CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Scientific Coordinator

OBJECTIVE

The Scientific Coordinator will be responsible for aligning the latest scientific evidence with policy, finance, and advocacy efforts across climate-vulnerable economies. The Scientific Coordinator will support the implementation of the CVF-V20 Science and Health Agenda, ensuring it is firmly grounded in a climate justice lens. The role will focus on synthesizing and prioritizing scientific research on planetary boundaries and emerging scientific innovations relevant for mitigation, adaptation and resilience financing. The Scientific Coordinator will facilitate connections between science, decision-making, and country needs, while ensuring that the perspectives and priorities of vulnerable countries meaningfully shape global scientific discourse, particularly in relation to ocean systems, food systems, and frontier technologies.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Scientific Coordinator will have the following roles & responsibilities:

  1. Coordinate scientific inputs into CVF-V20 strategies, Climate Prosperity Plans (CPPs), and advocacy platforms, ensuring that emerging evidence is translated into actionable guidance for member states;
  2. Direct the CVF-V20’s science agenda, with focused leadership and analysis on:
    • 1.5 degrees, reassessing the Paris limits as we breach 1.5C with real-time global warming, and what urgent adaptation and financing responses are required for climate-vulnerable countries;
    • Definitions of climate vulnerability, moving towards a scientifically defined, non-arbitrary approach for CVF membership encompassing both geographical and socio-economic considerations;
    • Solar geoengineering (SRM) capacity-building, in collaboration with the Degrees Initiative, to ensure full participation of climate-vulnerable countries in this debate with no prejudice towards any position but with a view to encouraging more research from the perspective of the climate vulnerable; 
    • Corals in CVF countries, facilitating information exchange about coral protection and restoration and facilitating innovative financial flows to support coral reefs as the first global biome tipping point;
    • Oceans as the world’s most important carbon sink, particularly the High Seas. Currently threatened by industrial fishing and seabed mining by a small number of countries, the CVF will support an effort to get wider protection as the High Seas Treaty (officially the: Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction, or BBNJ Agreement) comes into force, providing technical information and policy relevant analysis particularly as pertains to biodiversity & climate overlapping issues, including marine carbon dioxide removal via phytoplankton iron fertilisation in small island states’ territorial waters; and
    • Methane and short-term warming drivers such as aerosols. Focus on developing an agenda for urgent methane reductions as a short-term way to reduce the rate of warming particularly as aerosols are removed from the troposphere, with a view to keeping 1.5 within reach. 
  1. Develop and maintain partnerships with scientific institutions including global climate science bodies such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), regional and national institutions, ensuring alignment and amplification of CVF-V20 positions in relevant scientific spaces;
  2. Lead or support the drafting of scientific briefs, insight papers, technical notes, and strategy documents, and contribute to peer-reviewed outputs that reflect CVF-V20 priorities and the perspectives of climate-vulnerable countries.
  3. Represent the CVF-V20 perspectives in technical and high-level climate science forums to strengthen the evidence–policy interface and elevate the scientific needs and priorities of member countries;
  4. Mentor CVF-V20 fellows and engage youth networks to build capacity in science diplomacy, research literacy, and the practical use of scientific information in national climate policy and planning;
  5. Support internal Secretariat processes by reviewing scientific and technical components of programs, contributing to evaluations, and ensuring that scientific evidence is appropriately incorporated across workstreams;
  6. Support outreach and partnership-building activities, including identifying potential collaborators, coordinating with existing partners, and facilitating regular alignment calls to maintain scientific coherence across initiatives;
  7. Support and coordinate cross-country research efforts by identifying emerging scientific questions relevant to climate-vulnerable economies, consolidating evidence from global and regional research institutions, and guiding the commissioning of targeted studies that inform CVF-V20 strategies. This includes mapping data gaps, synthesizing findings from authoritative scientific bodies, and ensuring that research outputs are policy-relevant and accessible to member states;
  8. Perform other research, programmatic, organizational, or communications tasks as requested by the Managing Director and/or CVF management.

 

Reports to: Managing Director

QUALIFICATIONS

The Scientific Coordinator shall possess the following minimum qualifications:

  1. PhD or advanced degree in climate science, environmental science, or a related interdisciplinary field;
  2. Minimum 10 years of experience leading research, policy advisory, or scientific coordination in climate;
  3. Strong record of authorship in peer-reviewed publications or major global science-policy reports (e.g., IPCC, UNEP);
  4. Demonstrated ability to engage on global scientific debates, especially where vulnerable country representation has been limited;
  5. Experience linking climate risk data to fiscal, or finance strategies, particularly in LDCs, SIDS, or LMIC contexts;
  6. Familiarity with global policy frameworks (Paris Agreement, SDGs, BBNJ Treaty);
  7. Familiarity with global climate policy frameworks (e.g., the Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Goals, biodiversity targets) and their intersection with national development plans.
  8. Project management skills, including the ability to oversee monitoring and evaluation systems, deliver timely reports, manage budgets, and ensure accountability.
  9. Strong capacity-building and mentoring capabilities to enhance the technical expertise and leadership skills of regional teams.
  10. Outstanding communication and diplomatic skills, capable of representing the organization at high-level international forums, negotiations, and multilateral meetings.
  11. Proven ability to convene and collaborate with a diverse set of stakeholders—government officials, scientists, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, and multilateral institutions—to mobilize support and foster consensus.
  12. Experience working in or with climate-vulnerable regions, combined with cultural sensitivity and the ability to adapt engagement strategies to local contexts.
  13. Self-starter with an entrepreneurial, adaptive, and collaborative approach to problem-solving and driving results in dynamic and fast-paced environments.
  14. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to distill complex technical topics into clear, compelling messages for senior policymakers and diverse stakeholders/
  15. Fluency in English is required; knowledge of additional languages relevant to CVF-V20 regions is an asset.
  16. Strong commitment to achieving measurable outcomes that promote climate resilience, just transition, and inclusive growth.
  17. Ability and willingness to travel internationally as needed.