meetings, work planning, communications, and reporting and serve as the primary focal point with the relevant government agencies for collaboration on environmental-related activity design and implementation
• Build on and identify successful practices in achieving efficient charcoal production and agroforestry management and play an active role in policy, strategic thinking, and knowledge sharing to promote their national use and institutionalization
• Organize activities that foster an enabling environment for civil society, private sector and government collaboration, including organizing and tracking meetings with key stakeholders
• Identify, establish, and participate in key working groups, committees, and networks in Haiti and the region to foster collaboration and strong working relationships with organizations, governments and other stakeholders
• Support annual work plan and progress report preparation, and monitor implementation and to contribute to the prioritization and design of project activities through environmental impact analysis
• Provide quality inputs to the Country Director on thematic briefings, talking points, speeches, and analytical/strategic documents and contribute to the development of proposals, RFPs etc.
• Represent the Project team at meetings and conferences as needed
• Communicate and coordinate with the Project’s staff on technical questions related to environment issues, government engagement, work planning and implementation
• Manage consultants as necessary
• Work closely with local partners, providing technical oversight
• Provide regular updates to the team
• Visit Project sites regularly to assure progress towards activity objectives and goals
• Monitor the Project Implementation Plan, with attention to deliverables
• Address and proactively identify problems and challenges, and adapt to evolving institutional, financial, and political realities on the ground
• Track and remain up to date on relevant local research and projects, and identify opportunities for collaboration
• Support legislative measures to implement relevant policies
• Provide technical support and manage the design of trainings regarding accessing international climate finance
• Collaborate on project communications materials
• Provide technical support to government agencies relevant to tracking progress towards NDCs relating to climate change and clean cooking, and
• Perform other duties as assigned

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree required; Advanced degree in conservation biology, agronomy, ecology, forestry, natural resource management, environmental economics, environmental policy, environmental engineering, climate change Mitigation, air Pollution, agricultural engineering, agricultural economics, energy or related field preferred
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience working on environment, climate, and forestry issues, and particularly as they relate to public policies that affect consumer and private sector behavior. Haiti specific experience is highly desirable
• Knowledge of managing and improving agroforestry systems, charcoal production, energetic forests, and protected area management, and/or biomass for energy production policies
• Significant government engagement experience with relevant Haitian government institutions and donor agencies related to: (1) policy development and implementation, (2) complex project development and management, particularly in developing countries, (3) grant-making, including review, monitoring, and evaluation of grants, (4) fundraising, including development of proposals and budgets, monitoring and reporting
• Strong understanding of political practices, legal frameworks, regulations, and procedures governing land use, as well as an appreciation for initiatives to address current challenges
• Ability to diplomatically work with partners from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences
• Ability to build and maintain strong and effective relationships across multiple stakeholders (international organizations, development agencies, scientific and technical bodies, private sector entities, developing country counterparts, and NGOs)
• Knowledge of the political, social, cultural, environmental, and development context of Haiti strongly preferred
• Exceptional communication skills and training/workshop facilitation skills, with attention to detail and broad strategy and experience communicating to different audiences
• Ability to translate technical reports and academic papers into concise policy implications and guidance
• Experience using data to drive policy recommendation and action
• Demonstrated leadership and experience on multi-disciplinary teams and in various international settings preferred
• Personal commitment to the Clean Cooking Alliance and UN Foundation’s vision
• Self-starter with the desire for continuous learning and the ability to synthesize information and respond positively to constructive feedback
• Flexibility, openness to new challenges, and the ability to thrive and prioritize competing demands as part of a highly functioning, fast-paced group of professionals
• Ability to work independently on complex tasks with tight deadlines
• Ability to think analytically, strategically, and programmatically
• Proven ability to work in teams, both as a team leader and team member
• Ability to frequently travel within Haiti and internationally
• Fluency in English and French is required; fluency in Haitian Creole preferred
• Haiti country work experience required
• Ability to work under pressure and handle stress.

Apply at:

https://unitednationsfoundation.applytojob.com/apply/YxfLo5JO0n/Senior-Officer-Environment-Haiti-Clean-Cooking-Alliance