The Commonwealth Secretariat is seeking to appoint an Adviser in its Climate Change Section. The post sits within the Climate Change and Oceans Division (CCO), which leads the Secretariat’s programmes on climate change, oceans, energy and natural resources, spanning research, advocacy and technical assistance. The Directorate supports member countries to address climate-related risks, land and ocean degradation, and the transition to clean energy.

The Commonwealth Climate Change Programme supports small and vulnerable states to strengthen climate resilience. Led by the Climate Change Section, the Programme works with internal and external partners to reduce climate vulnerability, build resilience, support the transition to low‑carbon development, and deliver practical interventions that help member countries meet international climate obligations.

Reporting to the Adviser and Head – Climate Change, the post-holder will provide technical and policy support, programme implementation oversight, and knowledge, capacity development and learning services across the Commonwealth Climate Change Programme. Please note that the role requires local and international travel.

Other responsibilities for this role include (but are not limited to):

Delivering environmental resilience by providing strategic technical leadership across climate, oceans, energy, biodiversity and natural resource management. This includes supporting member countries - particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCS) and other vulnerable countries - to enhance adaptive capacity, reduce vulnerability and accelerate the transition to clean, affordable energy, including through the application of data-driven and geospatial technologies for informed decision-making;
Providing specialised technical and policy advice to support member states to implement the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the related Rio Conventions - the Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) and the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) - including leveraging technology to improve data accuracy and decision-making;
Contributing to resource mobilisation to enable member countries to implement climate change adaptation and mitigation actions identified in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), and other climate-related plans;
Undertaking international, regional and national intelligence gathering on climate change and broader environmental issues;
Contributing to enhancing the Commonwealth Secretariat’s visibility and raising public awareness of its work at national, regional and international levels; and
Contributing to the preparation of work plans and budgets, and to the monitoring and reporting of budget and programme performance within a results-based management framework.

To be considered, you will need a post-graduate degree (MSc) in Climate Change, Environmental Studies or a closely related field, as well as at least 10 years’ relevant experience in managing climate change adaptation and mitigation programmes or projects within a regional or international institution, research organisation or consultancy. Candidates are also required to have demonstrated expertise in climate change in Small States and Least Developed Countries and those with a post-graduate specialisation in ecologically focused climate adaptation, carbon management or climate change policy will have an added advantage.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 member governments and provides guidance on policymaking, technical assistance and advisory services to Commonwealth member countries. We support governments to help achieve sustainable, inclusive and equitable development.

Please apply by submitting a CV and cover letter. Covering letters should be structured to address the key criteria required in the person specification, giving clear examples.

To join us, you must be a citizen of a Commonwealth country.

About us

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries.

It is home to 2.5 billion people, and includes both advanced economies and developing countries. 33 of our members are small states, including many island nations.

Our member governments have agreed to shared goals like development, democracy and peace. Our values and principles are expressed in the Commonwealth Charter.

The Commonwealth's roots go back to the British Empire. But today any country can join the modern Commonwealth. The last two countries to join the Commonwealth were Gabon and Togo in 2022.

Vision & mission

The Commonwealth Secretariat is the intergovernmental organisation that supports member countries to achieve the Commonwealth's aims of development, democracy and peace.

We:

are a voice for small and vulnerable states
champion young people
promote justice and human rights
address threats like climate change, debt and inequality
help grow economies and boost trade
support decision-makers to make good laws and deliver policies
help strengthen governance and build inclusive public institutions
provide technical help and training
send experts and observers to countries to give impartial advice and help solve national problems
provide systems, software and research for managing resources.

Our vision

To help create and sustain a Commonwealth that is mutually respectful, resilient, peaceful and prosperous and that cherishes equality, diversity and shared values.

Our mission

We support member governments, and partner with the broader Commonwealth family and others, to improve the well-being of all Commonwealth citizens and to advance their shared interests globally.

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Adviser - Climate Change