Climate change adaptation, climate risk management

position: Head of Secretariat, National Adaptation Network Global Network

employer: International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)

Work location: Ottawa or toronto,Ontario

condition: Permanent, full time

language: English

about us

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an award-winning, independent research reservoir that works to accelerate solutions for a stable climate, sustainable resource management, and just economies. Our work inspires better decisions and represents meaningful action to help people and planet thrive. We highlight what can be achieved when governments, businesses, nonprofits, and communities come together. IISD’s staff of more than 300 experts comes from around the world and from many disciplines. With offices in Winnipeg, Geneva, Ottawa and Toronto, our work impacts lives in nearly 100 countries.

About the situation

IISD hosts the Secretariat Network of the global National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Network (“the Network”), a leading international initiative focused on accelerating adaptation planning and action in the Global South to reduce the vulnerability of ecosystems, economies and people – especially women and marginalized social groups – to the impacts of systemic change. Established in 2014 at COP 20, the NAP Global Network connects more than 3,000 participants from more than 170 countries with financial support from an expanding donor base.

The success of the Network depends on strengthening technical and institutional capacities, building an active community of experts, and promoting greater global political recognition about adaptation planning and its work. This is achieved through the network’s three activity areas: a) providing short-term and long-term technical support in adaptation planning, b) facilitating South-South learning and exchange, and C) knowledge generation, synthesis and sharing in NAP processes. The Network is committed to ensuring that gender adaptation planning and action is socially equitable and inclusive.

The main functions of the NAP Global Network Secretariat are liaising with participants, thought leadership, coordinating technical support, organizing events and peer learning, policy tracking, strategic communications, reporting, administration and fundraising. IISD is responsible for the recruitment and administrative management of this position.

The NAP Global Network’s activities are currently driven by its new 2030 Strategy with financial support from a mix of governments and institutions. As the network’s profile continues to grow, it also demands its resources and support. Going forward, it will be important to manage these growing – and evolving – pools of support, secure additional human and financial resources to meet these demands, leverage the collective expertise of the network to contribute to relevant policy conversations, and have a secretariat that is fit for purpose.

Responsibilities will include:

Strategic leadership and vision

• Directs the NAP Global Network Secretariat in its day-to-day functions to deliver programming—delivered for technical support, peer learning, and knowledge enhancement activities—that advances national adaptation planning in the Global South.
• Implement – ​​and update, as needed – the approved Network 2030 strategy, setting annual priorities and preparing associated action plans to achieve stated goals and objectives.
• Manage global and national partnerships with a range of stakeholders and initiatives to deliver results.
• Serves as an influential voice on climate change adaptation, representing the global NAP network at international meetings and other events.
• Identify and explore strategic and/or emerging issues in adaptation planning in the Global South for the network to address.

People and program oversight

• Supervising network secretariat staff and providing advice.
• Support the recruitment and onboarding of new employees.
• Support the professional development of network staff, including helping them identify and pursue training opportunities.
• Plans, organizes and directs activities and associated staff assignments to deliver network programming.
• With an annual budget of over US$4 million, she oversees the strong governance and financial management of the NAP Global Network.
• Ensure administrative functions and support services, such as information systems, contracting, accounting, and human resources, are in place and are maintained appropriately to deliver network activities.
• Manage and regularly update the NAP Global Network Management team and Steering Committee, organizing bi-weekly and culture meetings, respectively.
• Track progress and lessons in program delivery using a network monitoring, evaluation and learning approach.
• Work with the Communications team to develop effective communications strategies for the NAP Global Network.
• Communicate regularly with policy makers, practitioners, journalists and other key stakeholders to advance the ambitions, activities and impacts of the network.

Fundraising and communicating with donors

• Increase and secure long-term funding for the network from a variety of donor sources.
• Oversee and maintain the donor stewardship activities of the network.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in international development, environmental studies, geography or other similar field.
• At least 5 years of relevant management experience, including in leading strategic collaborations with a range of external partners.
• At least 10 years of relevant work experience in climate change adaptation and/or climate risk management, particularly in developing countries/Global South.

Knowledge and experience required

• Proven track record in partnership development, strategic planning, team management and fundraising.
• An existing network of relevant contacts in government and civil society, as well as strategic links to funders.
• Specific knowledge and practical experience in adaptation planning and governance, especially at the national level and in the Global South.
• Experience working in a multilateral fund that provides support to developing countries on adaptation
• Knowledge of international policy discussions on adaptation, loss and damage, particularly under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
• A strong understanding of how civil society organizations work and can participate in policy processes.

Required skills (essential)

• Strong software coordination skills, with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks,
• Strong program coordination skills, with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks, interact with multiple stakeholders, and develop work programs.
• Excellent fundraising and donor communication skills and the ability to quickly identify, evaluate and move on strategic opportunities.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to learn about new topics quickly.
• Confident and engaging communication skills; Ability to synthesize information in clear language for communications, tailor approaches to different audiences, and speak openly and constructively about program impacts and lessons.
• Desirable: Ability to work (read, write, speak) in Spanish or French is a strong asset.

Behavioral competencies (essential)

• Self-starter, able to independently deliver as well as motivate a growing team and create a healthy culture of shared leadership and collaboration.
• Diplomatic, able to communicate and work closely with governments around the world.
• Results focused, able to work quickly and accurately to meet tight deadlines without compromising the quality of results.
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to work comfortably across different cultures, be inclusive and positive, and communicate effectively.
• Curious and committed to learning and working to understand the people, concepts and issues that drive our work. He asks questions and searches for answers.

Additional requirements:

• Available to travel internationally (about 30% of the time).

For more details on what we look for in our candidates, please refer to our IISD competencies Website.

location: Hybrid, Ontario, Canada (Ottawa or Toronto)

salary: The target hiring range for this position is 129,000-CAD161,000 per year, with the ability to advance to a maximum of 193,000 CAD per year. Position in the salary range will be based on factors such as market conditions, internal equity, candidates’ experience and skills and qualifications relevant to the role.

Benefits Package:

• Pay increases increase the possibility of annual performance reviews
• life insurance
• Travel insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Long term insurance
• Wellness program
• Health and/or lifestyle spending account
• Group retirement plan
• Transportation allowance
• Home Office preparation allowance at the discretion of the employer
• 4 weeks vacation, up to 5 personal days, and 8 paid sick days
• Possible bonuses are at the discretion of the employer
• Benefits of parental leave
• Variable or compressed work week
• Professional development opportunities
• Team building opportunities

Application Deadline: October 27, 2025, 4pm CST

Candidates must maintain an appropriate business license for the locations they expect to be based on without any sponsorship from IISD.

Application procedure

All applications must be in English.

Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR here.

Only those candidates whom we wish to interview will be contacted. Resumes will be kept on file for one year

IISD is committed to promoting a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who support our values ​​of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, to redress conditions of social injustice and disadvantage at work around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, people of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who self-identify as 2SLGBTQIA+, to apply for this position. Preference will be given to equity nomination groups during the hiring process. We make reasonable accommodations in our hiring process and seek applicants’ advice on how best to meet their needs. Please select and answer the Employment Equity Questionnaire on our applicant tracking system when applying.

IISD does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, class, race, religion, color, disability, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression, identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

Job Location (Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR)

• Ottawa Office: 220 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 1100 Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1P 5Z9 Phone: +1 (613) 238 2296
• Toronto Office: IISD at the Center for Social Innovation 192 Spadina Street Toronto, Ontario Canada M5T 2C2 Phone: +1 (613) 238 2296 ext. 114

#li-hybrid

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