Senior Strategic Outreach and Engagement Officer, Global Adaptation Research Program (GARP) |
|
| Position : | 849 |
| Location: | Ottawa, Canada |
| SalaryRange(CAD): | $86,426 - $104,128 |
| Duration: | Term - Until March 2019 |
| Closing Date: | 03/07/12 |
Description
Job Overview
The
Global Adaptation Research Program is a new partnership between IDRC
and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development
(DFID). This new program of research on adaptation to climate change
represents a joint investment of CAD 70 million over seven (7) years in
Asia and Africa.
The
Program focus is on increasing the resilience of the most vulnerable
populations and their livelihoods in three ‘hot spots’ selected for
their combination of significant climate change impacts in the
biophysical environment and high risks due to a large number of poor
people with limited capacity to adapt. The Program’s geographical
scope includes Africa and Asia, and the hot spots are semi-arid zones,
mega-deltas and densely populated river basins including glacier-fed
systems.
The
Program’s goal is to develop robust evidence to inform how to increase
the resilience of vulnerable populations in these hot spots. It will
generate knowledge on conditions leading to vulnerability to climate
change and how to increase resilience and develop sustainable adaptation
measures within and across the hot spots.
These
outputs will provide decision-makers at the local, national and
regional levels with the robust scientific evidence they need to inform
their policies and programs to increase the resilience of vulnerable
populations and make a difference in their life.
As the Senior Strategic Outreach and Engagement Officer,
reporting to the Program Leader (based in Ottawa), a key member of our
multi-disciplinary team, you will provide strategic advice on
stakeholder engagement, outreach, and result-based monitoring and
reporting for the GARP. You
will provide support to (i) the GARP team, (ii) the GARP grantees in
developing countries; and (iii); other critical spokespersons for GARP,
particularly the Executive Committee and the Scientific Advisory
Group.
You
will design and implement strategies and approaches to consult
stakeholders to identify research needs, to engage with researchers and
decision-makers in the regions of focus to ensure that they can actively
participate in research networks and activities within the Program,
and; design products and activities to promote the dissemination and
uptake of research results to a variety of audiences (e.g.
symposiums).
You
will also play a key role in knowledge management, using the IDRC tools
(e.g. website, electronic library) to facilitate access to research
outputs. This could for example involve monitoring the landscape of
climate change adaptation and resilience research, identifying key
publications to stay current and provide context for the results of the
GARP Program, and conferences or events presenting opportunities to
disseminate research results and engage with decision-makers.
You
will lead the development and implementation of a strategic engagement
strategy, a knowledge management strategy and a result-based monitoring
and reporting framework. Carrying out these tasks will require
extensive and continual collaboration with other members of the GARP
team, particularly those interfacing with the grantees on a day-to-day
basis. Based on this work, you will help articulate the results of the
Program from the level of individual grants to the broader results at
the Program level, in order to promote the value of research funding.
Candidate Profile
Education
- PhD. (preferred) or Master's Degree, in a relevant natural or environmental science or an area of applied environmental research for development such as environmental studies, geography or natural resources management, or social and or political sciences.
Experience
This
position requires a minimum of five years of progressive international
development or policy-related experience, which includes:
- Consulting with stakeholders and decision-makers to identify research needs
- Designing and implementing strategies to share the results of climate change research to diverse audiences
- Planning and managing projects
- Designing and implementing results-based frameworks for large programs and preparing reports for senior management
- Writing, editing and quality control
- Experience in conducting applied research in adaptation to climate change in a developing country is an asset.
Language
- A superior knowledge of English and intermediate knowledge of French is essential for the position
Knowledge
- Sound knowledge of how decision-makers and policy actors define their needs for research and integrate the results
- Good knowledge of the impacts of climate change and related risks for food security, water security, and human health and safety in Africa and Asia
- Understanding of the links between key development priorities and building the resilience of communities to climate variability and climate change
- Good knowledge of governance and institutional dynamics in the areas of poverty reduction, development, natural resources management, environmental issues and land planning
Competencies
- Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills
- Strong planning, organization, problem-solving, coordination and negotiation skills
- Ability to work as a member of a virtual team and under pressure
- Ability to establish, manage, guide and monitor relationships with diverse stakeholders
- Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team of people from diverse cultures, expertise and experiences
- Ability to provide specialized advice and guidance to grantees
- Ability to work from a people centered perspective
- Awareness of and sensitivity to individual, gender and cultural differences
Additional Information
This position involves travel of 60 - 90 days per year.
