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Job description

We are looking for a Climate Resilience Researcher who has passion and experience supporting people and places to prepare for our changing climate. The Climate Resilience Researcher is a senior role at the heart of a vibrant team, which is a leader in climate action in NI. The role is varied and challenging, dealing with emerging climate change concepts, while coordinating delivery of a multi-layered work programme. It requires a driven, curious, and collaborative approach. In this role you will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience leading work in the secretariat for the Climate NI Steering Group at a time when Northern Ireland is seeking the best way forward to meet the challenges of climate change under the recent Climate Change Act (NI) 2022. The candidate will be involved in a range of NIEL climate change adaptation projects, including a core focus on one of the following: EU Coastal Monitoring and Adaptation Planning (CMAP) project, which is a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). CMAP is a cross-border project, led by Ulster University, that will help create sustainable adaptation to the threats posed by climate change and provide decision-makers and stakeholders at the coast with information on the nature of coastal change. CMAP will create an improved understanding of coastal change, awareness of adaptation options and explore sustainable options for habitat and species restoration under climate change. Pathways2Resilience Programme is funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme and is supporting 100 regions and communities to create transformative climate resilience strategies. NIEL is a partner on this programme with Belfast City Council, to develop understanding and action on risk, action and investment for the Belfast City region. The work will focus on cross-sectoral and multi-level governance approaches, breaking down departmental siloes and fostering meaningful stakeholder engagement at every stage of the process.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and lead delivery of elements of NIEL climate projects, under the supervision and direction of the Climate NI and Climate Services Manager. Support other senior staff to coordinate internal team of Climate Assistants to meet deadlines.
• Work in partnership with project partners to ensure timely design and delivery of outputs and milestones. Identify and engage new stakeholders and develop existing networks and partnerships at a regional and national level.
• Develop and implement suitable approaches to co-design, stakeholder engagement and desk-based research. Organise, facilitate and participate in events such as conferences, workshops and seminars.
• Work with senior team to coordinate development of policy and guidance, including delivering engagement and identifying priority needs or data capture. Support senior team with research and synthesis of climate adaptation and mitigation information.
• Conduct administration work, including preparation of project reports and claims under supervision of relevant managers. Lead the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of Climate NI Team actions and outputs.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge on climate change, stakeholder engagement methods and relevant policy, and provide this information to Climate NI partners.
• Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post. This includes deputising for other Climate NI Team staff when needed, including representing Climate NI and NIEL at events.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Experience and competence in climate change adaptation science, policy or practice.
• Experience of oral and written communication on climate action targeted at a specific audience (e.g. government, voluntary, public, private, communities).
• Experience of playing a leading role in project delivery and demonstrable ability to work independently to manage workload to meet agreed targets and deadlines.
• Demonstrable ability to work with internal colleagues and external partners to achieve results.
• Experience of stakeholder engagement and climate action planning with businesses, organisations or communities.
• Experience in leading delivery of research e.g. data gathering, analysis and report writing.

Desirable Skills

• Additional relevant qualifications (PhD or other).
• Specific experience related to either Coastal Climate Action or Urban Climate Action.
• Experience of leading on large environmental projects in partnership with other organisations.
• Experience of influencing or developing environmental and climate policy.
• Experience of managing budgets, a tender process or managing a contractor.
• Ability to perform geo-spatial analyses and apply research techniques.

Further Information

Location: NIEL Office, Lombard Street. Equivalent to NICS, Grade SO FO (£42,327) pro-rata. Climate NI Team.