35-013 | (Senior) Program Officer, Urban Resilience & Climate Resilient Water Services

VACANCY TITLE: 35-013 | (Senior) Program Officer – Urban Resilience & Climate Resilient Water Services

SENIORITY: Seniority will be determined based on knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

TEAM: Water and Urban

LOCATION: Rotterdam, the Netherlands

LEVEL OF EFFORT: Full time – 40 hours per week

START DATE: As soon as possible

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 26 February 2025

SALARY RANGE: Program Officer Level: EUR 48,000 – 65,000 (Gross Base)

                               Senior Program Officer Level: EUR 60,000 - 75,000 (Gross Base)

WHO WE ARE

The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization working to accelerate action on adapting to climate change. We support adaptation solutions at the international and the local levels, partnering with the public and the private sector.

Our focus is firmly on those who are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change; communities least prepared to withstand the health, social, and economic impacts of the climate emergency are our priority.

Founded in 2018, our organization is based in regional offices across key global locations. Our Europe office is located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in the largest floating office in the world. We also have regional offices in Kenya, Ivory Coast, Bangladesh, and Beijing, as well as a dedicated knowledge and research hub in Groningen, the Netherlands.

Our work encompasses high-level policy development, research, agenda-setting and advocacy to drive faster and deeper climate adaptation. We collaborate closely with partners to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of results where they are most needed.

What Sets Us Apart

At GCA, we’re offering more than a job – we’re offering the chance to make a tangible global impact. You’ll lead transformative projects, shape adaptation strategies, and collaborate with world-class teams to help communities in Sub-Saharan Africa adapt to climate risks

WHAT WILL YOU DO

Shape a Resilient Future with GCA

Are you passionate about tackling the challenges of climate change and building a resilient future? Join GCA’s Water and Urban Team as a (Senior) Program Officer. In this dynamic position, you will be at the forefront of policy advocacy and technical support for climate adaptation. You will have the opportunity to shape a climate resilient future for Africa, under GCA’s work aiming to scale up and accelerate climate adaptation and resilience in Africa. You will play a vital role in the technical and operational implementation of transformative technical assistance projects that facilitate integration of climate adaptation into a wide range investments and programs by collaborating closely with Multi-lateral Development Banks (MDB) and national stakeholders across Africa. We’re seeking (Senior) Program Officers for two thematic specializations:

·         Urban Resilience: Focus on climate adaptation in urban settings, including informal settlements, urban infrastructure and services, risk-informed city planning, and nature-based solutions.

·         Climate Resilient Water Services: Centered on sustainable water services, water governance, water resource management, and building climate resilience in water supply and sanitation services across urban, rural and regional contexts.

Candidates should indicate their preference for either specialization in their application and cover letter.

Under the oversight of the GCA Water and Urban Lead:

·         Senior Program Officer (SPO) is expected to bring at least eight (8) years of relevant experience and lead multiple projects autonomously and support other team members with their projects.

·         Program Officer (PO) is expected to bring at least four (4) years of relevant experience and to work in a supporting role across multiple projects led by senior team members, while also leading a small portfolio of projects.

The day-to-day responsibilities for both SPO and PO roles include:

Project Management

• Conceptualize, design, implement, and supervise highly innovative and transformative technical assistance projects to accelerate climate adaptation and resilience, particularly in Africa.

• Foster strong partnerships with MDB task teams to support the integration climate adaptation and resilience solutions in their projects, programs, and investments.

• Collaborate closely with MDB task teams, governments (national and local), and regional and local partners to support the integration of climate adaptation and resilience technical assistance activities into their projects, programs, and investments.

• Coordinate with international, regional, and local partners to build climate risk informed decision-making capacities of national and local governments and non-governmental stakeholders.

• Participate in program planning, progress tracking, and reporting

• Oversee the procurement of external expertise (individual consultants or firms) and implementation of their work, by developing Terms of References (ToRs) and evaluating bids.

• Technical management of climate adaptation and resilience firms and individuals and quality control of their deliverables.

