Mentorship Opportunity: Call for Climate Services Specialists and Field-Based Practitioners – Apply before 30 May 2025
Programme: ALBATROSS Mentorship Programme
Organization: UNESCO
Deadline for Application: 30 May 2025
Duration: 18 Months
Location: Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa, Tanzania
About the ALBATROSS Mentorship Programme
UNESCO, through the ALBATROSS project, is launching a unique mentorship opportunity for scientists and field-based practitioners working on climate adaptation, climate services, biodiversity, and nature-based solutions (NBS). The programme aims to bridge the gap between climate science and practice by fostering the transfer of knowledge, tools, and skills between experienced ALBATROSS partner experts (mentors) and practitioners (mentees) from five target countries: Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa, and Tanzania.
The initiative supports the implementation of climate adaptation actions in and around UNESCO-designated sites, including Biosphere Reserves, World Heritage Sites, and Global Geoparks. It aligns with ALBATROSS’ core mission of promoting innovation, capacity building, and the use of integrated approaches for climate resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Programme Structure and Objectives
This 18-month mentorship programme pairs selected mentees with two mentors—one from Africa and one from Europe—based on the mentee’s self-defined learning objectives and professional background. The programme is designed to benefit both the mentees and the ALBATROSS consortium through collaborative learning and knowledge co-creation.
Mentees will:
- Access ALBATROSS project tools, products, and datasets.
- Participate in training sessions and workshops (virtual and in-country).
- Contribute to developing policy-relevant outputs like briefs, strategies, and toolkits.
- Gain recognition through project communication and dissemination channels.
Categories of Mentees
Category 1: Climate Services Researchers
- Scientists working in national meteorological agencies, regional climate centers, or academic and research institutions.
- Focus on data access, analysis, and application of climate services, including ALBATROSS and Copernicus products.
Category 2: Field-Based Practitioners
- Practitioners working with public, private, or civil society organizations in or near UNESCO-designated sites.
- Apply climate services, NBS, indigenous and local knowledge (ILK), and ecosystem management tools to improve resilience and sustainability.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Professional background: Mid-to-senior level scientist or practitioner actively working in climate services, NBS, biodiversity conservation, DRR, ILK, or related areas.
- Affiliation: Employed (full- or part-time) by:
- Meteorological agencies or regional climate centers.
- Universities or research institutions.
- NGOs, CBOs, or government bodies involved in ecosystem or environmental management.
- Country: Reside and work in Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, South Africa, or Tanzania.
- Language: Proficiency in English is mandatory.
- Engagement: Commitment to fully participate in the 18-month mentorship and secure employer approval to join the programme.
- Advantageous criteria:
- Working within the seven ALBATROSS focus regions (e.g., Turkana County, Umzimvubu Catchment).
- Experience with UNESCO-designated sites or familiarity with relevant environmental policies.
Programme Benefits
Selected mentees will receive:
- Tailored mentorship with African and European climate experts.
- Access to resources including ALBATROSS tools, data, and publications.
- Participation in national and regional events such as:
- Co-creation workshops
- Policy dialogues
- Online and in-person trainings
- The ALBATROSS final conference
- Travel and per diem costs covered by the project for in-person events.
- Visibility and networking opportunities via ALBATROSS dissemination channels and events.
Note: The programme does not provide a salary or stipend.
Application Process
To apply, follow these steps:
- Download and complete the Application Form and Consent Form (available via UNESCO’s ALBATROSS call page or by email request).
- Submit the filled and signed forms, along with any supporting documents (in PDF format) here.
Include weblinks or supplementary materials relevant to your background and application.
Assessment and Selection
Applications will be reviewed by an expert panel based on the following criteria:
- Relevance: Alignment of the applicant’s expertise with ALBATROSS themes—climate services, NBS, DRR, ILK, and conservation.
- Applicability: Clear potential to apply the acquired knowledge, such as creating climate forecasts or NBS/DRR action plans.
- Contribution: Ability to support the development of project outputs (e.g., training modules, guidelines, or policy briefs).
- Scalability: Potential to replicate learnings in other regions or contexts.
30 mentees will be selected—6 per country.
Take this opportunity to enhance your climate adaptation skills, connect with leading experts, and contribute to sustainable environmental solutions in Africa.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring company. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
