ICPALD Agro-Climatologist

Position Title: ICPALD Agro-Climatologist
Duty Station: ICPALD Office, Nairobi, Kenya
Accountable to: Coordinator, ICPALD
Level at entry: P4 (IGAD Position Grade)
Division/Department: Livestock Program, IGAD Center for Pastoral Area and Livestock Development (ICPALD)

1.    Job Summary:

Under the overall supervision of the Coordinator, ICPALD the Agro-climatologist will develop, implement, follow up and monitor the portfolio of activities related to issues influencing dry land livestock and crop agricultural production in relation to climate variability. The incumbent will lead and manage a team responsible for developing, implementing, monitoring, and continuously improving systems, reporting mechanisms, and data infrastructure to support ICPALD’s advancement and its initiatives and operations as they relate to agro-climatological analysis.

The incumbent will create an organizational culture and develop a technological infrastructure that encourages the sharing of agro-climatological knowledge, information and/or data on the influence of climate change on dry land livestock and crop agriculture and water management in IGAD member states.

2.    Core Duties and Responsibilities:

(a)    To download, repackage, re-orient and recast meteorological information, fine-tune climatic analysis and presentation in forms suitable for agricultural decision making by key stakeholders ASALs development in IGAD member states.
(b)    To review and evaluate current means of communicating agro-climatological products and services and develop appropriate tools for communication for the dry land agriculture sector in IGAD member countries,
(c)    To identify the needs for improving the current systems of communication of agro-meteorological products and services for promoting sustainable dry land agriculture;
(d)    To establish greater interaction mechanism with agro-climatologists at national, regional  and community level and develop appropriate dissemination and communication procedures that can enhance the value of the information and services,
(e)    Collect, analyse, disseminate and achieve agro climatology data information that benefit dry land farming communities,
(f)    Provide actionable agro climatological messages during extreme weather events such as drought, floods, pest/disease out-breaks to MS, ICPALD partners and dry land farming communities,
(g)    Prepare quarterly report on agro-climatology in accordance with ICPALD time lines,
(h)    Contribute to regional strategies on trans-boundary animal diseases, fisheries and livestock production and marketing, dryland agriculture, use of shared natural resources including underground and surface water, range, artisal minerals and non-wood forest products (NWFPs) and management of resource conflicts in ASALs in the region from agro-climatic perspective,
(i)    Assist in the preparation and formulation of concept notes, proposals and technical policy briefs on the influence of climate change on dry land agriculture,
(j)    Contribute in the development of guidelines for safe adoption of climate friendly dry land agriculture in IGAD member states,
(k)    Provide technical advice and assistance to member states, regional organizations and implementing partners as required,
(l)    Perform any other related duties as required,

3.    Minimum Qualifications and Experience 

a.    Essential requirement
•    The incumbent should be a national of the IGAD region, with at least a Master Degree in Agro-climatology, climatology, agricultural-economics, livestock-economics, or any other related social science and discipline,
•    At least 10 years’ experience in agro-climate activities at implantation and policy level, with a proven experience and track record on issues related to dry land and/or livestock,
•    Working knowledge of institutional, economic and social development of IGAD;
•    Knowledge of IGAD diverse climates, drylands, livestock and social dynamics in IGAD member states; knowledge of dry land agriculture and climatology is a definite advantage,
•    Demonstrated experience in research methodologies particularly on agriculture in relation to climate variability.
•    Experience and demonstrated success in the application of equitable dryland science and its application for social development acknowledging climate  issues,
•    Demonstrated experience in analysing and including gender equality or mainstreaming skills into such research and/or application,
•    Well versed with regional and national development issues in IGAD Region, especially the situation for women and youth in dry land agriculture and climate change.


b.    Desirable requirement
•    Experience with dry land agriculture and climate change in at least two of the IGAD member states,
•    Experience in training and mentoring,
•    Project management skills,
•    Knowledge of institutional development,
•    Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, implement and review complex systems and applications;
•    Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and provide leadership and direction to others;
•    Ability to analyze and review operational procedures, identify problem areas and optimize performance through procedural changes,
•    Strong communication, relationship and people management skills,
•    Professionalism, personal initiative and good judgment,
•    High level organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and meet targets
•    Ability to work under pressure, remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful and efficient with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality is crucial;
•    Demonstrated ability to make recommendations and use independent judgment,
•    Ability to interact and collaborate with professionals at all levels within and external to the organization and Senior government officials,
•    Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to communicate and generate reports,
•    Experience in at least two IGAD member states will be an added advantage,
•    Proficiency in English and French will be a definite advantage,
•    Fluency in English – French an added advantage,

Language requirements: Fluency in English and working knowledge of the French    

Tenure: The initial appointment will be for twelve calendar months renewable subject to performance and availability of funds.

Procedures for submission of applications:

1. Applications are invited from suitably qualified individuals from the IGAD region.  Interested persons should submit their applications, with copies of their updated CVs and scanned certificates by close of business on the 21st May 2013 to the following address:

Director Administration and Finance
BP 2653 Djibouti
Email: " hr@igad.int and
ICPALD - rose.tsuma@igad.int,
with copies to the Coordinator ICPALD
e-mail muchina.munyua@igad.int

2. In the Subject line, please write:  Ref: HR1232 ICPALD Agro-Climatologist