Climate Resilience and Business Advisor SNV

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. We are driven by a vision of a better world: A world where across every society all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably. To make this vision a reality, we need transformations in vital agri-food, energy, and water systems. SNV contributes by strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships in these sectors. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.
Building on 60 years of experience we support our partners with our technical and process expertise and methodological rigour. We do this in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia with a team of approximately 1,600 colleagues. By being adaptable and tailoring our approaches to these different contexts, we can contribute to impact at scale, resulting in more equitable lives for all.

For more information on our operations in Zambia visit our website: www.snv.org/zambia.

Overview of position:

SNV is implementing the second phase of the Scaling Up Youth Employment in Agriculture Initiative Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE)+ project in Zambia The four-year OYE+ Phase II project builds off successes, lessons learned and evaluations to date from the Phase I project in Zimbabwe and Zambia, other SNV youth employment projects and the OYE program in the Africa region. The OYE+ Phase II program aims at fostering a strengthened approach to youth employment programming by addressing structural barriers, offering tailored support, and promoting collaboration among community, private sector, and government stakeholders to create dignified livelihoods for young people.

The key objectives of the project are to:

• Increase market and trading opportunities for young people, also in climate resilient in high value agri-food value-chains.
• Increase young people access to decent (self) employment
  Improve policy support and market decisions for increased gender equality and youth inclusion.
• The project employs the Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (YEE) Pull-Match-Pull-Enable framework approach that brings together partners from the private sector, service providers, and government to focus on employability, entrepreneurship, and business access for youth.
• SNV seeks a talented, result-oriented professional as Climate Resilience and Business Advisor who will support the Project team, the technical advisor will focus on providing technical guidance and monitoring of climate resilience and business engagement in the context of the project.

The Climate Resilience and Business Advisor will act as technical expert together with the project team and relevant stakeholders to create an enabling environment (by sharing knowledge, understanding and engagement of relevant stakeholders) and embedding climate resilience in all the project implementation aspects and supporting youth enterprises to ensure that the project to meet its objectives.

Job Description

• Lead efforts to identify, develop, and promote climate-smart business opportunities for youth in agriculture, renewable energy and other emerging sectors, ensuring there is alignment with market opportunities.
• Provide tailored advice on designing of training, coaching and mentorship programs to support youth entrepreneurs in adopting sustainable practices, building their capacity to develop, finance, and scale climate-smart enterprises.
• Educate youth on the importance of climate insurance for managing risks related to climate change and partner with insurance providers to help young entrepreneurs protect their investments.
• Facilitate the development and refinement of business plans, innovative business models, and market diversification strategies that incorporate climate risk management and sustainability.
• Ensure climate insurance is a key component of business plans and training programs, equipping youth with the knowledge to incorporate insurance into their risk management strategies.
• Collaborate with training institutions, business development service providers, financial institutions, private sector companies, NGOs, and government agencies to ensure youth access to resources, knowledge, and markets.
• Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks, collect and analyze data, document success stories, and advocate for policies that support climate-smart enterprises and create an enabling environment for youth.
• Ensure youth have opportunities for accessing financing opportunities, including grants, loans, and investments, to support the growth and scaling of climate-smart enterprises.
• Ensure GESI principles are integrated into all aspects of climate-smart business initiatives, including the design of training programs, mentorship, and support services, to promote equitable opportunities for marginalized and underrepresented youth.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, or sustainability-focused business development, with a strong emphasis on youth entrepreneurship, is required.
• This includes a proven track record in implementing sustainable practices, promoting renewable energy solutions, and supporting youth-led ventures.
• Candidates should demonstrate expertise in fostering innovative approaches and mentoring young entrepreneurs to drive impactful, climate-resilient business solutions.
• Master’s degree in relevant technical field, climate change, agri (economics) ,business administration or similar.
• Expertise in creating and executing programs for youth entrepreneurs focused on sustainable business practices and climate-smart enterprises.
• Ability to provide individualized support to help youth develop, scale, and successfully manage climate-smart businesses.
• In-depth understanding of climate insurance products and their role in mitigating risks related to climate change, including integration into business plans and training.
• Strong skills in facilitating the creation and refinement of business plans that incorporate sustainability, climate risk management, and innovative approaches.
• Proven experience in providing business development and marketing support to companies.
• Ability to work with a range of stakeholders, such as training institutions, financial entities, private sector companies, NGOs, and government agencies to ensure business enabling environment for youth enterprises.
• Competence in developing and implementing frameworks to track progress and impact, along with documenting success stories and advocating for supportive policies.
• Knowledge of financing mechanisms (grants, loans, investments) and experience assisting youth in accessing and managing funds to support their climate-smart enterprises.
• Proven experience in Climate Change Adaptation with a focus on Agriculture and Renewable Energy.
• Must be a member of the Agriculture Institute of Zambia with a valid Certificate.

Desired attributes:

• Highly motivated self-starter, with strong organisational skills, who takes individual accountability seriously.
• Self-aware, possessing high levels of emotional intelligence and respect for staff, colleagues, and partners.
• Adaptive yet result-oriented with strong planning, analytic and decisive mindset.
• Excellent social and communication skills (written and oral), as well as reporting and presentation skills.
• Commitment to continuous learning and knowledge sharing.
  Strong sense of integrity and personal commitment to the goals and values of SNV.
• Ability to undertake unaccompanied travel and operate in the field.

Location: Eastern Province with regular field travel (50%)
Reports to: Project Manager, OYE Project
Closing date: 8th November 2024

Vetting

SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for national determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, sexual harassment as well as Fraud), the “Statement of Conduct”. This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Any form of solicitation by phone or other means will be treated as disqualification of the candidate. SNV is an equal employment provider.