Environmental Resilience Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION

Environmental Resilience Specialist

About AMPERES

AMPERES is a mission-driven enterprise committed to finding integrated solutions for the entrenched sustainability challenges facing Southeast Asia, Australia and the Pacific. With offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Perth, we use evidence-bases, deliberative processes and innovative technology to improve how society interacts with the environment.

• We support governments to improve the sustainability of policy and planning processes through implementation of energy transition planning, climate risk & adaptation assessments, Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs), integrated environmental assessments, river basin plans, water, energy and economic modelling and techno-economic studies.
• We empower communities to improve livelihoods through affordable and reliable access to distributed energy & water resources using business models that are viable and centre benefits at the community level.
• We work with companies & industry to decarbonise their business, promote energy independence and reduce operating costs through energy efficiency planning and the development of distributed renewable energy systems.
• We collaborate with researchers & universities to prototype, test & scale innovative technology towards successful commercialisation.

The Role

Our program in environmental resilience is focussed on understanding the implications of human-induced change on the socio-ecological systems of Southeast Asia and working with governments, businesses and communities to design and implement practical solutions that foster a more inclusive, integrated and sustainable use of natural resources. The program will have an emphasis on the vulnerability of natural systems and rural communities to climate and other anthropogenic changes.

It includes programs of integrated rice – fish farming systems, downscaling of planetary boundaries, climate change adaptation and environmental management for the energy sector.

The Environmental Resilience Specialist will play an important role in shaping and leading our environmental resilience portfolio of research and development projects with a particular focus on the Greater Mekong region.

Who you are

You will be a creative, experienced professional with a deep understanding of climate change resilience, risk assessments and environmental management in the Greater Mekong; and will have good capacity to lead inter-disciplinary teams and a skill in presenting complex information simply to both government and community audiences alike.

You will be competent in scientific analysis but will also have demonstrable experience in applying science to inform policy processes. And you will be motivated by a passion to have an impact on environmental health and on improving livelihoods for all people in society.

In addition, you should possess the following specific skills and experience:

• Advanced degree (MSc/PhD) in a field related to environmental science, management or modelling.
• Substantial research and public policy experience in a field related to environmental resilience.
• At least 8 years of experience with a think tank, advisory firm, university research institute, or international development organisation.
• A track record in scientific or journalistic publication
• Proven experience writing proposals and fund raising.
• Strong capacity in stakeholder deliberation and facilitating workshop discussions.
• Fluent in English and science writing.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, strategy and growth of our environmental resilience program.
• Contribute to the intellectual growth of the organisation, introduce and explain new ideas into the staff base and our wider network and set an in-house research agenda for resilience.
• Inspire and promote professional growth within our team.
• Manage and provide oversight to all projects and initiatives under the environmental resilience portfolio.
• Manage client relationships and communications during the design and delivery of projects.
• Provide technical oversight and supervision for all resilience projects.
• Work with the communications and the technical team to publish reports and articles and to disseminate project insights widely related information.
• Provide resilience advisory support to AMPERES’ integrated water and energy transition themes.
• Design of a research and publication program and preparation of research outputs including, peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, think pieces, policy briefs and news articles.
• Provide expert technical and strategic advice and support in the identification of engagement opportunities, preparation of proposals and implementation of partnership activities.
• Maintain professional working relationships with stakeholders in Vietnam and the GMS.
• Lead cooperation with relevant regional stakeholder and multilateral regional programs.
• Contribute substantially to the AMPERES Business Plans, strategic reviews and development of the organization as a whole.

Additional information

The position is a full-time position based in our Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam office. We offer a competitive salary, social security benefits under Vietnamese law, private health insurance and financial support for professional development of each employee.

How to apply

Eligible candidates should submit:

1. cover letter, outlining: (a) why you are interested in the position, (b) what are the main skills you bring to AMPERES and (c) highlighting work you have done that meets the requirements.
2. your professional CV emphasising your project experience.
3. example piece of writing (paper, report or similar) where you were the lead author or made a significant contribution (please identify the specific contribution you made in your cover letter).

All submissions should be sent to [email protected] by 5th August 2023.

Please note that while we greatly appreciate the effort from all candidates in submitting an application, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.