Pacific Advisor on Climate and Health (Consultant)

Background

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is an independent think tank working to accelerate solutions for a stable climate, sustainable resource management, and fair economies. Its work inspires better decisions and sparks meaningful action to help people and the planet thrive. IISD hosts the Secretariat to the Friends of Climate and Health, an informal group of countries fostering international collaboration at the intersection of climate and health.

Many countries have expressed strong interest to meaningfully engage with health in climate policy fora, including in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This follows growing political momentum to increase action on climate and health, including recent health initiatives at COP23, COP26, COP28 and recently COP30.

In response to requests from members, the Friends of Climate and Health Secretariat will focus on supporting governments to (1) build a community of countries that are actively engaged in dialogue on climate change and health; (2) foster the development of a common understanding among UNFCCC delegations of the role of health and wellbeing in the UN climate negotiations; and (3) serve as a platform for countries to informally discuss opportunities to integrate health within UNFCCC processes and advance action towards those opportunities.

The secretariat of the Friends of Climate and Health is run by a small but diverse team, composed of IISD staff and Policy Advisors (consultants) with deep knowledge of climate policy, multilateral environmental negotiations and the UNFCCC.

Scope and deliverables

The Pacific Advisor on Climate and Health will be expected to:

Represent Pacific interests and priorities, including by nurturing relationships with country delegates and providing countries with technical support on climate change and health.

Provide support and coordination to Pacific-SIDS negotiators on entry points for health in the UNFCCC.

Work in partnership with the Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP), facilitated by focal points from the Pacific Community (SPC).

Provide technical support to the Pacific Political Climate Champions on issues related to health and climate change.

Regularly communicate with the independent Secretariat of the Friends of Climate and Health and countries to share updates and foster the sharing of views.

Participate in UNFCCC sessions, including SB64 in June 2026.

Knowledge and Qualifications

Applicants should:

Currently work, or have previously worked, on projects or processes related to the UNFCCC;

Demonstrate a good understanding of multilateral negotiations and the UN system;

Have established relationships and experience working with national governments in the Pacific;

Demonstrate fluency in understanding and speaking English and have recent experience in writing in English.

Work well in small, highly collaborative groups, handle stress well, and show the highest respect for coworkers while completing meticulous, time-sensitive work

Have the flexibility to travel to international meetings for periods of up to two weeks at a time.

Demonstrate how freelance work with the IISD team will fit into other work or studies they may have.

Please note that work with IISD will require flexible working times, given the geographical spread of staff and stakeholders. It might also require occasional travel, including to UN climate conferences.

IISD is an international non-governmental organization. Qualified applicants from all countries are encouraged to apply. Successful applicants will be hired on a consulting basis for meetings held in locations all over the world. We do not relocate or provide work permits for consultants who are successful candidates for these freelance positions.

Contractual Arrangement

This is a short-term (4 months) and remote consultancy. The contract can be either full time or part-time (i.e. if the candidate already has other work or study obligations). The consultant will be contracted and paid according to IISD’s consultancy policies.

Remuneration: Commensurate with skills, experience, and location.

Location: Asia-Pacific

Estimated Start Date: March 1, 2026

Closing Date: June 31, 2026

The candidates will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will be closed once filled.

Application Procedure

All submissions must be in English.

Applicants should submit a copy of their resume (Curriculum Vitae), together with a cover letter (one page max.) detailing how they meet the requirements set out above. Applicants should fully articulate their depth of background and experience in multilateral negotiations and Pacific expertise. List details of two professional referees.

We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

The deadline for applications is 1800 (6:00pm) GMT on Thursday, 5 February 2026.

IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+, to apply for this position. We offer reasonable accommodations in our recruitment process and seek applicants’ advice on how best to accommodate their needs.

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.

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