Job information

I. Background:

The Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific (RRC.AP) is an institute-wide centre of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) that provides resources for policy setting towards sustainable development, acting as a science-policy interface by processing and assessing information and knowledge for governments, local communities and other stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific region. RRC.AP has over 25 years of experience working with various bilateral and multilateral aid agencies in dealing with regional environmental issues and is also serving as secretariat for several intergovernmental networks/initiatives in the region, supporting policy and strategy development as well as facilitating international and intergovernmental symposiums and workshops. RRC.AP is also one of the four core technical partners of the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network (APAN). The AIT campus is located in Pathumthani province, 42 km north of central Bangkok.

II. Major Functions: 

The incumbent will act as Head of the RRC.AP Climate Change Cluster, leading its strategy and portfolio development and overseeing the implementation of its programmes and activities, including management and development of staff. The incumbent will also provide technical inputs to other climate change adaptation- and mitigation-related initiatives implemented by RRC.AP, and advise other clusters’ activities as requested. In addition, the incumbent will assist the Director in the work towards the definition of RRC.AP’s broader portfolio and strategic partnerships, resource mobilisation and resource management.        
The incumbent will report directly to the Director of RRC.AP.

III. Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Leading the Climate Change Cluster (40% of time):

• Oversee the portfolio and activities of the Cluster, ensuring professional and timely implementation, providing advice to enhance quality of work and deliverables.
• Provide guidance and technical support for the implementation of projects and programmes, including consultations with relevant stakeholders and donors, as needed.
• Supervise staff ensuring appropriate work distribution and allocation of human resources for the successful implementation of the Climate Change Cluster portfolio, including support to other RRC.AP clusters when needed. Provide advice and guidance for the continuous development of staff in the field of adaptation and mitigation; support staff’s outputs complementing their expertise.
• Lead in the preparation of analytical drafts, background documents, and assessment studies, including the development of adaptation indicators. Provide technical and administrative support to ministries and government agencies in the organization of intergovernmental meetings for the bridging of the science-policy gap in addressing climate change issues.
• Oversee the Cluster’s financial management, project budget development and financial reporting.

2. Portfolio and strategy development (30% of time)

• Support the Director in research and networking for the delineation and identification of RRC.AP’s broader portfolio and strategic partnerships.
• Identify climate financing initiatives for the development of new activities and programmes, and lead RRC.AP’s and AIT’s accreditation process, when required.
• Provide the Director with regular updates and assessments of the policy needs of the region and the strategic focus and priorities of development agencies, bilateral and multilateral donors.
• In close consultation with the Deputy Director, support the preparations of MoUs and other agreements with international organizations and other partner institutions.
• In close consultation with the Deputy Director, ensure regular planning meetings and discussions with other clusters’ Heads for strategy development, project proposal development, joint planning, information sharing and reporting.
• Assist the Director and Deputy Director in the coordination and consultation with other units and schools of AIT for the development of joint initiatives and project proposals.

3. Resource mobilisation (30% of time):

• Lead resource management and resource mobilisation activities, including project identification and preparation of project proposals, network management and production of marketing products, and representing RRC.AP at ad hoc expert group meetings, regional consultations, workshops and seminars.
• Enhance cooperation at the regional level leading to project development in the fields of climate change adaptation and mitigation, and in other fields of sustainable development, as requested.
• Initiate the development of project proposals and other forms of resource mobilisation on climate change and other fields of work of RRC.AP.
• Ensure regular consultations and coordination with project partners on joint planning, information sharing and reporting in order to explore opportunities for collaboration.

4. Perform any other duties as assigned by the Director, subject to rearrangement of the above tasks’ time percentages.

IV. Required Competencies:

• Professionalism: Knowledge of sustainable development policies and socio-economic issues in Asia-Pacific region and related fields, with particular experience on climate change adaptation and mitigation and climate financing. Ability to apply theory to the specific policy context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations. Ability to identify data sources, analyse information, develop policy recommendations and write reports. Shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Communications: Fluency in spoken and written English; demonstrated skills in having two-way communications; openness in sharing information and keeping people informed; ability to tailor language, tone, style and format to match audience.
• Planning & Organising:  Ability to formulate clear goals, prioritise activities and assignments; to allocate appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work, foreseeing risks and allowing for contingencies when planning; and to monitor and adjust plans and actions as necessary.

V. Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Postgraduate degree in economics, international relations, environmental management, natural sciences or relevant fields. Doctorate or higher levels of education would be an asset.
• Demonstrated knowledge of climate change adaptation and mitigation socio-economic issues in the Asia-Pacific region; knowledge of climate financing, economic and environmental planning, and climate investment funds would be an asset.
• A minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible experience in project management and implementation, preferably in development programmes and policy-making in fields related to climate change adaptation and/or mitigation.
• Demonstrated ability in fundraising and resource mobilisation with international donors.

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Please do not forget to download your comprehensive resume which shall include a cover letter highlighting relevant competencies, qualifications and experience (max. 6 pages). Save them all in one file name and download a single file.  Also send a copy of your application by email to info@rrcap.ait.asia with subject “Head-CC”.