VACANCY TITLE: 32-015 | (Junior) Program Officer, Food Security and Rural Well-being
SENIORITY: Seniority will be determined based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
TEAM: Food Security and Rural Well-being
LOCATION: Rotterdam, the Netherlands or Nairobi, Kenya
LEVEL OF EFFORT: Full time – 40 hours per week
START DATE: As soon as possible
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 20 December 2024

For the Junior level , only candidates with a valid work permit in the Netherlands or Kenya will be considered.

WHO WE ARE
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization working to accelerate action on adapting to climate change. We support adaptation solutions at the international and the local levels, partnering with the public and the private sector.
Our focus is firmly on those who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change; communities least prepared to withstand the health, social, and economic impacts of the climate emergency are our priority.
Founded in 2018, our organization is based in regional offices across key global locations. Our Europe office is located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in the largest floating office in the world. We also have regional offices in Kenya, Ivory Coast, Bangladesh, and Beijing, as well as a dedicated knowledge and research hub in Groningen, the Netherlands.
Our work encompasses high-level policy development, research, agenda-setting and advocacy to drive faster and deeper climate adaptation. We collaborate closely with partners to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of results where they are most needed.


WHAT WILL YOU DO
Climate and weather patterns highly influence the food security, nutrition, and income of millions of people, especially women and resource-poor rural households, because most farm operations are heavily dependent on rainfed agriculture. One of the ways to respond to the challenges is to contribute to scaling up appropriate technologies from research (e.g., CGIAR, NARs) through engagement in upstream work on investment planning of MDBs. Under the AAAP Food Security Pillar, GCA’s goal under the Food Security Program is to influence agricultural investments projects of IFIs to build climate-smart agriculture and resilient food systems to support food security for millions of farmers and agropastorlists in African countries and beyond.
Responsibilities
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is seeking passionate and driven individuals to join our Food Security & Rural Wellbeing Program. This role offers a unique opportunity to advance sustainable development and climate adaptation solutions, impacting millions of farmers and rural communities across Africa, Asia, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Candidate will report directly to the Global Program Lead and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team at GCA. Responsibilities and contributions will vary based on the level of appointment—Program Officers (POs) will take on more independent and technically advanced roles, while Junior Program Officers (JPOs) will support key programmatic activities, contribute to project implementation, and develop technical expertise to grow into more advanced roles.

• 
  Programmatic Support
  

• Support the design, implementation, and evaluation of projects promoting climate adaptation solutions, including resilient seeds, digital advisory services, and innovative technologies.
  
• Collaborate with MDBs, governments, private sector partners, and technical organizations to mainstream adaptation into agricultural investments.
  
• Contribute to developing digital tools, data-driven approaches, and linkages with broader GCA programs such as infrastructure and climate finance.
  
• Assist in reviewing and evaluating project proposals to inform decision-making.
  
• Represent GCA in working groups, policy dialogues, and stakeholder engagement to strengthen partnerships and raise GCA’s profile.
  

2. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Support data collection, analysis, and reporting to assess program performance and outcomes.
  
• Contribute to evaluations, documenting lessons learned, and developing recommendations for improvement.
  

3. Administrative and Operational Support (Primarily for JPOs)

• Manage document workflows, ensuring proper organization and accessibility of project files and communications.
  
• Assist in organizing events, workshops, and advocacy campaigns to promote climate adaptation and build resilience in agriculture.
  
• Provide logistical support, including travel arrangements, event coordination, and preparation of program-related documents.
  
• Assist in the development of program budgets, financial reports, and grant proposals.
  
• Support the M&E activities and preparation of project results.
  
• • Support internal and external communications, ensuring clear dissemination of program goals and progress to stakeholders.

• 
  A master’s degree in project management, international development, agricultural/ development, economics, or related discipline.
  
• 2 to 5 years of relevant experience in program management, implementation, or related fields.
  
• Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated ability to actively engage with key stakeholders.
  
• Communication Skills: Excellent command of written and spoken English, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and persuasively.
  
• Adaptability: Thrives in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment, maintaining effectiveness when facing changing tasks and responsibilities.
  
• Multicultural Collaboration: Proven ability to work collaboratively within diverse teams, respecting and integrating different cultural perspectives.
  
• Planning and Organizational skills: with a proven track record of managing multiple priorities efficiently.
  
• A commitment to improve people’s lives through climate resilience and adaptation.
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working with a development bank or other financing institution.
  
• Experience in procuring digital climate information and agricultural advisory services.
  
• Proficiency in French language is highly desired.
  
• Prior working experience and understanding of CGIAR or other partners.
  

WHAT WE OFFER
Joining our team means contributing to our global mission on climate adaptation. You will have the opportunity to tap into the extensive expertise available at GCA and its partner organizations worldwide. Furthermore, you will play a role in shaping international policies and global action on climate change, working at the highest governmental levels, and collaborating with governments on all continents.
GCA offers a competitive salary, 25 days of paid leave, and a public transport travel card for free business commuting within the Netherlands.
At GCA, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive team where everyone feels valued. We warmly welcome applicants from all walks of life and do not discriminate in any of our programs or activities based on race, color, religion, sex, nationality, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Join us and contribute your unique perspective to our collective success.

HOW TO APPLY
If you are interested in this position, please submit your motivation letter and CV by following the link https://gca.org/about-us/join-us/ before 20 December 2024.


Our recruitment process is designed to be both engaging and insightful. It consists of three rounds of interviews. Throughout these stages, you'll have the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of GCA team members who are eager to learn about your personality, skills, and potential. This journey also allows you to gain a deeper understanding of GCA's objectives, culture, and values. We look forward to discovering how we can achieve great things together.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. The Global Center on Adaptation also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.