Senior Policy Advisor, Climate Adaptation and Protected Area Africa Lead, Resilience Program

Senior Policy Advisor, **Climate Adaptation and Protected Area (**CAPA) Africa Lead, Resilience Program

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 220 people, plus over 150 associates and consultants, come from across the globe and from many disciplines. With offices in Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa, and Toronto, our work affects lives in nearly 100 countries.

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.

The Position

The Senior Policy Advisor, Africa, will oversee and lead the key activities and day-to-day operations of IISD’s new Climate Adaptation and Protected Area (CAPA) Initiative in Africa, specifically in the Greater Virunga and Kavango-Zambezi landscapes. The CAPA Initiative seeks to promote natural solutions to strengthening climate resilience and protecting biodiversity in and around Protected Areas (PAs) and critical landscapes in the Global South. The Initiative’s intervention sites cover marine, coastal, and terrestrial ecosystems and landscapes in Belize, Fiji, and the Greater Virunga (GVL) and Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) landscapes. The CAPA Initiative is jointly implemented with the World Wildlife Fund’s Regional Office for Africa and its country offices in Uganda and Zambia, alongside the Fiji and Belize offices of the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The successful candidate will lead and manage the activities of the CAPA Initiative in the two African landscapes (KAZA and GVL) and work closely with partners in and around PAs in these two landscapes on the implementation of gender-responsive nature-based solutions for adaptation. This will involve working with partners to implement the deliverables and milestones of the CAPA Initiative, supporting capacity-building activities for key stakeholders, and undertaking research on PAs and climate change. The successful candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team within IISD and will work closely with colleagues, consultants, and partners in different parts of the world.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate’s key areas of responsibility will include but not be limited to:

Project Coordination and Implementation (~40%)

• Plan, organize, and oversee the delivery of key activities and day-to-day operations of project work in the GVL and KAZA landscapes in Africa, in close collaboration with WWF’s Regional Office for Africa and the WWF country offices involved in the Initiative, as well as with representatives from national and local government, non-governmental organizations, and consultants.
• Work with partners at the two project sites (GVL and KAZA) to design and implement activities that deliver climate adaptation, biodiversity, and gender benefits.
• With input from IISD and partner colleagues, create and manage project work plans, milestones, and deliverables for GVL and KAZA project sites.
• With support from the CAPA Policy Advisor for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning, measure project performance throughout the project life cycle, identify areas for improvement, and document lessons that can be shared.
• Provide updates internally and externally about progress at both sites, potential barriers, and proposed solutions.
• Support contracting and partner negotiations as needed and other tasks.
• Support and lead the organization, contribute to and report on workshops, meetings, dialogues, and other events of various sizes.
• Supervise junior project staff.

Research and Issues Tracking (~30%)

• Lead the delivery of primary and secondary research required for successful completion of projects on climate change adaptation and PAs.
• Provide technical support to partners on adaptation planning and nature-based solutions, drawing from personal expertise and that of the Resilience team more broadly.
• Write reports, papers, and briefs that accurately assess and synthesize research findings.
• Follow and summarize news and events pertaining to climate adaptation and nature-based solutions/PAs.

Engagement and Networking (10%):

• Establish and actively maintain a network of partners and contacts engaged in efforts related to climate adaptation and nature-based solutions to advance the strategic objectives of IISD in this area.
• Strengthen IISD’s involvement in relevant networks and initiatives around the world, aligned with its objectives.

Communications and Outreach (10%):

• Prepare internal- and external-facing presentations and materials to effectively communicate information about—and increase interest in—the CAPA Initiative and its activities.
• In collaboration with IISD’s communications team, maintain the CAPA Initiative’s website content on the IISD website using content management systems.
• Share research results through webinars, workshops, conferences, and other events.

Business Development (10%):

• Support other IISD personnel with the identification of new fundraising opportunities and the development of new project ideas and proposals.
• Contribute to the preparation of narrative reports to the funder.

Please note that our Resilience team works across multiple time zones. We are looking for someone with a “can-do” work attitude and the ability to work autonomously while proactively engaging with other team members, particularly those working in a remote and/or hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

Qualifications (Essential)

• A master’s degree or equivalent in international development, environmental studies, political science, geography, conservation, or another similar area.
• Availability to travel to Africa and internationally (about 20% of the time).

Knowledge and Experience (Essential)

• A minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience in managing multi-million dollar/multi-country projects in the field of development, conservation, and/or climate change adaptation in the Global South. Experience working in African countries is required.
• At least 3 years of experience in the field of nature-based solutions, biodiversity, climate change adaptation, conservation, and/or the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly as it pertains to developing countries, considered an asset.
• Good understanding of gender issues, gender equality, and women’s rights.

Skills (Essential)

• Strong project management and coordination skills, with an ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and liaise with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong research and analytical skills, and ability to become familiar with new topics quickly.
• Excellent writing skills and strong oral communication skills, and capacity to communicate policy issues and research findings clearly and succinctly to different audiences via different platforms and to different audiences.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office applications, and experience in handling web-based communications and management systems.
• Fluent in written and spoken English; written and spoken French and/or Spanish 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 skills, ability to work comfortably across different cultures, commitment to inclusivity, positive demeanour, and ability to communicate effectively.

Location: Geneva

Term: Full-time

Salary: CHF 96,000–114,000 (based on experience)

Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: April 30, 2023, at 4 p.m. European Standard Time

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)

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for Canada or Switzerland.

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 2SLGBTQ+ to apply for the position.