🇸🇱 Job Vacancies @ Trocaire – 2 Positions

Trocaire is recruiting to fill the following positions:

1.) Head of Finance and Administration
2.) Terms of Reference (TOR) for Consultancy

See job details and how to apply below.

1.) Head of Finance and Administration

VACANCY NOTICE 

Trócaire is an International NGO. We work with local partners in the world’s most at-risk communities and  with people in Ireland to tackle the underlying causes of poverty and injustice and respond to the crises  they create. Together we bring about positive and lasting change for a just world.

Job Title: Head of Finance and Administration 

Location of position: Freetown, Sierra Leone

The Head of Finance and Administration plays a pivotal role in the Country Management Team, heading  the portfolio of Finance, Budgeting and reporting, Administration, Logistics, and components of HR. In  addition, Head of Finance and Administration plays a key role in inputting into the development of  policies, procedures, and systems to continuously improve in-country operations.

Requirement 

Accounting commerce or business administration degree from a leading university, and relevant  professional qualifications (CPA/CA/ACCA). Master’s degree in business administration of related field.

Key Responsibilities:  

• Oversee and coordinate the Finance team in Sierra Leone to support the work of programme staff  by reviewing partners’ project financial reports and providing financial information for decision making.
• Engage with the CD and Head of Programmes, Business Development and Grants Manager on the  Country Business Development strategy, in line with country programme needs and the  institutional funding landscape.
• Support the preparation of the Country Annual budget, the Strategic and Accountable Resource  Allocation and Value for Money documents and submit for review in CMT budget meeting, share  the budget pack after approval to HQ.
• Oversee and coordinate the Finance team in Sierra Leone to support the work of programme staff  by reviewing partners’ project financial reports and providing financial information for decision making.
• Oversight of the timely & accurate preparation of monthly management accounts for budget holders and country management to be able to monitor budget utilization and take appropriate  action on any significant variances.
• Ensure full compliance with all Sierra Leone government requirements in relation to registration,  taxation, labor law, auditing, fraud etc

Closing Date For Applications is 1 December 2023 

The successful applicant will be expected to sign up to and adhere to Trócaire’s Safeguarding Policy

https://apply.workable.com/trocaire/j/334798CF26/

2.) Terms of Reference (TOR) for Consultancy

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) FOR CONSULTANCY

PRE-WORKSHOP TECHNICAL PLANNING, WORKSHOP FACILITATION AND DOCUMENTATION, POST-WORKSHOP SUPPORT TO CLIMATE CHANGE ADVOCACY NETWORKS 

15TH – 17TH NOVEMBER 2023, FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE

1.0 SUMMARY. 

2.0 BACKGROUND 

2.1 About Trócaire

Trócaire is the overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland that works in partnership with local organisations in multiple countries to tackle the root causes of poverty and injustice, as well as contributing together with partners to bring about a positive and lasting changes.

Trócaire works exclusively with local partners to achieve climate and environmental justice; ensure women and girls’ protection, voice & influence; and save lives and protect human dignity. Trócaire actively supports work on the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence, women’s political participation and leadership, sustainable livelihoods and economic empowerment, natural resource management and environmental conservation, and humanitarian preparedness and response.

Trócaire Sierra Leone is implementing a Climate Change programme, with support from the Irish Aid. The programme expects to support the agency of communities to adapt to the impact of climate change, as well as strengthen new and existing coordinating bodies to increase the voice, agency and visibility of local advocates, communities, and individuals, particularly women and youth, in climate change and create new forums where appropriate. The programme, aligned with Sierra Leone’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP), also seeks to support community mainstreaming of climate change adaptation through supporting local management and governance initiatives and partnerships. The programme will introduce forest enterprise development practices to provide opportunities for forest-edge communities to diversify and strengthen the resilience of their production systems, improve livelihoods, ecosystem services, improved sectoral and public involvement, and enhanced capacities and awareness towards conservation through the set-up of community natural resource management committees.

