Policy Advisor, NBS Biophysical Monitoring Systems at The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD

• The Policy Advisor, Biophysical Monitoring Systems will be responsible for developing and implementing biophysical monitoring plans to demonstrate the impact of SUNCASA’s NbS activities in three project geographies.
• The advisor will develop key partnerships, coordinate staff and partner activities, and compile results to demonstrate the biophysical impacts of NbS interventions within the timeline of the project.
• Finally, the successful candidate will aim to build local capacity by developing monitoring protocols for NbS, delivering related guidance and training, and communicating the results of the monitoring efforts in regional and other relevant forums. The successful candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team, working closely with IISD staff, affiliates, consultants, and partners.

The successful candidate will be well-versed in land, water, and ecosystem processes and should understand the broader policy efforts surrounding NbS, adaptation to climate change, biodiversity conservation, and social equity embedded in the SUNCASA project.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate’s key areas of responsibility will include, but not be limited to:
Development and Implementation of Monitoring Plans for SUNCASA’s NbS Activities

• Develop, plan, validate and coordinate monitoring efforts to understand the key impacts of the NbS activities proposed under SUNCASA.
• Work collaboratively with in-country partners, including government representatives, non-governmental organizations, and consultants, on implementing activities related to monitoring, evaluating, and adapting impacts of NbS activities toward improved ecosystem-based adaptation, including reduced flood risk, improved water availability and quality, improved biodiversity, and other biophysical outcomes.
• Design and deliver virtual and face-to-face workshops to communicate, implement, and evaluate the biophysical impacts of NbS activities across the project.
• Establish a baseline, develop robust methodologies to track benefits, and apply required methods to monitor the impacts of project NbS activities.
• Develop methods for evaluating the impact of activities incorporating quantitative and qualitative assessments as appropriate.
• Summarize and report on the impacts of NbS activities and lessons learned across the SUNCASA project geographies.
• Contribute to overall monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems for the SUNCASA project.

Engagement and Communications

• Coordinate with multiple project partners to implement monitoring systems for ecosystem elements related to NbS activities.
• Prepare knowledge products, training resources, presentations, and materials to communicate monitoring protocols, implementation guidance, and impacts across the project team and to outside audiences.
• Share results of the project impacts through reports, webinars, conferences, and other means.
• Represent IISD at national and international forums.

Other Tasks

• Participate in IISD Water Program meetings, business development, and other efforts.
• Contribute to strategic objectives for IISD and its Water Program, as needed.
• Work with Water Program colleagues to contribute to program budgets, reports, and communications, as needed.

Qualifications (Essential)

• A master’s degree or equivalent in water resources or civil engineering, hydrology, natural sciences, geography, environmental planning and management, or a related field.
• Based in Ethiopia OR Rwanda OR South Africa OR Kenya, with the ability to travel regularly to these countries.
• Minimum 7 years of work experience in relevant fields, including the development and/or implementation of monitoring systems for aspects of ecosystem management.
• A strong understanding of ecosystems and watershed processes.
• Experience working with multiple partners and on large-scale projects.
• A good understanding of multiple African geographies and work systems.

Skills (Essential)

• Technical skills related to establishing ecosystem monitoring systems for locally relevant benefits.
• Excellent quantitative data and advanced statistical analyses skills, including knowledge of designing and implementing mixed methods; data management, cleaning, visualization, along with comparative and qualitative analysis skills.
• Familiarity with geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing data.
• Demonstrable ability to conceptualize, implement, and report on progress against indicators.
• Ability to implement surveys, interviews and extract data from responses.
• Strong research writing skills and the ability to become familiar with new topics quickly.
• Confident and engaging communication skills and the ability to synthesize information in plain language and for different audiences.
• Fluent in written and spoken English.

Skills (Desired)

• Ability to use GIS to integrate remote sensing data into ecosystem analyses.
• Familiarity with relevant regional and global hydro-climatic datasets for use in analyses.
• Familiarity with systems analysis approaches within applications of hydrologic model optimization.
• Familiarity with preparing peer-reviewed scientific research papers for academic publications.
• Strong programming skills using R, Python, MATLAB, or other relevant science-centric languages.

Behavioural Competencies

• Be results focused; able to work quickly and accurately; meet tight deadlines without compromising quality of results.
• Have strong interpersonal skills and ability to work comfortably across different cultures.
• Be inclusive, positive, and able to communicate effectively.