SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation that applies practical knowledge 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 expertise in Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) to local contexts. SNV has over 1,250 staff in more than 25 countries in Asia, Africa, 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.

In its current Strategic Plan (2019–2022), SNV is explicitly aiming for structural change and scale in its programmes in the Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and WASH sectors, as well as bringing knowledge and initiatives from different programmes together at the country level to contribute to systems change. We position ourselves as a learning organisation striving for excellence and invest in making knowledge flow to and from the frontline.

The Goal of the Agriculture Sector at SNV is “More Inclusive, sustainable and resilient food systems which provide diverse nutritious food for all within planetary boundaries” and the Goal of the Energy Sector is “Access to energy through a market-based approach for 5 million people as a direct result of SNV’s energy projects”. In designing and implementing its Agriculture and Energy projects, SNV has chosen to work in thematic areas which we call products: ‘Sustainable Energy Markets’, ‘Inclusive Value Chains’, ‘Sustainable Nutrition for All’, ‘Climate and Business’ and ‘Opportunities for Youth Employment’.  These products will be revised in 2022, in line with the new 7 year Strategic Plan and a key area of work will be to expand our “Climate and Business” product by introducing a strong emphasis on landscape approaches.

Our Climate and Business Product builds on SNV’s extensive experience working with the private sector and provides an approach to support agri- and energy-businesses to increase productivity and incomes, in a way that responds to growing climate risks. This requires transforming the overall functioning of the agriculture and energy sectors, the relationships within them and the technologies adopted. To drive the sectors towards more climate smart outcomes requires a conducive enabling environment and innovative finance. Our interventions help to kick-start markets and leverage finance, providing lasting climate solutions at scale. Our growing portfolio of work offers demonstrable climate smart business cases that can be further adopted and scaled by others. 

For more information on SNV, visit our website: https://snv.org/product/climate-and-business

SNV works through funded projects that include tools and approaches of one or more of these ‘products’ in order to support the achievement of our goal.  While most SNV staff work directly for these projects in the countries where they are implemented, country project teams are supported by Global Teams (Agriculture, Energy, WASH) composed of technical specialists called Global Leads and Global Technical Advisors. These teams represent SNV externally, positioning our work with key stakeholders, support Project Managers to maintain and improve project quality, ensure knowledge is exchanged between projects and countries in order to continuously improve our tools and approaches, take SNV’s learning to wider audiences in order to increase impact and lead the design of new projects, together with Business Development staff and country teams.

Integrated Landscape Management intends to mobilize the power of market systems, innovative finance and good governance to scale solutions that enable communities to access safe water, energy and food and apply the knowledge and tools they need to transform in order to prevent and/or reduce impacts of acute disasters and conflicts caused by the climate crisis and build back better after such events. Social funds, social protection systems and safety nets, community-driven development projects, livelihoods-support, and related knowledge/information platforms can serve as useful vehicles for increasing community-level resilience to disaster and climate risk.

Working under working under the supervision of SNV’s Head of Agri-Food, and in direct contact with SNV’s Global Lead Climate & Business, the Global Technical Advisor (GTA) Landscapes will contribute to the further structuring and defining of SNV’s work in Integrated Landscape Management within the Agriculture and Energy sectors. The GTA will work closely with the global sector teams of Agriculture and Energy, country offices, as well as the Business Development team. 

In a fast-developing and changing world, the GTA Landscapes will support the development of SNV’s landscape strategy with products, methodologies, and tools. This includes SNV’s positioning in landscapes, as well as developing and nurturing strategic partnerships in this field. The GTA Landscapes will monitor and manage the quality of project development and implementation for SNV projects that include a landscapes component, including support to project managers and project teams. An important focus area will be to accelerate the pace of adoption and utilization of landscapes frameworks, methodologies, and tools in existing projects (where possible) and new funding proposals. The GTA Landscapes will steer the knowledge sharing and learning agenda on integrated landscape management across SNV and will guide sector teams globally on theories and best practices on the landscape approach.

Strategy Development (30% in the first year, then reducing)

·       Identifies integrated landscapes management opportunities and challenges in the Agriculture and Energy sectors taking into account the existing trends and experiences.

·       Supports the Global Lead on Climate and Business in the development of a climate smart landscapes strategy complementing existing capacities and guaranteeing SNV’s visibility and recognition with key donors, major private and public tech players, and non-profit organisations.

·       Supports  the Global Lead on Climate and Business in the integration of landscapes in SNV’s C&B product, methodologies and tools.

