The Global Center Adaptation (GCA) is looking for a Economist – Climate Change Adaptation: Apply Now!!

DESCRIPTION

VACANCY TITLE: Economist – Climate Change Adaptation

GCA TEAM: Research for Impact

LOCATION: Groningen, the Netherlands or Nairobi, Kenya

LEVEL OF EFFORT: Full-time

START DATE: As soon as possible

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 25 July 2024

SALARY INDICATION: € 42,000  – € 57,000 gross annual (all inclusive)

The salary and seniority will be determined based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

ABOUT US

The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is seeking a creative and entrepreneurial candidate to join its offices in Groningen or Nairobi as a Climate Change Adaptation Economist.

GCA is a leading international organization dedicated to addressing climate change and promoting adaptation action for resilient development. We collaborate with governments, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), businesses, and communities to develop and implement innovative solutions that strengthen resilience and support adaptation to climate change impacts.

At GCA, you’ll contribute to transformative projects that make a lasting impact on global climate resilience. You’ll have the freedom to innovate and the support to bring your bold ideas to life. If you’re excited about creating meaningful change and building a sustainable future, we’d love to have you on our team. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

Join us in shaping the future of climate resilience! We are expanding our Research for Impact team and are seeking passionate, creative, and highly motivated Economist with a focus on Climate Change Adaptation. As an Economist, you will be providing input to strengthen GCA’s program and project designs, provide inputs into policy dialogue and briefing notes, and support the Senior Economist on technical issues pertinent to the economics of adaptation.

GCA’s strategy in Africa is implemented under the flagship Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP), launched by GCA and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to scale up adaptation efforts and mobilize finance for climate-resilient development in Africa. To date, GCA has integrated adaptation solutions into $9 billion worth of investments funded by IFIs across Africa. GCA’s work under the AAAP focuses on four pillars where investments in adaptation and resilience building can yield high economic dividends for African nations, including: Food security; Infrastructure and Nature-based Solutions; Youth entrepreneurship and adaptation jobs; and Adaptation finance.

The R4I team conducts research to support GCA’s programmatic work and develops academic and training programs on adaptation to empower scholars and professionals as well as serving as an adaptation incubator to globalize the exchange of adaptation knowledge which would have otherwise remained geographically constrained. The three R4I business lines designed for program support and expanding knowledge networks are: 

• Advancing Climate Analytics: Supporting efforts to enhance climate analytics in data-scarce regions, assess risks to climate-vulnerable infrastructures, and profile adaptation solutions at scale.
• Scaling Impact: Driving the development and implementation of comprehensive evaluation frameworks to guide data collection and analysis, ensuring effective monitoring, learning, and scaling of impact.
• Capacity Enhancement and Knowledge Dissemination: Facilitating efforts to disseminate knowledge and foster capacity building through actionable adaptation initiatives, tapping into epistemic networks and monitoring state and trends in adaptation.

PROFILE

You support critical economic and environmental modeling related to climate change, its impacts, and the effectiveness of adaptation policies.

Your focus will be on developing systems-based methodologies and tools for sustainable and resilient infrastructure development (from systems to asset level) in response to climate adaptation needs and support related program work. You will delve into the critical linkages between infrastructure disruption and broader societal dimensions such as food security, livelihoods, and overall wellbeing. Your expertise will be key in identifying how infrastructure resilience directly affects international trade, national economies and community resilience, uncovering complex interdependencies and providing actionable insights for resilience strategies. Through your research you will play a significant role in comprehending and articulating the effects that infrastructure disruption or development can have on societal stability and progress with respect to climate adaptation.

Working directly with the Senior Economist and the R4I team, you will collaborate closely with GCA program teams. Reporting to the R4I Manager, your responsibilities will include:

Economic Modeling and Analysis:

• Assist the Senior Economist and/or work independently in developing and refining economic models related to climate change.
• Analyze economic impacts of climate policies and adaptation measures, providing insights into cost-benefit analyses and economic feasibility studies.

Research and Data Synthesis for Policy Analysis and Development:

• Conduct literature reviews and synthesize research findings to support the development of new insights into climate adaptation economics, specifically to support development of adaptation solutions
• Manage and analyze large datasets, ensuring accuracy and relevance to the research questions.
• Contribute to the preparation of policy briefs and reports that articulate the economic rationale for climate adaptation strategies.
• Support the Senior Economist in advising on policy development, incorporating economic principles into practical adaptation actions.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Work collaboratively with other GCA program team members from other disciplines to ensure economic analysis is integrated with environmental and social research.
• Communicate complex economic concepts and results to non-experts, including policymakers, stakeholders, and team members.

Support to R4I Program Management, Reporting and Coordination:

• Undertake and/or assist the R4I Manager in the coordination of project activities, ensuring that timelines and deliverables are met.
• Prepare presentations and materials for workshops, conferences, and stakeholder meetings.

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REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s or PhD in Economics, preferably with a specialization in environmental, resource, or climate economics.
• At least 3-5 years of relevant experience in economic research and analysis, if possible, with a strong focus on climate change adaptation.
• Proven experience with economic modeling – statistical analysis tools and software, such as GAMS, R, Stata or Python.
• Demonstrated expertise in quantitative modeling tools (experience with CGE, DSGE is a plus), or other relevant economic modeling software.
• Proven track record of published research in climate change economics or related fields.
• Excellent communication skills in English – both in written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex economic concepts to non-experts.
• Ability to work in intercultural environments.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to lead projects and work collaboratively across teams.

WHAT WE OFFER

The successful candidate will have the flexibility to be based in GCA’s Research for Impact (R4I) hub in Groningen, or Nairobi. These locations offer vibrant, interdisciplinary settings for collaborative research and innovation.

GCA provides a dynamic, high-profile, and international work environment within a rapidly growing organization. While the global headquarters in Rotterdam boasts the groundbreaking Floating Office Rotterdam, an award-winning and sustainable workspace, our regional offices across the globe ensure a supportive network and a culturally rich experience. The chosen candidate will benefit from GCA’s commitment to a cutting-edge, connected, and inspiring work atmosphere.

Joining our team means contributing to our global mission on climate adaptation. You will have the opportunity to tap into the extensive expertise available at GCA and its partner organizations worldwide. Furthermore, you will play a role in shaping international policies and global action on climate change, working at the highest governmental levels, and collaborating with governments on all continents.

Successful candidates will receive a competitive salary, 25 days of paid leave, and a complimentary public transport card for business commuting within the Netherlands.

GCA does not discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, nationality, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested in this position, please submit your motivation letter and CV by following the link https://gca.org/about-us/join-us/ before July 25, 2024

The recruitment process is composed of a written assessment and three rounds of interviews. Throughout these stages, you will engage with a diverse range of GCA team members, from various levels within our organization. While we acknowledge the length of our recruitment process, we believe it is essential for a comprehensive understanding. This approach is not only about us assessing your skills and potential; it’s also an opportunity for you to gain a deep insight into our organization’s culture and dynamics. This experience will enable you to clearly envision your future growth and success with us, ensuring a strong and mutually beneficial fit.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. GCA also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.