Scientific Advisor 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 a Scientific Advisor with the main responsibility is to support the campaign of Prof. Jean-Pascal van Ypersele and in particular to:

• the IPCC strategic issues for the coming years;
• Analyze and diagnose the climate issues and political context of the IPCC country members;
• Translate the strategic and operational axes of the candidacy campaign into benefits for the target audience;
• Prepare briefings for Prof. Jean-Pascal van Ypersele taking into account the country specific situation and the audience profile;
• Identity new potential communication strategy axes.

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;
• Three years of scientific experience in any relevant discipline.

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

• A good understanding of the climate crisis and its challenges,
• Ability to find relevant information on diverse issues,
• Excellent communication and writing skills with the ability to translate complex topics into benefits for a specific target audience
• 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 needs of policymakers, administrations, and other public actors in terms of climate-related data and scientific knowledge,
• International experience and cultural sensitivity,
• 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.
• A one-year full-time contract at level SW1 of the federal scientific career with the possibility of extension.
• Flexible locations with options for partial teleworking. The position requires presence in Louvain-La-Neuve (at UCLouvain) at least 2 or 3 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 SA2023.

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).