Advisor I, Climate at Child Fund International

The Role

• ChildFund International in partnership with Barnfonden is seeking an Advisor I, Climate to support our climate change and environment work with our community-based partners in Africa and particularly East Africa region. We are seeking an exceptional trainer/ communicator with experience in community development and climate issues. There is potential for this work to include countries in other regions of the world. Having spent the past few years developing our child-focused climate resilient development approach, we now want to provide high-quality support to our local partners who have asked to use such an approach. Communication skills are key to this role, as you will support with training, advocacy and story-gathering. You will also make connections within the region and help forge relationships between African CSOs and Swedish-based supporters and innovators.

Primary Responsibilities:
Thorough training and ongoing support will be provided to you, as you will work remotely as Barnfonden’s local-level climate and environment resource person. You will be part of Barnfonden’s Programs Team and report to our Program Director, but also work closely with our communications team. Your role will include:

• Building the knowledge of local partners on how to apply child-focused climate resilience concepts and tools.
• Supporting the development and testing of resources to use with children and youth on climate change actions and advocacy and environmental stewardship. This may involve working with local and international CSOs and academia.
• Making linkages and connections with relevant donors, corporates and institutions, including academic institutions.
• Advocacy efforts and helping to raise children and youth voices within the region and globally on the issue of climate change and its impact on children.
• Finding and pursuing opportunities for improved programming, in areas such as ecological restoration, youth engagement in the green transition, carbon offsetting etc
• Connecting with potential partners (NGOs, CSOs, Start-ups, tech entrepreneurs, innovation companies) to further our impact and find synergies.
• Gathering stories, best practices and voices from the people we work with, to share the reality of the impact of climate change and its effect on children with supporters back in Sweden and our partners elsewhere.

Required Experience, Education and Competencies
Your background is likely to be as an NGO programme or communication facilitator, having worked on the subject of climate/ environment, or demonstrating a strong interest/passion in this area. You will have a track record of delivering highly-rated trainings and resources – ideally having worked in international/community development and with youth. You must be able to translate complex and technical information into easy, understandable and engaging messages, trainings and support resources.
You will have:

• A passion for climate/environmental issues and the determination to drive change.
• A love for outside-the-box thinking – you’ll be someone who enjoys new challenges, collaborating with others, exploring innovative ideas and making them happen.
• A tertiary qualification, preferably to Master’s Degree, in a relevant field.
• At least 5 years work experience as a communicator, teacher/trainer or in international and community development, with at least two years’ experience working on climate/environmental issues.
• Experience working with children, youth and families.
• Excellent spoken and written English, and preferably ability to speak in a local language (e.g. Swahili or Amharic).
• High drive and the ability to keep motivated and engaged when working remotely from your colleagues.
• Cultural sensitivity and the ability to fit well in different settings – you may be working with political leaders in your advocacy role one day, and with youth groups in a rural community the next.