Specialist- Adaptation & Resilience (A&R)

About the Role:

The Specialist – Adaptation & Resilience (A&R) will be responsible for conceptualising, building, and scaling the organization's Adaptation & Resilience vertical. This role requires domain expertise (climate), a strong technical understanding of adaptation and resilience, hands-on experience in programme design and implementation, and proven ability to secure partnerships and funding.

The candidate must be able to independently drive strategy, develop multi-stakeholder programmes, represent the organization externally, and create a strong ecosystem presence for A&R.

Key Responsibilities

a. Strategic Leadership:

• Develop a 5-year strategic roadmap for the A&R vertical aligned with the organization's mission and ecosystem needs.
• Build the vertical end-to-end including strategy, programmes, partnerships, fundraising, talent planning, and impact measurement.

b. Programme Design & Delivery:

• Conceptualise, design, and launch large-scale adaptation and resilience programmes (community-based, industry-led, policy-supported).
• Oversee implementation, M&E, and reporting frameworks for A&R programmes.

Partnerships & Fundraising:

• Lead fundraising for the vertical — CSR, philanthropic donors, multilaterals, impact investors, and corporate climate programmes.
• Represent the organization in national/international forums to position it as a credible leader in climate adaptation.

Research & Thought Leadership:

• Oversee development of high-quality research briefs, policy notes, insights, case studies, and sector publications.
• Drive climate risk assessments, vulnerability mapping, and resilience modelling (where relevant).

Leadership:

• Mentor junior team members and build a small A&R team over time.
• Contribute to organisation-wide strategic initiatives, including climate entrepreneurship, ecosystem partnerships, and cross-vertical collaborations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Environmental Science, Climate Change, Sustainability, Resilience Studies, Disaster Management, Engineering, Social Sciences, or related fields.
• 10–12 years of experience in climate adaptation, resilience, sustainability, community development, or public policy.
• Strong experience in programme leadership, not only project management.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, developing large proposals, managing donor relationships, and closing CSR/philanthropic/multilateral grants.
• Experience in managing multi-stakeholder programmes with government, INGOs, multilaterals, academia, and corporate partners.
• Technical understanding of adaptation frameworks such as Climate risk & vulnerability assessments, Resilience planning, Nature-based solutions, Community-based adaptation, Resilient infrastructure, water/climate services
• Climate finance mechanisms (preferred)

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic leadership with ability to build a vertical independently.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent relationship management, networking, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage complex projects with multiple partners and timelines.
• Entrepreneurial and proactive working style, comfortable with scalability and innovation.

Reporting Matrix

The Specialist – Adaptation & Resilience (A&R) will report to the Partner.