Are you a climate expert with a passion for smallholder farmers and sustainable supply chains? Do you have experience in promoting climate smart solutions benefitting small scale farmers? Solidaridad offers you a rewarding and meaningful job in an inspiring and international setting with the opportunity to make a real difference in the world.
We are looking for a:
SENIOR CLIMATE EXPERT
to join our Knowledge Management and Learning team, based in the Netherlands or Germany.
Current climate action does not adequately meet the needs of the world’s small-scale farmers, who are amongst the most affected by climate change. These communities are on the frontlines of climate change, yet often lack the finance and resources to effectively implement low-carbon and climate change adaptation solutions. Nature-based solutions that allow carbon sequestration and soil enhancement such as agroforestry, biochar, climate smart and regenerative farming and ecosystem-based management offer an opportunity to increase farm resilience and also ensure food security of small scale holder farmers’. We are looking for a climate expert to promote those nature based solutions and ensure critical incentives are created to invest in sustainable agriculture and food production.
In order to accelerate our scaling and consolidation of payment for ecosystem activities and mobilising investment on climate smart agriculture, we need a dedicated senior climate expert.
RESPONSIBILITIES
In cooperation with Solidaridad colleagues the expert will :
- Support the design, implementation and scaling of innovative climate propositions and solutions relevant to Solidaridad’s Multi-Annual Strategic Plan. Build upon existing work with respect to agroforestry and biochar payment for ecosystem services work of Solidaridad
- Provide strategic input to define Solidaridad climate strategy and external positioning and engagement towards relevant stakeholders.
- Provide Technical backstopping / expertise to roll-out and improve Solidaridad’s climate innovation solutions within Solidaridad.
- Advise on the content and development of large (multi-million) concepts/ propositions/ proposals for Climate Funds and Donors.
- Remain abreast of Solidaridad existing programs as well as relevant resources needed within the network – including technologies, services and climate financing landscape.
RESULT AREAS
Organisational excellence
- Deliver strategic advisory and hands on services to the development and implementation of new and existing funded programs and drive efficiency and effectiveness of Solidaridad climate agenda
- Provide technical advice to on-going program teams that are responsible for delivering on Climate related outcomes and ensure quality implementation.
- Initiate the development of Climate / PES PMEL training/e-courses and linked implementation to scale successful climate propositions
- Lead the development and implementation/facilitation of climate learning trajectories, aligned with learning strategies in the network;
- Maintain and share an overview of relevant climate and nature related resources including technologies, services and climate financing
Generating evidence
- Develops and/or maintains existing longer-term strategic partnerships with key climate and nature knowledge partners, knowledge networks and platforms.
- Follows up on potential leads for research in joint projects with knowledge partners and manages research partner accounts/research projects in Europe
- Collect insights and use adapted tools to measure organizational effectiveness concerning the climate and nature strategy and track progress on strategy implementation underpinned by data and evidence from the field.
- Provides advice during the design of complex projects on how to develop good measurement plans and data collection tools i.e. scoping, ToC, selection of indicators.
- Provides advice during the preparation/implementation of scoping studies, baselines, mid-term reviews, evaluations, and reflection/learning sessions in complex projects and at organizational level.
Ensuring availability of intelligence
- Actively promotes and uses the available intelligence in the network during design and co-creation of new projects and proposals, and continuously strengthens the evidence base of Solidaridad’s approaches;
- Translate climate/nature propositions into (climate finance) fundraising proposals in close collaboration with the donor relation and corporate partnerships teams;
- Develops and monitors processes for the development of knowledge products;
- Provides advice about Climate during the strategy development/annual planning of Solidaridad Europe;
- Support the Head of KML and PES in spotting relevant internal and external developments/trends that have impact on meeting our climate strategy goals.
Working within REC Europe and the Solidaridad Network
- With Climate colleagues in Europe and globally co-create the positioning of Solidaridad on key themes and key messages during major climate events, to build the profile of the organization, network and explore collaboration and fundraising opportunities
- Coordinate internal communities of practices in selected priority solutions/themes – in particular agroforestry and biochar in line with programmatic objectives
- Identify climate and nature regional specific learning needs and facilitate l learning and exchange.
- Develops good working relations with Network colleagues in Regional offices and the Network Secretariat;
PROFILE
- You are an agronomic and/or carbon accounting expert with hands-on experience in the supply chains where we operate (e.g. Cocoa, Coffee, Cotton, Palm Oil, Livestock, Tea and Soy).
- You have experience designing large climate programs and supporting technically the implementation of climate related activities.
- You have a strong knowledge of Nature Based Solutions (in particular Agroforestry and Biochar) and the dynamics of the carbon markets and solutions.
