Climate Resilience Advisor

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation that applies practical know-how to make a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty. We use our extensive and long-term in-country presence to apply and adapt our top-notch expertise in agriculture, energy and WASH to local contexts. SNV has an annual turnover of €130 millions, over 1,600 staff in more than 25 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We are proud to be a not-for-profit organisation that uses project financing to implement our mission. This requires us to work efficiently and to invest in operational excellence.

SNV currently aims more explicitly for systems change during project preparation and implementation - by strengthening institutions and kick-starting markets that help many more to escape poverty beyond our projects. We continue to position ourselves as a premium organisation, with decentralised management. Our Global Support Unit (70 staff) backstops our teams around the world.

SNV has been working in Ghana since 1992 and currently has offices in Accra, Tamale and Nandom, while working directly and through local partners within the sixteen (16) regions of Ghana. Presently, SNV Ghana is implementing a Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Nutrition in the Upper West Region of Ghana, precisely in the Nandom and Lambussie Districts. The Country Programme seeks to recruit an experienced Climate Resilience Advisor, on one of its projects to provide expertise on effective ways to integrate climate resilience into WASH and Agri Foods planning, implementation and monitoring, while supporting sub-national interventions within the Upper West Region (and elsewhere as required), within Ghana.

At SNV, the WASH team works to improve sustainable access to inclusive, climate-resilient, and safe water supply, sanitation, and hygiene services in Ghana.

The candidate will work closely with Water and Sanitation team, government institutions and agencies and partners to address the key thematic priorities, and ensure WASH services are sustainable, inclusive, reliable, climate-resilient and adaptable to changing environmental conditions. The advisor will provide technical expertise to address climate-related risks in WASH infrastructure, policies, and capacity-building efforts.

The position will be based in Nandom, Ghana

Summary of the position:

Climate Resilience Advisor lead in providing technical leadership and advice to ensure that the WASH initiatives implemented contribute to building of climate resilience amongst communities of Nandom, Lambussie and Lawra districts of Upper West Region of Ghana. Lead and collaborate with partners to integrate climate resilience in WASH initiatives and contribute to reduction of climate change impacts on household access to water services, sustainable agriculture production and natural resource management in the implementing communities.

Duties & Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of the Climate Resilience Advisor will include the following:

Provide Climate Resilience technical guidance for the Programme:

• Identify opportunities and entry points for building or strengthening the influence of climate information into WASH programming
• Lead the development and integration of climate resilience strategies into WASH system strengthening programmes
• Conduct/ coordinate climate risks and vulnerability assessments to support evidence-based WASH programming and implementation.
• Support the development of guidelines and frameworks for climate-adaptive WASH infrastructure and services, ensuring sustainability and resilience in both rural and urban areas.
• Support national and local governments in developing climate-resilient WASH action plans informed and linked to climate data and information
• Advocate for climate-resilient investments and practices in WASH systems, ensuring alignment with national climate action plans.

Provide capacity building and training related to WASH Climate Resilience:

• Design and deliver training and capacity-building workshops on climate resilience for WASH service providers, government officials, and other key stakeholders
• Collaborate with partners to strengthen local capacity in adapting WASH services to the impacts of climate change
• Promote the adoption of innovative, sustainable, and climate-resilient WASH technologies, behaviours and solutions
• Provide guidance on effective implementation of all sustainability and inclusive business, smallholder resilience measures under the project including regenerative agriculture, etc.
• Provide technical guidance on contextualization of WASH and Agriculture production nexus and build capacity for integration of WASH-Agriculture production linkage in programming and implementation of WASH initiatives.

• Master's Degree in a relevant technical field including climate change, natural resource management, water resource management, watershed/spring shed management and rural development.
• 4+ years of relevant experience in a water sector-related field with some experience in gender and social inclusion.
• Experience in institutional development and systems strengthening in rural water supply services/WASH applying climate resilience methodologies, beyond the community level,
• Understanding of climate change adaptation and mitigation in the broader water and WASH sector in Ghana
• Interest to collaborate, contribute to and learn from peers in SNV’s water sector network,
• Good analytical capacity and writing skills
• Proficiency in English speaking, reading and writing required. 
• The successful candidate will be a self-motivated achiever with excellent intercultural teamwork, communication, networking and organisational skills.
• Full computer literacy and excellent reporting skills.

Application and Selection Process

Application Guidelines: Please read these carefully. Failure to comply will adversely affect your application.

• This is a national employment.
• Initial contract will be for one year with possibility of extension. Salary is competitive, commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes a competitive secondary benefit package.
• SNV offers a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal and global network of experts. 

If you believe that your credentials meet the above profile, we invite you to apply by submitting through upload applications in English in the form of a one-page letter and current CV outlining experience, qualifications and three reference contacts, not later than 5:00pm, December 6, 2024.

• Expected Start Date: 1 January 2025.
• This position is open to internal and external applicants.
• Only those applicants whose work experience and education meet the mandatory requisites above, would be considered for the position.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.