International Institute for Environment and Development

International Institute for Environment and Development

Climate Change Group

Job Description

Job Title: Administrator – Climate Change Group

Responsible to: Coordinator, Climate Change Group

Main purpose: To provide administrative support to the Climate Change Group

Main contacts: Internal: Climate Change staff, other IIED staff especially Group Administrators and Finance department

External: Consultants, partners, donors, members of the public

Salary: Grade 5: £25,548 - £31,709 pro rata per annum depending on experience.

Contract: Part-time 3 days p/wk (Fixed Term Contract 6-9 months)

Location: Edinburgh Office

Background to the post:

The Climate Change Group at IIED

The group aims to build partnerships and capacity, and support wise decision-making for a fair global climate change regime, and to promote adaptation on the ground in vulnerable low/middle-income countries. Examples of its current areas of work include:

1.  Working directly with developing country government ministries and other stakeholders in the development and implementation of policies and programmes for climate change adaptation e.g. Nepal and Kenya.

2.  Working with international negotiators from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) as part of the European Capacity Building Initiative http://www.eurocapacity.org/index.shtml. The Group runs the workshop programme.

3.  Working with non-government organisations (NGOs) in LDCs under the Capacity Strengthening in the LDCs on Adaptation to Climate Change (CLACC) programme www.clacc.net

4.  Working with International NGOs and civil society as part of the Working Group on Climate Change and Development (the Up in Smoke group) http://www.upinsmokecoalition.org

5.  Working with community groups and development practitioners on Community Based Adaptation (CBA) to climate change , for example by organising International Workshops on CBA, such as that held in Dhaka in February 2007,February 2009 and in Dar es Salaam in February 2010.

6.  Organising Development and Climate Days – an annual two-day side event run by IIED at the United Nations Framework Convention Conference of Parties

7.  Outreach through CCG publications and other publications.

The Climate Change Group also conducts cross-sectoral work with other IIED programmes and groups. This includes:

·  Collaboration with the Human Settlements Group on key urban risks and vulnerabilities to climate change

·  Collaboration with Sustainable Markets Group’s colleagues on Environmental Economics on expanding the market for development carbon, and the economic impact and costs of adaptation in poor countries

·  Collaboration with the Natural Resources Group on ecosystem resilience and climate change.

Please check the IIED website for more information: www.iied.org.

The Climate Change Group is made up of the following staff:

·  Simon Anderson, Group Head

·  Saleemul Huq, Senior Fellow

·  Hannah Reid, Senior Researcher

·  David Dodman, Senior Researcher (joint appointment with Human Settlements Group)

·  Muyeye Chambwera, Researcher (joint appointment with Sustainable Markets Group)

·  Achala Chandani, Researcher

·  Nanki Kaur, Researcher

·  Jess Ayers, Researcher

·  Beth Henriette, Group Co-ordinator

·  Hohit Gebreegziabher, Group Administrator

·  Corinne Schoch, Group Administrator

Key Responsibilities:

The aim of this post is to provide day-to-day administrative support to the Climate Change Group in all aspects of its work. Specifically the post-holder’s responsibilities will be;

·  To assist the Co-ordinator in financial administration e.g. drafting invoices, keeping track of contract milestones and payments, general budget administration and liaising with the Finance Department.

·  To assist with preparations and provide logistical support for meetings, workshops, conferences and seminars both at IIED, other venues in the UK and overseas. This could include flight and accommodation bookings for participants, assistance with their visa applications, assistance in preparation of documentation, and taking minutes as required.

·  To organise travel arrangements for staff, consultants and partners, including accommodation and visas. To liaise with staff when they are travelling overseas

·  To complete travel expense forms and collate receipts

·  To provide general administrative support: photocopying, information circulation, electronic and paper filing, outside storage and archives and publications stock management, dealing with despatch/couriers, maintaining stationery supplies etc.

·  To respond to correspondence on behalf of staff on request and to take responsibility for prompt handling of general enquiries for information by post, phone, fax or e-mail - replying directly whenever possible and referring to other staff when necessary.

This job description defines the level of responsibility and areas of involvement of the post; the details of the duties may change over time and do not form part of the contract between IIED and the post-holder.

Person Specification:

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Ø  First degree or equivalent level of education

Ø  Relevant work experience – e.g. office-based administrative work; supporting busy individuals

Ø  Advanced knowledge and experience of Microsoft Office Suite, e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, and the internet

Ø  Good written communication skills with close attention to accuracy and detail

Ø  Good verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills (to deal with multicultural staff and partners at all levels, and with external bodies and the general public)

Ø  Some experience in event administration and co-ordination of travel arrangements for international collaborators

Ø  Good personal organisational skills (working to deadlines and under pressure, prioritising workload, multi-tasking, and the ability to be adaptable and flexible in a challenging environment)

Ø  Good time management skills (managing and structuring a range of responsibilities without close supervision)

Ø  A good understanding of the issues involved in sustainable development.

Desirable skills and experience

Ø  Working knowledge of a second language of wide relevance to IIED’s work, e.g. French or Spanish

Ø  Understanding of working within the voluntary sector and particularly in non-governmental organisations.

Ø  Degree in a relevant subject