Environment and Climate Change Officer at Africa Youth Growth Foundation

Position Summary

• The Environment & Climate Change Officer will support the implementation of environmentally sustainable and climate-resilient interventions under the SPRING Project.
• The role focuses on ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation, natural resource governance, and strengthening community-led resilience systems.
• The officer will ensure that all interventions are climate-smart, gender-responsive, environmentallysound, and aligned with AYGF’s sustainability framework and national climate policies.
• The role further contributes to resource mobilization efforts through the development of concept notes, environmental proposals, and technical inputs for donor-funded opportunities.

Key Responsibilities
Program Implementation:

• Ensure compliance with environmental safeguards, climate risk screening, and sustainability principles across project activities.
• Support the planning and execution of climate-smart and environmental sustainability activities, including soil and water conservation, afforestation/reforestation, land restoration, and water-harvesting systems.
• Conduct environmental and climate vulnerability assessments to guide community planning and adaptation actions.
• Support the establishment and functionality of demonstration sites showcasing climate-resilient agriculture, regenerative land use, and nature-based solutions.

Capacity Building & Community Engagement:

• Facilitate training for youth, women, farmers, and local institutions on climate adaptation, environmental sustainability, ecosystem restoration, and natural resource management.
• Develop user-friendly training manuals, climate action guides, and community toolkits on restoration and green livelihoods
• Support community-led resource management committees, ensuring strong participation of women and youth.
• Promote inclusive, community-driven approaches that advance climate resilience and environmental stewardship.

Partnership & Coordination:

• Collaborate closely with government agencies (e.g., SEMA, Ministries of Environment, Agriculture, and Water Resources), community structures, and development partners (UNDP, IOM, WFP) on joint climate and environmental initiatives.
• Support local authorities in developing or strengthening resource-sharing frameworks and conflict-sensitive environmental governance.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• Track and document progress on environmental and climate-related indicators using AYGF’s Project Tracking, Monitoring, and Accountability System (PTMAS).
• Conduct routine field monitoring and document progress, gaps, and emerging climate risks.
• Produce high-quality reports, lessons learned, case studies, and technical briefs for internal and donor reporting.
• Support evidence generation to improve environmental programming and inform adaptive management.

Proposal Development &Resource Mobilization:

• Prepare high-quality concept notes, technical briefs, and climate/environment- related proposals for donor funding
• Contribute to resource mobilization strategies, including environmental project design, budgeting, and alignment with donor priorities.
• Provide technical inputs to the Business Development Unit on climate adaptation, resilience programming, and sustainable natural resource management.
• Ensure proposals are evidence-based, gender-responsive, and aligned with national and international climate frameworks.

Qualifications and Experience
Required:

• University Degree (BSc or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Climate Change, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years’ professional experience in implementing environmental management, climate resilience, or ecosystem restoration programs.
• Proven experience working in rural or semi-arid contexts, preferably in Northern Nigeria.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in climate-smart agriculture, environmental assessment, and ecosystem restoration.
• Experience collaborating with government institutions, communities, and development partners on climate/environment projects.

Desired:

• Advanced university Degree (master’s or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Climate Change, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, or a related field.
• Knowledge of Hausa language and familiarity with Katsina State context.
• Experience in integrating gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) into migration or livelihood programs.