Expertise: Climate Adaptation Specialist
Expertise Group: Biological Sciences & Ecology
Consultant Source: International
TOR Keywords: climate change adaptation, adaptation, climate rationales, climate investment
Objective and Purpose of the Assignment
- Timor-Leste is widely recognized as one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, shaped by
its mountainous terrain, extensive coastline, and high rates of poverty and reliance on climate-
sensitive sectors such as agriculture. Both acute climate risks and chronic stressors, including
intensified cyclones, flash floods, landslides, rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and sea-level
rise, have resulted in significant socioeconomic impacts, in terms of reduced agriculture production,
displacement of people, and contamination of groundwater and freshwater resources, to name a few. - These adverse climate change impacts are a growing threat to socioeconomic development of Timor-Leste
thereby emphasizing the need to scale up long-term investments in climate adaptation. This requires
improved planning for climate adaptation, aligning climate adaptation priorities with wider investment
planning framework of the country, and mobilizing financial resources for implementation. It also
requires strengthened institutions and capacity at all levels and across all sectors to integrate
climate risk considerations in sector development processes. - ADB’s country partnership strategy for Timor-Leste for 2023–2027 aims to enhance climate-resilient
infrastructure and basic services while fostering an enabling environment for economic diversification.
As part of this commitment, ADB is implementing TA 10098-REG: Bridging the Gap between Climate
Adaptation Planning and Financing, also known as the Climate Adaptation Investment Planning (CAIP) TA.
The CAIP TA aims to enhance the capacity of developing member countries (DMCs), particularly Armenia,
Bangladesh, Lao PDR, Palau, Philippines, and Timor-Leste, to identify climate adaptation investment
priorities to catalyze financing for adaptation and resilience. The TA will deliver three outputs: (i)
climate adaptation investment plans developed; (ii) appraisal of climate adaptation projects improved;
and (iii) regional knowledge on climate adaptation investment planning strengthened. - The CAIP TA applies a five-step process for climate adaptation investment planning : (i) reviewing
country and sector context, including national development plans and strategies, climate policies
including the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), or equivalent
adaptation plans; (ii) undertaking more granular climate diagnostic for selected national adaptation
priorities; (iii) prioritizing adaptation investments; (iv) linking with public financial management
systems; and (v) identifying appropriate financing opportunities. The exact scope of these steps may
look different depending on the country’s context, but in all countries, implementation of the CAIP TA
will be led by the government. The CAIP TA brings together different relevant ministries, especially the
finance and planning ministry, the respective sector ministry, and the environment ministry. In
addition, the implementation process closely collaborates with relevant development partners active in
the adaptation space in the country, the private sector, and civil society organizations. - In Timor-Leste, the CAIP TA is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and
Strategic Investment (MPSI), Ministry of Finance (MOF), Ministry of Tourism and Environment (MTE), and
other relevant line ministries. The TA has assessed the need for climate resilience in the context of
national and sectoral development plans and available information on climate risks and vulnerability.
The NAP identifies six priority programs: institutional capacity building; addressing needs of
indigenous and vulnerable communities; ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction in coastal areas;
improving water resources management; promoting sustainable land management; and building climate-
resilient livelihoods. In this context, the CAIP TA in Timor-Leste has consulted the government and
other relevant stakeholders on identifying adaptation investment opportunities in the context of
integrated water resources management (IWRM). Through the IWRM lens, the team would identify adaptation
investment opportunities in coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources
to strengthen livelihoods of Timorese population vulnerable to climate change. The government is
expected to confirm which sectors and/or geographies affected by climate risks the CAIP TA should focus
on. - In addition to the CAIP TA, ADB is working closely with the government in the design and financing of
climate-resilience infrastructure projects in transportation, water, and urban development. It also
supports building resilience of communities and ecosystems while strengthening food and water securities
and building institutional and community-level capacities. - ADB wishes to engage an international climate adaptation specialist to implement the CAIP TA in Timor-
Leste. The international climate adaptation specialist will be based in Dili, Timor-Leste for a period
of 12 months and will work with ADB staff and consultants to develop a national adaptation investment
plan through a consultative process involving the Government of Timor-Leste and other relevant
stakeholders. The consultant will also coordinate ADB’s climate work across sectors, projects, and
themes, in close collaboration with ADB staff and consultants.
