Climate and environment advisor, A2

Background

At DFID, the central focus of Climate and Environment Advisors is to support the commitment to halving the proportion of people in extreme poverty by 2015 - through tackling climate change, through green growth and development – bringing economic and environmental sustainability together and through better management of natural and physical environments. DFID is looking for individuals who can bring skills, understanding and patience to even the most complex development activities and who have a broad appreciation of both the climate and environment agendas. DFID recruits women and men with relevant qualifications and experience interested in supporting Britain’s international development programme. The priorities lie in poverty elimination and long-term development through achieving the Millennium Development Goals. DFID is committed to creating sustainable livelihoods for poor people, promoting human development and managing the environment. It is looking for people who can contribute skills, understanding and practical experience across a broad range of climate and environment issues relating to poverty - and increasingly the links between climate, environment and development agendas. DFID is looking to recruit up to four Climate and Environment Advisers over the next year. They will be members of advisory teams working on programmes dealing with the challenges of climate change and improving the management of the environment.

Job description/duties

The job could take the applicant anywhere – usually on a series of one to three year assignments in DFID offices around the world or in our UK headquarters. He/She will use your analytical skills, knowledge and diplomacy to influence senior policy makers, integrating policy analysis and practice. Some posts may have particular emphases on e.g. green growth and development, water, forestry, ecosystem services and fisheries, post-conflict situations, and risk and vulnerability. Other posts would benefit from knowledge and experience of particular regions including Central Asia, South Asia and Africa. The Climate and Environment Advisor will become part of the growing programme of collaboration between DFID and developing countries, other bilateral donors and multilateral and international agencies, and other UK government departments.

Details of relevant / job specific skills required

-relevant professional qualifications that underpin the understanding of the policy context, technical conditions and institutional processes that shape the relationship between development, climate change and environmental management. This normally implies some combination of natural resource management, climate, social and economic development, institutional and political economy knowledge.
-practical experience of working on climate and environment issues with developing countries at operational and policy level and be able to demonstrate the impact of your work.
-have knowledge in some or all of the following areas: environmental and natural resource management, climate change, biodiversity, marine and fisheries, forestry, water and desertification, vulnerability and resilience to natural shocks.
-demonstrate a good understanding of the development and planning strategies of developing countries. In addition to specialist skills and an ability to take a strategic perspective we are looking for excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, including an ability to work with others, both leading and participating in teams; and to communicate, negotiate and influence in a broad range of settings, including acting in a representational capacity.
-a commitment to delivering against agreed objectives and to improving your own performance. The advisor will need cultural and political sensitivity, as well as a good deal of energy and an ability to organise work to deal with competing priorities.

Evidence of leadership skills:
Yes

What is the minimum level of qualification required
First Degree or Equivalent