Climate Change Policy Officer

37 of Plan Country Offices (COs) have ongoing work on disaster risk reduction (DRR) all of which refer to the importance of climate change adaptation (CCA). A significant portion of the emergencies to which Plan responds are related to weather (floods, cyclones etc) and to the climate and the best evidence available indicates increasingly serious impacts of climate related emergencies in future.

Climate change relates to all eight of Plan’s programme goals and significantly affects several of them. Children’s futures – their education and employment options, their food and water security, their health prospects, and the chances of their engaging in or being affected by disasters or by conflicts over resources are more uncertain than ever before.

This new post is needed to coordinate the organization-wide development of Plan’s position on climate as it relates to our programmes. The post holder will lead Plan in establishing its reputation as the go-to agency for child-centered climate change work with other agencies especially multi-nationals who are focused on this topic. The post will ensure our work on climate is focused and improved through clearer positioning and programme guidance.

Main responsibilities

• Coordination of the Plan-wide Climate Change Working Group providing advice and coordination across 50 country programmes and all the regional and northern offices
• Reporting to DRM team on CCWG work and progress for submission to Executive Team
• Preparing and managing a budget for funds needed to complete CC working group tasks
• Commissioning of research in relation to Climate Change
• Writing of Plan’s CC Policy Position papers
• Development and delivery of guidelines and tools for programmes to adopt
• This post will not have line management responsibilities

Effective coordination of a strong and active Climate Change Working Group producing strong guidance and information for Plan’s work

• Coordination of the CC WG, comprising some 20 policy, programme and support staff from across the organization. The group will meet virtually 6 times a year and face to face once a year.
• Developing and monitoring the group’s work plan.
• Commissioning research as required to develop Plan’s positions on relevant issues and influence policy debates.
• Supports collaborative research and publications with partner agencies, particularly members of the Children in a Changing Climate coalition.
• Producing and editing of briefing papers for the working group.
• Reporting on group progress through line management.
• Develop strategy with WG aligned with Plan’s global strategy.
• Positions statements and programme guidance in place.
• Primary goals established and achieved related to our One Plan strategy.

An effective institutional relationship with an expert agency on climate change (such as WWF or FoE or Greenpeace, Carbon Trust) is established and Plan’s work on climate change is aligned and informed by it

• Research and assessment of agency positions and compatibility with Plan’s global strategy
• A partnership agreement formalized
• Roll out for complementary work across the global programme

A set of global policies and related guidelines/tools are informing Plan’s policy, advocacy and field work to mitigate the effects of Climate Change on child poverty

• Support the development of core and reactive positions on child-centred CCA & CCM that are relevant for long-term programming and disaster risk management work and related advocacy.
• Develop and disseminate tools and guidelines for the implementation of effective work.
• Supports Plan’s capacity building and training by integrating information and guidance on responding to climate change within in development and humanitarian work.
• Identifies and develops training materials, programming guidance and tools on climate change adaptation and mitigation.
• Develops and maintains an information resource accessible across Plan on climate change policy debates.
• Identifies new sources of funds for climate change work and keeps resource mobilization colleagues in COs, NOs and ROs informed about new opportunities.

Dealing with Problems:

• The post-holder needs to be creative, determined and persuasive to make things happen even when Plan capacity seems inadequate.
• Strategic in making and arguing for choices in an huge sector area
• The job requires comprehensive analysis of situations and opportunities combined with an innovative and professional approach
• Being effective in arguing for new policy positions where needed
• Overcoming attitudinal and systemic barriers is critical for success.
• Using network contacts effectively and assiduously for programme impact

About you

• Degree level qualification or equivalent experience supporting development of policy and programme guidance in international development.
• Up-to-date knowledge of how climate change debates are informing international development and humanitarian policy and programming approaches
• Knowledge of current debates about child centred development and disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation
• Knowledge of research methods and writing and editing for professional and public audiences in many countries
• Knowledge of working within a large international organisation
• Knowledge of analysing policy environments and understanding how rights-based and child centred approaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
• Knowledge of children’s rights in the context of development and humanitarian work and how rights-based and child centred approaches are relevant for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
• Highly competent with computer-based communications and information management technology
• Consistent decision making and sound judgement
• Effective communicator using clear messages drawn from Plan’s work
• Cross culturally adept
• Proven ability to develop mutually trusting relationships within complex partnerships to deliver excellent outcomes
• Excellent influencing and negotiating skills to enable working effectively with staff across the organisation
• Excellent skills at developing strategy and organisational positions
• Excellent skills to both write and edit engaging reports and briefing papers
• Ability to work on a number or projects simultaneously and to manage competing demands and deadlines
• A collaborative working style to support collegiate working and encourage the sharing of information by colleagues
• Presence and authority to gain trust from colleagues across the organisation
• An interest in and awareness of global development issues and how they affect children
• An outgoing personality with the ability to network effectively and build good working relationships with colleagues across the organisation
• An innovator with a desire to identify and explore new methods of working

Location and Travel

The role is based in International Headquarters Woking, Woking, and Surrey, UK.

Some international travel for short periods will be required, possibly at short notice.

How to Apply

Please submit a full CV and a comprehensive cover letter setting out your reasons for applying for the post and outlining the qualifications experience knowledge and skills that you feel you can bring to the role to:- recadmin@plan-international.org

You must have the right to work in the UK without any restrictions.

The closing date for applications is Friday 30th March 2012

Please quote reference number IH132

References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all areas of the international community.