GLF Youth Program Officer

Reference number: 2320
Job status: Inactive
Job category: Consultancy
Duty station: Home-based, preferably in CEST time zone
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CIFOR-ICRAF
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

CIFOR-ICRAF is looking for a

GLF Youth Program Officer

Overview

The Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) was first launched in 2013 by CIFOR with core partners including UNEP, the World Bank, and the Government of Germany. Meaningful engagement of youth and other typically marginalized stakeholders was a cornerstone of GLF’s operation from the beginning.

Today, the GLF is the world’s largest knowledge-led platform on sustainable land use, dedicated to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Climate Agreement.

Building on a decade of successful conferencing during which we achieved the mainstreaming of the landscape approach the GLF has evolved to five innovation areas each set up to contribute to strengthening and enabling decentralized local action towards ecosystem restoration. These include: 1) Creating a Digital Knowledge Commons (having reached a billion people in 185 countries); 2) Pioneering Youth Leadership (60,000, 160 countries); 3) GLF Learning Program (Landscape Academy (18,000 learners); 4) GLF Investment Case, sustainable finance, and value chains, and 5) GLFx and GLF Communities of Practice. GLFx, is our program to decentralize the Forum to create community led GLF chapters, and communities of practice, that are designed to carry out restoration and other activities (including advocacy) on the ground while creating a learning hub at the national and subnational level.

GLF is supported by its Charter Members, 31 leading sustainable development organisations who invest in and co-create activities on the GLF platform and offer opportunities for intergenerational learning and exchange.

GLF is a place where a farmer can inform action, pathways, and policies; where international organizations can learn from the private sector and vice versa; and where CEOs, community leaders, communicators and scientists can share, learn, connect, and act together.

From building the investment case for sustainable landscapes, to conserving and restoring peatlands, to supporting restoration in Africa, GLF has been at the cutting edge in hosting and facilitating all manner of discussions to accelerate positive action for people, for the environment, and for the achievement of global climate and SDGs. The Youth in Landscapes Initiative (YIL) is a partnership for young landscape leaders currently coordinated by the Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD), the International Forestry Students Association (IFSA) and Youth for Nature (Y4N). YIL exists to unite and empower youth (aged 18-35 years) from diverse backgrounds around the world to have a voice, learn and affect positive change in their landscapes and livelihoods. YIL accomplishes this through a focus on leadership training, capacity building, community building, mentorship and fostering intergenerational dialogue.

Duties and responsibilities

The GLF Youth Program Officer is responsible for supporting the Youth Coordinator in ensuring that young people, and youth networks, such as Youth in Landscape Initiative (YIL) are integrated into the planning and execution of key GLF activities.

The objectives of the assignment is to support the youth team achieving its strategy and priorities, working closely with the YIL Steering Committee and project teams while supporting innovative and meaningful engagement as well as beneficial growth and development.

Key responsibilities include the following:

Support the coordination with key long-term partners as the Youth in Landscapes Initiative Steering Committee (YIL SC), and its leading organizations (YPARD, IFSA, Y4N), ensuring programs are connected with YIL and amplify one another.
Support Youth team activities, schedules, and plans to meet overarching goals of the GLF, and maintain regular communication with the GLF Youth Coordinator.
Support the Youth Coordinator to ensure youth engagement in GLF events and longer-term GLF activities is of mutual benefit to the participants and the wider GLF systems, GLF partners included.
Support coordination with the Youth in Landscapes Network Interns and Youth Communication consultant in ensuring communication of YIL programs to the broader audience (including youth website, newsletter, social media).
Support the coordination of existing projects (including but not limited to GLF Lives, Restoration Stewards Program, learning journeys, Generation Restoration Youth hub), and the relationships with relevant partners.
Support the expansion of YIL’s role in global youth advocacy and policy.
Support the coordination with the YIL SC and between the Youth in Landscapes Network Interns and the project teams.
Support with the coordination of the project teams as needed.
Produce a year youth report outlining the main activities of the year and collaborate with the GLF Knowledge Coordinator for donors reports.
Liaison with the GLFx team in the transition of Restoration Stewards to GLFx chapters, and in the general youth network mobilization for GLFx chapters.
Other key tasks related to Youth and GLF as they arise.

Education, knowledge and experience

Undergraduate degree (with one year work experience) or advanced degree preferably in disciplines that are relevant to one or more of the GLF themes and sustainable development goals – any volunteer-based experience is also relevant.
Previous experience working (or volunteering) in science and knowledge management with youth networks and communities, related to sustainable Landscapes is an advantage.
Ability to produce high quality written content.
Good understanding of international development and/or environment policy processes.
Good understanding of global youth networks.
Experience in planning, implementing and evaluating complex projects.
Fluency in English is essential, other languages (esp. French, Spanish, German) an advantage.

Personal attributes and competencies

Self-motivated, resourceful and energetic;
Able to find creative solutions;
Able to think holistically and with attention to details;
A team player and have outstanding interpersonal communications skills;
Outstanding diplomatic and negotiation skills;
Proven ability to work well under pressure.

Terms and conditions

This is a full-time consultancy position.
This is a paid position; salary is location-based;
Period of the consultancy is expected to be March 2023 – February 2024.
Work locations: home-based, preferably in CEST time zone.
To apply, please visit our career site at: http://www.cifor.org/careers
To learn more about CIFOR-ICRAF, please visit our websites at: https://www.cifor.org and www.worldagroforestry.org
CIFOR-ICRAF promotes Gender Diversity – Applications from women professionals are encouraged.
CIFOR-ICRAF is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity.