Climate Resilient Communities

Action on climate change is at the heart of Australia’s International Development Policy. The policy commits the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to respond to the needs of Indo-Pacific countries and evidence of the accelerating climate crisis by increasing our climate investments and better addressing climate risks.

Climate Resilient Communities (CRC) is DFAT’s new flagship climate change program designed to help achieve Australia’s International Development Policy and meet Australia’s climate finance commitments over the next nine years (2024–33).

CRC will incentivise the flow of funds towards inclusive climate change programming—targeting community resilience in the water, food, and energy sectors— by co-funding bilateral and regional programs and attracting new sources of climate finance, while also raising the quality of climate integration across the sectoral programs.

Climate Resilient Communities Support Unit

DT Global has been contracted by DFAT to establish and manage the Climate Resilient Communities Support Unit (CRCSU). The CRCSU provides a mechanism for DFAT Canberra and Posts to deliver enhanced climate and disaster resilience and integration programming, with the aim of enabling people in the Indo-Pacific to become more resilient to climate change and disasters.

The CRCSU will help achieve this through supporting a sustained increase in organisational capability and services for DFAT, providing access to specialist expertise, resources, and networks, through an efficient operational platform. The CRCSU provides this through the following core services:

• Program cycle support
• Climate change integration technical assistance across all development sectors (integrating gender equality, disability equity and other cross-cutting issues)
• Knowledge and learning support
• Public diplomacy support

The CRCSU will support DFAT to recruit embedded staff to work from the DFAT Canberra office (remote working arrangements may be considered), alongside DFAT staff and reporting to DFAT staff on a day-to-day basis.

About the Role

DFAT has a need for strategic communication services under CRC to:

• Support DFAT’s public diplomacy on Australia’s gender-responsive and inclusive climate finance
• Facilitate DFAT and implementing partner knowledge and learning on gender-responsive and inclusive climate finance
• Support DFAT climate change programs to engage meaningfully on climate finance with partners and stakeholders and to communicate program impact.
• Facilitate sharing of best practice and fostering of innovation.

Communications and public diplomacy support are core service offerings provided by the CRC for DFAT bilateral and regional programs.

Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position: http://surl.li/gagdfe.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The Strategic Communication Adviser will:

• Support the development and update of DFAT’s climate finance communications strategy.
• Support Posts with development of climate diplomacy products and services to help showcase CRC and Australia’s climate work and climate finance.
• Support implementing partners to communicate the impact of CRC programs
• Generate CRC communications products/materials for DFAT’s online presence, including publications and social media accounts.
• Contribute to incorporating CRCSU’s commitments on promoting and mainstreaming GEDSI in the delivery of all CRCSU advice, processes, decisions and activities.
• Other tasks and duties as required to ensure the smooth and effective delivery of the CRCSU.
• Contribute to developing harmonious working relationships with DFAT, colleagues and key stakeholders, and assist to build the profile and reputation of CRCSU as a high performing support unit.
• Coordinate with Whole of Government (WoG) climate partners (DCCEEW, BoM, etc.) and other key stakeholders.

Please note that the work location for this position is in the DFAT office in Canberra (remote arrangements may be considered) and necessary security requirements will include:

• Security clearance – relevant to the role
• Compliance with DFAT ethics, integrity and professional standards and information management requirements

Selection Criteria

Essential Experience and Knowledge:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications or relevant field experience in communications, international relations, international development, or another relevant discipline.
• 8 years’ experience in a strategic communications role.
• Excellent written and oral English communication skills and the ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• An understanding of climate resilience and Australian Government commitments in the Indo-Pacific
• Strong emotional intelligence, and intercultural skills, with the ability to work effectively with individuals at all levels of an organisation in a participatory way.
• Understanding of and commitment to Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), Child Protection, PSEAH, prevention of human trafficking, environmental protection, anti-corruption and other DFAT safeguarding policies.

HOW TO APPLY

We welcome your interest in joining the team. Apply by submitting your updated CV and tell us why you think you are the ideal candidate (no longer than 1 - 2 pages).

About DT Global

DT Global is shaping a future where sustainable development and innovation empower individuals, communities, and nations. We work in partnership with local stakeholders to foster inclusive prosperity, social equity, and environmental stewardship. Our global team of 2,500 staff and experts work in over 90 countries to solve complex problems in the peacebuilding, governance, economic development, environment, and human development sectors. With a track record of technical excellence and more than 60 years of international development experience and relationships, we deliver innovative solutions that transform lives.

For more information, please see www.dt-global.com.

Should this role be of interest, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Kindly note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

DT Global is committed to child protection and safeguarding the welfare of children in the delivery of our international development programs. We are committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), and bribery prevention. DT Global is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage women, men, people with diverse backgrounds and people living with disabilities to apply. This program is funded by the Australian Government and Managed by DT Global.