View Vacancy - Climate Change Advisor, G7, BHC Islamabad
About the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
How we approach our work is important. The How We Work Statement (below) sets out the ambition we share across the FCDO for how we lead and behave towards each other, how we make decisions, and how we get the job done.
Some aspects may be particularly relevant to this role.
- We put respect and kindness first. We are inclusive, we get to know each other, and value our diversity and the contribution we each bring. We are fair, act with integrity, and tackle inequality and unacceptable behaviour. We work together and take responsibility to solve problems.
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- We are agile and alert to emerging opportunities. We encourage learning, innovation and use of data and digital. We are all clear on what we are expected to deliver and support each other in doing so. We look to reduce duplication and unnecessary process. We are committed to transforming both the FCDO and the way HMG delivers international policy.
Description of Team/Division
The work of the British High Commission (BHC) in Pakistan is focused on six main workstreams – Regional Stability, Threats, Health and Education, Climate and Resilience, Open Societies and Economy and Trade.
The Climate Change Advisor sits within the Climate and Resilience Team in BHC Islamabad (BHCI). It is a small but dynamic team, responsible for delivering HMG priorities on climate change and nature, as set out in the International Development Strategy (IDS).
We invest in our people, celebrating diversity and ensuring inclusion. We focus on learning and well-being, providing space for discussion/ consultation and information sharing.
The Climate and Resilience Team delivers on three main thematic areas:
1) Clean Energy – Pakistan increases renewables and stops growth of coal in it’s energy mix.
2) Adaptation and Resilience – Pakistan and its most vulnerable communities are supported to strengthen adaptation and resilience to climate change.
3) Climate Finance – Pakistan mobilises finances with UK support to build a green economy and respond to climate vulnerability.
Purpose of the job
The Climate Change Advisor will contribute to the delivery of HMG climate priorities to tackle climate change and protect nature. The post holder will be required to provide quality technical advice and strategic direction to support implementation of BHCI’s climate portfolio (programmes and policy), as required. In particular, supporting delivery of nature, adaptation and resilience ambitions of BHCI’s 5-Year Climate Strategy.
The post-holder will be required to work with other teams across the FCDO, with other government departments (including the UK Cabinet Office, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and Her Majesty’s Treasury Department), and with external stakeholders to deliver UK climate objectives. The role will require the post holder to build a network of contacts to support delivery of the BHCIs Climate Diplomacy and Engagement Strategy.
The Climate Change Advisor, alongside the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO), will be responsible for delivering the UK funded £15 million Water Resource and Accountability Programme (WRAP) in Pakistan. WRAP is a five year programme that has been in operation since July 2021. The post-holder will be responsible for providing technical oversight and strategic direction to WRAP implementing partners.
WRAP aims to ‘strengthen the governance of water at national and provincial levels, supporting adaptation to climate change and improving environmental sustainability’. The programme has three components:
- Water Governance - aiming to improve the capacity of water institutions at federal and provincial levels, such as water commissions, water regulatory authorities and irrigation departments.
- Nature Based Solutions - demonstrating how restoring the health of water systems and applying nature based solutions could help communities adapt to climate change. Restoring damaged water ecosystem services can sequester carbon and protect against water-related disasters like floods and drought.
- Catalytic Fund - demonstrating and upscaling new innovative solutions to old challenges in the management of water as a resource. The fund also cover the provision of research, analysis and evaluation to ensure the sustainability of the interventions.
In addition to the technical management of WRAP, the post holder will have oversight of International Climate Finance (ICF) delivery across the Pakistan Network and provide support to ensure that the Pakistan strategy, WRAP and post COP objectives are aligned.
The post-holder will report to the Climate and Resilience Group Head and may have Line Management responsibilities.
The position is based in Islamabad, with occasional international travel and frequent in-country travel, as required.
Key Responsibilities :
Lead Technical Advisor for WRAP (50%)
• Lead FCDO’s technical oversight/quality assurance of all activities delivered by WRAP implementing partners and supplier.
• Hold the relationship with WRAP implementing partners and Government counterparts;
• Work with WRAP implementing partners, alongside WRAP project manager, to ensure alignment of project level results with WRAP framework/indicators.
• Technically lead on ‘Nature based Solutions’, review partner reports and give feedback to ensure that the activities implemented follow FCDO’s standards and expectations.
• Work closely with the FCDO Governance advisor to ensure that activities are in sync with and contribute to the overall WRAP Theory of change and the impact that the project aims to achieve.