Pipeline/Business Development

• Support pipeline development through concept note preparation, design, and implementation of highly innovative and transformative technical assistance projects to accelerate climate adaptation and resilience in Africa. These technical assistance projects can cover climate risk assessments, gender vulnerability assessments, multicriteria prioritization of adaptation options pre-feasibility design of adaption options, nature-based solutions, climate risk-informed planning and management, and capacity building of local stakeholders.

• Explore and promote innovative approaches to climate adaptation.

Knowledge Management:

• Lead the preparation of knowledge products (e.g. policy briefs, news stories, reports) on GCA activities, in line with recent developments and trends in climate adaptation.

• Ensure the quality of knowledge products and other outputs from external experts.

• Promote capacity strengthening internally among GCA staff and externally with partner organizations.

• Represent GCA’s Water and Urban Team in relevant workshops, capacity building events, and meetings to promote GCA’s agenda, strategy, and programs.

• Expand and maintain GCA’s network of international, national and local stakeholders.

• Education: A master’s degree in environmental or civil engineering, water resources management, water policy, economics, urban planning, urban policy, or fields related to climate adaptation, resilience, climate risk assessments, or nature-based solutions.

• Experience: Relevant working experience in Sub-Saharan Africa on projects or programs related to climate adaptation and resilience in the relevant thematic specialization, and working directly for or with MDBs or international development organizations.

• SPO: Minimum of 8 years’ experience is required / PO: Minimum 4 years’ experience is required.

• Strong communication: Can speak fluently, present ideas concisely, and write with technical clarity in English. Working French knowledge is an added advantage.

• Hands-on conceptual thinker. Is able to translate strong conceptual understanding of climate adaptation in concrete measure to support more climate resilient water services and cities.

• Timely delivery: Able to prioritize tasks, deliver on time, and support team members so that workflows and the team portfolio are collectively executed efficiently.

• Multicultural teamwork: Effectively collaborates in multi-disciplinary and multicultural teams, and in multiple locations.

• Flexibility and Travel-Ready: Willingness to travel internationally at least 5 times a year for the duration of at least one week.

• Constructive conflict resolution: Constructive and diplomatic approach to resolving different views within the team and with partners.

• Commitment to Impact: Driven by the goal to improve lives through climate resilience and adaptation.

• Sense of Humor: A great asset to our team, though not a requirement. 

Preferred Experience

• Experience with project management, including procurement of advisory services and contract management.

• Developing high quality knowledge products.

  For urban resilience specialization:

• Working directly for or with city or urban authorities, and relevant regional and national government agencies.

• Climate resilience in informal settlements upgrading, including community involvement.

  For climate resilient water services specialization:

• Working directly for or with water authorities, and relevant regional and national government agencies.

• Climate resilience in water resources management and water supply and sanitation, including community involvement.

WHAT WE OFFER

Joining our team means contributing to our global mission on climate adaptation. You will have the opportunity to tap into the extensive expertise available at GCA and its partner organizations worldwide. Furthermore, you will play a role in shaping international policies and global action on climate change, working at the highest governmental levels, and collaborating with governments on all continents.

GCA offers a competitive salary, 25 days of paid leave, and a public transport travel card for free business commuting within the Netherlands.

At GCA, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive team where everyone feels valued. We warmly welcome applicants from all walks of life and do not discriminate in any of our programs or activities based on race, color, religion, sex, nationality, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Join us and contribute your unique perspective to our collective success.

HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested in this position, please submit your motivation letter and CV by following the link https://gca.org/about-us/join-us/ before 26 February 2025

In your cover letter, please explain the main aspects of your expertise/experience that align with the position and your personal motivation for applying to GCA.

Our recruitment process is designed to be both engaging and insightful. It consists of four rounds of interviews. Throughout these stages, you'll have the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of GCA team members who are eager to learn about your personality, skills, and potential. This journey also allows you to gain a deeper understanding of GCA's objectives, culture, and values. We look forward to discovering how we can achieve great things together.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. The Global Center on Adaptation also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.