The Elders - Programme Advisor Climate

About The Elders

Our vision is a world where people live in peace, conscious of their common humanity and their shared responsibilities for each other, the planet and future generations; where there is universal respect for human rights; where poverty has been eliminated and people are free from fear and oppression, and able to fulfil their true potential.

We use our experience and influence to engage with global leaders and civil society through private diplomacy and public advocacy, addressing existential threats, promoting global solutions and encouraging ethical leadership that supports the dignity of all human beings.

The Elders work on Climate

“It will take all of us to mitigate the most devastating effects of climate change. We can only make progress if we are truly inclusive and defend everyone’s right to speak out.”

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, Member of The Elders, Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Core to our work on the climate crisis is the recognition that The Elders can have the biggest impact by coordinating with others in civil society. By working in close alliance with civil society networks, the Elders can use their credibility, authority, and high-level access to decision-makers to convey the right message, to the right people, at the right time.

We believe that civil society groups play a crucial role in holding governments to account and championing the inclusion of diverse voices within climate change planning and policy-making processes. Vulnerability to the climate crisis is not only determined by exposure to climate change events but also by social and structural constraints and inequalities within societies, which means it is crucial the voices of the most marginalised are amplified and that their human rights are protected.

Find out more about our priorities and what we want to see here - https://theelders.org/programmes/the-climate-crisis

The Elders was founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007. We are an independent group of global leaders working for peace, justice, human rights and a sustainable planet.

The Role

Role:

Programme Advisor (Climate)

Reports to:

Senior Programme Advisor (Climate)

Location:

This is a remote position. We strongly encourage applications from candidates in the Global South who can bring advice on climate from the perspective of regions underrepresented in climate policy and discourse. Candidates must have the right to work in the country where they are based, The Elders will not be able to relocate.

Salary:

Salaries and benefits will vary in line with the location of the successful candidate and depending on experience.

Job Summary:

The post holder will support the Senior Programme Advisor (Climate) to develop, implement, and monitor the impact of country-level and thematic initiatives under the Climate Programme. The role works closely with external networks to ensure the Elders are coordinated with the wider climate movement. It also works with other programme team members to ensure effective implementation of the Elders strategy in its entirety, and integration of cross cutting commitments into the Climate Programme. They will be required to produce high quality research and analysis and may present proposals and updates to Elders in their bi-annual board meetings.

The post holder will work closely with colleagues in the operations team to organise visits for Elders, and with colleagues in the communications team to produce public advocacy outputs. The post holder will report to the Senior Climate Advisor.

The Programme Advisor (Climate) will work in the Programmes team and report to the Senior Programme Advisor (Climate).

Responsibilities

Development of initiatives

Building on research and networking, develop proposals for the Elders’ consideration for initiatives to support achievement of long-term and intermediate outcomes in the Climate Programme particularly around climate mitigation, in agreement with the Senior Climate Advisor.

• Provide advice in response to external requests for Elders engagement on climate and environment issues.

• Lead implementation of private diplomacy initiatives, for example, arranging meetings and country visits and accompanying Elders on visits and to events, briefing Elders orally and in writing, preparing detailed reports of visits, drafting letters for the Elders and the CEO, consulting and coordinating with key partners

• Work with communications colleagues to identify and deliver appropriate public diplomacy initiatives to achieve programme outcomes, assisting with preparation of communications materials, such as drafting talking points for media, statements, op-eds and tweets.

• Collaborate with colleagues leading other programmes (pandemics, nuclear and conflict) to identify synergies between programmes, and identify opportunities for joint initiatives.

• Work with cross cutting leads to ensure these commitments (multilateralism, gender equality and

“We are entering a new era, one which requires bold action. All climate commitments must be transformed into real-world action, including the rapid phase out of fossil fuels, a much faster transition towards green energy, and tangible plans for delivering both adaptation and loss and damage finance..”

Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders, First Woman President of Ireland

women in leadership, human rights and intergenerational approaches) are effectively integrated into the Climate Programme and deliver on Elder’s priorities. Work with communications colleagues to identify target audiences for programme objectives and utilise audience analytics to refine our tactics and measure impact.

Policy analysis, reporting and impact monitoring

• Prepare written briefings and speaking notes for Elders, liaising with a network of external experts to ensure these are well informed.

Track and monitor progress towards long term outcomes and programme impact within the Climate Programme, providing written contributions to the Secretariats regular impact reporting cycle.

• Regularly review the programme theory of change, and supporting political economy analysis to ensure the programme remains aligned to deliver on long term outcomes.

• Work with colleagues in the communications team to identify examples of programme impact for inclusion in the annual report.

Prepare and present board papers with progress updates and

recommendations, for The Elders bi-annual board meetings.

• Work with the Senior Climate Adviser to prepare annual operational plans.

Relationship Building and representation

• Actively cooperate with strategic partner networks to increase reach, impact and achievement of programme outcomes.

• Building on your existing network of contacts lead the strategic expansion of The Elder’s external relationships on climate with the global policy community, international organisations, governments, civil society organisations, policy experts and influencers, to maximise support and potential for Elders to have influence.

Other Responsibilities

• Manage specialist consultants providing advice to The Elders.

• Prepare internal briefings for SMT members and colleagues, such as notes of meetings and updates on key developments.

• Undertake other duties as required by the organisation.

Candidate profile

• A post-graduate or Masters degree in a relevant field, with a track record of experience relevant to The Elders’ climate work (e.g. diplomacy, civil society advocacy etc). Direct experience in working on climate mitigation advocacy programmes would be an advantage.

• A network of senior policy and political contacts in the climate and nature space, including in the area of multilateral negotiations.

• A track record of developing strategies, leading implementation of programme plans and activities, and achieving results.

• Experience of supporting senior individuals, and

collaborating with a range of organisations, to develop and influence policy.

• Strong diplomatic skills and keen international political acumen, experience of analysing complex global political situations, and the ability to operate with diplomatic finesse and agility across different cultural environments and world views.

• Analytical, research and communication strengths, with the ability to understand, interpret and present complex and sensitive information from a variety of sources to highlevel and public audiences.

• A strong personal commitment to the mission and values of The Elders.

• A flexible style and willingness to work in a small, collaborative team.

• This role may require frequent international travel, sometimes at short notice and, in exceptional circumstances, for up to two weeks. Additionally, you may be required to attend staff or Elders events in the UK from time to time.

How to Apply

All correspondence, at this stage, should be via Oxford HR. To apply for this post, click on the “Apply” button on the job advert page, complete our online application form, and submit your CV cover letter and writing sample, which should be prepared before applying as they will be considered in the application process. The writing sample should be a relevant piece from the last 12 months that demonstrates the ability to provide analysis and quality writing. This could be a blog, a policy briefer, a report or other similar documents. The cover letter should be no more than two pages long and explain why you are interested in this post and how your skills and experience make you a good fit. Please submit cover letter and writing sample together in the same document file.

The document should be saved in PDF in the following format: Your First Name-Your Last Name-Document NameDate (mmyy) e.g., Nala-Umar-CV-102023-theElders or NalaUmar-CoverLetter-WritingSample-102023-theElders.

Timeline

Closing Date: 5th November 2023

First stage interviews: 13th – 15th November 2023

Second stage interviews: 20th – 22nd November 2023

Selection Process

All candidates will receive an update regarding the status of their application by 10th November. We advise candidates to add the role email to their safe senders list and regularly check their spam folder.

Equality Statement

Equality and diversity are at the core of The Elders values.

Staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected.

Queries

If you have any queries on any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information, or would like to have an informal discussion, please email at the-elders@oxfordhr.com in the first instance.

The Elders Programme Advisor (Climate)

About Oxford HR

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