Volume 20 | October 2021
October 2021 Newsletter
The Water-Energy-Food in Africa Initiative is excited to share with you updates on the current news and events, ways to get involved, and upcoming items to be on the lookout for.
Member Registration and Collaborative Platform

If you have not yet done so, we highly encourage interested participants to join the WEF Nexus in Africa Initiative as a member of our website and the Collaborative Platform.
Featured News
Don't Forget to Register for the 2nd session of Water-Energy-Food Nexus Webinar hosted by the Water-Energy-Food Nexus in Africa Initiative
 
The 2nd Round of Webinar on Water-Energy-Food Nexus SOLUTIONS, hosted by Water-Energy-Food Nexus in Africa Initiative in collaboration with FAO, WE4F, GIZ Nexus Dialogues, and SEI, is happening on October 19, 2021, from 13:30 to 15:00 PM (GMT +2). This session focusing on NEXUS governance, will give insights into the successful mainstreaming of the water, energy and food security Nexus approach into governance structures. It will present different approaches for WEF Nexus transboundary cooperation and governance from three different regions: Southern Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Niger Basin. Registration is required.

An adaptive and context-driven approach to the water, energy and food nexus

This paper argues for a more adaptive and context-driven approach to the WEF nexus and sheds light on under-studied political economy dynamics of cross-sectoral and cross-border integration. Two ideas essential for changing the perception about WEF nexus is presented, (a) combining technical and political approaches and (b) adopting a non-linear, problem-driven approach to WEF nexus reforms and policy implementation.

Baseline Study for the Basin of Lake Kivu and the Ruzizi River

The main purpose of this study is to assist in making functional the basin of Lake Kivu and the Ruzizi River, manufactured on 04 November 2014, by Burundi, DRC and Rwanda. In addition, the study demonstrates current situation of Basin along with identifying its strengths and weakness. It aims to acts as a cross-sectoral through the NEXUS Water Energy Food approach.

Featured Events
The 2nd Post-doctoral Research Conference of Southern Africa: Beyond the Pandemic: Research Now and In the Future

Post-doctoral researchers conducting research in Southern Africa are invited to submit an abstract for the 2nd Postdoctoral Research Conference on theme "Beyond the Pandemic: Research Now and In the Future." The conference is scheduled for November 10-12, 2021 and will be fully virtual. Registration is now open. Abstract submission closes on October 15, 2021

FutureDAMS Webinar: Nexus Planning for Climate Adaptation and Resilience

The FutureDAMS’ four-part keynote webinar series, ‘Integrating water-energy-food-environment planning for climate adaptation and resilience’, is taking place online on October 19, 2021 at 15:00 UK time. The webinar will present the FutureDAMS toolset for linked water-energy system planning and discuss between leading experts in water resource management, food policy and renewable energy on resource system design and decision making. Registration is required.

International Symposium Climate change & Water 2022
 
The International Symposium Climate change & Water will take place virtually for three days, from May 31st to June 2nd, 2022, in Tours in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France. The symposium aims to orient the reflection and exchanges not only on the observation of the acceleration of the physical, chemical, biological and ecological effects of climate change but also on the proposed adaptation strategies at the local level. Proposals are to be submitted before November 1, 2022. 

Sustainable Futures speaker series
 
The Schatz Center, the Environment & Community graduate program, and the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences at Humboldt State has organized the Sustainable Futures Speaker Series for Fall 2021 via Zoom. In addition to the ones already scheduled, the remaining two series on November 4 and 18, 2021 will focus on issues pertaining to energy, environment and society. All events are free and is open to public. Registration is required.

Featured Publication
Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Practices as a Nature-Based Solution to Promote Water-Energy-Food Nexus Balance
By: Kennedy Muthee, Lalisa Duguma, Judith Nzyoka and Peter Minang
 
This study collected ecosystem-based adaptation practices data from 50 community forests across three regions in Gambia and examined the benefits of ecosystem-based adaptation practices to water-energy-food (WEF) nexus balance along with identifying the issues towards the achievement of such ecosystem-based adaptation water-energy-food balance. Common ecosystem-based adaptation practices identified were enhanced water resource conservation, food and feed production, enhanced energy supply, and improved community livelihoods to enhance their resilience. To read how each of these practices contribute towards water-energy-food nexus balance, please click the link below.

Jobs and Internship Opportunities
Vacancy // Post-doctoral Position in Global Terrestrial Carbon and Water Cycle and Machine Learning at Columbia University in the City of New York, USA

The Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering of Columbia University in the City of New York is looking for a post-doctoral researcher to work in the field of terrestrial carbon and water cycles, using machine learning. This position is part of a large international project for improving climate projections and observations. Applicant requirement includes recent completion of Ph.D. or must expect to complete the degree requirements by January 2022. Application deadline is November 1, 2021.

Vacancy // Ph.D. Position in Urban Water Management with Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) at the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) at Faculty of Science and Technology

The Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) invites application for Ph.D. opportunity to work on nature-based solutions for urban water management in Northern latitudes. The successful candidate will work with an interdisciplinary team of researchers from NIVA and practitioners working with planning and implementation of nature-based solutions. Applicants must have mathematical modelling skills to conduct temporal and spatial analysis and should have a strong interest to work across disciplines such as economics/social sciences to ecology/biology and hydrology. Application closes on October 24, 2021.

Vacancy // Research Interns for Africa’s Food, Water and Climate Change Challenges
 
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) seeks an intern to tackle Africa’s food, water and climate change challenges through research and development. The successful candidate will work closely with IWMI scientists in various fields, including resilience applications and water accounting as part of the Institute’s Water Secure Africa (WASA) initiative. The interns will be based at one of IWMI’s offices in Africa (Ghana, Ethiopia, Egypt or South Africa) or will work remotely depending on the prevailing Covid-19 conditions. Application closes on October 18, 2021.

For more job, internships, or partnership opportunities visit the
General Notice

Please send relevant news, events, or activities to Kripa Neupane to be published to site or featured in newsletter.
Featured Opportunities
Call for Application for the NEX-LABS Training Program for Public Authorities from the EU Mediterranean Region
 
The NEX-LABS project is selecting 28 candidates to attend the Water, Energy and Food NEXUS Training program to collaborate and foster the NEXUS ecosystem in the Mediterranean region. The training is happening on November 2021 and will be held in a virtual format, via Zoom and lasts for 40 hours and is divided into 5 modules.
 
This training aims to target public authorities, decision-makers and programs managers involved in the development of policy and strategic frameworks, as well as initiatives and activities in Water, Energy and Food (WEF)-NEXUS field on a national level.

Application closes on October 31, 2021.

For further information, please contact Ms. Camille Mallat, Senior Programs Coordinator at Berytech: camille.mallat@berytech.org