Climate Change Advisor

Climate Change Advisor

Program Background

The Tonga Australia Support Platform (TASP) supports the work of the Australian Government in meeting development objectives in Tonga. It is a multi-sector development facility that uses multiple modalities including development program implementation and management, technical advisory support, grants management, and subcontracting. TASP supports Australian Government policy development and dialogue to deliver the desired outcomes.

About DT Global

At DT Global Asia Pacific, we aim to positively impact people's lives through delivery excellence. As a leading implementing partner across Asia and the Pacific, we co-create locally led solutions in partnership with governments, communities, and stakeholders. We bring together talented teams and deep regional expertise to deliver initiatives that promote inclusive economic growth, essential services, and resilient, secure communities. With over 1,500 staff, experts in 22+ countries and more than 60 years of development experience, we tackle complex community, national and transnational challenges — from governance and justice systems to climate resilience, infrastructure and social equity — with innovative thinking and a commitment to long-term impact.

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The Role

The impacts of climate change present a range of challenges for Tonga.  Intensified by the effects of climate change, disasters and extreme weather events such as drought, floods and cyclones are adversely impacting livelihoods, critical infrastructure and productive industries. The impacts will be further magnified by long-term effects of climate change, such as threats to ecosystems, ocean acidification and sea-level rise.

TASP will support targeted activities that support Tonga to build resilience and adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change. Addressing the risks of climate change, as well as taking advantage of the opportunities from climate action – such as more climate-resilient economic growth, jobs and technologies – reinforces sustainable development and supports poverty reduction.

The Climate Change Advisor will lead and implement targeted climate change activities in the health, governance, skills development and GEDSI pillars under TASP.

The Advisor will focus on developing and implementing climate change initiatives relating to resilient infrastructure, system-strengthening and capability-building with partner Ministries, TVET institutions and CSOs in line with the TASP Work Plan. The goal is to ensure that climate change initiatives will enhance partners' preparedness, resilience, adaption and mitigation.

This role reports to, and receives direction and input from, the Deputy Director – Programs.

The Advisor will be responsible for the following activities:

Leadership

• Lead and support climate change-related strengthening activities by working with TASP and partners to implement specific activities.

Climate Resilient Health Infrastructure

• Support Integration: Support the Health Pillar to integrate the recommendations of the Health Facility Climate Resilient Assessment Report into MOH's national policy (implementation of the Joint External Evaluation recommendations) and national planning (development of the National Health Security Planning)

Enhanced System and Capabilities of Grantees

• Analysis: Support the Grants Manager and the GEDSI team to review CSOs/Grantees' workplans and reports to identify opportunities and gaps in integrating climate change-related preparedness, resilience, adaption and mitigation into operations and service delivery.

• Develop and support Implementation: Support the grantees to develop and implement climate change activities in their Climate Change Action Plans.

Adoption of Best Practices in TVET Institutions

• Analysis: Identify the opportunities and gaps in integrating climate change-related preparedness, resilience, adaption and mitigation into TVET institutions' campus operations, curriculum and training and institutional culture.

• Develop and support implementation: support the TVET institutions to develop and implement actions to integrate climate change-related preparedness, resilience, adaption and mitigation

• Conduct: Deliver generic and tailored training to TVET providers in integrating climate change-related aspects to TVET providers' operations and administration. 

Enhanced Systems and Capabilities of Governance Institutions

• Assessment: engage with the Governance Pillar to review proposed reforms, project documents, and reporting relevant to climate change integration in Public Finance Management and Public Procurement lines of effort.

• Analysis: Identify the opportunities and gaps in integrating climate change-related preparedness, resilience, adaption and mitigation into Governance Pillar's partners operations, training, research and institutional culture, with a particular focus on public servant in-service training materials.

• Technical Support: to various Government of Tonga (GOT) policy development, planning and execution efforts to integrate climate change-related preparedness, resilience, adaption and mitigation in planning, expenditure and public service delivery.

• Capacity Development: Partnering with Governance Pillar technical advisers and GOT counterparts, develop and augment training materials to integrate climate change-related activities into GOT operations and administration.

TASP Organisational Development

• Support the Director and Deputy Director – Programs in enhancing professional excellence within TASP staff

• Contribute to TASP strategies, planning, reporting processes, and the evaluation of activities for continuous improvement.

• Consider gender, equity, and social inclusion in all activities to ensure participation from disadvantaged or marginalized groups.
   

Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position:

About You

Essential Experience, Capacities and Knowledge

• Degree in climate change, environmental science, or related degree from a recognised institution.

• Minimum of five years of experience in climate resilience or disaster risk management.

• Demonstrated experience in conducting vulnerability assessments and developing climate resilience strategies.

• Excellent analytical, communication, and report-writing skills.

• Ability to work in remote settings and engage with diverse stakeholders

Desirable

• Experience working in the Pacific region or small island developing states.

Why join TASP?

TASP 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. TASP 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.

HOW TO APPLY

Click the "Apply Now" button to submit your application.

For any enquiries, please contact us at

Please submit

1. Response against each of the essential and desirable selection criteria (maximum three pages).

2. Curriculum vitae/resume.

All applications will be handled in strict confidence. Only those shortlisted for further consideration will be contacted, due to the anticipated high volume of applications.

 

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 11 January 2026 / 23h59 / UTC +13 (Tonga Standard Time)
  
Should this role be of interest; we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.