Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Senior Advisor
LONG-TERM CONSULTANCY
at The Asia Foundation
The Asia Foundation (TAF) is a non-profit international development organization committed to improving lives across a dynamic and developing Asia. TAF seeks a seasoned professional to serve in a full-time consultancy position in the capacity of Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Senior Advisor for the Partners for Infrastructure (P4I) Project funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
Program Background
The goal of Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) is to contribute to quality infrastructure development that drives inclusive growth in Southeast Asia. P4I’s end-of-investment outcome is improved decision-making towards quality infrastructure underpinned by strong government-to-government partnerships. P4I aspires to integrate disaster risk reduction and climate change (DRRCC) in all its activities.
P4I works with Southeast Asian partner countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It will operate initially for four years (2020-21 to 2023-24) and is being delivered by One-Team comprising the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and P4I Delivery Partner organisations, comprised of Ernst & Young, The Asia Foundation, Adam Smith International, and Ninti One.
DRRCC is a key cross-cutting theme for P4I, reflecting Australia's leadership and commitment in this arena. The Program will ensure DRRCC is integrated across operations and governance, as well as thematic and service delivery functions, including raising the profile of DRRCC in government-to-government and other partnerships.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
The DRRCC Senior Advisor will lead DRRCC team and will plan, guide, and manage the ongoing program activities that ensure infrastructure development incorporates disaster and climate resilience considerations to infrastructure planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance, while concurrently prioritizing considerations leading to low carbon development. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Leadership and Planning (70%)
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Provides thought leadership in the development of outreach and training materials and the production of DRRCC knowledge products.
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Engages in senior P4I planning discussions and with P4I team counterpart units (G2G, TAP, RLN) to ensure the highest calibre of DRRCC-related input and recommendations across P4I activities.
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Represents P4I to senior DRRCC counterparts in DFAT and partner countries, and prospective partners, academia, and the media, as needed. Represents P4I with external counterparts and stakeholders to promote meaningful collaboration in the development of DRRCC-related outputs which directly or indirectly support P4I activities.
Program Management (30%)
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Guides the development of scopes of work and terms of reference for both inhouse and country specific DRRCC products and deliverables, while ensuring quality control for the final outputs. This includes DRRCC contextual analysis for participating countries for approach and methodology, and stakeholder identification and engagement.
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Leads and directs the overall technical content and interpretive work of the DRRCC hub team, providing strategic direction to DRRCC and P4I teams on the DRRCC framework and priorities in executing P4I program functions.
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Contributes to the project’s collaborative development workplans, budgets and resource planning, the Biannual Work Plan, development and implementation of the Regional Learning and Networking Plan, MERL Framework, the Risk Management Plan and other planning and assessment reports, as related to DRRCC activities.
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Supervises the work of the DRRCC team, which includes oversight of their respective responsibilities, for development of scopes of work and terms of reference; recruitment, supervision and coordination of consultants; and coordination with operational counterparts in other P4I units as well as P4I consortium country offices to ensure effective activity operationalization.
QUALIFICATIONS
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Master’s degree in climate change, environmental policy, international development, or other relevant field.
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At least 12 years’ relevant experience at a senior professional level experience working on disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and/or environmental safeguards for infrastructure in one or more of the countries of Southeast Asia.
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Demonstrated understanding of disaster and climate vulnerabilities as they may apply to infrastructure planning and development, and associated trends in Asia.
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Demonstrated experience in program portfolio management and associated supervisory responsibilities.
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Strong analytic, communication, and writing skills in English, including ability to distill complex technical information into a clear and accessible format. Other languages of Southeast Asia would be an asset.
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Proven effectiveness in building relationships with counterparts and partners, and strong interpersonal and organizational skills, including the ability to work effectively as part of a complex and dynamic team.
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Solid understanding of the value systems, traditions, and social norms and practices of different cultures of Southeast Asia.
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Proven track record working in multi-country and high-profile program contexts.
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Demonstrated initiative, drive and creativity to support the establishment and delivery of a new program; and a proven ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple activities while producing high-quality outputs.
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Experience working effectively with senior government officials/agencies, government and private sector leaders, Australian Government/DFAT, and other development partners and donors, regional platforms, and civil society in Southeast Asia.
In addition, the preferred candidate should be based in Asia or the Pacific and able to work remotely, operating in the approximate context of the Bangkok time zone where the project is headquartered. The Asia Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send your resume and cover letter to recruitment@broderickhaightconsulting.com with "TAF - DRRCC Senior Advisor" in the subject line.