Climate-Smart Solutions Lead - USAID/Georgia Agricultural Trade Program (Georgia AgTrade)

Palladium
United States, D.C., Washington
1331 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest (Show on map)
April 03, 2024
Climate-Smart Solutions Lead - USAID/Georgia Agricultural Trade Program (Georgia AgTrade) About Palladium: Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities. This Opportunity: Palladium is seeking a Climate Smart Solutions Lead for the anticipated USAID/Georgia Agricultural Trade Program (AgTrade), which is a 5-year USAID-funded program which aims to strengthen Georgia's capacity to sustainability export to high-value markets. AgTrade will support export diversification, strengthen local agricultural market systems in Georgia, and attract new private investment into the sector. The overarching objectives of the Program are as follows: Increased market linkages with non-malign markets, with a specific focus on reducing dependence on the Russian market; Improved capacity of agricultural enterprises to access export markets, including compliance with international standards and improving or establishing export-oriented infrastructure for agricultural goods; and Strengthened climate-responsive food and agricultural systems. As a member of the AgTrade senior leadership team, the Climate Smart Solutions Lead will report to the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) and be responsible for providing leadership and oversight to program activities that promote and mainstream climate-smart agricultural practices and solutions. The position will work closely with the technical team to ensure that AgTrade introduces solutions that build resilience to climate-related shocks and stressors and mitigate agriculture's contributions to greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss. Primary Duties and Responsibilities: The Climate Smart Solutions Lead will be responsible for the following: Lead Objective 3 activities that expand the use of climate-smart agriculture in target value chains - this includes introducing improved land and crop management practices that reduce emissions from the agricultural and land use sectors, build resilience of farming systems, and minimize environmental impacts such as soil and biodiversity loss, and crop losses from climate change. Work with the technical team to inform development of technical packages for the target value chains and crops, ensuring that such packages comply with environmental requirements, build climate change resilience, and reduce emissions and environmental impacts of agricultural production. Ensure seamless coordination with program activities that support commercialization, infrastructure, and export, including identifying high-impact interventions in target value chains, market opportunities for increased incomes from environmental services (i.e., connections to carbon markets), and climate-smart infrastructure investments that minimize environmental impacts and will be resilient against climate-related impacts. Ensure collaboration with program stakeholders and partners, such as civil society groups, producer associations, government entities, academic institutions, think tanks and relevant donor programs. Identify and support opportunities for knowledge sharing. Key Competencies Required: Degree in agricultural engineering, or a related field required (natural resources management, sustainable agriculture, environmental science, sustainable development, etc.). Advanced degree or formal training in sustainable agriculture or other related field preferred. At least 5-7 years of international work experience, particularly in Georgia and/or other countries in the region, working on climate change mitigation and/or adaptation in the agricultural sector. At least 3 years of senior management experience on programs funded by USAID or other donor agencies. Familiarity with the policies, procedures, and reporting requirements of USAID or other donor agencies preferred. Proven experience developing climate-smart agricultural technical packages in diverse value chains and agro-ecological zones. Proven experience of supporting and managing teams that work with producers to promote uptake and maintenance of climate-smart agricultural practices, as well as environmental best practices that reduce impacts on soil, water, and biodiversity. Experience identifying and resolving issues to raise production and fortify the agricultural value chains to significantly increase farm-gate sales in value and volume. Ability to lead teams, communicate effectively and inspire environmental commitment in others. Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Georgian Prior work experience in Georgia or the region required Georgian nationals are strongly encouraged to apply Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status. Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss. Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as "the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm". We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.