·       Coordinates awareness-raising, coaching and training sessions for SNV staff and partners in a demand-oriented and practical manner.

·       Facilitates/ supports partnerships to access services in for example Spatial Planning (GIS/RS), Land Tenure, Natural Resource Management, Governance Models, Multi-Stakeholder Platforms, Gender Equity and Social Inclusion.

Advisory Services, Quality Assurance and Project Cycle Management (50% in the first year, then increase to 80%)

·       Guides  project managers and staff to improve the quality of implementation of projects including a landscapes component, ensuring the planned impact within time and budget. Existing projects that incorporate a landscapes approach include the DFCD, Pro-ARIDES, SUSTAIN and LISTEN.

·       Provides support in the form of technical advice and capacity building, involving programme and project staff to integrate landscapes in SNV’s existing or new products, methodologies and tools.

·       Coaches colleagues, both professionally and operationally, and coaches associated partners and sub-contractors on quality within context of assignments. Ability to stimulate and inspire project teams.

Knowledge and Learning (20% particularly in the first year)

·       Leads on sector practice development and translates external trends into internal improvement actions and innovations.

·       Leads on the coordination of internal and external knowledge development and innovation in the area of landscapes innovation, including the drafting and review of publications.

·       Participates in knowledge development and innovation groups in external and internal networks, ensures knowledge products and lessons learned are shared. May be appointed as SNV’s focal point in expertise networks.

·       Supports the development, maintenance and updating of the landscapes knowledge agenda and supports organisational learning by sharing technical knowledge and best practices across SNV teams at global, country and project level.

·       Ensures that the set of solutions, methodologies and tools to facilitate integrated landscape management efforts, is updated and adjusted to meet the required high-quality standards.

·       Develops “new” solutions, innovative methodologies or tools based on experiences and external developments, together with Global Sector Teams and partners.

Business Development

·       Acts as technical lead on project proposals focusing on integrated landscapes management, and reviews quality of technical proposals including a landscapes management component, ensuring coherence in cross-cutting themes.

·       Applies contextual analysis and systems thinking on landscapes in the form of a well-elaborated Theory of Change (ToC), identifying key interventions, partnerships and related budgets, in close collaboration with the global Business Development team and sector colleagues involved.

Profiling and positioning

·       Develops, expands and maintains effective and efficient (global) strategic partnerships with relevant donors, private and public players, non-profit organisations and other stakeholders through professional networking and profiling.

·       Represents SNV at selected events at the national and international levels.

·       Master’s Degree in Biology, Environment, Forests, Water, Agriculture, Applied Economics, Governance, or any other relevant to landscape management.

·       8 years of progressively responsible experience, in the field of climate, landscapes, natural resource management and/or conservation for development and social impact, and knowledge management.

·       Experience in the private sector in the agriculture, natural resource management or conservation industry, particularly with applications in the development sector, would be an advantage.

·       Experience with bridging the social divide and/or equity challenges in landscapes are an advantage.

Competencies

·       Proven experience in developing programme strategies and positioning in landscapes, within an international cooperation context.

·       Having an extensive (international) network and up-to-date knowledge about the integrated landscape approach for development sector

·       International work experience and proven ability to effectively advice and, coach a team of advisors in a multi-cultural setting.

·       Experience with knowledge management, learning and innovations in integrated landscapes management.

·       Native language level proficiency in French required. Proficiency in English required.

·       Experience with business development in designing impactful projects and programmes at landscape level, writing successful proposals, and managing donor relationships.

·       Familiarity with facilitating public sector involvement and/or Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in landscapes.

·       Self-motivated achiever with excellent intercultural leadership, teamwork, coaching, communication, networking and organisational skills.

·       Mastery of interpersonal skills with the ability to be flexible and adaptable.

Contract Type:                      Full time

Contract Duration:                2 years with a strong possibility for extension

Expected Start Date:            As soon as possible

Information Duty Station:     Open Location, preferably West Africa or the Netherlands

Travel to Projects:                Approximately 30% (Covid Permitting)

Working at SNV

SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and international working environment. Our staff benefits from, and contribute to, an internal and global network of experts. For more information, please visit our website: www.snv.org.

We will require that you provide us with the full details of three people who are willing to act as a reference.  We will not contact these references without your explicit permission.

How to apply?

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV (in EuropeAid format) before 28th of February 2022 by clicking on the link: I'm interested. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should SNV wish to proceed with your application, two interviews with a Selection Committee will take place. SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

- We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement -