JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

Transcription

1 JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title: Division: Grade: Reports To: Research Officer, Climate Finance (temporary) Economic Policy Division K Adviser (Climate Finance) General Information The Economic Policy Division is responsible for the Secretariat s programmes on national and international economic issues and, with other divisions, for assisting member countries to pursue more inclusive economic growth and sustainable development; and to strengthen the resilience of small states and other vulnerable states. It plays a key role in helping to identify solutions to the economic, resilience and climatic problems affecting Commonwealth countries; in achieving an international consensus on these solutions; and in providing advice to governments on policy development. The Climate Finance Section focuses on strengthening the resilience of Commonwealth countries to the negative impacts of climate change. It facilitates capacity development of member countries to access public and private climate funding; supporting member states to adapt to the impacts of climate change, and assisting them in contributing to the global goal of mitigating climate change. This involves influencing international policies, mechanisms and rules to be more responsive to the climate finance needs of climate change vulnerable countries, and providing assistance to enable member countries to implement the Paris Agreement including their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). In doing so, emphasis is placed on research and analysis, policy development, facilitation of discussion and debate, consensus building, advocacy to focus international attention on issues and solutions, and provision of technical assistance in the area of climate change. A key delivery mechanism of the Programme is the Climate Finance Access Hub, which helps developing member states, particularly small and least developed countries, to address the capacity gap that hinders access to climate finance. Job Summary Job roles in the Secretariat evolve with both the changing mandates received from member countries and the skills of the team. Reporting to the Adviser Climate Finance, the post holder will support work on climate finance and development in small and vulnerable member states: providing research and policy analysis inputs; assisting with project management and programme development; supporting the implementation of

2 meetings; assisting with external resource mobilisation efforts; preparing draft briefs for senior officials; and supporting communication activities and updating of materials on the Commonwealth Secretariat s website. Specific areas of focus include: climate finance needs and challenges of small and vulnerable Commonwealth countries; the implementation of green /blue economy, low -carbon, climate-resilience growth in developing countries of the Commonwealth; and capacity building and institutional development in these areas. Much of the role s focus is on supporting the implementation of the Climate Finance Access Hub, through follow up research and advocacy, and assisting with project management, external resource mobilisation and monitoring and evaluation of results. Task Description The post holder will: 1. Provide substantive technical research and policy analytical support (including findings from the IPCC on climate change impacts for SIDS and LDCs and their climate resilience building needs, tracking key developments and outcomes from international meetings in the UNFCCC and other events, including the Green Climate Fund Board meetings) as an input to programme development and implementation, and through inputs to terms of reference for papers, substantive papers and the identification of experts. 2. Help with Climate Finance programme and project management within the section by: Assisting in the preparation of concept notes, project proposals, project documentation, programme and project status reports and other project information in Climate Finance; Supporting implementation and tracking of the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub activities and programme; Supporting external resource mobilisation efforts; Assisting in the monitoring of budgets and tracking key milestones, and the communication of results; and Providing logistical support for meetings, on-line networking, and the delivery of capacity building activities and publications. 3. Draw up draft terms of reference for commissioned papers and other short-term contracts and support their implementation and tracking. 4. Draft briefs for senior Commonwealth officials and respond to any requests for information by Commonwealth member states. 5. Develop, update and liaise with the Communications team to input material on the Commonwealth Secretariat website and other Commonwealth portals to ensure results from programme activities are widely disseminated and applied.

3 6. Contribute to preparation of various written outputs, including background papers, substantial sections of reports and studies, and inputs to publications on climate finance. 7. Adhere to the Gender Equality values of the Commonwealth as enshrined in the Charter and Secretariat s Gender Equality Policy. 8. Perform any other duties that may be required from time to time. Person Specification Essential: An undergraduate degree in environment/climate policy, international development, environmental economics, or a related field such as geography, political science or international affairs with a specific focus on environment, climate change and/or climate finance. Desirable: A postgraduate degree in environment/climate policy, international development, environmental economics, or a related field such as geography, political science or international affairs with a specific focus on environment, climate change and/or climate finance and prior experience (preferably at least 1-2 years) working in a policy-related environment with a focus on climate finance or climate finance readiness. Experience: Experience in conducting research, analysing and preparing reports/papers on climate change, climate finance and sustainable development issues. Experience of communications or advocacy tools for climate change. Understanding of the linkages between environment, climate change and development. Ability to write succinctly for a range of different audiences. Good IT skills, including , Word, PowerPoint, Excel, online project manage tools (such Huddle) and ability to extract data from databases and to work on websites. Knowledge of statistical analysis demonstrated through previous work experience. Good organisational, administration and project/programme management skills, with good attention to detail. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Experience/understanding of monitoring and evaluation, logical frameworks and theory of change.

4 In addition, all staff appointed to the Secretariat are expected to meet the core requirement of working effectively and sensitively in a multicultural environment. Competencies: Working with Others Regularly shares information of value with colleagues Shows commitment to delivering on key agreements made to colleagues Makes an effort to view a situation from the other party s perspective as well Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to colleagues pressures Utilises networks to ensure similar goals are achieved collaboratively Develops long term relationships across cultures and/or geographical boundaries Uses relationships to identify the best people to help in the completion of tasks Tactfully deals with difficult people to gain buy-in and manage their expectations Communication Interacts and communicates effectively with internal/external contacts Ensures information is communicated to all the appropriate people Provides feedback to more senior colleagues effectively, providing justification where necessary Uses the correct method of communication, depending on the message and the audience Anticipates objections in dialogues and prepares convincing responses Delivers difficult messages with tact and sensitivity Planning and Analysis Schedules activities according to deadlines and importance Liaises with various parties in diverse locations to organise activities Agrees new timescales when faced with competing activities Balances a focus on detail with a broader perspective Effectively interprets inquiries and quickly identifies elements that do and do not fall within their remit, dealing with them appropriately Developing & Applying Expertise Takes advantage of opportunities to develop an area of expertise Takes learning from previous experience and applies them appropriately Demonstrates willingness to learn new skills and/or approaches Respect for Diversity Works effectively with people from all backgrounds.

5 Treats all people with dignity and respect. Treats men and women equally. Shows respect and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates understanding in daily work and decision making. Examine own biases and behaviours to avoid stereotypical responses and does not discriminate against any individual or group. Identifies biases in systems & processes Accountability Takes ownership of assigned tasks, honours deadlines. Ensures timely delivery of outputs within defined cost and quality standard parameters. Adapting and Innovating Recognises opportunities for improvement and proposes change with impact and effect Helps others evaluate and strengthen ideas Quickly grasps new concepts and how to apply them Demonstrates flexibility e.g. by working beyond own remit in order to achieve an objective inter alia Will effectively reorganise activities when faced with changing contexts and demands Welcomes and adapts to new ideas and/or approaches Adapts personal style to meet the needs of others