Gidauniya Aid Empowerment Foundation Initiative (GAEFI) is a registered, non-profit, non-political, and non-religious humanitarian and development organization dedicated to transforming lives, fostering peace, and building resilience among vulnerable communities in Nigeria, with a special focus on Northeast and Northwest Nigeria. Our work is anchored on the belief that every individual regardless of background, gender, or circumstance deserves equal access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and a safe, peaceful environment to thrive. The organization began its work in Borno and Yobe State delivering interventions across key sectors including health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), protection, education, and food security and livelihoods. From inception, GAEFI has prioritized transparency, community ownership, and program quality.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Climate and Biodiversity Officer
Location: Borno
Reports to: State Program Manager
Supervises: Project Assistants
Position Summary
The Climate and Biodiversity Officer will lead the planning, implementation, and monitoring of environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience initiatives across GAEFI project locations.
The role focuses on supporting community-driven climate adaptation, environmental awareness, ecosystem protection, and integration of climate-smart practices into ongoing programs.
This role is ideal for individuals passionate about environmental protection, climate action, and community resilience.
Key Responsibilities
Program Design & Implementation:
Lead the design and rollout of climate change adaptation, mitigation, and biodiversity conservation initiatives.
Conduct environmental and climate vulnerability assessments in target communities.
Promote ecosystem conservation practices, land restoration, and natural resource management.
Support climate-smart agriculture, water conservation, and sustainable livelihood activities.
Facilitate the establishment of community climate action groups or environmental committees.
Training, Awareness & Community Engagement:
Train community members on climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and biodiversity protection.
Lead awareness campaigns on deforestation, waste management, pollution control, and conservation.
Engage local leaders, youths, women groups, and schools in environmental interventions.
Monitoring, Reporting & Learning:
Track project progress, indicators, and activity outcomes using approved tools.
Document lessons learned, success stories, and impacts of climate interventions.
Prepare high-quality monthly, quarterly, and donor reports.
Work closely with MEAL teams to ensure strong data collection and accountability.
Coordination & Partnership:
Collaborate with state environmental agencies, community groups, local NGOs, and international partners.
Represent GAEFI in environmental and climate-related working groups or coordination forums.
Support proposal development related to climate change, environment, or community resilience.
Compliance & Safeguarding:
Ensure activities align with national environmental regulations and donor requirements.
Integrate protection, gender inclusion, climate-risk sensitivity, and Do-No-Harm principles into all activities.
Ensure beneficiary safety, ethical standards, and reporting of safeguarding concerns.
Qualifications & Experience
Required:
BSc. in Environmental Science, Climate Studies, Natural Resource Management, Ecology, B.Sc. Biology, Public Health or related field.
Minimum 3–5 years experience in environment, climate change, biodiversity, or resilience projects.
Strong knowledge of climate adaptation, conservation approaches, and environmental sustainability.
Experience engaging communities and delivering training sessions.
Familiarity with environmental assessments, field data collection, and reporting.
Proficiency in English and local languages (Hausa/Kanuri preferred).
Ability to travel regularly to field locations.
Added Advantage:
Experience working with NGOs or donor-funded projects.
Technical knowledge in GIS mapping, ecological surveys, or climate-risk analysis.
Experience with climate-smart agriculture and natural resource management.
Skills & Competencies:
Strong communication, facilitation, and community mobilization skills.
Good report writing, data collection, and documentation ability.
Problem-solving and critical thinking.
Ability to work independently and in a field-based team.
Commitment to environmental sustainability and humanitarian values.