Senior Specialist, Infrastructure and Nature-based Solutions

Job description

TITLE: Senior Specialist, Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions

LOCATION: Dhaka, Bangladesh

TERM: Initial contract duration 1 year with possibility of extension

INTENSITY: 40 hours per week, 5 days per week

ANTICIPATED START DATE: As soon as possible

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 31 May 2024

WHO WE ARE

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.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR

Profile

Join our team at the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) as a Senior Specialist in Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions, focusing on South Asia. In this position, you will play a vital role in advancing GCA’s mission to facilitate effective climate adaptation solutions within the infrastructure sector. Your main responsibilities will include leading program initiatives and development aimed at integrating climate resilience into infrastructure investment projects and planning. Additionally, you will provide expert advice and support to enhance GCA’s policy efforts.

The Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions Program provides technical support to institutional stakeholders and partnering International Financial Institutions and conducts activities at various levels. This includes conducting technical analysis such as national assessments of infrastructure climate risks and helping countries to identify critical adaptation requirements and prioritize infrastructure investments. The program also partners with key national stakeholders to embed adaptation and resilience into both public and private infrastructure projects. Furthermore, you will help develop and lead capacity-building initiatives with global and national experts to incorporate climate resilience throughout the infrastructure development lifecycle for public and public-private partnerships.

As a Senior Specialist, you will develop and maintain global partnerships with key external parties at both national and project levels. You will also oversee and support the ongoing execution and development of the Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions program in South-East Asia. Your expertise will be instrumental in developing and implementing strategies that enhance climate resilience in infrastructure, ensuring effective solutions on a global scale.

Responsibilities
Reporting to GCA Program Lead, Infrastructure and Nature-based Solutions, the Senior Specialist will carry out the following:

• Develop and implement a pipeline of technical assistance projects across infrastructure sectors that may include, as examples, transportation (urban and regional roads and highways, railways, fluvial and maritime ports), energy (power generation including renewables, transmission, and distribution), critical information and communication technology Infrastructure (terrestrial telecommunications and internet networks). Developing and delivering on GCA technical assistance will contribute to shape and expand GCA’s partnerships with leading Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) such as Asian Development Bank (ADB),World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and key Institutional Agencies and partners – to drive, scale up and accelerate on-the-ground infrastructure systems’ adaptation to climate change. This will include leveraging established adaptation practice while creating the space and energy for innovation as well.
• Take a proactive role in the conceptualization, design, implementation, and supervision of highly innovative and transformative technical assistance to infrastructure climate adaptation and nature-based solutions investment projects and programs of MDBs. This will include frequent and in-depth interactions and close collaboration with task team leaders/managers of MDBs and governmental stakeholders. The goal is to support and ensure the integration and implementation of climate adaptation in infrastructure investment projects and contribute to scaling up adaptation investments with actual solutions on the ground. This work will include collaboration with other GCA Infrastructure and NBS team members involved in the program’s implementation in South-East Asia and Africa regions, based in different GCA locations (Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and others).
• Oversee the regional implementation and growth of a multi-faceted program, in coordination within GCA and with regional and international partners, to develop innovative approach to include adaptation within infrastructure investments and build capacity of national and local government and non-governmental stakeholders. Innovative approach to infrastructure systems resilience may include leveraging nature-based solutions, bridging the gaps with financers on specific adaptation solutions, support risks sharing mechanisms for public-private partnerships, scoping gender-responsive approach to vulnerability assessment, stakeholders’ consultation on adaptation, and solutions prioritization for resilience and adaptation throughout infrastructure assets lifecycles.
• Support the operationalization of knowledge development related to infrastructure adaptation and resilience and participate in relevant workshops and meetings to keep abreast with ongoing trends in climate adaptation, infrastructure development supporting Sustainable goals, and their implications on the GCA agenda and strategy.
• Further expand and maintain GCA’s network of international, national, and local stakeholders in the infrastructure systems resilience and adaptation sector.
• Support the procurement and contract management of external expertise (individual consultants, firms) and manage services implementation contracts with consortium of firms, to deliver results on the program’s technical assistance projects at high technical quality.
• Support the preparation of knowledge products (e.g., policy briefs, news stories, reports) on GCA’s activities.
• Support on-the-job strengthening of capacity of GCA staff and partner organizations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Job requirements

• A master’s degree in environmental or civil engineering, a field related to infrastructure investment projects development, or a field related to climate resilience.
• 12 years of experience in the implementation of large-scale projects or programs related to infrastructure resilience working directly for or with national or regional governmental authorities, infrastructure private developers and operators, or multilateral development banks. These projects and programs could be in any of the areas below:

1. Climate resilience in infrastructure development (including any of preliminary infrastructure technical design; infrastructure projects finance; regional infrastructure planning and governance).
2. Climate resilience and flexible approaches to adaptation in infrastructure development, across infrastructure sectors and including Nature Based approach for infrastructure resilience.
3. Climate hazard specific projects or programs for infrastructure systems adaptation to hazards such as floods and storms; sea-level rise; coastal erosion; droughts; and extreme heat.

Preferred experience

• Working experience in Bangladesh or South Asia.
• Experience with a Development Bank or other financing institution.
• Experience in procurement of advisory services.
• Climate resilience in informal settlements upgrading, including community involvement.

Required competencies:

• Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrated ability to represent GCA effectively in external forums and actively engage with critical stakeholders, including technical experts and strategic financiers in the infrastructure sector.
• Communication Skills: Excellent command of written and spoken English, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and persuasively.
• Adaptability: Thrives in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment, maintaining effectiveness when facing changing tasks and responsibilities.
• Multicultural Collaboration: Proven ability to work collaboratively within diverse teams, respecting and integrating diverse cultural perspectives.
• Planning and Organizational skills: with a proven track record of managing multiple priorities efficiently.
• A commitment to improve people’s lives through climate resilience and adaptation.
• A sense of humor is always a great asset but is not a requirement.

WHAT WE OFFER

GCA offers a dynamic, high-profile, and international working environment within a growing organization. Our global headquarters in Rotterdam is located in the award-winning Floating Office Rotterdam, the world’s largest floating office, with regional offices around the globe.

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.

This staff position will be based at GCA’s office in Dhaka, Bangladesh. GCA offers a competitive salary, 25 days of paid leave, and various learning and development opportunities.

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.

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 31 May, 2024.

The recruitment process is composed of three interviews and may include a written assessment.
Throughout these stages, you will engage with a diverse range of GCA team members, from various levels within our organization. While we acknowledge the length of our recruitment process, we believe it is essential for a comprehensive understanding. This approach is not only about us assessing your skills and potential; it is also an opportunity for you to gain a deep insight into our organization’s culture and dynamics. This experience will enable you to clearly envision your future growth and success with us, ensuring a strong and mutually beneficial fit.

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 applying, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

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