Deadline: 26.02.2023

Senior Program Coordinator – International Panel on Deltas and Coastal Zones/

Global centerof adaptation
Europe

ABOUT GCA

The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization that works as a solutions broker to catalyze action and support for adaptation solutions, from the international to the local, in partnership with the public and private sector, to ensure we learn from each other and work together for a climate resilient future. Adapting to impacts of climate change provides a “win-win” for health, livelihoods, food security, water supply, human security and economic growth. The work of the GCA elevates the visibility and political importance of climate adaptation and facilitates solutions, such as smarter investments, new technologies and better planning to become more resilient to climate-related threats. GCA is a rapidly growing organization with offices in Abidjan, Beijing, Dhaka, Groningen, and Rotterdam.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) seeks a dynamic and experienced Senior Program Coordinator to coordinate and drive GCA’s contribution to the International Panel on Deltas and Coastal Areas (IPDC). This includes pro-active strategic and hands-on support to the Secretariat of the IPDC and help drive forward GCA’s role as a solutions broker in the field of climate adaptation.

The individual will actively support the IPDC Secretariat and GCA’s Water Adaptation Community (WAC) and provide leadership on policy advocacy and programs for climate adaptation in deltas, coastal areas, and Large Ocean/Small Island States and provide organizational and technical, content-focused, support to advance GCA’s overall policy and advocacy work. This person is responsible for cultivating and managing relationships with key partners and parties of the IPDC and will act as a liaison between the Secretariat and GCA, in particular the WAC.

IPDC is an initiative that responds to the urgent and critical need for special leadership to accelerate and scale up climate adaptation in deltas, coastal zones and Large Ocean/Small Island States. The IPDC had a soft launch at COP27 with a formal launch to be held at the UN Global Water Conference in New York in March 2023. The IPDC brings together the following stakeholder groups:

  • Champions Group consisting of High-Level Leaders for political and financial commitment and leadership.
  • An International Expert Panel consisting of top-level scientists and adaptation experts linking shared knowledge to local planning and implementation needs.
  • Action Holders consisting of knowledge networks and implementation agencies working with the international experts to support accelerated actions on the ground.

The IPDC secretariat plays a pivotal role in the IPDC. It primarily supports the International Expert Panel while maintaining and enhancing the connection with the Champions Group and knowledge networks in the Action Holders. Among the main tasks of the IPDC secretariat are:

  • Project coordination and management of the present project.
  • Supporting the three layers and facilitating full integration of the three-layers approach, being the main contact point, both internally and externally.
  • Delivering a first IPDC assessment report and proposals for future such assessments.
  • The initial implementation of the three layers and organizational structures.
  • Communication and outreach activities, including maintenance of the website.

The configuration and tasks of the IPDC secretariat are likely to evolve during the coming years.

The WAC will be a supporting knowledge and action network linked to the International Panel on Deltas and Coastal Areas. The WAC has an overarching goal to scale up and to accelerate water adaptation. It addresses key barriers related to fragmentation, understanding and knowledge management. It aims to bridge the cross-sectoral gap and connect sectors at an institutional level as they are connected by water at a physical level. In doing so, it aims to support collaboration, learning and practical action for water adaptation and resilience. The focus is on governance, finance and behavior change. It does this by engaging actors and Communities of Practice (CoP), including NGOs, scientists, experts, policy makers and decision-makers in the most pressing questions and adaptation issues. The candidate will be joining the team at an exciting and pivotal time following the launch of the IPDC, as we raise its profile and shape it to engage global audiences and stakeholders across a range of complex themes and geographies.

