🇸🇱 Job Vacancy @ Embassy of Ireland – Climate Change and Environment Advisor

Vacancy – Climate Change and Environment Advisor Embassy of Ireland, Sierra Leone 

Our mission is to promote and protect abroad the values, interests and  economic well-being of Ireland and its people. We do this under the political  direction of our Ministers, through our staff at home and through our  Embassy network abroad. 

The Embassy of Ireland, Sierra Leone is seeking to recruit a highly motivated, enthusiastic and  hardworking person with excellent communication and interpersonal skills to manage the Embassy’s  policy engagement and programmes on Climate Change and Environment. This Senior Programme  Advisor position is an exciting opportunity to lead the growth and development of the Ireland’s  climate change and environment work in Sierra Leone.

Overview of Role: 

The Climate Change and Environment Adviser will have responsibility for developing and managing  the Embassy’s portfolio relating to climate change and environment and ensure the delivery of the  Embassy Strategy objectives and outputs relating to climate actions. The Climate Change and  Environment Adviser will work closely with other colleagues across all pillars of the Embassy Strategy  to mainstream climate change and environment in programmes, to ensure all supported projects are  climate proofed, and to identify and track climate financing.

Key Responsibilities:  

• Advance Ireland’s values, interests and positions on climate change and environment working with other Senior Programme Advisers and the Head of Administration to identify  opportunities to advance climate actions in their areas of responsibility.
• Actively participate in the delivery of the Climate Change and Environment commitments in  the 2024-28 Embassy Strategy and in the design and development of future strategies
• Develop and manage programmes, grants and partnerships in accordance with agreed  Embassy standards for programme management.
• Contribute to the Embassy’s engagement in national level policy dialogue and will represent  the embassy at external climate change and environment events.
• Provide relevant updates, briefs and speaking points on climate change and environment  issues and policies.

Essential Requirements candidate must be able to demonstrate: 

• Candidates must have a Post-graduate qualification in a relevant area.
• Fluency in spoken and written English language.
• A minimum of five years of relevant post qualification experience with a bi-lateral, multi – lateral organisation, Government or NGO working on climate change adaptation,  environmental management, natural resource management, biodiversity, sustainable rural  livelihoods, renewable energy or a related area.
• A strong understanding of the political economy and the socio-cultural environment in Sierra  Leone, including an awareness, understanding of the relevant environmental, and climate  change policies and frameworks.
• Strong programme planning, implementation, management and monitoring skills with  experience of managing significant programmes and budgets.
• A proven capacity for delivering timely results and taking responsibility for quality outcomes.
• • Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft suite of applications.
• The candidate must demonstrate using examples, their working knowledge of Microsoft  Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel);
• The successful candidate must have a legal entitlement to live and work in Sierra Leone prior  to recruitment.

Desirable Skills and Experience: 

• In-depth understanding of key concepts / approaches relating to International Climate  frameworks, Climate Financing Mechanisms, adaptive programming; and linkages between  gender and climate and climate and energy.
• At least two years working in a senior level with a Sierra Leone based national or  international organisation.
• A good understanding of the role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Embassy of  Ireland.

Terms and conditions of employment: 

• The working week will be not less than 39 hours per week; hours of work are generally  08:30-17:30 Monday to Thursday and 08:30-13:45 on Friday. Occasional late working or  attendance at work-related events outside of working hours is required;
• Annual leave entitlement will be 21 days per annum exclusive of public holidays,  adjusted pro rate.
• The salary for the position is €37,383 per annum, subject to statutory income tax and social  security deductions. Salary will be paid in Sierra Leone Leones (SLE) (local currency) at the  Department of Foreign Affairs exchange rate per month whilst salaries are pegged to the  Euro. The pegging of salaries may be stopped by HR in Headquarters. Salaries are paid  direct to a bank account, therefore, the successful candidate must have a bank account;
• In addition, a food and transport allowance will be available, paid monthly, after the  completion of a probationary period;
• An annual rent and holiday allowance is also paid to employees on a pro rata basis after the  completion of the probationary period;
• The successful candidate will be based in the Irish Embassy, Freetown and will be expected  to undertake regular in-country travel. Occasional international travel will be required;
• The successful candidate will be hired on a fixed term, 2 year contract, subject to  probationary period.

How to apply 

The Job Description and Application Form for this position are available on our website  https://www.ireland.ie/en/sierraleone/freetown/about/job-opportunities/ 

Completed application forms should be sent via e-mail only to [email protected], with  the subject line CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISOR 

Applications must be received before 5:00pm (Local time) on 10 February 2025 

(No applications will be accepted after this deadline. Please note that only short listed applicants  will be contacted.

Selection Process: 

• Depending on the number of applications received, a short-listing of candidates to be called  for a competency-based interview may be undertaken based on the Essential/Key  Requirements above.
• A skills test may be included in the recruitment process;
• A second interview may be included in the recruitment process; and
• A panel may be set up depending on the caliber of candidates;

General Data Protection Regulation: 

All personal information received will be kept in line with GDPR guidelines.

Security Clearance for Local Staff 

Police security clearance will be sought in respect of individuals who come under consideration for  appointment. Enquiries may also be made with the police force of any country in which the applicant  under consideration for appointment resided. If unsuccessful, this information will be destroyed. If  the applicant subsequently comes under consideration for another position, they will be required to  supply this information again.

Please note that canvassing will disqualify applicants. 

The Embassy of Ireland, Sierra Leone is committed to a policy of Equal Opportunity.