2.2 About the Workshop

The roles of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts cannot be overemphasised. They are a key stakeholder in national and international climate processes, playing a crucial role in contributing to bringing ground-level vulnerabilities into decision-making processes, providing technical support to policy processes that aim to tackle climate change. While noting the significance of their roles, it is worth mentioning that there is more to be demonstrated to justify the said roles through capacity strengthening for climate change advocacy, participate in climate discourse, and progress in positioning key issues of climate change in critical processes, including negotiations to better mainstream climate change in national development.

The urgency of the climate change conversation cannot be overstated. We are confronted with unprecedented global crises – from climate change and biodiversity loss to poverty and inequality. It is now less than one month from the opening of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28/CMP18/CMA5) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where the world must come together to deliver a critical milestone in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, notably through the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake. This is an opportunity to measure the effectiveness of Sierra Leone’s climate policies and actions, to assess whether our goals and targets are aligned with the magnitude of the challenges we face.

The overarching outcomes of COP28, including the outcome on the global stocktake, will set the direction for climate action across all pillars of the Paris Agreement to provide a comprehensive response through aligned policies and efforts, following science and equity considerations. It will send clear signals to policy makers, the private sector, local communities, and all those looking to take concrete steps to combat climate change, setting the collective direction and pathways that Sierra Leone, Africa and the world at large need to follow to achieve low greenhouse gas and resilient development for all.

Transformational pathways to low-emission climate resilient development can only be built on actionable solutions that have ambition and implementation at their core. Turning this vision to reality requires political leadership.

It is against this backdrop that CSOs, MDAs and other key stakeholders are coming together to launch the Sierra Leone Climate Change Advocacy Network – with an aim of engaging at key national, regional and international advocacy platforms. One of the first initiatives this formalised structure will undertake is the launching of the “Keep Your Promise Campaign” (developed by the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance in September 2023 for COP28) to enhance the effectiveness of climate response measures in Sierra Leone by securing greater leadership and accountability by leaders in Sierra Leone. Another will be to  strengthen CSOs’ capacities in climate change negotiation streams and foster CSOs and MDAs engagement in Pre-COP28 deliberations, with a view to shape a positive and mutually supportive vision of the future of climate and development action to achieve the goals under the Paris Agreement, with a particular focus on Sierra Leone.

3.0 Workshop Objectives 

The objectives of the three (3) days workshop are as follows:

1. Launch the Climate Change Advocacy Network – with an aim of engaging at key national, regional and international advocacy platforms;
2. Launch the “Keep Your Promise Campaign” (in alignment with the PACJA campaign) to enhance the effectiveness of climate response measures in Sierra Leone by securing greater leadership and accountability by leaders in Sierra Leone; and
3. Strengthen CSOs’ capacities in climate change negotiation streams and foster CSOs and MDAs engagement in pre-COP28 deliberations, with a view to shape a positive and mutually supportive vision of the future of climate and development action to achieve the goals under the Paris Agreement, with a particular focus on Sierra Leone.

3.1 Specific Objectives

The workshop will seek to achieve the following key specific objectives during the three (3) days:

Day 1:

1. Review draft Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the Thematic Working Groups (TWGs).
2. Develop an organogram for the network.
3. Forge strengthened collaborations and relations between CSOs and faith actors hinged on priority actions for influencing realization of climate justice at local, national and global level.
4. Develop consolidated action plans and mechanisms for advancing and implementing network-based advocacy and influence process as a build up to COP28 mobilization.
5. Nominate representatives and inaugurate a national coordination body of climate change actors (including CSOs, faith actors, etc.)
6. Launch the Climate Change Advocacy Network – with an aim of engaging at key national, regional, and international advocacy platforms.

Day 2:

1. Making sure the government follows through on promises about climate-friendly development and actions, including their NDCs.
2. Getting more people involved in the Global Stock Take process to contribute to global awareness.
3. Urging the Sierra Leone Government (part of the Paris Agreement) to take more responsibility by highlighting where they are falling short, as well as other African and developed countries’ investment priorities in Africa.
4. Encouraging developed countries and other major polluters to be more accountable in reducing emissions, keeping their climate funding promises, and following through on fair cooperation agreements.
5. Bringing together all non-government groups to work towards an environment that is free from corporate violations of environmental rights and doesn’t rely on false solutions.

