Fellow - Central African Fund Initiative

Organizational Context

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports countries in eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development. The Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) aims to balance forest conservation with economic development in six Central African countries. This fellowship, based in Geneva, Switzerland, addresses capacity gaps in implementing CAFI's investment plans and promotes a new generation of professionals in sustainable development and climate change mitigation.

Job Purpose

This fellowship aims to increase national expertise and capacity within CAFI's six partner countries in sustainable development and climate change mitigation. By providing young talents with hands-on experience in the CAFI Secretariat, the role exposes them to international standards and fosters familiarity with donors and partners. The ultimate goal is to cultivate a new generation of professionals committed to forest protection and poverty alleviation, equipped with the skills to contribute to their national governments' efforts in these critical areas. The fellow will gain practical experience in programme evaluation, follow-up, communication, and coordination with stakeholders to advance policy dialogues and programme development.

Responsibilities

The Fellow will support portfolio management, results monitoring, and reporting by consolidating, validating, and analyzing portfolio data. This includes monitoring CAFI-funded programs, managing the project pipeline, and contributing to evidence-based decision-making. Support will also be provided for programme management, including preparing analytical materials, coordinating evaluations, and engaging with partners. A significant focus will be on Payments for Environmental Services (PES), involving technical material preparation, event support, coordination of monitoring processes, and development of training and communication materials. This includes contributing to GIS portals and remote sensing platforms, exploring AI integration, and building stakeholder capacity. The role also involves supporting the CAFI Secretariat with executive board meetings and ad-hoc activities.

Work Experience

At least one year of professional experience with national governments, universities, or research institutions on topics related to sustainable development, forestry, agriculture, land-use planning, land tenure, energy, mining, or demography is required. Experience in REDD+ and Payment for Environmental Services programmes is considered an advantage.

Skills

Fluency in French is required. Good knowledge of English or Spanish (read and spoken) is an advantage. Strong analytical skills for data gathering and research implementation. Initiative-taking with a goal-oriented mindset. Effective communication in team and independent settings. Meticulous organizational and structuring abilities. Cultural, gender, and age sensitivity. Positive response to feedback and constructive attitude.

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