Natural Resources Management Advisor Volunteer

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Morris Carr
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Natural Resources Management Advisor Volunteer Country Malawi Employer VSO Malawi, Secure Livelihoods Programme Duration 36 months Job purpose The overall purpose of the job is to take a leading role

1 Natural Resources Management Advisor Volunteer Country Malawi Employer VSO Malawi, Secure Livelihoods Programme Duration 36 months Job purpose The overall purpose of the job is to take a leading role in further developing VSO Malawi s innovative DRONE work, further develop climate proof interventions, coordinate research on the effectiveness of the technology and sharing of learning and growing a body of knowledge and evidence for further programme development. Contents: 1. Job Description... Error! Bookmark not defined. 2. Personal considerations... Error! Bookmark not defined. 3. Background and contextual information... Error! Bookmark not defined. Page 1

2 1. Job Description Responsibilities Key Performance Indicators Competencies Skills and Knowledge The volunteer role is to work closely with the existing staff in the VSO Malawi Secure Livelihoods program: Number of climate change interventions developed based on the available opportunities Building on VSO s previous experience under the MAJI Project, explore opportunities to develop a market-based approach for climate change interventions Fully develop a VSO Malawi current climate change interventions profiling Documentation of the case studies and change stories in climate change interventions which VSO Malawi is promoting. Support and facilitate existing access for target communities to markets for products and services based on climate change adaption IGAs Develop community sensitization to the use of drones/uavs to assist in natural resource management Facilitate the development of climate change sector partnerships and consortium development Evidence gathering for proposal development to further grow the livelihoods programme Pilot a simple climate change adaptation technologies (i.e. energy Page 2 Number of stories of chance and case studies documented. Number of communities linked to viable markets Number of partnerships developed to respond with in Climate Change Calls Implementation of climate change adaptation technologies interventions. Building and Sustaining working relationships The social skills to build and actively maintain working relationships that foster teamwork and collaboration with others for the benefit of a common goal. Open Minded and Respectful A non-judgemental approach that values other people and culture. Seeking and Sharing Knowledge Recognition that learning is a two-way and continuous process. Facilitating Positive Change The ability to analyse problems and develop lasting solutions in line with VSO approaches. Adaptability A flexible approach and the ability to adapt behaviour to different situations. Resilience The self-confidence to work with a variety of situations, diverse people and ambiguity. With a BSc in Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Renewable Energy or related field. A Masters in Environmental Management or Natural Management (desirable) Strong experience in assisting farmer groups and have knowledge of helping communities in developing climate change adaptation interventions Experience of climate change adaptions and mitigation projects Experience of adopting a market based approach to natural resource management Experience of organizational development or working in a capacity building role in a growing small organization highly desirable Experience of assisting smallholder farmers in establishing and using micro irrigation systems Experience of integrating small energy projects into climate change adaptation Some experience of household/population survey techniques would be useful but not essential ability to learn these useful

3 Responsibilities Key Performance Indicators Competencies Skills and Knowledge saving & micro-hydro systems, water harvesting sustainable agriculture, micro-irrigation systems) with existing CC beneficiaries for the other VSO projects Build capacity of partners and communities in mainstreaming Social Inclusion and Gender, Social groups Accountability and Resilience. Due to the nature of our volunteer placements, it is possible that the responsibilities of this role may differ in reality and therefore the postholder will need to be prepared to be flexible and adapt to their environment as necessary. Experience of consulting smallholder farmers engaged in crop production using sustainable technologies and marketing - essential Skills in capacity building for small scale Self-starter able to identify relevant contacts and quickly determine own work plan essential. Page 3

4 2. Personal considerations In addition to the job description, the following information should be used when considering whether a placement is suitable for you. Personal health considerations The volunteer will need to be physically fit and healthy as the work will be stressful and there will be limited opportunity for relaxation. It will be difficult to cater for specialized diets and the variety of food will be limited. If you have a significant current or past medical condition and/or you have general concerns about staying healthy as a volunteer, please use this information to assess whether this placement will be suitable for you. All volunteers require medical clearance from a VSO medical adviser before they are able to take up a placement with VSO. Occasionally, VSO may consider that this placement is too great a risk for you in terms of your personal health and you would be advised to consider a different placement. For further guidance about medical assessment and volunteering with a medical condition please see the frequently asked questions on VSO website. Access to medical care and support The standard and quality of local medical care and support available at this placement will depend on its location within the country. Health facilities are likely to be more poorly resourced in rural areas in terms of medical expertise, equipment, infrastructure and regular supplies of medication. However, this may not be the case in the capital city or in a larger town. If you wish to discuss your personal circumstances or health concerns in confidence with VSO s medical team before you apply for this placement please contact medical@vsoint.org. Accompanying partner or family: If you have a partner or children who are planning to accompany you to your placement, please use this section to assess whether this placement will be suitable for you. VSO Malawi cannot guarantee a placement or job for an accompanying partner. The cost for accompanying family members is not covered by the volunteer allowance. In Lilongwe and some larger towns there are international, private schools. If you are considering bringing your school-age children, this can be discussed in more detail during the selection process. It is generally fine for volunteers wishing to come with a partner. The main challenge is that volunteers may be in shared accommodation so this has to be taken into consideration Motorcycle requirements With increased projects, motorbike riding is essential for this kind of work as VSO Malawi does not have enough vehicles. The volunteer must undergo professional motorbike Page 4

5 training before coming to Malawi. Once in Malawi the volunteer will be given supplementary training to get familiar with the local terrain and road regulations. VSO will provide the motorbike and contribute to fuel use. The volunteer is also required to come along with a VSO-recommended crash helmet and also a valid international driving permit/licence to facilitate the process of acquiring a local driving/riding licence. Further information can be provided during the selection process. Security information Malawi is generally a friendly and safe environment. As far as personal safety is concerned, it is easy to wander around the town and feel unthreatened; in fact most people will be only too eager to chat and make you feel at home but the normal common sense precautions apply (e.g. locking doors, keeping money in a safe place, being careful who has access to your home, being extra careful when travelling, not walking around at night etc.) as anywhere in the world. Keep in mind that a volunteer is likely to be perceived as rich in a community comprising many poor people. However, it is never a good idea to be openly flashy with personal effects such as jewellery, mobile phones, cameras etc, as that highlights the concept that whites have money/wealth. As it is, many people will approach you with demands VSO provides in country training for all arriving volunteers to develop behaviour to reduce risk. Having residential security guards is a common practice in Malawi. VSO provides guard pay 3. Background and contextual information Further information on VSO s work in each of the countries we work in can be found on the VSO website: Page 5

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