Senior Adaptation Advisor at Power Shift Africa (PSA)

About the role 

Kenya’s Office of the Special Envoy for Climate Change plays a critical role in enhancing Kenya and Africa’s leadership in delivering climate adaptation policies, building compelling narratives on climate adaptation, particularly for the agriculture sector, and unlocking finance for climate adaptation in Kenya and Africa.  

To complement and advance this agenda, PSA, with support from strategic partners, seeks to provide technical support by recruiting a highly qualified Senior Adaptation Advisor. The main objective of the Advisor role is to support Kenya's Climate Envoy by providing expert guidance and strategic advice on climate adaptation.  

The Senior Adaptation Advisor will play a pivotal role in supporting the Office of the Special Envoy for Climate Change in advancing climate adaptation policies. This position involves shaping compelling narratives around climate adaptation and agriculture, enhancing Kenya’s adaptation portfolio, and fostering stakeholder coordination and engagement. The Advisor will also be instrumental in translating complex climate science into accessible reports, showcasing Kenya’s climate innovations and initiatives, and crafting evidence-based policy briefs and recommendations to drive and expedite climate action.  

Key Responsibilities: 

Strategic Policy Advisory 

• Provide high-level strategic advice on climate adaptation policies to the Special Envoy for Climate Change and senior officials to support engagements at various levels. 
• Develop a comprehensive adaptation, agriculture, and food systems agenda for the Office of the President, aligning with national priorities, international best practices, and Africa's climate resilience objectives. 
• Craft detailed policy recommendations and strategies to tackle climate adaptation challenges. 
• Draft technical statements, briefing notes, and position papers to advance Kenya's and Africa's strategic interests in global forums, particularly within the UNFCCC. 
• Support Kenya’s participation and influence in key regional and international platforms, including AMCEN, AU Summits, UNGA, G7/G20 processes, and the UNFCCC’s Conference of Parties. 

Research and Analysis 

• Conduct comprehensive research and technical analysis on climate adaptation. 
• Simplify complex climate science data and reports for varied audiences, ensuring accessibility and clarity. 
• Develop evidence-based policy briefs and recommendations to influence decision-making and expedite climate action. 

Stakeholders Engagement 

• Engage and organize convenings with key stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and international partners, to garner support for climate adaptation initiatives. 
• Foster strategic collaborations and partnerships to advance climate adaptation goals. 
• Represent the Office of the Special Envoy for Climate Change at high-level forums and meetings. 

Communications 

• Develop and promote compelling narratives on climate adaptation and agriculture, highlighting Kenya’s and Africa’s climate innovations and initiatives. 
• Collaborate with communications teams to create and disseminate materials, including technical statements, briefing notes, and reports. 
• Draft speeches and talking points to bolster Kenya’s and Africa’s advocacy efforts in negotiations, conferences, and workshops, positioning Kenya as a leader in climate adaptation, particularly in agriculture and food systems. 

Programme Management and fundraising  

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with project partners and donors. 
• Contribute to the development of fundraising proposals for adaptation and resilience programs and support their implementation. 
• Work closely with relevant ministries and departments to establish and enhance national adaptation monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems (MEL) in Kenya.  

Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in environmental science, Agriculture, Climate Change, Economics or a related field 
• At least 10 years of experience in climate change, with a climate adaptation and resilience focus, and preferably with a focus on regional/global negotiation processes.  
• Proven track record of developing and implementing adaptation strategies. 
• relevant experience in engagement, with a climate adaptation and resilience focus, and preferably with a focus on regional/global negotiation processes.  
• Strong knowledge of climate policy with a track record of working with stakeholders around climate policy development in Africa.  
• Demonstrated knowledge of global policies, strategies, and frameworks in the field of climate change and finance including the Paris Agreement, and other multilateral environmental treaties that Kenya has ratified. 
• Strong track record and capability of mobilizing climate finance for climate adaptation programming from various sources including the existing climate financing mechanisms. 
• Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills. 
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, the private sector, civil society, and local communities. 

Additional Information about the role 

• The Senior Adaptation Advisor will be embedded within the office of Kenya's Climate Envoy for an initial period of one year, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. The Advisor will report directly to Kenya's Climate Envoy and work closely with relevant ministries and agencies and regional institutions and stakeholders. 
• This role will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, and the successful candidate must be eligible to work in Kenya. While preference will be given to Kenyan applicants, we are open to considering candidates from other African countries. PSA will, however, not facilitate work visas for such candidates.