• Lead the effective monitoring of project, including through the: maintenance and regular use of an FCDO Delivery Plan, timely and rigorous Annual Reviews and the final Programme Closure Review; regular cycle of partner and supplier reporting; support to project governance oversight bodies; and spot checks and field visits as required.
• Throughout WRAP’s lifetime, ensure the programme’s Theory of Change is regularly updated to reflect any changes in the programme context.
Policy Engagement and Communication (20%)
• Focal person on policy engagement with government, donors and other stakeholders on water and nature-based solutions.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key contacts across the FCDO and external stakeholders on Climate & Environment (C&E) issues.
• Draft briefing and ministerial correspondence on C&E issues.
• Provide ad-hoc cross-cutting policy and programme support across the British High Commission on C&E issues.
• Communicate with a wide range of Water and Climate Change professionals both locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Lead on monitoring ICF spend in Pakistan, including tracking spend profile, actual spend and supporting results verification.
Technical lead on Adaptation and Resilience (30%)
• Contribute to the adaptation and resilience programming within FCDO Pakistan.
• Work with FCDO advisors to develop business and technical strategies on adaptation and resilience within Pakistan.
• Assist in the development of new business opportunities in the climate change adaptation sector in line with the FCDO Pakistan Country Strategy and FCDO’s comparative advantage.
The above is only an outline of the key tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The post holder will carry out any other duties as required by the directorate. These responsibilities will be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.
Essential on arrival:
• Advanced degree (PhD or Masters) in economics, water resource management, climate change, natural resource governance, environmental science, or similar relevant discipline.
• At least five years of full-time relevant professional experience, with demonstrated experience in research or applied work on climate change and sustainable development analytical themes.
• Prior experience of working directly on climate change adaptation, climate resilience and/or mitigation issues in Pakistan is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with the institutional and policy landscape for climate change in Pakistan.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to write quickly and concisely on a variety of topics in a well-structured manner.
• Excellent English oral and written and native fluency in Urdu is required.
• Demonstrated ability of problem solving and developing win-win solutions in critical situations of project preparation and implementation with stakeholders.
• Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with colleagues, partners and Government.
Demonstrated experience and expertise that meets FCDOs climate and environment technical competencies on Climate Resilience and Adaptation and Natural Environment. Please refer to the FCDO technical competency framework referenced under Additional Information.
Desirable:
• Prior experience delivering development programmes (climate related is preferable) and understanding programme management cycles is desirable.
• Prior knowledge of/experience with FCDO operational and analytical products, international development and climate change strategy and activities/ plans is desirable.
Demonstrated experience and expertise that meets FCDO climate and environment technical competencies on Low carbon grown and Mitigation. Please refer to the FCDO technical competency framework referenced under Additional Information.
The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance.
Around half of our work forces are women. We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.
This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCDO has anywhere across the globe. We are aiming to make it the best.
The position is based in Islamabad, with occasional international travel and frequent in-country travel, as required.
Learning and development opportunities :
• The job holder will be required to undertake all FCDO mandatory trainings.
• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with the role’s line manager through FCDO appraisals process and/or attending internal / external training events. The post holder will be supported to accredit to the FCDO Climate and Environment Professional Cadre.
Language requirements:
Language: English and Urdu
Level of language required: Fluent
Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details and the behavioural questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’’
BHC candidates, the Local BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.
For other than BHC candidates, Basic Salary will be PKR 493,590/- Monthy Salary
To ensure a successful application it is important that you explain how you demonstrate these behaviours, including through your experience. You are strongly advised to read the Success Profiles Civil Service Behaviours Framework, which provides detailed guidance on how the behaviours are defined and the standards expected at Level 4 for this position.
Please go through the technical competency framework before completing the technical questions: FCDO technical competency frameworks - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Applicants are encouraged to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format to prepare specific examples of when they have demonstrated these behaviours in their application. Using the STAR format to provide evidence of your skills and experience in your application and at interview helps to give a structure. You briefly describe the situation in which you showed the behaviour, and then explain your task in addressing the situation, what action you took and the result of this.
For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender, and nationality.
The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.
To Apply:
Please note applications without (a) and (b) will not be considered.
- Complete the Online Application Form
- Complete the Motivation and Competency Segment in the Online Application Form
Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) and also inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered.
We will accept only online applications by 17th October 2022 -23:55 hours PST.
Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines for British High Commission.
Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with.
The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, medical, educational and professional.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
