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Policy Officer, Zimbabwe Biodiversity Economy

Posted in Development Studies, Social Science

African Wildlife Foundation (AWF)

Job Type

Full Time

Location

Zimbabwe

Description :


Deadline: 27 April 2021


Introduction

AWF is seeking a dynamic and high performing individual to fill the position of Policy Officer, Zimbabwe Biodiversity Economy. For more than 50 years, the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) has been a leading partner to African governments, strengthening their capacity to achieve conservation and sustainable development. In 2020, AWF launched a 10-year strategic vision. The first goal of the organization is to promote African leaders who drive shifts in policy, planning and finance, which leverage wildlife and wildlands as essential to development. The policy officer will contribute to developing and implementing AWF’s strategy to achieve that ambition in Zimbabwe.


Like most countries in Africa, Zimbabwe has limited stocktaking as to socio-economic benefits derived from conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity resources. There are no baselines, standard methods for monitoring, and databases to comprehensively understand biodiversity trends in the face of severe pressure and degradation. Economic development, which often leads to pressure on natural resources, is the key driver of extinction and deterioration of Africa’s biodiversity. This is largely due to the perception that biodiversity has lesser economic value in comparison with the other drivers of economic growth yet it is widely agreed in principle that high levels of biodiversity translate to resilient ecosystem services essential for survival and improved standards of living.


As Zimbabwe positions itself for a decade of economic growth to achieve middle-income status by 2030, there is an urgent need for a strategy to evolve a new type of economy and investment plan to holistically harness the specific economic development opportunities that reflect its true value and culture. The existing scenario warrants the country’s need to map out a deliberate approach to an economy that balances two tensions. The first is the tension between short-term and long-term gains and the second is the tension between national economic interests versus those of communities and society. The new economy should be guided by a solid strategy to achieve human centered outcomes that are nature positive.


The Zimbabwe Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry has identified the following subsectors as key to Zimbabwe's biodiversity economy: Wildlife subsector; Fisheries subsector; Forestry subsector; Bioprospecting subsector.


As a result, AWF has commissioned a Biodiversity Economy (BE) assessment for Zimbabwe. The Policy Officer, working closely with the County Director (CD), a range of external advisors, consultants and other members within AWF will facilitate the implementation of AWF’s Zimbabwe BE Assessment. He/She will facilitate the documentation of the Zimbabwe BE in Zimbabwe and take responsibility, under the guidance of the Country Director of the project management and administration. The Policy Officer will play a coordinating role with regards to communication with the national level government and will play the secretary role in any national and landscape level initiatives of the BE Assessment.


The position holder will report directly to the Country Director, Zimbabwe and work closely with the rest of the Global Leadership, the Senior Director Program Management & Partnerships and external consultants attached to the Zimbabwe Biodiversity Economy Assessment. The position will carry out any other relevant duties as may be assigned by the supervisor from time to time.


Key Duties and Responsibilities

Work plan Development and Implementation: In coordination with the Country Director and the Global Leadership Team prepare and update the work plan of the BE Assessment and plan for required initiatives; Support planning and implementation of BE Assessment initiatives in Zimbabwe; Identify strategic economic sectors and actors relevant to national economic development and to pressures on biodiversity, both emerging and current based on existing data and scientific evaluations, ensuring close consultation with the AWF and other key stakeholders in Zimbabwe; Develop Terms of Reference for workshops, service providers or consultants, Civil Support Organizations (CSO) to assist with implementation of approved activities, in compliance with AWF guidelines and budget; Establish and maintain a Zimbabwe BE database of the Policy documents, Policy stakeholders and engagements; Facilitate field visits for internal and external stakeholders Review and elaborate relevant of documents, reports, articles affecting Zimbabwe’s BE on a need basis and designing messages to key audiences.


Partnership Development and Networking:Identify, establish and build relationships with the Government of Zimbabwe and stakeholders essential for project delivery; Produce periodic updates and briefs on Zimbabwe’s development situation to be used by stakeholders AWF’s Global Leadership team in advancing the BE agenda; Identify strategic implementation, research and private sector partners that can contribute to influence and bring meaningful impact to BE in Zimbabwe; Maintain close contact with relevant staff in AWF’s HQ Office; Contribute to the dissemination of learnings and best practices locally and internationally, to support the building of a regional community of practice regarding multi-stakeholder commitments for biodiversity economies; Participate in project regional workshops with the aim to share knowledge and experience and to contribute to the community of practice; Support AWF’s policy engagement and influencing work on BE in Zimbabwe; Work closely with and provide advice to national bodies and interagency groups that influence national policies related to BE in Zimbabwe; Support the Country Director and project consultants in development of briefing and communication materials including but not limited to webinars, newsletters, presentations, web stories and brochures in line with target audiences; Provide input and support to the reporting process in policy unit when required; Ensure learning from the project informs AWF’s strategic design of new interventions, as appropriate; Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by, and mutually agreed with the line manager.


Policy and Advocacy: Contribute to the dissemination of learnings and best practices locally and internationally, to support the building of a regional community of practice regarding multi-stakeholder commitments for biodiversity economies; Participate in project regional workshops with the aim to share knowledge and experience and to contribute to the community of practice; Support AWF’s policy engagement and influencing work on BE in Zimbabwe; Work closely with and provide advice to national bodies and interagency groups that influence national policies related to BE in Zimbabwe; Support the Country Director and project consultants in development of briefing and communication materials including but not limited to webinars, newsletters, presentations, web stories and brochures in line with target audiences;

Provide input and support to the reporting process in policy unit when required;

Ensure learning from the project informs AWF’s strategic design of new interventions, as appropriate; Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by, and mutually agree with the line manager.


Rights-based Conservation

Human rights are a guiding principle in the AWF Strategic Vision 2020-2030, embedded in our core principles and core values. AWF’s mission is to ensure that wildlife and wildlands thrive in modern Africa. AWF understands a modern Africa to be an Africa in which human rights are fulfilled and commits to respect, protect, and promote human rights at all times, irrespective of ethnic group, gender, race, sexual orientation, age, or class by adopting a rights-based conservation approach. The role holder will come into contact with a wide range of stakeholders and will be required to demonstrate commitment to and a good understanding of AWF’s Rights Based Conservation approaches, values and principles.


Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in economics, international development, International relations, Diplomacy or related field; Minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience engaging governments and development partners with specific focus to Zimbabwe; Ability to collate and analyse a wide range of information to draw out key strategic messages and findings; Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to package and communicate complex information across various categories of audiences; Ability to cultivate and build strong constructive working relationships with individuals within and outside Government; Education and demonstrated knowledge of the emerging business environment in Africa and related impacts on natural resources; Computer literacy to use all MS Office packages; Ability to speak and write in English; Existing relationships with Zimbabwe government and business leaders is highly desirable but not mandatory; Advance study of and experience working on development issues in multiple African regions; Extensive experience living and working in Africa and an ability to work in a cross-cultural environment; Ability to plan and organize events; Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to balance competing demands and deliver short, medium and long term objectives; Excellence in achieving outcomes through partnership and matrixed teams; A passion for Conservation.




To apply

To apply


Interested and qualified candidates can apply for this position here


https://www.awf.org/about/careers#job-647490


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