Scope of Work
- This is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to climate adaptation efforts in Timor-Leste,
based in Dili as a resident consultant. The consultant will play a key role in supporting the government
and communities to build resilience against the impacts of climate change. We are seeking an individual
with a solid understanding of climate change and adaptation who can pair technical expertise with strong
stakeholder engagement skills to drive results and shape climate dialogue and adaptation investment
planning efforts, with guidance from experienced colleagues across ADB. - ADB will provide travel-related expenses for relocation, repatriation, and work-related travels
(including to ADB Headquarters in Manila, Philippines), housing allowance for living arrangement in
Dili, and insurance coverage.
Detailed Tasks and/or Expected Output
- The consultant is expected to:
(i) Engage in national adaptation planning: Engage closely with the Government of Timor-Leste and other
key stakeholders in the national adaptation planning process.
(ii) Coordinate climate risk assessments: Coordinate and collaborate closely with an international
consulting firm to be engaged under the CAIP TA. Support the firm in conducting climate risk and
vulnerability assessment (CRVA) in the CAIP TA’s focus area for Timor-Leste and utilizing the findings
to identify and develop climate adaptation investment opportunities.
(iii) Facilitate consultations and workshops: Organize consultations and workshops with government and
other stakeholders. These sessions will serve to discuss findings of climate risk and vulnerability
assessment and potential adaptation investment opportunities.
(iv) Organize capacity building training: Organize and facilitate training sessions for government
stakeholders. These sessions aim to build capacity and awareness on climate adaptation, including the
identification and planning processes for adaptation investments.
(v) Support scaling up adaptation investment: Support the ADB Timor-Leste Resident Mission (TLRM) in the
ADB country programming process related to climate adaptation. This will involve scaling up both
sovereign and non-sovereign investments in climate adaptation, drawing on reviews of climate risks,
national and sectoral development plans, and mapping of stakeholders and implement adaptation efforts
across the country. It may also involve developing concept papers for adaptation investments in
different sectors and where appropriate, explore the possibility of accessing global climate funds for
Timor-Leste.
(vi) Mainstream climate adaptation in projects: Support ADB project teams to ensure that climate
adaptation is mainstreamed into proposed investments and accurately reflected in project concept notes
and project preparation documents.
(vii) Produce knowledge product: Towards the conclusion of the assignment, drawing upon on the
experience gained, contribute to the development of a knowledge product and organize a knowledge event
to showcase ADB’s results on climate adaptation in the country.
(viii) Perform other tasks as may be assigned by supervising ADB staff to ensure the overall success of
the CAIP TA and ADB’s climate programming in Timor-Leste.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
- We value diverse experiences and a strong commitment to climate action. We encourage applications
from candidates enthusiastic about contributing to strengthening resilience of Timor-Leste and meet the
following qualifications.
(i) Educational background: A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as climate change,
environmental management or engineering, development planning, public policy, economics, or related
discipline. A Master’s degree is strongly preferred.
(ii) Required relevant experience: Minimum of 7 years of experience in climate-related policy or project
development and implementation. The ideal candidate will have expertise in climate adaptation or
disaster risk management, with demonstrated experience shaping policy or designing climate-related
investments. At least one assignment in Timor Leste or Southeast Asia or the Pacific.
(iii) Preferred experience: Experience in climate adaptation or mitigation related to identifying,
designing, and implementing infrastructure investment. Experience in capacity building activities
targeted for government and/or communities. Familiarity with international climate finance mechanisms (e.
g., the Green Climate Fund), multilateral development banks, UN agencies, or international
organizations.
(iv) Communication and project management skills: Excellent communication, coordination, and
consultation skills are essential. The candidate must be able to represent ADB in climate-related
discussions with government counterparts, development partners, and local communities. Experience
organizing and facilitating stakeholder consultations or workshops is highly desirable.
(v) Language proficiency: A strong command of both written and spoken English is required, with a proven
track record in producing high-quality technical reports. Knowledge of Tetum is an advantage, though not
a mandatory requirement.
(vi) ADB knowledge (advantageous): Familiarity with ADB’s policies and procedures is a plus.
Minimum General Experience: 7 Years
Minimum Specific Experience (relevant to assignment): 7 Years
