Specially Appointed Researcher At Institute for Global Environmental Strategies

Vacancy Announcement

Position title: Specially Appointed Researcher

Salary: Depending on experience

Contract: From the date of appointment to the end of June 2024 (with the possibility of renewal)

Probationary period: 3 months

Work hours/days: Part-time (7.5 hours/day) with possibility of remote work, 3 days per week

Place of work: IGES Bangkok Regional Centre, Thailand

Background

Established in 1998, the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) is an independent think tank and strategic policy research institute that contributes to sustainable development and environmental preservation. The Institute’s mission is to achieve a new paradigm for civilization and conduct innovative policy development and strategic research for environmental measures, reflecting the results of research into political decisions for realising sustainable development both in the Asia-Pacific region and globally. IGES works closely with national governments, local authorities, international organisations, research institutes, businesses, NGOs and local communities on various critical environmental issues including climate change mitigation and adaptation, forest and biodiversity conservation, water resource management, sustainable consumption and production, waste management, integrated policies for sustainable societies and sustainable cities.

IGES Bangkok Regional Centre (BRC) is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Specially Appointed researcher for the Asia Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Information Platform (AP-PLAT) funded by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ). AP-PLAT was proposed by the Japanese government as a framework for international cooperation in the field of climate change adaptation, at the G20 Ministerial Meeting in 2019 aiming to support best science-based decision-making and promotion of effective climate change adaptation measures in the Asia-Pacific region, in light of climate change risks, through strengthening partnerships with diverse stakeholders, and to boost international adaptation efforts, with the UNFCCC process at its core. AP-PLAT has three pillars: development and sharing of scientific knowledge, development and sharing of adaptation tools, and capacity development.

The Specially Appointed researcher is expected to have extensive engagement in the capacity development of this AP-PLAT. This position is also expected to contribute to elevating IGES’ profile on adaptation issues, through contact with the media and social/cultural influencers.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Under the supervision of the Director of IGES Bangkok Regional Centre will perform the following duties:

• Conduct general tasks to ensure the smooth operation of Asia Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Information Platform (AP-PLAT) and related projects, including but not limited to:
• Overall coordination of technical and logistical responsibilities for programme activities (i.e. preparation of document, online meetings, and regular meetings etc.). Activities for the period from September 2023 to March 2024 are expected to include
• Preparation of the draft of the activity plan for strengthening collaboration among AP-PLAT capacity development partner organizations by taking into account the implementation and results of items a through e listed below, based on strategic document IGES prepared last year. Then, a draft action plan for the next three years (Japanese/English, A4 size, about 15 pages each) should be prepared.

a. AP-PLAT Needs Assessment 1: Target AP-PLAT capacity development partner organizations

b. AP-PLAT Needs Assessment 2: Target Japanese companies (about 3 companies) that will contribute to adaptation

c. Establishment of a review system using the PDCA cycle

d. Establishment of specific targets for about 5 cases

e. Proposal of about 10 activity items

• Organizations of a regular meetings of AP-PLAT capacity development program (about 2 hours) in January 2024, and present the draft of the activity plan and 3-year action plan for strengthening AP-PLAT collaboration to the participants for finalization. A meeting report should be also prepared for the submission to the Ministry of the Environment, Japan.
• Organizations of online meeting with capacity development partner organizations to introduce the activities of the capacity development partner organizations and report on the activities of AP-PLAT with the aim of strengthening cooperation with the partner organizations. (Online, 1-2 hours, once).
• Preparation of a periodic newsletter for capacity-development partner organizaitons, introducing tools, events, and open competitions (approximately three times during FY2023).
• Articles introducing the activities of capacity strengthening partner institutions, as well as useful information on capacity strengthening and its analysis results will be prepared for the AP-PLAT website (approximately 4 articles during FY2023).
• Contribute to outreach activities of AP-PLAT at the international conference. This may include preparation of agenda, presentations of AP-PLAT and coordination with stakeholders;
• Attend activities within Thailand for networking and fund raising;
• Carry out any other additional tasks as may be assigned by the Director of IGES Bangkok Regional Centre.

Competences and Qualities

• Passionate about sustainability and the environment;
• Aspires to develop a career in project management and international diplomacy;
• Creative, pays attention to details, respects deadlines and comfortable with multi-tasking.
• Excellent at listening, writing and public speaking.
• Genuinely enjoy social activities and excellent at networking;
• Service-minded personality and able to flexibly adjust communication styles to suit different type of stakeholders;
• Knowledgeable and skillful at navigating protocols associated with supporting high-level officials and stakeholders;
• Sensitive and courteous in multi-cultural environments;
• Skilled at interacting with, and handling the challenges of dealing with high-level government officials and organisational representatives.

Requirements

• Native-level Japanese and strong command of English in terms of speaking, writing and reading.
• Master’s degree (or higher) in development, environment or related fields. At least two to three years of experience in the environment, development and sustainability sector. If the candidate has a Bachelor’s degree, at least three to five years’ relevant work experience is required;
• Knowledgeable about environmental and development issues;
• Experienced in working with a wide range of stakeholders, especially the government sector;
• Ability to prioritise tasks and deliver assignments on time under limited supervision;
• Computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access database, etc.);
• Willingness and in robust health to travel regularly within Asia Pacific countries.

The following attributes are optional and may be evaluated as ‘plus’ points:

• Previous working experience in adaptation and Japanese contexts.
• Skills related to communications/outreach, such as for website development, photography, arts & design, multimedia production and social media.

Reporting

The Specially Appointed Researcher will report to the Director of IGES Bangkok Regional Centre.