Climate is changing, and the impacts today and in the future bring both risks and some opportunities to the economy, society and the environment. Management of climate risks, planning and implementation of adaptation responses, and building resilience to extreme weather and future climate trends are increasingly featured in public policy and in development programmes.
 
Situated within the Climate Change & Sustainability Practice as part of the International Climate Change Policy area, our adaptation staff are experienced and widely-respected, having worked closely for more than 10 years, with clients to help them understand the implications of climate change, develop strategies for adaptation and monitor its progress. For example, we supported more than 15 countries to develop their Internationally Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) in the lead up to COP21 in Paris and now are supporting a number of countries around the world to implement their plans.
 
We do this through tailored assessments of impacts, vulnerabilities, risks, and adaptation options, working closely with government clients and city authorities to build their understanding of adaptation and apply that knowledge in their individual circumstances. We work in the public sector and for international agencies, to provide sound evidence and recommendations for policy, and then to turn policy into practice.

Purpose:

We wish to grow and develop our skills and expertise in international adaptation within Ricardo Energy & Environment, in line with the rapid growth being experienced within the International Climate Change Policy area. Therefore, we are seeking to recruit an experienced Principal Consultant as a Knowledge Leader in international adaptation to drive and participate in this growth and make a significant contribution to Ricardo Energy & Environment’s portfolio of climate risk and adaptation projects worldwide.

Key accountabilities:

• The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and participating in projects, and playing a key role in the preparation of winning proposals, including:
• Supporting strategic planning for continued growth in this area
• Involvement in winning work in the area of international adaptation and climate resilience, through technical and managerial contributions to proposals and concept notes for a range of international clients
• Leading and delivering high quality project work for a range of international clients, including a willingness to undertake short-term overseas visits.
• Identifying and developing new technical offerings, and maintaining and expanding existing offerings, to optimise advantage in target markets and enhance Ricardo Energy & Environment’s reputation as a thought leader.
• Building and maintaining client and partner relationships, and raising the profile of Ricardo Energy & Environment’s services to expand our work. 
• Mentoring and developing people within the team 

Key competences and experience

• Significant experience and deep knowledge in adaptation, ideally obtained via international in-country assignments, secondments, projects or otherwise
• Leading knowledge of concepts and approaches in adaptation, resilience, and/or climate compatible development, ideally demonstrated through a publication track record in the grey or peer-reviewed literature
• Experience in delivery of consultancy studies to national governments and related agencies and institutions in national and international contexts, including leading multi-disciplinary multi-partner teams;
• Experience in writing successful bids to international agencies, governments, and other public sector clients.
• Excellent customer focus, and experience in partner liaison and wider stakeholder engagement, with existing relevant client and partner networks and relationships.
• Comprehensive understanding of, and active engagement within international climate policy contexts, and current issues for international adaptation policy including but not limited to NDCs, NAP process.
• Bachelors or Master’s Degree and preferably a postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline

Skills and behaviours:

• Excellent communication skills, including excellent English language skills. Additional language skills would be beneficial.
• Strong client and stakeholder engagement skills
• Good analytical skills
• Excellent commercial focus
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills
• Proactive networker
• The ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team

This is a fast-paced and challenging environment offering you the opportunity to make your mark; you will have support from the wider business for your own career development into a wide range of future opportunities within Ricardo Energy & Environment.

In return for your commitment, drive and enthusiasm, we offer an extremely attractive remuneration and benefits package, a personal development plan, and the opportunity to make a difference in a challenging and rewarding field.