| Description |
| 1. Background |
The impact of climate change is an unprecedented and increasing global threat to life, livelihoods and life-supporting systems. Even if the most stringent mitigation measures were put in place today, the impacts of climate change would still continue for centuries. There is an urgent need for immediate and adequate actions to adapt to climate change before its impacts become unmanageable. At the same time we have to prepare for long-term climate impacts. Examples of these impacts include more severe water scarcity and more frequent floods, agricultural failure and food shortages, and accelerated loss of biodiversity and declining ecosystem services.
Since 2008, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in partnership with key UN agencies and international organizations has been facilitating the development of a Global Adaptation Network. The Global Adaptation Network composes of four Regional Networks in developing regions - Africa, Asia-Pacific, West Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. The Asia Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Network(the Network) was launched in Bangkok by the Prime Minister of Thailand in October 2009.
The Institute for Global Environmental Strategie(IGES) and Asian Institute of Technology / UNEP Regional Resource Centre (AIT/UNEP RRC.AP) are co-hosting the Regional Hub for the Network. The Regional Hub coordinates and facilitates implementation of all the activities of the Network. The Network is currently supported by the Ministry of Environment, Japan, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Swedish Environment Secretariat for Asia (SENSA), Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) and UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (UNEP/ROAP) in Bangkok, Thailand. |
|
2. Duties and responsibilities |
The Senior Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the Network, and, the overall supervision of the IGES Bangkok Office Representative and the AIT/UNEP RRC.AP Director.
| A. |
Lead and undertake technical studies and provide technical advice for the Implementation of The Asia Pacific Adaptation Network Implementation Plan 2010-2011, which includes: |
| - |
Taking stock of currently available frameworks, methods and tools for assessing climate impacts, vulnerability and adaptive capacity and decision support tools at the sub-regional and national levels in the Asia-Pacific region. |
| - |
Reviewing the utilization and application of the available frameworks, methods and tools for assessing climate impacts, vulnerability and adaptive capacity and decision support tools in selected national governments and technical agencies and communities in the region. |
| - |
Taking stock of currently available references related country specific needs for climate change adaptation knowledge and gaps at the sub-regional and national levels in the Asia-Pacific region. |
| - |
Establishing potential Sub-regional Nodes and define their work plans. |
| B. |
Work closely with the Adaptation Network team at the Regional Hub and Secretariat (in UNEP/ROAP) in the delivery of the The Asia Pacific Adaptation Network Implementation Plan 2010-2011, which includes: |
| - |
Identification of country specific needs for adaptation knowledge and gaps, in collaboration with donors and implementation agencies at the sub-regional and national levels |
| - |
Collecting examples and defining the criteria of "good adaptation practices" |
| - |
Producing policy briefs, newsletters and a final report |
| - |
Helping to establish the Sub-regional Nodes |
| - |
Enhancing Network communication with Sub-regional Nodes |
| - |
Organizing side event at UN and other high-level conferences |
| - |
Supporting the Network Steering Committee meeting |
| - |
Managing and promoting of the Network website |
| - |
Developing capacity for science-based adaptation planning in the Asia-Pacific region by designing tailored climate change adaptation training modules |
| C. |
Coordinating activities of the Network during the absence of the Coordinator, as and when required. |
| D. |
Conducting other activities assigned by the IGES Bangkok Office Representative, IGES Headquarters or the AIT/UNEP RRC.AP Director. |
|
|
3. Qualifications |
| (i) |
An advanced University degree (PhD desirable) in environmental management, environmental sciences, sustainable development, environmental economics or social sciences with relevance to climate change adaptation issues, with at least 10 years of professional working experience in climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction or related environmental fields. |
| (ii) |
Excellent knowledge and proven professional experience of climate change issues such mainstreaming Climate Change adaptation into national development policies and sectoral development plans, design and policy formulation processes. |
| (iii) |
Fluency in English in both writing and speaking is a must; knowledge of other languages in the region and/or Japanese would be favorable. |
| (iv) |
Full computer literacy and knowledge in MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and Internet applications. Knowledge of Integrated Modelling Assessments for Climate Change Program will be advantageous. |
| (v) |
Flexibility of working hours and travelling abroad would be desirable. |
| (vi) |
Applicants should be self-starters and able to work for long periods without day to day supervision. |
|
|
4. Entry on Duty |
| Entry on duty should be as soon as possible, preferably by late July 2010. |
|
|
5. Term of Appointment |
| A probationary period of 3 months will be applicable from August to October 2010. Subject to satisfactory performance, the contract will be extended by March 2011. After that, annual renewals will be considered as required. |
|
|
6. Work Place |
| This position is based in IGES Bangkok Office, at the premises of the AIT/UNEP RRC.AP office, Outreach Building, AIT, Klong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120 Thailand. |
|
7. Working Hours |
| In accordance with current practice at UNEP RRC.AP, standard working hours, including flexi-time and core working hours will be followed. |
|
8. Payment |
Salary (monthly, all included) depends on qualification/experience and in accordance with the regulations of IGES.
(approximate salary range: JPY3.8- 4.8 million or US$ 40,000- 50,000 per annum depend on skills and experience) |
|
9. How to Apply |
| A covering letter, IGES application form with two recent publications and a copy of transcript of highest education level must be sent (either by post, fax or email) to the following address no later than 10 July, 2010. |
| |
Ms. Wikanda Limthanapilak
IGES Bangkok Office; c/o UNEP.RRC.AP, 3rd Floor,
Outreach Building, P.O. Box 4, Asian Institute of Technology,
Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
Fax: (66-2) 524-6233
E-mail at: Limthanapilak@iges.or.jp |
We will NOT accept any application that fails to complete the provided form. The application documents are not returnable.
*Process of screening
After screening of the application materials, only short-listed applicants will be contacted for interview.
Please note that we will begin processing the applications in the order that they arrive, so early submission of your application is highly recommended. As soon as we have decided on the right applicant to hire, we will close the recruiting process. |
|
|
|