Day 3:

1. Engaging and empowering stakeholders to drive climate action across the country, communities, and economies.
2. Heighten the political mobilization for the cause of climate justice, setting the CSOs agenda for COP28 and priority discussions and commitments that should be secured in climate space.
3. Strengthen CSOs core messages on climate change for COP28 related to various thematic and negotiation streams to achieving Sierra Leone’s aspirations in COP28.
4. Amplify CSOs mobilization through the Keep Your Promise Campaign.

3.2 Expected Outcomes 

Day 1:

1. Finalised Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the Thematic Working Groups (TWGs).
2. Finalised organogram for the network.
3. Strengthened collaboration and relations between CSOs and faith actors hinged on priority actions for influencing realization of climate justice at local, national and global level.
4. Development of consolidated action plans and mechanisms for advancing and implementing network-based advocacy and influence process as a build up to COP28 mobilization.
5. Establishment of a national coordination body of climate change actors (including CSOs, faith actors, etc.) and government agencies – Climate Change Advocacy Network to engage at key national, regional and international advocacy platforms.

Day 2:

1. Using proof to urge quick action on climate change.
2. Helping people and groups become better at leading campaigns.
3. Making sure developed and high-income countries and UNFCCC organizations are more responsible.
4. Improving the global stock process to better help communities on the frontlines.
5. Making the campaign and its urgent message more widely known in all places.

Day 3:

1. People who can help CSOs take action for fair climate policies at COP28.
2. Making sure CSOs really understand and promote important messages about climate change at COP27.
3. The most important result of the Forum will be the “CSOs Communiqué on COP28,” which will list the important actions needed to make sure COP28 helps vulnerable people in Sierra Leone.

4.0 Organization and Target Participants

The workshop will be convened by Trocaire and its partners, through a vigorous and inclusive consultative process. It will benefit directly CSOs, faith actors, academia, government MDAs, INGOs and other national and international entities working in strengthening synergies in pursuit of climate justice. The workshop will adopt a hybrid model where participants from CSOs, NGOs, women and youth networks, sector-thematic groups, development partners, and government MDAs will attend physically, while provision will be made for virtual attendants.

5.0 Purpose/Objective of the consultancy

Provide consultancy services and support to National Climate Change Advocacy and Network Launching and Pre-COP28 Dialogue Workshop.

5.1 Description of activities

• Participate in the technical aspects of the pre-workshop planning process.
• Facilitate the three (3) day workshop.
• Develop and deliver presentations on key concepts, namely Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Climate Finance, Loss and Damage, Technology Development and Transfer, Climate Change Research, and Climate network formation.
• Develop guiding questions, session guides and facilitate group discussions.
• Prepare session summary reports.
• Support Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) to consolidate and/or finalize their workplans and budgets, in the days following the end of the workshop.
• Develop detailed report for the three-day workshop.

5.2 Outputs

• Pre-workshop technical planning support provided to the workshop planning process.
• Facilitation provided to a three (3) day workshop.

• Key concepts, namely Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Climate Finance, Loss and Damage, Technology Development and Transfer, Climate Change Research, and Climate network formation developed and delivered at the 3-day workshop.

• Guiding questions, session guides and facilitate group discussions developed.
• Working group and plenary session summary reports prepared.
• Thematic Working Groups (TWGs) supported to consolidate and/or finalize their workplans and budgets, in the days following the end of the workshop.
• Detailed workshop report prepared and submitted.

6.0 Scope of Work

7.0 Key Deliverables

• One action plan developed and submitted to Trocaire.
• All agreed pre-workshop materials and planning done and submitted to Trocaire.
• One National Climate Change Advocacy and Network Launching and Pre-COP28 Dialogue Workshop conducted/facilitated.
• One report on the National Climate Change Advocacy and Network Launching and Pre-COP28 Dialogue Workshop prepared and submitted to Trocaire, including the post-workshop support provided to networks.