Responsibilities

Under the management of the GCA Water and Urban Lead, and within the External Affairs division of GCA, the Senior Program Coordinator will be responsible for the following:

Coordination

  • Act as the coordinator – including planning, quality assurance, progress monitoring, and reporting – for all activities related to GCA’s portfolio of activities under IPDC including GCA’s Water Adaptation Community.
  • Take a pro-active and coordinating role in the liaising between the IPDC and the Water Adaptation Community to provide strategic and operational inputs in planning of the Water Adaptation Community.
  • Expand and maintain the WAC’s network of international, national and local stakeholders in the climate water adaptation sector in support of the IPDC.

Political Mobilization and Administration

  • Take a proactive role in the conceptualization, operationalization, and implementation of the IPDC and work of the Secretariat.
  • Support the development of the IPDC implementation agenda, expanding and strengthening the IPDC network, and proactively identifying opportunities to pursue the objectives of the IPDC.
  • Support the day-to-day operational management of the IPDC Secretariat as per the tasks agreed between GCA and the IPDC Secretariat.
  • Lead the procurement and manage suppliers producing services and goods in support of the IPDC.

Knowledge Management

With the support of the Policy and Engagement Officer, develop customized knowledge products – briefing notes, think pieces, policy briefs – that are based on the outcomes of the discussions and deliberations, with a focus on supporting National Adaptation Plan implementation.

Provide timely and insightful reporting, involve GCA stakeholders as appropriate, and leverage GCA’s global network of experts in support of the IPDC.

Lead on producing the necessary reporting of information to IPDC’s stakeholders, including senior management and donors.

Strategic Communications and Events

  • Ensure the efficient preparation and delivery of national and international events, through both in-person, hybrid and online formats, bringing together experts and policymakers in support of action-forcing impactful convenings.
  • Coordinate and support the production of IPDC publications and support the preparation of knowledge products (e.g. policy briefs, news stories, reports) relating to GCA’s activities supporting the IPDC.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

The Senior Program Coordinator will operate from GCA’s global headquarters in Rotterdam (The Netherlands), on the world’s largest floating office, and will visit the IPDC office in Delft (The Netherlands) as and when needed.

REQUIREMENTS
  • Master’s degree in environmental studies, development studies, water management, or any related field.
  • Minimum of 7 years of international of relevant work experience in the implementation in the field of international development, international policy campaigns, and preferably water climate adaptation or water management.
  • Conceptual and operational understanding of key subject areas such as climate adaptation, water resource management, and climate change.
  • Proven ability to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders at different levels of seniority in a political complex environment.
  • Good understanding of the international water and climate adaptation sectors.
  • Strong planning and organization skills with a demonstrable ability to achieve results under tight deadlines in a team setting while maintaining an empowering and solutions-oriented approach.
  • Strong client and communications skills, backed by an effective ability to communicate in English (both orally and with excellent writing skills).
  • Strong capability in articulating and presenting ideas to a diverse audience of stakeholders at technical and strategic levels.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, with proven ability to function effectively and collaboratively as an empowering and supportive team member of multi-disciplinary and multicultural teams, working in multiple locations, and to resolve conflicts constructively.
  • Strong report writing, presentation and communication skills, backed by an ability to articulate complex ideas into clear outputs with a coherent narrative to a diverse audience of stakeholders at technical and strategic levels.
  • In possession of the right to live and work in the Netherlands

WHAT WE OFFER

With our global headquarters in Rotterdam on the award-winning largest floating office in the world, and regional offices around the globe, GCA offers a dynamic, high-profile and international working environment in a growing organization.

You will be contributing to our global mission on climate adaptation. You will have the opportunity to draw upon the substantial expertise available at the GCA and its partner organizations across the world and you will be given an opportunity to support the shaping of international policies and global action on climate change, working at the highest governmental levels and collaborating with governments on all continents.

You will have the opportunity to draw upon the substantial expertise available at GCA and its partner organizations across the world and you will be given an opportunity to support the shaping of international policies and global action on climate change, working at the highest governmental levels and collaborating with governments on all continents. A public transport travel card is provided for free commuting within the Netherlands.

Remuneration is aligned with salary structures in the Netherlands.

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