Dec 18, British High Commission in Nigeria UK PACT Officer – Nature Lead SEO Jobs

Main purpose of job:

Nigeria is both highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and at risk of significantly increased emissions as its economy and population grow.

The United Kingdom launched Nigeria-UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) in 2021. This is part of the global UK PACT programme – active in over 10 countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

UK PACT supports partner countries with Technical Assistance across multiple sectors to improve the capacity and capability of key institutions to reduce emissions, mitigate climate change and foster inclusive economic growth in line with their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), increasing climate ambition and creating sustainable livelihoods in the process.

UK PACT has a Nigeria Country Fund through which we deliver grant funding, skill shares and secondments. The portfolio currently consists of three grant projects (in Nature and Energy) and several direct-to-government ‘skillshares’ (in climate policy, green finance, and sustainable transport), with a growing pipeline.

Our two current Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) projects address sustainable forest commodity supply chains, and mangrove rehabilitation. In its 2021 NDC, Nigeria identified agroforestry, improved forest management and forest restoration as the top three NBS. We expect nature to remain a priority sector for the programme going forward. It will need to work alongside our new climate smart agriculture programme, Propcom+, which launched earlier in 2023.

The successful candidate will also work flexibly across the UK PACT Nigeria programme on climate mitigation-focused projects, skill shares and secondments, including cross-cutting programme management responsibilities such as financial and evaluation monitoring and reporting.

The successful candidate will be an integral part of the Nigeria-UK PACT team, sitting within the Sustainable Economic Transformation team at the British High Commission in Abuja.

The role reports to the Food and Agriculture Advisor, supporting NBS objectives in Nigeria by setting up and overseeing the UK PACT projects and skill-shares that can help deliver these, while working closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and International Climate Finance teams in London and UK PACT Delivery Partner and Implementing Partners.

UK PACT has a number of reporting structures between BHC, FCDO London and UK PACT Delivery Partners, so experience in matrix management structures and the ability to report to different audiences is welcomed.

It is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of this evolving area of UK – Nigeria collaboration. The post holder will contribute to the development of a vision for how to grow the UK-Nigeria climate relationship, building on the existing UK PACT portfolio and identifying new areas for support.

Roles and responsibilities:

The post holder will be the second UK PACT Officer in Nigeria, focused on the nature sector to reflect ambitions to expand the portfolio. The role will complement the existing UK PACT Officer who has an energy sector focus. The successful candidate will manage the existing portfolio of nature projects, whilst proactively identifying opportunities to grow the portfolio.

This position will help deliver the UK PACT Strategy’s goals for NBS, refresh objectives and interventions based on in-depth knowledge of the sector in Nigeria, while ensuring that all UK PACT activities fit with BHC’s Country Business Plan. The post holder will share responsibility for overall programme management reporting and administration, working closely with the UK PACT team in the UK.

Specific responsibilities are set out below:

Oversee the Nigeria Nature portfolio

Proactively manage ongoing UK PACT nature-based solutions projects, overseeing delivery partners for timely delivery and mitigating any risks;

Draw on the existing portfolio to continuously co-develop the UK PACT strategy with FCDO, BHC leads and relevant counterparts and identify key areas of demand where future UK PACT support on nature can drive climate ambition and support emissions reductions;

Maintain an in-depth understanding of the nature and climate landscape in Nigeria;

Proactively develop, manage, and strengthen the High Commission’s network of relevant stakeholders working on nature and climate;

Lead on briefings, presentations, and other reporting to the FCDO team in London to inform the development of nature-related UK PACT opportunities.

UK PACT Programme Management and Delivery

Work collaboratively on cross-cutting UK PACT tasks, including project monitoring, expenditure, reporting, risk management, document preparation and stakeholder engagement. This will involve working closely with the UK PACT Delivery Partner and London team;

Collaborate across BHC to support a mainstreamed approach to climate change. Ensure coordination between UK climate programmes and initiatives supported by other donors.

Strategy and future portfolio and pipeline

Proactively build a portfolio of nature-based solution projects and wider climate mitigation-focused projects, skill shares and secondments;

Refresh UK PACT strategy’s goals for nature-based solutions;

Provide evidence-based recommendations on project opportunities.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

We are looking for a proactive self-starter, able to take a flexible approach to working whilst under pressure, and excellent interpersonal skills to build strong relations within the British High Commission and a wide range of stakeholders in Nigeria, with the following:

University degree in Environmental Science, Climate, Public Policy, or related course (preferably with Nature, Forests and/or Land Use focus, which may be substituted for sufficient, relevant work experience).

Minimum 5 years of work experience with extensive Project/Programme management experience, preferably with international stakeholders.

Demonstrable interpersonal, communication and relationship management skills.

Ability to deliver high profile outcomes at pace, with competing deadlines, working in an agile way to changing demands.

Be a flexible and creative problem-solver, able to come up with innovative solutions to complex problems and coordinate coherent and compelling programmes and projects.

Strong reporting writing skills.

Fluency in written and spoken English

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Experience running grant-based technical assistance/capacity building projects in Nigeria.

Knowledge of Nigeria’s climate mitigation context and commitments, along with forestry, nature and land-use policies, its international commitments, and institutional frameworks.

Network of contacts in political arena, government, private sector, and civil societies.

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; British High Commission in Nigeria UK PACT Officer – Nature Lead SEO Jobs

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