| Location: | West Bengal, India |
| Application Deadline: | 20-June 2010 |
| Post Level: | National and International |
| Starting date: | 15-Jul-2010 |
| Duration of Initial Contract: | One year and extendable |
Background
MUKTI is a charitable and socio-economic development organization established in 2003 with the sole purpose of improving the social and economic conditions of the less and underprivileged sections of the society. Since its fair start it has been working Sunderban communities of 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India beset with myriad malaise of poverty, illiteracy, unequal distribution of resources, disaster and climate change hazards. Mukti works in the communities with its vision is to exonerate the underprivileged in the Sunderban of this curse through their empowerment and to create such an environment whereby any and every individual in the society can look forward to a promising future. It covers wider range of the grassroots with its core programme of protecting ecosystem of the Sunderban region with creating mass awareness of community led DRR and climate change adaptation practices. Its main focus is on helping communities develop capacity to fully incorporate environmental sustainability into development at the national and local levels. The principal areas of work are in environmental mainstreaming, environmental finance, adaptation to climate change, and local governance of local resources and social capitals.
The Climate Change Wing of Mukti manages emergency response caused by Aila cyclone with developing community empowerment process supported by multiple donors. In particular, the Team seeks to improve its support to communities at risk from climate change through building on established adaptation methodologies based on a risk framework assessed on basis of (i) their relative exposure to different physical aspects/manifestations of climate change, or climate change hazards, (ii) their underlying vulnerability to these hazards, and (iii) the overall risk resulting from the interaction of exposure to hazard and underlying vulnerability.
To carry into execute the framework assessed Muki intends to recruit a Climate Change Adviser with the purposes followed.
The purpose of this role is to advise on operational aspects of DRR and climate change adaptation, strengthen community capacity of disaster management system for reducing unacceptable risk with building community and institutional resilience to natural disasters.
General Description of the Role- Climate Change Adviser:
## Strengthen capacity of disaster management system and climate change adaptation through community empowerment process for reducing unacceptable risks and improving response and recovery management at all levels.
## Design and develop proposal and thematic notes on DRR and climate change adaptation with developing resource mobilization plan, programmatic and operational strategies in line with requirements of official, institutional and multi-lateral donors and priorities.
## Advice on the operational aspects of DRR programmes, strategic and contingency planning on emergency response and recovery with adopting DRR and community adaptation strategies.
## Strengthen and professionalise DRR and adaptation strategies in Sunderban communities to achieve a professional, capable and skilled-based practice DRM and community adaptation system.
## Develop, approve and introduce templates for Disaster and Climate Impact Risk Assessment with reviewing and aligning Local Disaster Management Plans.
## Develop business planning process of developing DRR and adaptation strategic in Sunderban communities, contingency and annual operational plans with developing and implementing professional development strategy.
## Review and revise the role and responsibilities of programme functionaries and community leadership in implementing comprehensive DRM at climate change adaptation policies and refocus DRM activities from conventional response and recovery to a more comprehensive risk management approach.
## Plan innovatively for participatory action research on climate resilient cultivars at Sundarban communities in 24 Parganas, West Bengal.
## Advise on the formulation and execution of relief and rehabilitation policies with monitoring and evaluating Food-for-Works scheme, relief operations and rehabilitation.
## Assist in development and implementation of Climate Change Adaptation and DRR Training Policy and Training Plan for programme functionaries.
## Mainstream DRR and Climate Change Adaptation programming through coordination, cooperation, partnership development and policy debates with different counterparts.
## Monitor and evaluate outcomes, effectiveness and efficiency with building institutional systems, reviewing variety of records and logical framework with providing regular feed back and recommendations.
## Contribute to strategic direction and liaised with Programme Unit and ensure consistency with country wide DRR and Climate Change Adapattion policy and standardizations.
## Lead and strengthen technical teams by conducting and facilitating TNA and tailor made trainings and facilitating appropriate knowledge and skills on project design, writing, and presentation and ageing awareness on emergency and climate change.
## Produce documents to a high standard and discuss effectively and convincingly the DRR and climate change issues in interagency, Government and civil society contexts.
Requirements:
## Degree in a relevant discipline/ agriculture science with outstanding knowledge on climate change and community development process especially in Sunderban communities is essential.
## Minimum ten years experience in implementing development or emergency programmes within a developing country context with having cutting age skills in climate change adaptation and community empowerment process in Sunderban communities.
## Previous substantial experience of managing projects effectively for large bilateral/multilateral donors, UN mission or INGOs.
## Demonstrated experience and high level of competency in climate change adaptation, emergency response, food security and rural economic reforms.
## Sound expertise in programme development and fundraising in line with donors priorities and organizational macro and micro environment.
## Capacity Building/Training and training materials development.
## Demonstrated experience implementing participative research methodologies.
## Skills in providing strategic advice, strategic and accountable management of multi-cultural team, systematic team building, problem-solving decision-making, knowledge management and learning.
## Sound knowledge of DDR programme and disaster preparedness model, community institutional mechanisms, emergency risk assessment, geo-political context, social analysis, public policies and civil society.
## Sound knowledge on tactical operational management combined with experience in working with government, international bodies and civil society groups.
## Skills in policy advocacy through win-win compromise with identifying policy issues, key actors and institutions, analyzing policy environment and identifying policy change options.
## Excellent in English literacy with fluency and skilled in computer with proficiency in word processing, graphics, illustrator, spreadsheets and software presentation.
## Ability to facilitate, build consensus, train, negotiate and coordinate with diplomacy and patience with the ability to facilitate participatory capacity building sessions.
How to apply:
Send CV and cover letter through email to info AT muktiweb DOT org