Senior Climate Adaptation & Resilience Policy Advisor at Power Shift Africa (PSA)

The senior adaptation and resilience policy advisor is expected to scope and lead our research and analysis on the issue  and help generate evidenced debate and discussion that can inform perspectives and decisions. The officer will work closely with Power Shift Africa colleagues and partners to produce thought leadership, including developing  insight briefs that will help socialize our research and elevate climate adaptation in the regional and international spaces.

The officer will report to the programme manager with oversight from the director of Power Shift Africa.

Responsibilities:

Research and analysis.

• Develop evidence-based policy positions and briefings on climate adaptation in Africa and share with African decision makers and stakeholders to inform adaptation work streams in the UNFCCC and related regional policy processes including shaping the work on the Global Goal on Adaptation.
• Provide technical leadership and undertake research on the strategic and forward-looking ideas, documenting experiences and lessons including from smallholder farmers and pastoralists to strengthen adaptation and resilience approaches in Africa and global policy dialogues.
• Assist in the production of workshop materials, technical papers, long-form reports, and other relevant materials with the support of the Power Shift Africa team and other stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and execute a programme of activity and engagement to socialize the insights of Power Shift Africa’s adaptation and resilience work directly with regional and international stakeholders from states, non-state, and civil society sectors. 
• Develop and execute a strategy to deliver insights directly into key diplomacy initiatives actively governing adaptation, resilience policy.
• Strengthen the capacity of decision makers, civil society, and local actors such as small-holder farmers and pastoralists to better address adaptation needs in Africa.
• Scope and manage the establishment of a regional dialogue platform on adaptation and resilience, creating a much-needed space for evidenced debate and discussion that can inform perspectives and decisions. 
• Liaise with related Power Shift Africa programmes to closely coordinate direct advisory to key stakeholders including governments, the AGN, the AMCEN etc leveraging Power Shift Africa climate adaptation and resilience work.
• Help to strengthen engagement with other strategic actors and networks across the spectrum and bringing the African perspective to international discussions.

Communication

• Work with Power shift Africa team to produce multiple forms of thought leadership on key themes, helping to synthesize analytical insights and bring clarity and structure on complex adaptation and resilience topics. 
• Assist in preparing African narratives and communication materials that elevate adaptation and achieve greater visibility for smallholder farmers and the role of agriculture research and development in meeting their adaptation needs within the global climate dialogues.  
• Coordinate event management and logistics for all engagement and for the dialogue platform, with the support of the communication team. 
• Engage in public speaking on the programme’s behalf where necessary. 

Programme Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with project partners and donors.
• Manage relevant projects in conformity with Power Shift Africa’s partner procedures, planning, monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting requirements.
• Contribute to adaptation and resilience programme fundraising proposals and the fundraising process. 

Qualifications:

• Education: You have completed a Master’s degree in climate change and development, international development, public policy, climate policy, political science or related field. 
• Experience: You have 8+ years of relevant experience in engagement, with a climate adaptation and resilience focus, and preferably with a focus on regional/global negotiations processes. 
• Strong knowledge of climate policy with a track record of working with stakeholders around climate policy development in Africa. 
• Experience in engaging with national governments, regional and international institutions and CSOs involved in climate adaptation and resilience work in Africa. 
• Experience working with international stakeholders and facilitating high-level engagement. Extensive professional engagement and relationship cultivation, public relations, and/or political experience, including liaising with senior government leaders.
• Understanding of Africa’s development and climate context and opportunities, the political economy, and development partners. 

The ideal Senior Adaptation and resilience Policy advisor:

• Should have the permission to live and work in any African country, but preferably in Kenya.
• Should have strong problem-solving, analytical and negotiation skills.
• Can take independent ownership of a workstream and drive progress without close supervision and direction.
• Can strategically tailor communication of complex ideas to different audiences
• Has existing networks within climate adaptation and resilience spaces.
• Is comfortable both giving and receiving constructive feedback within teams.