- You are able to engage with key stakeholders in our ecosystem to build intelligence of the sector, craft relevant external partnerships and voice clearly our position on salient issues.
- You take initiative and are a fast thinker as well as a result-oriented doer.
- You analyse problems, opportunities and information in order to identify, and then implement practical and creative solutions.
- You are ambitious and entrepreneurial; you are a networker and connect with others easily.
- You focus on solutions and possibilities that are evidence based and geared towards measurable results.
- You set the bar high and work closely together with other colleagues and thematic experts within the organization.
- Eligibility to work in the European Union.
QUALIFICATIONS
- At least an MA degree in agriculture, agronomy, environmental science, or relevant field.
- Minimum of 7 years of experience working in organizations (Ngos, Consulstancies or corporates) that support farmers and farmer organisations in professionalising and improving farming practices and performance.
- Strong technical expertise in climate-smart agriculture practices, including but not limited to agroforestry, Biochar , conservation agriculture, soil and water management, and climate-resilient crop and livestock production.
- Knowledge of the field of climate finance and carbon markets.
- Demonstrated ability to shape grant proposal design and implementation plans.
- Experience working with farmers, enterprises, and organizations to promote the adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and facilitation skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Ability and willingness to travel to visit programs and participate in relevant events (approximately 20%).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to gather insights, synthesize information, and craft compelling proposals, reports, and presentations.
- Good command of Spanish and/or French language is an asset
OUR OFFER
- A unique and rewarding job within an inspiring and international setting, starting as soon as possible;
- You will join Solidaridad Europe’s Knowledge Management & Learning team, and will have the opportunity to work with an innovative and dedicated network of professionals in Europe and across the world;
- Location: Utrecht, the Netherlands, or Germany, with national and international travel required;
- A one year contract with the possibility of extension, 36-40 hours/week;
- Gross monthly salary between EUR 4,024 and EUR 6,110 depending on relevant experience (salary scale 11); an additional holiday and end of year allowance will be paid to the employee in case based in The Netherlands, or an equivalent compensation will be paid out monthly as part of the monthly salary when based in Germany;
- Solidaridad offers a private pension plan/ non-contributory pension plan depending on the location based;
- Contribution to moving expenses (if applicable).
NEXT STEPS
Do you recognize yourself in this candidate profile? Then please submit your one-page motivation letter and two-page resume in English to hr-europe@solidaridadnetwork.org, and state “Application: Climate Expert” in the subject header. The closing date for this vacancy is 8 June 2025 whereby we review and evaluate applications on an ongoing basis and conduct interviews with suitable candidates before the end of the application period if necessary.
Questions can be addressed to Noura Hanna: noura.hanna@solidaridadnetwork.org or by phone to +31 (0)30 272 03 13.
The selection process will involve two rounds of interviews. We aim to hold the first-round interview in person; however, we are open to online interviews for candidates who are unable to attend in person. We seek to ensure second-round interviews take place in person in Utrecht, The Netherlands.
A reference check, VOG (certificate of good conduct) or equivalent depending on the country of residence, and an assessment will be part of the selection procedure. Work permit restrictions may apply.
No agencies please.
Any personal data submitted in an application is treated confidentially and processed for the sole purpose of filling a vacancy, and compliant to the GDPR directive. After the selection process has been completed (upon the date of filled vacancy), all personal data of applicants who have not been selected will be destroyed immediately, unless we have your explicit approval to store your personal data for a period of maximum a year.
BACKGROUND
Solidaridad is an international civil society organization. With more than 1,300 local staff, we work in 50 countries worldwide on fair and sustainable supply chains.
Inspired by 55 years of solidarity with under-resourced producer communities, we enable farmers, miners and workers to earn a decent income, shape their own future, and produce in balance with nature.
Solidaridad consists of seven regional expertise centers located around the world, each with its specific expertise and focus. Solidaridad Europe seeks to inspire the private sector and governments in Europe to contribute to sustainable economic development.
In Europe, Solidaridad focuses on policy influencing, corporate engagement, communications, knowledge management and donor relations. We seek to inspire the private sector, governments, civil society organizations and citizens to contribute to sustainable economic development.
At Solidaridad, diversity, equity and inclusion are key to our collective mission, vision and values.
We aim for Solidaridad to be an inclusive place where all people feel heard, seen, and valued for their diverse identities, experiences, perspectives and skills.
We are therefore committed to ensuring a safe and healthy working environment by treating everyone with dignity and respect, enabling and empowering us to be ourselves and achieving our full potential as individuals and our collective mission as an organization.
For more information please refer to our website: www.solidaridadnetwork.org or www.solidaridad.nl
