Policy Advisor – National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Global Network

About

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an award-winning independent think tank working to accelerate solutions for a stable climate, sustainable resource management, and fair economies. Our work inspires better decisions and sparks meaningful action to help people and the planet thrive. We shine a light on what can be achieved when governments, businesses, non-profits, and communities come together. IISD’s staff of more than 270 experts come from across the globe and from many disciplines. With offices in Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa, and Toronto,

About IISD Resilience and the NAP Global Network

IISD’s Resilience Program is a multidisciplinary team of policy researchers who work with governments, civil society, communities, and businesses to help them manage climate- and conflict-related risks. Its work focuses on planning, people, and nature; preparing for a different or uncertain future, making sure different genders and social groups influence and benefit from investments in resilience, and harnessing the role of ecosystems to help communities manage risks.

As part of its work on Planning and Governance pilar, the Resilience Program hosts the Secretariat for the NAP Global Network (NAP GN), a major initiative focused on accelerating adaptation planning and action in the Global South. The NAP GN strives to achieve this goal by, a) enhancing national-level action through short- and longer-term technical support on adaptation planning, b) facilitating South–South peer learning and exchange, and c) generating, synthesizing, and sharing knowledge on NAP processes. Established in 2014, the NAP GN connects more than 2,700 individual members from over 170 countries, with financial support from an expanding base of funders.

The Policy Advisor will contribute to the development, implementation, and communication of technical support, peer learning, and research activities of the Network, with a focus on the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. Working under the supervision of the Senior Policy Advisor, Climate Change Adaptation Governance, NAP Global Network, the Policy Advisor will support government partners, civil society organizations, and contractors in addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with different phases of the NAP process. This includes climate risk assessments and prioritization of adaptation options, moving from planning to implementation of prioritized adaptation options (including finance and/or budgeting), and tracking progress and effectiveness in adaptation. The incumbent will also work on other thematic issues that should be addressed in NAP processes, such as multilevel governance, human mobility, conflict, justice, gender equality, and social inclusion.

Scope:

• Collaborate with IISD staff to design, develop, and implement projects and programs for the NAP Global Network,
• Develop, communicate, and share the outcomes of technical support, peer learning, and relevant research through a variety of media,
• Support fundraising efforts for the Network.

Responsibilities

Technical Support and Operations (40%)

• Contribute to the design and implementation of technical support activities aimed at advancing NAP processes, particularly for countries in the LAC region,
• Support the management of projects and programs as required, ensuring that delivery risks are highlighted and escalated as appropriate,
• Participate in project and program missions, arranging elements of the mission as appropriate,
• Support the organization of virtual and face-to-face workshops, meetings, and other events of various sizes,
• Contribute to the preparation of narrative and financial reports to funders.

Communications and Outreach (20%)

• Work with Resilience communications staff to develop targeted communications materials (such as blogs, presentations, speaking points, webinars, workshops, and other events) to share the work of the NAP GN with different audiences,
• Maintain a network and identify new contacts with national and international project partners,
• Represent the NAP GN at forums, conferences, and public events.

Research (20%)

• Lead and/or contribute to the delivery of high-quality primary and secondary research on adaptation planning, working with contractors as required,
• Contribute to knowledge products, such as reports, briefs, and blogs, that synthesize, assess, and share the NAP GN’s work, particularly in the LAC region,
• Follow and summarize news and events pertaining to adaptation planning and implementation in the LAC region.

Strategy (10%)

• Contribute to identifying challenges, emerging issues, and solutions in supporting national adaptation planning processes in the Global South, with a focus on the LAC region,
• Contribute to the development and growth of new work related to adaptation planning, promote a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and shared learning,
• Manage own time and inputs into projects and programs to deliver technical support outputs on time and to budget.

Business Development and Funder Relationships (10%)

• Support fundraising efforts by contributing to proposals for funding and business development materials,
• Identify fundraising opportunities based on existing work or new ideas.

Reporting Relationship

The Policy Advisor shall report to the Senior Policy Advisor on Climate Change Adaptation Governance, with close collaboration with the Head of Secretariat of the NAP Global Network.

Experience Sought

The experience and qualifications below indicate what is needed to succeed in the position. We understand candidates may not have all the experience and qualifications identified. If you possess 75% or more of the qualifications listed as “Essential,” then we encourage you to apply.

Please note that our Resilience team works across multiple time zones. We are looking for someone with a “can-do” work attitude who can work autonomously while proactively engaging with other team members.

Qualifications (Essential)

• A minimum of a master’s degree or equivalent in political science, international relations, economics, environmental studies, geography, or another relevant area,

Experience and Knowledge (Essential)

• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant work experience in key areas of climate change adaptation and/or relevant fields (e.g., disaster risk reduction, policy planning and implementation),
• Knowledge of climate change adaptation in developing countries,
  
  • A strong understanding of the NAP process is considered an asset,
• A solid understanding of development policy processes and dynamics, particularly in developing countries in the LAC region,
• Work experience in developing countries related to climate change adaptation,
  
  • Desirable: Relevant experience in LAC countries is a very strong asset (e.g., experience working with governments of the region),
• Experience in stakeholder management and outreach,
• Experience with external communications.

Skills (Essential)

• Ability to effectively communicate policy issues and research findings to different audiences via different platforms,
• Strong research and analytical skills and the ability to become familiar with new topics quickly,
• Excellent writing skills and the ability to lead research and knowledge production from start to finish,
• Fluent in Spanish, including excellent written and spoken communication, as well as advanced English skills,
  
  • Ability to work (read, write, speak) in French is considered an asset.

Behavioural Competencies (Essential)

• Results-focused; able to work quickly and accurately to meet tight deadlines without compromising the quality of the results,
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills; ability to work comfortably across different cultures; ability to be an inclusive, positive, and a good communicator,
• Curious and committed to learning and working to understand the people, concepts, and issues that drive our work; asks questions and seeks answers,
• A positive work attitude and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary, internationally distributed team as well as independently,
• Flexibility to take on tasks ranging from highly complex to basic in nature.

Requirements:

• The ability to travel abroad on a regular basis,
• Currently eligible to work in Canada, Colombia, or Costa Rica.
  

Location: Hybrid where IISD has offices in Canada (Ottawa, Toronto and Winnipeg). Remote: Other locations

Salary:  CAD 62,000 - CAD 68,000 per annum . Salary commensurate with experience and location?  

Type of Employment: Full-time 

Start date: Immediate opportunity

Duration: Indefinite

Application deadline: August 26, 2024 at 4 PM CST or until the position is filled

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for locations where they expect to be based without any sponsorship from IISD.

Application Procedure

All submissions must be in English. 

Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR. 

• A CV (no longer than two pages) 
• A one-page letter of motivation 
• IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional) 

Only those candidates we wish to interview will be contacted. Resumes will be kept on file for 1 year.

IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+, to apply for this position. Preference will be given to the equity-deserving groups during the hiring process. We offer reasonable accommodations in our recruitment process and seek applicants’ advice on how best to accommodate their needs. Please self-identify and answer our employment equity questionnaire on our applicant tracking system when you apply.  

IISD does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, caste, ethnicity, religion, colour, disability, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

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