8.0 Timeline

The consultancy shall last for a period of four weeks, starting 20th November (pre-workshop meeting) to 30th November, 2023 (allowing five business days after workshop to complete inception report).

9.0 Profile of the Consultant

1. a) Educational qualifications 
2. • Master’s degree in any of the following: Environmental Science, Sustainable Development, Social Sciences, or any relevant field of study.

1. b) Experience, skills, and competencies 
2. • Seven (7) or more years of experience in programme/project cycle management and strategic management, more specifically in the field of environment and/or climate change.
3. • Extensive experience working with CSO networks at national and/or international levels.

• Solid understanding and knowledge of the climate change and environmental context in Sierra Leone.
• Demonstrable experience conducting similar tasks.

10.0 Payment schedule

The payment will be done as follows:

1. 30% upon signing of the contract and submission of the action plan;
2. 40% upon submission of National Climate Change Advocacy and Network Building Workshop report;
3. 30% upon submission of the report on post-workshop support provided to the networks prepared and submitted to Trocaire.

11.0 Special notes regarding rapportuering/report writing 

Please note that the facilitator may identify a rapporteur as a separate individual to take notes. If this is desirable, the facilitator must indicate this in their submission. If the facilitator would like to be the rapporteur themselves, then please indicate this in their submission.

The rapportuering/report writing tasks will include, but not limited to the following:

• Before the sessions

Rapporteur should ensure that they:

1. Are familiar with the speakers, their bio data and their names.
2. Meet before the session to define the methodology that they will use to ensure consistency while covering each session.

• During the session

Rapporteur (per theme) should ensure that he/she:

1. Take note on the main discussion sessions/workshop proceedings, conclusions and recommendations of each Presentation or speech.
2. Take note of those questions/remarks from the floor which could be of interest for consideration in the session Summary Report, as well as of the replies from the speakers.

• After the session

Specifically, the Rapporteur is to prepare the electronic Report for each day (per theme) that must include details of key Statements and Recommendations from the session’s meetings, issues/constraints raised and details of Participants.

• After the session

Specifically, the rapporteur is to:

1. Prepare the electronic Report for each meeting that must include details of key Statements and Recommendations from the session’s meetings, issues/constraints raised and details of Participants.
2. The Rapporteurs will verify the Report of conclusions in collaboration with the Chair of the sessions/Moderator and present them to Treocaire as soon as possible after the meeting takes place.

12. Ethical considerations 

In accordance with its foundational mission principles, Trocaire Sierra Leone is committed to the highest ethical standards and opposes all forms of discrimination, exploitation, and abuse. We intend to create and maintain a work and living environment that is safe, productive, and respectful for our colleagues and for all we serve. We require that all staff and representatives (consultants, contractors, vendors/suppliers, interns, trainees, volunteers, agents and implementing partner organizations) take seriously their ethical responsibilities to Safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities (especially women and young people), and all those with whom we work.

While working for the organization, the consultant has responsibilities to maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members, and promotes the implementation of Trocaire’s code of conduct. Throughout the assignment, the consultant is expected to adhere to Trocaire Sierra Leone’s code of conduct including the safeguarding policy ensuring that all measures are taken to protect the rights, safety, and welfare of the individuals and communities involved.

12. Application Process 

Applications or expressions of interest should be submitted by email to: [email protected], copying [email protected].

• Technical Proposal – outlining your understanding of the TOR, the methodology that will be used in undertaking the assignment, work plan, and team composition, including Curriculum Vitae (CV) and contact details of at least three (3).
• Financial proposal (maximum 1 page) outlining all relevant costs, including consultant fees.

NB: This bid is open to both individuals and organizations. The successful candidate/organization will be expected to provide two reference letters of previous work done.

Deadline for Submission of Expressions of Interest is COB 17th November 2023. 

(Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted for an interview).