District Implementation Associate- Ramanathpuram, Tamilnadu

Job Title: *District Implementation Associate (ADAPT4R)*

Duration: 1 Year (with performance-based renewal up to 4 years)

Type of Contract: Third Party

Duty Station: Tamil Nadu, Ramanathpuram

Remuneration: INR 70,000/ Per month

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Strengthening Resilience of Vulnerable Communities in Sri Lanka and India to Increased Impact of Climate Change (ADAPT4R) is a five-year project supported by Adaptation Fund (AF) constituted under UNFCCC and executed in India by Ministry of Environment, forest and Climate Change and WFP as Multilateral Implementing Entity. The regional project targets the dry zones in Sri Lanka and drought prone districts on the eastern coast in the states of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The project’s main goal is to strengthen the climate change adaptive capacity and food security of vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka’s dry zone and India’s eastern coastal states, utilizing a regional, integrated approach. Leveraging differentiated skills and experience in the two countries, and using participatory and bottom-up approaches, the project will enable vulnerable groups to use last mile climate services to plan and implement targeted adaptation measures best suited for different livelihoods and localities, supplemented by livelihoods diversification and enhanced linkages to existing financial services. A regional feedback loop will provide valuable real-time lessons for scaling up and out, both within and beyond the two countries.

The project will achieve its goal through the following two objectives:

1. Strengthen access to reliable, timely and targeted last-mile climate services, and develop a system to co-produce, disseminate and scale up tailored Agromet and hydromet advisories

2. Enhance the adaptive capacity of income-poor farming households facing high climate risks, with a focus on women and vulnerable groups, to develop and implement local adaptation plans informed by climate advisories, resulting in improved practices, and diversified, climate-resilient livelihoods
The project will target smallholder farmers in the inland, dry areas of the project localities, and vulnerable groups in both countries including marginalised communities e.g., PVTGs, women- and youth-headed households, and food-insecure households.

JOB PURPOSE AND KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (Not all inclusive)

The position is responsible for the co-ordination and ground level implementation at the district level. Located in the project district, the position reports to the State Project manager, with overall guidance of the NPC and HoU, CC, Resilience and DRR, WFP and State Government. The main responsibilities of DIA include-

• Undertaking implementation of various activities and processes for the project interventions aligned with project documents and agreed plans.

• Acting as a point of contact for resolution of a range of operational queries, problems and escalate issues to the WFP team, State Government as required.

• Supporting in overseeing and/or reviewing the work of the technology partners, implementing partners financial institutions, farmer collectives, facilitating coordination and providing practical advice and guidance, to contribute to delivering objectives to agreed standards and deadlines.

• Supporting in organising and conducting capacity building of the different stakeholders on various project related activities.

• Undertaking regular visits to the selected blocks, KVK, villages and project beneficiaries to monitor the implementation of the project, identify gaps in implementation and suggest/take corrective actions.

• Supporting in organising monthly review meetings with the district collectors and key implementing entities including the departments of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Agriculture, Rural Development, and IMD and others as relevant.

• Preparing monthly reports on the progress of the project at the district/ block level for sharing with all project stakeholders.

• Supporting in compilation and identification of good practices, case stories in the implementation of the project in the different villages for wider dissemination.

• Supporting in data collection and monitoring for different assessments conducted for the project.

• Liaising with project stakeholders for timely implementation, seeking technical inputs and speedy resolution of issues identified in the projects.

• Liaising with other related projects of the govt and supported by WFP for stronger linkages and sustainability.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education: A university degree in Climate Sciences, Agriculture, Agri-tech, Agronomy, Rural Development, Resilient livelihoods, Management or Social sciences is preferable.

Experience: Five years of responsible work experience preferably in the development sector in partnership with the government/UN agency/lNGO. Experience on supporting the implementation of projects or working on projects targeted towards resilient livelihoods, agriculture- drought mitigation and climate adaptation.

Languages: Fluency in spoken and written English, Hindi and ability to speak in Odia (for Odisha) is an added advantage.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. A written test will be used as a form of screening. In the event your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide in advance a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/ certificate(s) required for this position.
• This is a national position therefore candidates who are non-Indian nationals will not be considered.
• WFP is committed to promoting diversity and gender balance. WFP adheres to “zero tolerance policies” in the workplace.

Female applicants are especially encouraged to apply