Scientific Advisor to the IPCC Chair, Central London – UK (with hybrid working) [Closed]

The office of the IPCC Chair located in the International Institute for Environment and Development, UK, is filling the position of

Scientific Advisor to the IPCC Chair

The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) is a policy and action research organisation promoting sustainable development and linking local priorities to global challenges. We are based in London and work on five continents with some of the world’s most vulnerable people to strengthen their voices in the decision-making arenas that affect them. With more than 150 members of staff working with associates and partners around the world, IIED has been at the forefront of evidence-based policymaking in sustainable development for over 50 years.

IPCC is the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change and climate change action. Jim Skea was elected Chair of the IPCC in July 2023 and presides over Plenary sessions and meetings of the Bureau and the Executive Committee, and has overall responsibility for guiding the work of the IPCC and its three Working Groups. These cover the physical aspects of climate change, impacts, adaptation and vulnerability and climate change mitigation.

We are currently seeking a Scientific Advisor to the IPCC Chair to join our team on a full-time basis for a four year fixed term contract with the possibility of extension over the life of the IPCC Seventh Assessment Cycle (planned for 5-7 years).

The Benefits

– Salary of £54,438 – £67,692 per annum, depending on experience, plus benefits
– Closure between Christmas and new year with additional paid holiday
– 7.5% employer’s pension contributions (applicable to those based in UK)
– An employee protection scheme offering a flexible menu of benefits
– An interest-free season-ticket loan
– A cycle-to-work scheme offering tax savings on the cost of purchasing a bike for travel to and from work
– An employee assistance programme
– Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption policies
– Enhanced sick pay entitlements, increasing with length of service
– Flexible working options
– Support for learning and development
– Compassionate leave up to ten days per annum
– Dependents leave
– Eye tests and glasses
– Therapy treatment

This is an unmissable opportunity for a climate change expert with an excellent grounding in climate science to join our vital organisation.

What’s more, we’ll prioritise your wellbeing and work/life balance from day one through an exceptional selection of benefits that will ensure you can thrive in and out of the office.

The Role

As a Scientific Advisor to the IPCC Chair, you will advise the IPCC Chair of key developments in scientific literature related to climate change and climate action.

Specifically, you will lead the development and delivery of selected cross-cutting IPCC activities including Expert Meetings and Workshops; liaise with international scientific networks, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and sister environmental assessments. Promoting collaboration on linked environmental challenges, you will gather information to support the Chair in the preparation of presentations and speeches working closely with the IPCC Secretariat in Geneva to ensure alignment with IPCC findings and participate in IPCC meetings.

You will also take the lead scientific role in the Technical Support Unit (TSU) that will be established to manage the synthesis of the Seventh Assessment Cycle working with the Chair to build out the team from 2025. The TSU works at the unique IPCC interface between science and policy in the provision of climate knowledge and information that is relevant for policy needs and decision making.

About You

To be considered as a Scientific Advisor to the IPCC Chair, you will need:

– A PhD in a discipline relevant to climate change, climate action and/or development or equivalent experience in Climate Science
– Experience and recognised achievement in a field highly relevant to climate change
– Experience and demonstrated success delivering research results
– Extensive knowledge of climate change issues

The closing date for this role is 30th May 2024 and interviews will take place on Tuesday 11th June 2024.

IIED is a hybrid working organisation and you are welcome to work from home, although for this role you will be required to come into the London office at least once per week to meet in-person regularly with the IPCC Chair and the team. When you are working away from the office you will need a suitable place to work and a reliable, fast internet connection.

Other organisations may call this role Climate Change Advisor, Environmental Advisor, Scientific Research Advisor, Climate Change Research Manager, or Environmental Researcher.

Webrecruit and the International Institute for Environment and Development are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.

Please apply on the IIED website here.

This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.