Working Group III (WGIII) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is filling the position of
Technical Specialist for the IPCC WGIII Technical Support Unit
Deadline extended till 20 December 2023.
IPCC prepares comprehensive and up-to-date assessments of policy-relevant scientific, technical, and socio-economic information needed to further understand the scientific basis of climate change, potential impacts, and options for mitigation and adaptation. WGIII assesses climate mitigation options (click here for more information). For the IPCC Seventh Assessment Report (AR7) cycle, the U.S. Global Change Research Program is funding a Technical Support Unit (TSU) to provide technical and administrative services in direct support of the elected IPCC WGIII Co-Chairs. To enhance efficiency, the WGIII TSU is distributed – with nodes at the USGCRP office in Washington DC; at partner entities in Asheville, NC, and elsewhere in the United States; and around the globe, e.g., co-located with the developing country co-chair in Malaysia. ICF administers the TSU-Washington node.
The Technical Specialist provides professional level support to the WGIII TSU management team, providing complex organizational and logistical support for scientific report preparation, large international meetings, nominations and review processes, in-person and remote chapter conferencing, volunteer chapter scientist and Review Editor coordination, and web content administration and maintenance. Also undertakes special projects as requested by the IPCC WGIII TSU Head.
Key Responsibilities
Scientific Report Preparation: Collaborates with the Working Group III Co-Chairs and TSU staff in supporting the scientific assessment process. Interacts with authors to monitor progress, identify problems, and develop strategies to resolve issues; facilitates collection and sharing of information among report authors; and manages peer review logistics. Maintains on-line resources in consultation with the TSU Head, IT staff, and web developers. Expert at spreadsheet configuration/manipulation.
Scientific Report Coordination: Serves as point-of-contact with Review Editor cadre for WGIII-led assessments to provide information on roles and responsibilities, and to manage RE deliverables. Also provides organizational and logistical support as TSU liaison to the Volunteer Chapter Scientist contingent recruited for WGIII-led reports.
Web Maintenance: Works with the TSU-Asheville node to maintain the author portal and other web-based tools. Serves as primary interface with IPCC Secretariat staff to implement and test web solutions for nominations and review systems. Receives and responds to general enquiries sent to the TSU.
Budget Management: Helps administer a USGCRP travel fund to facilitate the participation of non-Federal U.S. scientists in international assessment activities. Maintains audit trails and ensures equitable application of funds.
Skills and Competencies
- Working knowledge of the theory and practice of environmental assessment as applied to climate mitigation science.
- Ability to understand public policy issues related to global climate change.
- Demonstrated skill in synthesizing and summarizing scientific and/or technical information.
- Skill in preparing technical and administrative reports.
- Strong writing and proofreading skills, for both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Skill in planning and organizing meetings.
- Skill in accounting functions, budget development, and financial controls.
- Skill in managing and organizing multiple, concurrent projects and in analyzing and synthesizing data.
- Ability to work independently under tight deadlines.
- Honed interpersonal skills and sensitivity in working in multi-cultural settings.
- Ability to handle confidential/sensitive information in a manner consistent with ICF policy, and an ability to act in a professional manner consistent with the “USGCRP Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility” statement.
- Willingness to travel (including international destinations).
- Expert at spreadsheet configuration/manipulation.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree plus 2+ years of experience or Master’s degree plus 1+ years of experience in environmental assessment
- U.S. citizenship or permanent U.S. resident
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree plus 5+ years of experience or Master’s degree plus 3+ years of experience in environmental assessment
Application Information
This is a term position through 30 April 2026, with the possibility of extension. Employment is through ICF, a global advisory and technology services provider. Since a hybrid working arrangement, preference will be given to candidates within the Washington DC metropolitan area.
If interested in the position, apply directly by uploading your CV and motivation letter to the ICF Career Portal. If you have questions, you may contact the WGIII TSU Head (David Dokken) at <tsu@ipcc-wg3.gov> or ICF via the chat feature in the ICF Career Portal. This job posting will be open until 20 December 2023.