Job information

Terms of Reference

Position :             Head, Climate Change Cluster

Programme:       Climate Change and Strategy Development

Location:             Asian Institute of Technology, Pathumthani, Thailand

Start date:          As soon as possible

                           Two-year contract, with a possibility of extension*

End date:            *Subject to availability of funds

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 29 years of experience working with various bilateral and multilateral aid agencies in dealing with regional environmental issues, serving as secretariat for several intergovernmental networks/initiatives in the region, supporting policy and strategy development as well as facilitating international and intergovernmental conferences 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 mobilization 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):

• Manage the Climate Change Cluster through the provision of leadership, coordination and supervision of activities, and carrying out necessary management  and programmatic tasks;
• Oversee the Cluster’s financial management, project budget development and financial reporting.
• 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 the development and implementation of a portfolio of projects on climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction and urban resilience in Asia and the Pacific.
• Lead the design and delivery of capacity-building activities relating to access to climate finance, with a focus on the Green Climate Fund.
• Lead the design and delivery of knowledge products, including research papers and policy recommendations.
• Identify strategic opportunities for collaboration and lead the establishment of partnerships with United Nations agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, think tanks, and academic institutions.
• Oversee the Cluster's finacial amanagement, 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.
• 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 Memoranda of Understanding 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 mobilization (30% of time):

• Lead resource management and resource mobilization activities, including donor landscape analysis, project identification and preparation of project proposals, network management and production of marketing products, and represent 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 mobilization 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 the Asia and Pacific region and related fields, with a particular focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation and climate finance. Ability to apply theory to the specific policy context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations. Ability to identify data sources, analyze 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 & Organizing:  Ability to formulate clear goals, prioritize 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 issues in the Asia and Pacific region; knowledge of climate finance, economic and environmental planning would be an asset.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in project management and implementation, preferably in development programmes and policy-making in fields related to climate change or sustainable development.
• Demonstrated ability in fundraising and resource mobilization with international donors.