Climate Action Adviser, Australia Awards - South Asia & Mongolia
Climate Action Adviser
Australia Awards South - Asia & Mongolia
Overview
Australia Awards are provided to build the skills and knowledge of individuals so that they can contribute to their country’s development, and to support the ongoing development of links between Australia and the countries to which it provides development assistance. The Australia Awards are an important part of the Australian Government’s focus on public and economic diplomacy, and provide long term Scholarships, Fellowships, Short Courses and other training opportunities.
Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia (AASAM) is managed by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and is administered by Palladium. It is a multi-country program with service delivery offices in Colombo, Dhaka, Islamabad, Kathmandu, Malé, Thimphu and Ulaanbaatar. Leadership, coordination, and support are provided by a regional team based in Colombo and Dhaka as well as in Palladium’s offices in Adelaide and Brisbane.
Australia’s International Development Policy Identifies Climate Change As The World’s Greatest Shared Threat. In Common With All DFAT Investments, AASAM Seeks To Incorporate Climate Change As a Cross-cutting Imperative. Climate Action Is One Of The Four Key Themes Of AASAM’s Annual Plan 2026-27. The Program Undertakes To
The Adviser will report to the Team Leader, with extensive engagement with the Adelaide-based Deputy Team Leader, the Coordinator - Scholar Enrichment Program, and the Regional Alumni Engagement Coordinator to raise the awareness of and commitment to climate action of Program scholars and alumni.
The position provides advice, guidance, and training to the country teams in Colombo, Dhaka, Islamabad, Malé, Thimphu, and Ulaanbaatar. The position will also engage with other Australia-based managers and with the Program's GEDSI, Indigenous Engagement, and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisers.
Where appropriate, the Adviser will represent the Program in external forums and in discussion with relevant sections within DFAT in Canberra.
The Program is seeking approximately 15 days of input from the Climate Action Adviser per year, and the Adviser can be based out of any location in Australia.
Primary Duties And Responsibilities
The Climate Action Adviser will be responsible for:
Applications close on Wednesday 29th July 9PM Adelaide Time.
Ideal Candidates Possess The Following
Australia Awards South - Asia & Mongolia
Overview
Australia Awards are provided to build the skills and knowledge of individuals so that they can contribute to their country’s development, and to support the ongoing development of links between Australia and the countries to which it provides development assistance. The Australia Awards are an important part of the Australian Government’s focus on public and economic diplomacy, and provide long term Scholarships, Fellowships, Short Courses and other training opportunities.
Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia (AASAM) is managed by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and is administered by Palladium. It is a multi-country program with service delivery offices in Colombo, Dhaka, Islamabad, Kathmandu, Malé, Thimphu and Ulaanbaatar. Leadership, coordination, and support are provided by a regional team based in Colombo and Dhaka as well as in Palladium’s offices in Adelaide and Brisbane.
Australia’s International Development Policy Identifies Climate Change As The World’s Greatest Shared Threat. In Common With All DFAT Investments, AASAM Seeks To Incorporate Climate Change As a Cross-cutting Imperative. Climate Action Is One Of The Four Key Themes Of AASAM’s Annual Plan 2026-27. The Program Undertakes To
- support partner countries to address climate challenges through education and collaboration
- promote climate action as a priority field of study for Australia Awards Scholarships across all Program countries
- deliver Short Courses such as Building Water and Agriculture Resilience (Pakistan) and Fuel Crisis Response and Energy Transition (regional) and Australian Professional Opportunities (APOs) in climate change fields
- organise a program of site visits and engagement with subject matter experts specifically for scholars studying or working in climate change related fields
- support the regional Champions for the Environment and Climate Action alumni community of practice
- continue to award alumni grants to support local initiatives to combat climate change and mitigate disaster risk
- conduct all Program activities in an environmentally responsible manner.
The Adviser will report to the Team Leader, with extensive engagement with the Adelaide-based Deputy Team Leader, the Coordinator - Scholar Enrichment Program, and the Regional Alumni Engagement Coordinator to raise the awareness of and commitment to climate action of Program scholars and alumni.
The position provides advice, guidance, and training to the country teams in Colombo, Dhaka, Islamabad, Malé, Thimphu, and Ulaanbaatar. The position will also engage with other Australia-based managers and with the Program's GEDSI, Indigenous Engagement, and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisers.
Where appropriate, the Adviser will represent the Program in external forums and in discussion with relevant sections within DFAT in Canberra.
The Program is seeking approximately 15 days of input from the Climate Action Adviser per year, and the Adviser can be based out of any location in Australia.
Primary Duties And Responsibilities
The Climate Action Adviser will be responsible for:
- shaping the Program’s thinking on and approach to climate change and climate action
- working with the Team Leader on the preparation of an annual Climate Action Plan
- providing advice on the implementation of that Plan
- leading the Australia Awards Climate Action Working Group to support climate related initiatives and ensure that the Program is informed by environmentally responsible management practices
- in collaboration with the Program’s Academic Adviser, supporting the Program team in promoting climate change as a priority field of study for Australia Awards Scholarships
- reviewing and commenting on Australia Awards Short Course tenders and Australia Awards Fellowships applications that have a climate change focus
- in collaboration with the Manager – Continuing Professional Development Solutions, proposing ideas to regional DFAT Posts for climate change-related APOs.
- in collaboration with the Program’s Gender, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Adviser and Indigenous Engagement Adviser, identifying and making recommendations on initiatives to highlight intersectional approaches to climate change
- delivering presentations and facilitating discussions in relevant scholar and alumni forums
- in collaboration with the Regional Alumni Engagement Adviser, inspiring and encouraging the regional Champions for the Environment and Climate Action alumni community of practice
- enhancing the climate change awareness of Program scholars, alumni and staff.
Applications close on Wednesday 29th July 9PM Adelaide Time.
Ideal Candidates Possess The Following
- Minimum five years’ previous experience in a Climate Action role on a DFAT-funded international development program
- Detailed understanding of the Climate Action priorities as outlined in Australia's International Development Policy.
- Understanding of the requirements of Australia Awards programs
- Experience of working with and within a diverse, dispersed multicultural team
- Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with senior stakeholders
- Proven capability in the preparation of high-quality plans and reports for external audiences
- High ethical standards and a commitment to integrity and professionalism
- Flexibility and responsiveness to respond at short notice to urgent requests
- Proven organisational skills and attention to detail, with ability to prioritise own workload and deliver quality outputs within agreed timeframes.