Consultant - Senior Climate Change Adaptation Expert

IISD; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent international organization is seeking a Senior Climate Change Adaptation expert to embed within Malaysia's MyNAP Working Committee. This full-time role requires advanced understanding of climate adaptation processes. The ideal candidate will have over ten years of extensive experience and a master's degree in environmental studies. The position is based in Kuala Lumpur with an expected start date in October 2025. Applications are to be submitted via Bamboo HR by September 22, 2025.

Benefits

Work laptop provided

Opportunity to influence national policy

Qualifications

• At least 10 years of experience in sustainable development.
• 5 years of experience in Climate Change Adaptation in Malaysia.
• Fluency in English and Malay.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of Malaysia’s National Adaptation Plan.
• Support the MyNAP Working Committee.
• Provide methodological guidance and quality assurance.

Skills

Understanding of NAP process

Data analysis and synthesis

Communication skills

Workshop facilitation

Problem-solving approach

Knowledge of climate policy in Malaysia

Education

Master's degree in environmental studies

Job description

Overview

Full-time advisor to be embedded within the MyNAP Working Committee, in charge of the implementation of the Green Climate Fund-funded project to develop Malaysia’s First National Adaptation Plan (MyNAP).

Background

Malaysia received approval in September 2024 for a grant from the Green Climate Fund to implement the project titled Strengthening Capacities to Increase Resilience with the Formulation of an Inclusive National Adaptation Plan (MyNAP) for Malaysia. As the national designated authority (NDA), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) provides overall oversight of the MyNAP to ensure the planning process is aligned with national priorities.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is Malaysia’s delivery partner. The National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM), which operates under the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), has been appointed as an implementing agency, and the NAP Global Network (NAP GN), whose Secretariat is hosted by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, has been engaged as a supporting technical partner. NAHRIM and NAP GN will support the NDA and GIZ as implementing entities, providing critical technical assistance and quality assurance to project activities.

The NAP GN was created in 2014 to support developing countries in advancing their NAP processes and help accelerate adaptation efforts around the world. To achieve this, the Network facilitates South–South peer learning and exchange, supports national-level action on NAP formulation and implementation, and generates, synthesizes, and shares knowledge. The Network’s members include individual participants from more than 170 countries involved in developing and implementing national adaptation plans.

As a technical partner, NAP GN will provide expertise on various NAP-related capacity development needs for Malaysia, taking either the lead or supporting with the conceptualization, quality assurance, and delivery of key outputs, and is recruiting a Senior Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) expert, based out of Kuala Lumpur, to support with the implementation of the MyNAP project.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives: The Senior CCA expert is responsible for advancing adaptation action in Malaysia, within the framework of Malaysia’s National Adaptation Plan, the MyNAP. The CCA expert will play a key role in supporting the MyNAP Working Committee, which is chaired by the Director General of NAHRIM and leads the implementation of the project, with inputs from sectoral technical working groups (TWGs). The key milestone will be to produce Malaysia’s first NAP document—the MyNAP—by mid-2026.

Scope of Work

• Providing hands-on support in the implementation and progress reporting of the overall project work plan and key outputs (see Appendix A)
• Serving as a direct liaison point between the NDA (NRES), the delivery partner (GIZ), the implementing agency (NAHRIM), and the NAP Global Network (technical partner)
• Representing the NAP GN at relevant meetings and consultations within the MyNAP project team, and supporting the wider Working Committee and Project Implementation Unit (PIU), as appropriate
• Supporting the review and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data prepared by the TWGs for effective integration in the MyNAP
• Providing methodological guidance and quality assurance on outputs prepared by the project team

Outputs: Specific outputs for the CCA expert will be determined on a quarterly basis in line with the expected results of the program, based on agreement between NAP GN and the MyNAP Working Committee.

3. Competencies

• Advanced understanding of the NAP process and related international commitments
• Ability to review, analyze, and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data for integration into national policy documents
• Ability to critically assess information, identify gaps, and propose evidence-based recommendations
• Solid technical knowledge on CCA and links to poverty reduction and sustainable development
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate with and coordinate large teams
• Capacity to work in dynamic environments, respond to emerging challenges, and provide practical solutions
• Experience facilitating workshops and consultations with diverse stakeholder groups
• Familiarity with the climate and development policy context in Malaysia
• Well-developed solution-oriented and problem-solving approach
• Demonstrated awareness of social inclusion, gender mainstreaming, and equity considerations in adaptation planning

4. Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree or higher in environmental studies or related field
• At least 10 years of work experience in a field related to sustainable development
• At least 5 years of experience working on CCA in the context of development policies and programs in Malaysia
• Experience contributing to science-informed policy and strategies in Malaysia, as evidenced by concrete examples referred to in your CV and cover letter
• Experience collaborating with key Malaysian ministries involved in the NAP process (i.e., NRES, PETRA, MOH, KPKT, MAFS), as well as civil society organizations, the private sector, and academia
• Proven ability to prepare reports and communicate effectively with the Government of Malaysia in a formal and professional manner, including the development of official documentation and related materials
• Fluency in English and Malay

5. Project Governance and Reporting

The implementation of MyNAP will be led by NRES, serving as the NDA to the Green Climate Fund. A project steering committee will be established to provide operational and managerial support to the PIU, which is supervised by the Undersecretary of the Climate Change Division of NRES.

The most important entity under the MyNAP implementation arrangement hierarchy is the MyNAP Working Committee, which is chaired by the Director General of NAHRIM. This committee will be supported by several sectoral TWGs. This committee is responsible for carrying out the scope of work outlined under the development of the MyNAP document and for regularly reporting all related activities, progress updates, and deliverables to the PIU.

Please refer to the Full TOR, which includes Appendix A: Key Project Outputs and Tentative Timelines, and Appendix B: MyNAP Project Governance Structure.

6. Location and Contact Details

Location: Base of work is Klang Valley. The CCA expert will be based in Klang Valley and work 2–3 days a week from NAHRIM’s offices.

Reporting lines: The CCA expert will report to NAP GN’s coordinator (David Hoffmann) and senior project manager (Ezra Campbell) and will work in close collaboration with NRES, NAHRIM, and GIZ.

Assignment duration: Two years (initial 3-month contract with the possibility of renewal for an additional 21 months).

Work Nature: Full-time (contractual)

Equipment: A work laptop will be provided by NAP GN for the duration of the assignment.

Expected Start Date: October 2025.

7. Application Process

All submissions must be in English and will only be accepted through Bamboo HR.

Please submit the following documents:

• A CV (no longer than two pages)
• A one-page letter of motivation
• The names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three referees (Referees will only be contacted if your application is shortlisted.)

Applications are due by September 22, 2025.

IISD does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, caste, ethnicity, religion, colour, disability, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

#LI-Remote