KEY INFORMATION

Job Title: Climate Change Specialist (CCS)

Position Type (full/part time): Part Time

Duration/Level of Effort (long/short term): Short Term

Position Location (e.g. city, country, remote): Based in Southeast Asia

Terms of Reference

Application Deadline: 18 February 2026

1. About the Platform

The Southeast Asia Gender-based Violence Prevention Platform (“the Platform”) is a regionally led, Australian-funded initiative that aims to address the need and demand for increased investment in, and coordination of, gender-based violence (GBV) primary prevention initiatives in the Southeast Asia region. The Platform aims to strengthen locally-led efforts to prevent GBV through evidence-based advocacy, dialogue, policy and practice in Southeast Asia. The platform partners with governments, civil society organisations (CSOs), women’s rights organisation (WROs), regional and international bodies to work together to strengthen capacity, share knowledge, and drive coordinated GBV prevention efforts. The Platform is led by a regionally-based Secretariat, in collaboration with Cowater International, Social Development Direct and the Equality Institute (“the Collaborators”) which support organisational development and provide technical assistance. 

The Platform aims to achieve the following End of Program Outcomes under its three work Pillars: 

• Demonstrate Pillar: Evidence of what works to prevent GBV in Southeast Asia is accessible and applied by practitioners and policymakers in the region.
• Advocate Pillar: Regional and bilateral multi-stakeholder collaboration on and commitment to GBV prevention are expanded.
• Facilitate Pillar: Practitioners and policymakers have better capacity to design, implement and monitor high-quality, evidence-based GBV prevention policies and programmes

In line with the Australian Government’s Development Partnership Plan (DPP, 2024), the Platform aims to integrate climate change into its programming, recognising that climate-related risks exacerbate GBV vulnerabilities, particularly for women, persons with disabilities, and structurally marginalised groups.

2. Objectives

The CCS will develop and implement a strategy to integrate climate change considerations into the Platform’s GBV prevention programming. This role ensures that the Platform:

• Generates and applies evidence of good practices on the intersection of climate change and GBV (Demonstrate).
• Supports advocacy and multi-stakeholder dialogue on climate-responsive GBV prevention (Advocate).
• Builds the capacity of practitioners and policymakers to design and implement inclusive, climate-informed GBV prevention initiatives (Facilitate).

3. Scope of Work

The CCS will:

• By 15 June 2026, deliver a strategy that analyses potential entry points and activities for the platform related to the intersection of GBV and climate change.

• Design and deliver initiatives for grantees, mentors, WROs, and CSOs on climate–GBV linkages, including training, technical inputs, and support for integrating GBV prevention into climate adaptation and mitigations programs.

• Provide inputs into strategies, Terms of References, briefs, reports, and documents to ensure climate considerations are embedded in the Platform’s overall program delivery.

• Review and strengthen monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) tools to track climate-related outcomes in GBV prevention programming where possible.

• Capture and disseminate practice-based knowledge on programming that works at the intersection of GBV, Climate and environmental protection.

• Support the Platform’s effort to establish links with climate change movements, identifying potential networks, partners, and key advocacy moments that foster knowledge exchange, mutual learning, and joint action. 

   

4. Relationship Management

The consultant will report to the Platform Regional Director (or appointed focal point) and work closely with relevant leads/directors in the Secretariat, Technical Partners, CSOs/WROs, and other stakeholders.

5. Terms of Engagement

• The CCS will be engaged for a maximum of 45 (forty-five) days within the period of 1 April 2026 and 30 June 2027.
• This is a home-based, intermittent input-based engagement, with potential travel within the region. All travel costs required by the Platform will be covered by the Platform.
• The CCS will hold a Services Standing Offer agreement with the Platform. S/he will be engaged through specific Tasking Notes (TN) commissioned by the Secretariat as the need arises. The TN will describe objectives, outputs, activities, inputs required (in terms of number of hours or days) and timelines for each assignment. The TN will be developed and agreed upon together with the CCS prior to its issuance. 

6. Selection Criteria

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (or equivalent experience) in Environmental Science, Climate Change, Sustainability, or related field with focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation
• Skills & Abilities: At least 8 years of experience in gender-responsive climate change adaptation, with 5 years of direct experience in community-based practical climate-resilient solutions.
• Strong understanding of the intersectionality between climate change and GEDSI (gender, disability rights and social inclusion), with practical experience in gender-responsive and disability-inclusive climate initiatives.
• In-depth knowledge on the intersection between climate change and GBV, ideally with a focus on the household sphere including intimate partner violence (IPV) child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) etc.
• Demonstrated expertise in supporting grassroots communities to integrate GBV-prevention into climate change programming and/or integrate climate considerations into GBV programming.
• Experience in strengthening capacity and co-creating programs with diverse stakeholders, including CSOs, OPDs and feminist movements, ensuring an inclusive, trauma-informed and power-sharing approach.
• Proven track record in designing and delivering capacity strengthening initiatives for diverse audiences, particularly with non-technical audience/ laypeople.
• Ability to develop accessible knowledge products and training materials for varied literacy levels and disabilities.
• Proficiency in participatory planning and community-based adaptation approaches.
• Familiarity with Australian Government requirements on climate change, disability-equity, and gender equality.
• Based in Southeast Asia and able to travel intermittently within the region.

Key Competencies:

• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to convey complex climate concepts to non-technical audiences and diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong facilitation and training skills with experience in participatory approaches and inclusive teaching methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to work sensitively with vulnerable populations and understanding of power dynamics in community settings.
• Excellence in project management with ability to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
• Commitment to promoting equality, inclusion, and sustainability.

Application Process:

To apply, please submit the following in a single email to collaborate@prevention-platform.org: 

• Cover letter outlining your interest in the role and the Platform
• Updated CV
• Contact details for at least two (3) references

Equal Opportunity:

Women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring based on merit and qualifications. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law. 

For More Information: For further details or to apply, please contact collaborate@prevention-platform.org or visit www.prevention-platform.org. 

Join us in driving impactful GBV prevention efforts in Southeast Asia!

Candidates are encouraged to apply by 18 February 2026. 

For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

Cowater international strives to maintain a fair, transparent, and human centered recruitment process. As part of our commitment to responsible hiring practices and compliance with evolving recruitment regulations, we may use AI assisted tools to support limited aspects of our talent acquisition workflow, such as reviewing or shortlisting applications. These tools are used only to enhance efficiency and consistency in our processes. All assessments, interviews, and final hiring decisions are made exclusively by our human recruiting managers. Candidates may request additional information about the use of these tools or reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

ABOUT US

Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.