ForumCC – the Tanzanian Civil Society Forum on Climate Change - is an association of civil society organizations who are committed to work on climate change in their own programmes as well as through advocacy. It stated its operation in October 2008 as a loose network; then circumstances necessitated its formal registration in early 2013.
The purpose of the forum is to ensure effective and informed engagement of Civil Society Organizations in Tanzania on Climate Change issues for the benefit of the environment and people in poverty who are affected.
The Forum has three main areas of engagement; these are
i. Capacity and institutional strengthening;
ii. Coordination and network building; and
iii. Advocacy and/or policy engagement.
Responsible Actions and Financing for Climate Change (RAFIC)
Climate finance is important in addressing climate change effects not only in Tanzania but globally and especially in developing countries. Under UNFCCC, developed countries are responsible to provide climate funds to developing countries for climate change adaptation and mitigation. There are other existing opportunities under different mechanisms such as climate finance bodies, bilateral and multilateral agencies for developing countries to access Climate funds. However, most of the mechanisms are empty-pockets because developed countries have not yet fulfilled their climate finance commitments. For those few Global Funds and bilateral programmes/projects with available finances; capacity to access, priority setting, stakeholders’ involvement and transparency issues have remained to be a challenge for developing countries including Tanzania.
Currently, Tanzania has managed to access climate funds from different sources for climate change mitigation and adaptation programs. Some of these programs include Adaptation Fund (US $5.08m), Least Developed Countries Fund (7.3m)[1], UK International Climate Fund ($ 4.54m), Special Climate Change Fund ($ 1m) and Global Climate Change Alliance ($ 10.80); these are mainly from multilateral donors. Other funds come as projects to sector specific from bilateral donors and international organizations. The later is in most cases not included in the General Budget Support (GBS) and not well known to be documented as climate change funds. This makes it difficult to have a bigger picture of how much money goes to addressing climate change in Tanzania.
The study conducted by ODI and Centre for Climate Change Studies (CCCS)[2] indicated that there is considerable amount of spending taking place in sector ministries without the full realization of the significance of such spending in terms of its relation to climate change. The study further explained that this is because the Chart of Accounts does not contain a marker or code for ‘climate change relevant expenditure that would allow for a straightforward reference to climate change actions and expenditures. This undermines transparency and prioritization of climate change actions in the GBS; local government’s budgets and adaptation efforts in general. It is also difficult to measure country’s efforts in terms of domestic finance to address climate change impacts.
The same effect trickles down to LGAs especially rural LGAs whose funding constitutes more than 95% from central government. Furthermore, local planning is guided by central government priorities, which emphasize spending on social services, thus minimal funding for climate change-relevant activities, with little scope for reflecting local priorities.
Therefore, ForumCC sees the opportunities to track the climate finances and advocate for transparency, more finance for climate change actions and community empowerment. The tracking will be done at sector and district levels. RAFIC will start with few sectors namely; Agriculture and Livestock-focusing on Pastoralist which are the source of livelihood for more than 75% of Tanzania population. And at local level; RAFIC will focus on two selected districts - Gairo and Kongwa districts with potential to roll out to other districts.
APPLICATION
ForumCC is as equal opportunity employer and this position is open to all. PLEASE READ TORs FIRST (1. NATIONAL LEVEL, 2. DISTRICT LEVEL). Suitable candidates are highly encouraged to apply. Internal candidates should submit an expression of interest. All applications should be submitted to: admin@forumcc.org
The closing date for this application is 15 thApril 2015 by 5.00pm. If you have not heard from us within one week after closing date, you can assume your application was not successful.
