Senior Climate Adaptation Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a global non-profit organization that aims to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Established in 1979, Mercy Corps operates in over 40 countries worldwide, employing more than 5,000 staff members. The organization focuses on various thematic areas, including climate adaptation, economic opportunity, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and peacebuilding, among others. Their mission is to support program impact at scale through technical excellence and effective interventions, ensuring that communities can thrive even in the face of adversity.

Job Overview:
The Senior Climate Adaptation Advisor will be a key member of the Technical Support, Evidence, and Program Quality (TEQ) Unit at Mercy Corps. This role is designed to enhance the organization's capacity to implement high-impact climate adaptation and water security programs. The advisor will work closely with country and regional teams to develop and implement strategies that align with Mercy Corps' 10-year strategy. The position involves providing technical support, designing programs, assessing program quality, and engaging with donors to secure funding for climate-related initiatives. The advisor will also play a crucial role in building the capacity of peers and the organization as a whole, ensuring that best practices in climate adaptation are integrated into all relevant programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Program Design and Proposal Development: Write and review proposals and concept notes for various donors, including foundations, corporations, and government agencies. Conduct research and analysis to identify program needs and priorities, and collaborate with teams to design multi-sectoral programs that align with Mercy Corps' strategic goals. Lead the development of complex proposals, ensuring adherence to best practices in proposal development and team management.
• Program Quality: Provide technical support to Mercy Corps teams globally, particularly in complex crisis environments. Maintain program delivery standards by applying agency approaches and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. Develop and circulate tools and resources to enhance program capacity, including training materials, manuals, and evaluation tools.
• Learning and Impact: Deliver training for Mercy Corps staff and partners, focusing on assessment, implementation, and evaluation. Foster a community of practice within the organization to strengthen program quality and share technical expertise.
• Influence and Representation: Represent Mercy Corps at various events, including academic conferences and media forums. Build strategic partnerships with other organizations and present innovative concepts to donors and partners to drive positive change.
• Safeguarding Responsibilities: Integrate safeguarding principles into all aspects of work, ensuring the dignity and well-being of participants and team members are respected. Encourage open communication and reporting of concerns within the team.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have a proven track record of project management, with the ability to translate technical theories into practical applications. Experience in coaching or mentoring team members is essential, as is familiarity with climate finance institutions. The ideal candidate will be creative, adaptive, and detail-oriented, with exceptional writing and communication skills. Strong relationship management skills are also necessary to elevate Mercy Corps' reputation and foster partnerships.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree is preferred, with a Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field being highly desirable. Relevant technical certifications are also preferred. Candidates should have a strong theoretical and applied knowledge of climate adaptation and related fields.

Experience:
Candidates should have 5 to 7 years of experience providing technical support in climate adaptation and related fields. This includes proven experience in proposal development, engaging with climate donors, and leading complex proposals. Practical field experience is required, typically over the course of 2 years, which may include temporary or long-term assignments in field locations or emergency response work.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, while proficiency in a foreign language is preferred. This will enhance communication with diverse stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
This is a full-time, permanent position with a starting salary range of £53,360 – £62,164, commensurate with professional experience. The role requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may involve travel to insecure locations. Mercy Corps is committed to equal employment opportunities and maintaining a safe and inclusive work environment. Team members are expected to adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct and complete mandatory training on safeguarding and ethics.