The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Bogota contributes to the development of bilateral relations between Norway and Colombia. One of the Embassy’s two focus areas is the implementation of Norway’s climate and forest partnership with Colombia. The Norwegian International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI), hosted by the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment in Norway, has established a series of partnerships with key forest countries and Colombia is among the prioritized partner countries. Through this initiative, the Norwegian government supports global efforts to reduce deforestation and forest degradation in tropical forest countries, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, maintain biodiversity and contribute to sustainable development.

The Norwegian Embassy in Bogota currently has nine diplomatic staff and thirteen locally employed staff members. The Embassy has a Climate and Forest Team with five persons.

The Embassy in Bogota now seeks an experienced locally employed climate and forest adviser to work closely with our advisors and counsellors. Tasks will include policy advisory and advocacy, grant management, information gathering, analysis and reporting, as well as preparing meetings, seminars and visits and contributing to a systematic strengthening of the network of contacts.

Norway formally started its climate and forest partnership with Colombia in 2015, through the Joint Declaration of Intent, a joint climate and forest partnership between Norway, UK, Germany and Colombia. Through this partnership, Norway has provided support to Colombia for reduced emissions from deforestation and in support of Colombian policy reforms to reduce deforestation and forest degradation. Besides this partnership with the Government of Colombia at the national level, the Embassy has dialogue and cooperation with a multitude of partners in regional governments and environmental authorities, global programmes, multilateral development institutions, civil society organizations and indigenous peoples’ organizations, academia/think-tanks, media and the private sector. The Embassy also manages several projects and programmes with partners to contribute to the climate and forest partnership. A key objective is to systematically coordinate and manage these partnerships in order to strengthen our development programs, achieve the climate and development goals and contribute to synergies and strategic collaboration.

The Embassy can offer a dynamic and stimulating work environment with good opportunities to grow professionally, influence policy making and implementation at different levels, as well as a competitive salary.

Areas of responsibility:

 Responsibility as adviser on climate and forest policy: Follow political developments and provide strategic advice across relevant topics for the effective implementation of Norway’s climate and forest partnership with Colombia. Provide information and analysis related to the climate and forest policy in Colombia. Provide input to expert meetings, technical and steering committees related to the  initiatives financed by Norway.

Responsibility as a project and grant manager: Ensure that the climate and forest projects, programs and multi-donor funds supported by the Embassy are strategic and aim to deliver good results. Provide quality assurance and monitoring of the programs, handle information and analysis related  to results frameworks, budgets, audits, financial and narrative reports.

Represent the Embassy of Norway and Norway’s climate and forest partnership in meetings with partners. Contribute to effective cooperation with the Government, other bilateral donors, multilateral development institutions, civil society and the private sector. Develop and update a relevant network of contacts for the Embassy (government, donors, NGOs, academia, private sector).

Administrative tasks: Plan and organize meetings, seminars, receptions, and prepare programs for visiting delegations. Draft minutes from seminars/meetings and contribute to draft reports based on the Embassy’s analytical work.

Contribute to the day-to-day work of the Embassy in Colombia; engage in representation and coordination as necessary.

Other tasks as required necessary.

Requirements;

 

• Master’s degree in Environmental Studies, Environmental law, Political Science, Economics, Sciences, Development Policy, or a closely related
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in the field of environment, climate change and development from government, international development agencies, civil society or private
• Expertise in policy analysis and a good understanding of Colombian politics and policy development, particularly on topics related to environment, forests and land use.
• Expertise in policy advisory, advocacy and ability of engagement with different levels of government as well as private sector.
• Expertise in the area of climate change, environmental policy, sustainable rural development, forest conservation, sustainable management of forests, or similar areas.
• A good understanding of international cooperation on climate and forest.
• Experience from international cooperation
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish, ability to communicate ideas effectively and write quickly and
• Ability to manage challenging tasks and deliver on time and to a high
• Ability to plan and prioritize work in terms of importance, timescales and other resource constraints and reprioritize in light of changing
• Flexibility to make regular field visits to the initiatives supported by the

Experience in the following areas is an advantage:

 

• Experience from international cooperation.
• Experience in grant
• Experience from climate and forest policy development and knowledge about NICFI.
• Experience working with local and ethnic communities.
• Experience from communication efforts.
• An advanced understanding of forest carbon markets and climate finance in Colombia.
• An advanced understanding of issues related to land tenure, rural reform and sustainable rural development.

Personal qualities:

 

• Motivation and commitment to the task.
• High ethical awareness and
• Analytical mindset, interested in relevant policy development.

-     Excellent interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work well in a team, but also confident to work independently to move areas of responsibility forward.
• Adaptable and flexible.
• Well A systematic approach to problem solving, results oriented.
• Ability to actively participate in meetings, forums, seminars and represent the embassy in different

We can offer:

 

• Competitive
• A good work environment in the Embassy, and motivated colleagues in the Climate and Forest Team at the Embassy.
• Exposure to a wide range of tasks and responsibilities, within an area which is given high priority by the Government of
• Opportunities for professional development and to develop a good network of

 If this sounds interesting, please send your application to emb.bogota@mfa.no by 10 December, 2023. Please write “Climate and Forest Adviser” in the subject line.

 Interviews for the position will take place after the holidays, starting 15 January. Please submit:

 

• Application, where you state your motivation for applying (in English).
• CV
• List of three references, including email addresses, phone numbers, as well as relationship to

 Desired start date is as soon as possible after the interviews are conducted.