VACANCY TITLE Principal researcher, Research for Impact

LOCATION Groningen, The Netherlands

INTENSITY Full time 

ANTICIPATED START DATE As soon as possible

APPLICATION DEADLINE July 4th, 2022

ABOUT GCA

The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) 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 mutual learning and collaboration for a climate resilient future. GCA has three pillars: agenda setting and advocacy, programs and knowledge acceleration. On the latter, GCA has initiated the State and Trends in Adaptation report, an annual report series that synthesises work done by the broad expert and policy-maker communities and draws out implications for the road ahead. The report series is linked to the GCA’s online Knowledge Exchange (STAKE) that provides access to underlaying and related data and knowledge products, as well as interactive functionalities such as Adaptation Communities. The Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program is GCA’s flagship program and aims to mobilize $25 billion to scale up and accelerate climate change adaptation actions across Africa. Through its four pillars - Climate Smart Digital Technologies for Agriculture and Food Security, the African Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator, Empowering Youth for Entrepreneurship and Job Creation in Climate Adaptation and Resilience and Innovative Financial Initiatives for Africa - the AAAP is slated to contribute to closing Africa’s adaptation gap, support countries to make a transformational shift in their development pathways by putting climate adaptation and resilience at the centre of their critical growth oriented and inclusive policies, programs, and institutions.

The Research for Impact Team of GCA works to enhance the adaptation and resilience impact of the organization. The Team employs a needs-oriented, solutions-focused approach to co-producing knowledge, the brokering of expertise and of strategy. The team supports GCA’s programs with thought leadership, in collaboration with program leads, on accelerating adaptation in the agriculture and infrastructure sectors, including water, on empowering youth entrepreneurs and creating adaptation jobs as well as on new initiatives that could enhance the availability of finance for adaptation. In the context of the AAAP, the Team engages in research activities that can support program design and implementation in three areas: efficiency of interventions; conditions for their sustained uptake and support for scaling.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Profile

To drive and further expand the research agenda around adaptation and resilience, GCA seeks a motivated and driven professional with proven research experience and competencies to work as a Principal Researcher. The Principal Researcher will support GCA with thought leadership on the economic and broader welfare benefits of adaptation and engage in research activities to support AAAP implementation. The Principal Researcher will be based in GCAs office in Groningen.

Areas of responsibility

The responsibilities of the Principal Researcher include:

• Support implementation of the AAAP with thought leadership, in collaboration with the pillars, on accelerating adaptation.
• Carry out assessments of climate risk and design adaptation solutions that can be mainstreamed into investment projects under preparation by the MDBs, DFIs, and the private sector, in partnership with governments
• Lead and conduct research that integrates climate change adaptation into sustainable development processes, with a focus on economic perspectives. These will include spotlighting and analysing adaptation investments at national level, their costs and benefits across sectors, and guidance on prioritization from community to national levels;
• Develop and oversee experimental research activities related to community based adaptation.
• Further expand and apply sub-national climate risk assessments
• Build and leverage international networks of experts and practitioners, and lead collaborative efforts in research, development and applications of models and tools for assessment of climate-change economic risks and damages (macro-economic models), costs and benefits of adaptation action, and considerations of broad development benefits from increasing resilience;
• Contribute to a wide range of products on key climate adaptation topics, including peer-reviewed scientific papers, policy briefs, reports, rapid-response statements, op-eds, social media posts and presentations addressed to experts, and provide scientific advice to non-specialists;
• Represent the GCA in the international climate and development economics community, including at international conferences and meetings;
• Contribute to the writing, editing and submission of project proposals.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• PhD in Economics or a closely related discipline.
• At least 10 years of work experience after obtaining the PhD in academia, governmental agencies, research institutions and/or research-orientated NGOs in areas related to climate change, adaptation and economics;
• Track record of research excellence demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications or other significant published documents;
• Experience with technical support to investment projects is considered a strong plus.
• Experience with CGE modelling
• Proficient in GAMS, STATA and R.
• Ability to present convincing and coherent analysis to various audiences both internal and external to GCA
• Ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary and intercultural research teams;
• Strong capacities in project management and mentoring of early career researchers;
• Experience in designing training materials relevant to climate adaptation;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; Knowledge of French is highly desirable.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills and ability to work under tight deadlines in a team setting.

WHAT WE OFFER

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

Subject to Covid-19 pandemic travel restrictions, this staff post will be located at GCA’s offices in Groningen, the Netherlands.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply at https://opportunities.gca.org by submitting your CV and cover letter in English before July 4th, 2022, 5 pm CET. Kindly mention the date as of which you would be available to start.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT

The GCA celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. GCA does not discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, nationality, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

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