Country: Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu
Closing date: 16 May 2015
The role
We are seeking a Pacific Climate Advisor to advise on climate-related matters in the Participatory Disaster Management Programme (PDMP) and for broader Red Cross work in the region. In addition, you will mainly be responsible for providing overall advice to International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) Pacific regional office and Pacific National Society (including Australian Red Cross) staff and volunteers on climate-related aspects.
About you
To be successful in this role, you will have relevant tertiary qualifications (or in a relevant field), previous experience working on climate change adaptation, experience working in developing countries, demonstrated ability to work within a project management framework as well as highly developed communication and interpersonal skills.
Position Responsibilities
General Tasks
- Providing regular updates on climate related news, policy and science
- Assisting National Societies to build sustainable partnerships with national stakeholders such as Meteorological offices, climate change networks, health ministries, NDMO's etc.,; and assisting IFRC with regional stakeholder relationships
- Fostering partnerships with universities, including utilizing researchers and interns
- Providing technical support to delegates and volunteers where possible
- Documenting approaches taken and lessons learnt in the Pacific so that they are distributed through various channels (e.g. newsletters, websites, academic journals, conferences, practitioner networks)
- Input into global climate policy developments based on practice and concerns in the Pacific region
- Promoting climate awareness in the Australian Red Cross International Programme through regular updates to ensure action on climate change is visible and tangible
- Where appropriate providing advice outside the scope of PDMP designated areas (ie. PNG and East Timor)
- Research on integrating climate change in the Pacific for distribution via multiple academic and practitioner (including Red Cross Red Crescent) channels
Specific tasks include
- Providing technical input into the ‘FINPAC’ project in collaboration with IFRC
- Preparing/distributing the Pacific seasonal forecast tool to IFRC in the Pacific region in collaboration with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology
- Provide support to health in emergencies training and prevention of climate sensitive diseases, including utilizing lessons learned from the Fiji climate adaptation to protect human health project
- Supporting the submission of proposals for and implementation of further climate animation projects
- Supporting the IFRC realize its commitment to making statements about the contribution that climate change makes to disaster events in the Pacific region (attribution) and in line with regular disaster related media opportunities
Reporting channels:
- Regular National Society reporting channels through PDMP
- Informal reporting to Climate Centre, functioning as member of global virtual team
- Half-yearly calls at management level to review progress (for example between Director of Climate Centre, Manager Pacific Programmes and/or Head of IFRC Pacific office)
- Quarterly narrative report distributed to IFRC Pacific, Vanuatu Red Cross, Australian Red Cross and Climate Centre.
- Regular correspondence with IFRC Pacific and Australian Red Cross
Position selection criteria
Essential technical competencies:
- Experience working in developing countries, and ideally including at community level (experience in the Pacific Islands would be a particular asset)
- Some knowledge of climate science and/or meteorology
- Experience bridging science and practice/policy
- Demonstrated ability to work within a project management framework
- Highly developed interpersonal skills, including experience working in cross-cultural contexts
- Strong communication skills, including writing (ranging from simple guidelines for community practitioners to in-depth case studies, possibly even research)
Preferred technical competencies:
- Prior experience working on climate change adaptation and/or early warning and/or contingency planning
- Familiar with international climate policy and financing systems
- Prior experience preparing or contributing to project proposals for international development or humanitarian donor agencies, including Red Cross Red Crescent Movement
The benefits
Australian Red Cross offers excellent salary packaging benefits and flexible working arrangements
How to apply:
To apply, please follow this link: http://careers.redcross.org.au/cw/en/job/498402?lApplicationSubSourceID=
Applications close 16th of May at 9:00AM Australian Eastern Time (UTC +10:00).