2022-05-25

Program Officer – Baidoa, Somalia

Baidoa, Somalia
Posted on May 25, 2022

Federal Government of Somalia (FGS)

Program Officer – Baidoa, Somalia

Job Description

Terms of reference Program Officer- Baidoa

Program Description

Charcoal production and its export from Somalia have been in practice since pre-colonial times to meet local and regional energy requirements and provide livelihoods opportunities for Charcoal Value Chain Beneficiaries (CVCBs). However, charcoal production is not environmentally sustainable with demand exceeds regeneration rate of Acacia Forest ecosystems causing accelerated deforestation, and rapid land degradation. Charcoal production in Somalia not only destroys the environment, it also funds the elements and organizations behind conflicts. Charcoal has become the most sought-after commodity to fuel the war economy with militia groups generating revenue in excess of US$15 million per annum from illegal exports.

Local demand for charcoal has also been increasing driven by lack of alternative energy, and reliance of inefficient firewood, and charcoal cook-stoves. A multitude of complex issues surround the production of charcoal in Somalia leading to triple threats – in the forms of irreversible environmental degradation, perpetual conflicts and dependence on short-term income from an unsustainable livelihood option. To respond to the triple threats on environment, livelihood and conflict, Federal Government of Somalia, UNDP, UNEP and FAO have launched a Joint Program with a comprehensive set of interventions to address multitude of issues related to charcoal production and use.

Given the complexity of the challenges, Federal Government of Somalia and three UN agencies (UNDP, FAO and UNEP) developed this joint program led by the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change from the government side and come up with a comprehensive set of interventions that are strategic and mutually supportive for reducing charcoal production while promoting improved livelihoods opportunities and natural resource management. These interventions are intended to comprehensively address the charcoal challenges and contribute to the program overall objectives. The overall goal of the program is to promote energy security and more resilient livelihoods through a gradual reduction of unsustainable charcoal production, trade and use. The program has four major objectives, namely:

To mobilize key stakeholders in the region and build institutional capacity among government entities across Somalia for the effective monitoring and enforcement of the charcoal trade ban, the development of an enabling policy environment for energy security and natural resources management;
To support the development of alternative energy resources; and,
To facilitate – for stakeholders in the charcoal value chain – transition towards livelihood options that are sustainable, reliable and more profitable than charcoal production.
To start reforestation and afforestation throughout the country for the rehabilitation of degraded lands.

The Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Office of the Prime Minister is the government counterpart for FGS and UN Joint Program for Sustainable Charcoal Reduction and Alternative Livelihoods (PROSCAL) to effectively coordinate the overall program engagement and leadership by the Federal Government of Somalia.

Objectives of the assignment

The objective of the assignment is to support the Ministry of Environment and Wildlife in South-West state in the implementation of joint charcoal reduction program activities and enhance the capacities of the ministry.

Scope of Work

Support the implementation of program activities in the Ministry of Environment and Wildlife in South-West state.
Provide strategic policy and technical advice, develop support mechanisms for strengthening Government ownership, technical leadership and coordination of the joint programme, with a view to ensuring the long-term sustainability of activities
Collate data and information on the production and use of charcoal in southwest state
Undertake awareness raising activities on the negative impacts of charcoal production on the environment and livelihoods
Support the Establishment of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) market and its accelerated diffusion to shift from charcoal to LPG in main urban centers.
Facilitate and organize trainings for both existing and new cooperatives in the production and marketing of fuel-efficient cooking stoves
Gather information and coordinate public awareness sessions based on alternative energy option for charcoal reduction at house hold levels including the use fuel efficient cooking stoves, LPG systems and solar systems
Support the management and expansion of tree nurseries for reforestation activities
Support the ministry in the identification of suitable degraded land for rehabilitation by replanting the seedlings in partnership with local communities
Establish and train community forest associations in sustainable forest utilization and management
Train communities in alternative livelihood options to charcoal production such as bee keeping for honey production, production of green charcoal and marketing of forestry products
Facilitate the achievement of results by timely monitoring of the progress of program implementation and ensure on-going monitoring
Produce monthly reports on activity implementation in the Ministry
Provide any other technical support that the ministry might require

Skills and Qualifications

University degree in environment, climate change, natural resources management (land, water, forestry, biodiversity etc.), social sciences, rural development, economic development or engineering. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience and Skills:

Minimum of 2 years working experience at grass root level in alternative energy to charcoal and renewable energy projects
Excellent interpersonal skills, good communication and team management spirit;
Willingness to work in the field and travel to remote areas within the respective regional states;
Knowledge in use of computer software packages for word-processing, databases and spreadsheets, internet;
Ability to follow deadlines, accuracy and attention to details
Excellent knowledge and use of English and Somali language.