International Policy Specialist for the Climate Centre

Context

The Climate Centre is a federal scientific structure inaugurated in November 2022 with the aim to maximise the impact of scientific research on climate mitigation and adaptation. The Climate Centre works with researchers from the Federal Scientific Institutions and universities to better coordinate research and develop a common research agenda. The Centre also plans to facilitate knowledge transfer, for example through climate services. The Climate Centre is administratively linked to the Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI).

In the summer of 2023, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) will elect its new bureau. The Belgian government is officially supporting the candidacy of Prof. Jean-Pascal van Ypersele (UCLouvain) for the position of IPCC Chair.

Job description

The Climate Centre is looking for an International Climate Policy Specialist with two main responsibilites:

• To support the campaign of Prof. Jean-Pascal van Ypersele (50% of the role), and in particular to:

• Evaluate the IPCC strategic issues for the coming years,
• Analyse the current strengths and weaknesses of the institution,
• Detail out the strategic axes of the candidacy campaign:
  • The IPCC must be the most scientifically solid « Voice of Climate » at the international level
  • The IPCC must become even more useful for policymakers, without being prescriptive
  • The IPCC work must contribute to the achievement of the Agenda 2030 and of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals
  • As an international body, the IPCC needs to include considerations of climate justice to facilitate shifting development pathways towards sustainability and just transition
  • The IPCC must be inclusive (gender balance, developing countries participation…), respectful of all people and cultures, open to more disciplines and more interdisciplinarity, and help train more young scientists into the IPCC process, recognising the essential role of young people with fresh ideas
• Translate those strategic axes into an operational strategy,
• Identity new potential strategic axes.

(2) To develop the international policy strategy of the Climate Center (50% of the role).

Skills and experience

To be considered for this position, candidates must possess at least:

• A master diploma in a climate-related domain, either obtained in the Benelux or with a proof of equivalence of diploma obtained through competent Belgian authorities;
• Five years of scientific experience in any relevant discipline, preferably including a PhD.

The ideal candidate should moreover be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

• A good understanding of the climate crisis and its challenges,
• Scientific knowledge related to climate issues (within disciplines such as, but not limited to, climatology, meteorology, biology, ecology, economy, engineering, psychology, behavioural sciences, social sciences, ...),
• A good understanding of the operation of IPCC as an institution and its past achievements
• A good understanding of the needs of policymakers, administrations, and other public actors in terms of climate-related data and scientific knowledge on climate.
• Good communication and writing skills with the ability to explain complex ideas in a clear and accessible manner,
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship skills,
• A strategic mindset,
• Project management skills,
• A good mastering of English is an advantage (both spoken and written skills),
• Knowledge of other UN languages would be an asset.

Our offer

• A rare opportunity to support a campaign to the IPCC bureau and to contribute to the development of a new federal structure with high ambitions in terms of innovation and impact.
• A one-year contract at level SW1 or SW2 depending on experience with the possibility of renewal beyond that term and the flexibility to chose a part-time (minimum 50% focusing on the campaign role) or full-time contract.
• Flexible locations with options for partial teleworking. The position requires presence in UCLouvain in Louvain-La-Neuve at least 1 or 2 days per week. On the other days, offices are also available at the Climate Centre in Uccle.
• Reimbursement of public transport.

Contact

To apply to this position, please send a motivation letter and curriculum vitae by email to job-cc@climatecentre.be before 27 February 2023 including in the email subject the acronym ICPS-2023.

Complementary information about the content of the position can be requested to the Operational Director of the Climate Centre, Dr Ella Jamsin (ella.jamsin@climatecentre.be) and to the IPCC Chair candidacy coordinator, Ir Anne Falier (anne.falier@uclouvain.be ).

For information about the working conditions, please contact the Head of Human Resources of RMI, Mrs Cindy Overloop (humanres@meteo.be).