Program Officer - Climate Change and Water, Ottawa

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Organization

International Development Research Centre (IDRC)

Country

Canada

City

Ottawa, Canada

Office

IDRC HQ Ottawa

Job Overview

The Climate Change and Water program aims to improve climate change adaptation efforts in the water sector that will increase the resilience of vulnerable populations. Our goal is to minimize the impact of climate change on the availability and quality of water required by vulnerable people. The program achieves this through a combination of financial and technical support to researchers that builds the evidence base for financially sensible adaptation options. We also support researchers to influence public policy debates by disseminating research widely. Programming is global in scope, and focused on areas where there are significant climate change impacts in the biophysical environment and high risks for poor people with limited capacity to adapt.
As a Program Officer, reporting to the Program Leader (based in Ottawa), and working with Senior Program Officers and Specialists, you will identify critical research issues and develop programming related to the impacts of climate change on water availability and quality in developing countries. You will help to design, manage, monitor and evaluate a portfolio of research projects led primarily by developing country researchers. The candidate will also be involved in preparing the program evaluation of the Climate Change and Water initiative. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise on water policy, governance and management as these topics appear across most of the research portfolio.
Candidate Profile
Education
PhD, (preferred), or a Master`s Degree and a strong record of publication in a relevant subject such as water resources management, governance and policy, law, social sciences, planning and/or economics
Experience
This position requires a minimum of three years' relevant experience, which includes:

• conducting and managing research projects in developing regions, from project design to project implementation and evaluation
• working in the water sector in developing countries
• establishing and building partnerships with organizations conducting research
• designing and delivering activities to build capacity to conduct and manage research projects
• consulting with decision-makers and policy actors to identify research needs

Language

• Bilingual position (English/French) at an intermediate level

Knowledge

• Sound knowledge of the impacts of climate change on water security and the environment
• Understanding of the links between key development priorities, effective public policy and building the resilience of communities to adapt to climate variability and climate change
• Knowledge of and links to existing professional and climate change adaptation/water networks and experience with integrating climate change research into policy and water resource planning is highly desirable

Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills
• Strong planning, organization, problem-solving, coordination and negotiation skills
• Initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to work under pressure
• Ability to establish, manage, guide and monitor relationships with diverse stakeholders
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team of people from diverse cultures, expertise and experiences
• Ability to work from a people centered perspective
• Awareness of and sensitivity to individual, gender and cultural differences

Additional Information

• This position involves travel of 60 - 90 days per year
• For information on generic responsibilities for this position, view Job Details