Adaptation Lead for SARATHI Project

DanChurchAid is an independent and humanitarian Danish organization with a vision of a world without hunger, poverty and oppression, in which popular and political powers constantly work strongly and actively for a just and sustainable distribution and use of the earth’s resources. We have been supporting development work in Nepal since the 1980s. Currently we focus on the following themes to improve the life of the most marginalized communities in some of the most remote and vulnerable regions of Nepal, applying a rights-based approach:

• Save Lives (Focusing on Disaster Preparedness and Humanitarian Response)
• Build Resilient Communities (Focusing on Resilient Livelihoods and Sustainable Food Security)
• Fight Extreme Inequality (Focusing on Governance, Human Rights and Empowerment)

According to the new Country Programme Strategy (2022-2026) of Nepal Office, we are committed to two cross-commitments: (i) Gender Equality and (ii) Climate Action.

DCA Nepal hereby invites applications, for the position of Adaptation Lead  from interested candidates for the Project - SARATHI, designed to support and contribute to the overarching early action and climate resilience aims of BEK’s Resilience, Adaptation and Inclusion in Nepal (RAIN) programme, funded by FCDO in consortium with People in Need. The project aims to bring significant value and sustainable scale-up to the RAIN programme, especially in reaching the most vulnerable and marginalized communities at risk of multi-hazards in Madhesh, Lumbini and Karnali provinces by 2029. SARATHI’s two intermediate outcomes will focus on 1) enhancing community resilience, and 2) strengthening sub-national governmental systems in early warning, early action and adaptation. The consortium will work closely at Local and Provincial government levels with RAIN Technical Assistance, Strategic Learning Unit and other RAIN partners to influence the government to endorse relevant disaster resilience and adaptation policies and allocate fiscal resources empowering 121 Community Based Organizations who represent the most marginalized groups in 15 Local Government across 3 provinces. The total project period is 5 years starting from 1 January 2025.

Adaptation Lead, SARATHI Project

Under direct supervision of the DCA Head of Programme, technical oversight by DCA Climate Action Advisor, and closely working with SARATHI Programme Manager and Consortium Manager at PIN, this position will oversee the climate adaptation and specific resilience components of the project. S/He will be involved in overall management of adaptation component of SARATHI, technical leadership, capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with implementing partners to ensure evidence-based and scalable adaptation strategies. S/He will provide technical guidance to DCA, team and partners, as well as ensure that activities are implemented timely and to a high standard while ensuring linkages with deliverables under Early Warning System – Early Adaptation, inclusion, localization and Shock Responsive Social Protection. S/He will actively contribute to all networks, fora on adaptation and resilience in Nepal and worldwide while also advancing CoP thematic group on Nature Base Solution. The position is based at DCA Country Office.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership on all adaptation and specific resilience activities 
• Supervise the design and implementation of locally-led adaptation interventions 
• Co-develop and deliver training with support from partner’s Adaptation Coordinator to Community Based Organizations and local governments on climate adaptation and its strategies. 
• Build capacity of Community Based Organizations  and Local Government’s of SARATHI in risk-informed planning, climate-smart practices, and leveraging fiscal resources for adaptation. 
• Lead the implementation of adaptation and specific resilience activities including supervising and closely collaborating with partner staff for this component; guiding and supervising Adaptation Coordinators as well as collaborating with Local Government Officers based at the local government level. 
• Together with DCA Climate Action Advisor and implementing partners, provide capacity building to DCA staff, consortium partners, Community Based Organizations and relevant stakeholders on adaptation and components of resilience and develop high-quality training materials and curricula.
• Contribute to the Resilience Measurement Framework together with SARATHI MEAL Lead and EWS EA Lead. 
• Collaborate closely with the Climate Action Advisor, Consortium Manager and DCA’s Global Advisors in developing knowledge products, and internal, governmental and donor reports, together with reporting to other stakeholders/groups (technical working group, clusters).
• Represent DCA and SARATHI project professionally with external stakeholders, including government, non-governmental agencies and donors especially in Madhesh, Karnali, and Lumbini, and especially to stakeholders in adaptation and resilience.
• Together with MEAL Lead and Communication & Advocacy Manager, engage in project-learning-based positioning and advocacy, development of learning papers and selection of advocacy points for SARATHI, as per Country Strategy.
• Support DCA Nepal’s team in the fundraising for climate adaptation and resilience initiatives.

Qualification, Skills and Knowledge:

• Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Climate Change, Natural Resource Management, Disaster Risk Management, Environment Science or relevant field, with 5 years of work experience with an I/NGO or development organization in the area of climate adaptation and resilience.
• Strong track record in designing and leading climate adaptation and resilience initiatives in Nepal, engagement with regional and global adaptation and resilience programmes is an advantage.
• Expert knowledge and experience in watershed management and application of nature-based solutions in river basin management and its linkages with ecosystem services
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders in climate change, DRRM and AA sector, especially with local, district, provincial and federal level actors.
• Commitment to systems strengthening approaches, proven track record in adaptive management and facilitation approach for adaptation and resilience in Nepal.
• Experience in field-based understanding of vulnerabilities, exposure and risk in the multi-hazard context of Nepal.
• Experience in watershed management and application of nature-based solutions in river basin management and its linkages with ecosystem services
• Construction experience (bioengineering designs, safe shelter construction, and other mitigation efforts) is an advantage.
• Sound knowledge of existing climate resilience frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating diverse teams and maintaining strong relationships with the project team, partners and local stakeholders.
• Outstanding communications and networking skills; with a strong command of Nepali and English languages- written and spoken.
• Role model for diversity, inclusion and belongingness as well as contributing to team synergy.

Applications consisting of the below will only be considered:

• CV (max 3 pages), and
• Answers provided to the online-application questions

Please click on APPLY button at the end of this vacancy announcement to apply.

Closing date for application will be Friday, 03 January 2025. Only short-listed candidates will be further contacted. 

DCA is committed to ensuring diversity, inclusion and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, abilities or ethnic affiliation are encouraged to apply for the vacancy. DCA conducts an anti-terror check as part of the recruitment process. It is a prerequisite that you can pass this check and maintain this status throughout your employment with us.

DCA PSEAH Policy is one of zero tolerance, where DCA does not tolerate any form of exploitation, abuse and harassment by DCA staff, volunteers, or by implementing partners. DCA is therefore committed to the prevention, detection and investigation of all forms of exploitation, abuse and harassment, in all its offices and among its implementing partners. Everyone applying for a job with DCA must be ready to comply with our Staff Policy on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment and our Child Safeguarding Policy.