Senior Advisor Climate Change Adaptation (100 %)

Doing the right thing. We are active in Switzerland and 20 countries on four continents. 

Title

Senior Advisor Climate Change Adaptation (100 %)

About

The Advisory Services Department of Caritas Switzerland offers services in five thematic areas: Food Security and Income, WASH, Migration, Climate Change and DRR, as well as Humanitarian Aid. Advisors provide technical advice to our projects, develop new tools and methodologies, offer capacity building support, develop analytical papers and represent Caritas Switzerland at conferences and policy forums. We assist in strategic policy advice and planning processes and contribute with our expertise to national and international networks as well as influence international policies through advocacy and lobbying.

Your duties

• Contribute towards identification and development of climate change programme/project and portfolio, including on integrated approaches and multifocal area projects 
• Achieve and retain a thematic leadership in specific aspects of the climate change adaptation and climate-resilient livelihoods  
• Develop the thematic field climate change adaptation in conceptual terms and make it available for context-specific use in the operational work 
• Recognise the relevance of new research results as well as new trends, opportunities and risks 
• Shape and influence positions in international negotiations such as United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Green Climate Fund and other climate change/resilience policy and knowledge hubs 
• Provide targeted technical advice and support to Caritas country teams and local partners in the implementation and monitoring of current and new climate change programs
• Expert advice to colleagues, senior management and external partners that is solution-oriented, appropriate to the target group, effective and in time
• Support and promote collective learning processes by provision of workshops, learning events, policy forums and advocacy dialogues
• Network and establish long-term working relationships with various stakeholder groups such as Caritas International working groups, Swiss Climate Alliance, ETHZ and others
• Contribute to the development of agency policy in relation to climate change strategies for Caritas programming 
• Represent Caritas and its positions on external specialist bodies and at public events

Our requirements

• Master or PhD in climate change, with a specialisation in international development, water resources management, agriculture or closely related field
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of climate change adaptation concepts, principles and policies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
• Further training in the thematic area as well as in participatory methods of knowledge and innovation management (generate, communicate, safeguard knowledge and ideas etc.) 
• Practical experience in the planning, management and monitoring and evaluation of projects of international cooperation, with a focus on climate change adaptation, climate-resilient livelihoods and community-based programmes 
• Knowledge of and practical experience in CCA-specific tools and approaches such as climate & vulnerability assessments, resilience programming, calculation of loss and damages 
• Existing international and regional networks and contacts with climate related funding mechanisms such as GCF, CDM, GEF and Corporate Social Responsibility Mechanisms of the private sector and its foundations
• Ability to represent NGO positions in climate change negotiations at international forums (UNFCCC) and inter interagency platforms 
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strategic partnerships, including established networks with key NGO actors in the field of climate change and knowledge of their advocacy positions 
• Excellent knowledge of the English language, with exceptional writing, presentation and communication skills

Location

Lucerne

Starting date

01.01.2017