Technical Advisor - Migration and Climate Change at GIZ Nigeria

Vacancy No: 040

The Project
Global Programme Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change:

• The impacts of climate change (like droughts, storms and sea-level rise) endanger lives, devastate infrastructure, and can undermine the livelihoods of the poorest. Human mobility, i.e. migration, displacement, or planned relocation, can be a response to these developments.
• The Global Programme Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change supports the BMZ as well as governments and regional organisations in affected regions of the Pacific, the Caribbean, West and East Africa, as well as the Philippines in:
  • Making climate change-induced migration development-oriented.
  • Reducing displacement and its negative effects.
  • Managing voluntary planned relocation in a transparent, participatory, and needs-oriented manner.

The project focuses on the following outputs:

• Output A: Advice on (internal) migration, displacement triggered by disasters, and the voluntary and planned resettlement of individuals in the context of climate change is made available for German development cooperation.
• Output B: Knowledge products for handling (internal) migration, displacement triggered by disasters, and the voluntary and planned resettlement of individuals in the context of climate change are formulated.
• Output C: The capacity of sub-national, national, regional, or supraregional actors for handling (internal) migration, displacement triggered by disasters, and the voluntary and planned resettlement of individuals in the context of climate change are strengthened.

Responsibilities & Tasks
Responsibilities:
The HMCCC Advisor will:

• Collaborate with the ECOWAS Commission to develop strategies that leverage migration as a tool for adaptation and development within the region.
• Advise on effective strategies to reduce forced displacement caused by climate change in West Africa.
• Provide technical expertise and strategic guidance on how to best address human mobility challenges arising from climate change.
• Advocate for policies within the ECOWAS framework that encourage migration as a viable adaptation strategy for West African communities facing climate change.
• Ensure responsible planned relocations: Work with the ECOWAS Commission to establish guidelines and best practices for transparent, participatory, and needs-based planned relocations in West Africa.

Tasks
The HMCCC Advisor performs the following tasks:

• Conduct research on the impacts of climate change (droughts, storms, sea-level rise) and their influence on human mobility patterns in West Africa.
• Analyze data on displacement figures, migration trends, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities within the region.
• Coordinate and actively work with the ECOWAS Commission to build relationships with regional and international partners.
• Develop and recommend strategies to make climate migration in West Africa contribute to development goals.
• Support the design of regional programs/projects to reduce displacement risks and negative consequences associated with climate-induced migration.
• Support through technical assistance and expertise the development of policies and action plans for addressing climate migration.
• Facilitate dialogues and collaboration among stakeholders at regional and national levels (ECOWAS Commission, Member States, NGOs, communities) on planned relocation processes.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to member states and partners.
• Develop training programs and workshops.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing among stakeholders.
• Develop and disseminate communication materials.
• Develop monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of interventions aimed at managing climate migration.
• Support the advocacy for increased resources and funding for programs that support vulnerable communities in West Africa facing climate change impacts.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and communication materials to raise awareness about human mobility and climate change challenges in West Africa.
• Build strong relationships with key partners, including ECOWAS Commission’s partners, Member States officials, and civil society actors within West Africa.
• Stay current on research developments related to climate migration and best practices in addressing its challenges.
• Contribute to reporting to commissioning parties, including M&E and progress reports, and at programme level.
• Perform other duties and tasks at the request of project management.

Required Qualifications, Competences, and Experience
Qualifications:

• Master's Degree or higher in a relevant field, such as Climate Science, Environmental Studies, Public Policy, or International Relations.
• Professional proficiency in at least 2 ECOWAS official languages (English/ French/ Portuguese). This will be tested.

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience with regional and international organizations in either human migration or climate change issues.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting the formulation of policies and strategies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the ECOWAS region.
• Demonstrated experience in programme coordination, event organisation including setting up and running conferences, public-private stakeholder events, and baseline studies (this includes the knowledge of organizing and hosting virtual meetings on diverse platforms).
• Knowledge of international development and humanitarian aid principles is desirable.
• Familiarity with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other relevant international agreements is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and networking abilities.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools.

Desired Additional Qualifications, Competencies, and Experiences:

• Work experience with international and donor organizations including GIZ.
• Ability to work with little supervision to meet set deadlines.
• Excellent copy editing, writing and research skills, analytical skills, oral and written presentation skills, interpersonal skills and high integrity.
• Sound knowledge of relationship-building.

Salary
According to GIZ salary scale for Band 4.