Climate Resilience Program Team Lead
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* A unique opportunity to lead a flagship bilateral investment from Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), valued at up to AUD 75 million over nine years, comprising of an initial 4-year phase (AUD 30 million), with the potential for an option period of a further 5-years.
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The Cambodia Climate Resilience Program (CCRP) will assist Cambodia to strengthen climate resilience and integrate climate change adaptation into national policy implementation. It will work alongside existing Australian-supported regional and global water and climate initiatives, contributing to broader Mekong subregion resilience efforts.
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Cambodia faces acute vulnerabilities to climate change, ranking 144 out of 189 countries in the ND-GAIN Country Index. The country is highly exposed to frequent floods, droughts, and heatwaves, with projections indicating more extreme weather trends and rising sea levels. These impacts disproportionately affect the poorest and most marginalised populations, including women, children, people with disabilities, Indigenous groups, and other vulnerable communities.
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A 2023 World Bank report estimates that climate change could reduce Cambodia's GDP by up to nine percent by 2050, with higher losses in extreme flood years. Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) challenges are significant, with climate change compounding issues of water quality, availability, and associated health and education outcomes.
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This leadership role plays a pivotal part in the strategic delivery, oversight, and governance of program activities. The successful candidate will lead the identification and development of CCRP's engagement priorities, fostering strong, collaborative relationships with DFAT representatives, Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) counterparts, and key stakeholders and development partners across Cambodia and the Mekong subregion.
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Key responsibilities include:
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* Providing strategic direction, coordination, and oversight for CCRP's delivery, ensuring alignment with DFAT's overall vision and the achievement of CCRP's End-of-Program Outcomes (EOPOs).
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* Fostering a culture of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous capacity development within the CCRP team.
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* Developing and strengthening strategic partnerships with DFAT, RGC agencies, the private sector, regional organisations, and other key stakeholders to advance program objectives.
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* Representing CCRP, as directed, in meetings, workshops, and public diplomacy events, supporting the program's visibility and stakeholder engagement.
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About you:
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We are seeking a highly experienced professional with a Master's degree or higher in a relevant field, ideally with postgraduate qualifications in Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), water governance, climate change, environmental management, international development, or a related discipline.
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Demonstrated experience as a Team Leader, Chief of Party, Deputy Team Leader or similar senior leadership position, with a proven track record of developing and leading high-performing, multi-disciplinary teams in cross-cultural contexts.
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Strong understanding and working experience of water governance, watershed management, and conservation strategies, with practical knowledge of hydrology, water quality monitoring, and climate resilience in water management in developing country contexts, preferably in Cambodia or wider Mekong delta subregion.
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At least 15 years of professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, including extensive leadership of large, complex international development programs – preferably in Cambodia or the Southeast Asia region.
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A minimum of 10 years' experience in implementing programs focused on IWRM, institutional capacity building, public-private partnerships, WASH services, climate change adaptation, or related fields in Cambodia or Southeast Asia.
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Demonstrated ability to engage and collaborate effectively with government counterparts at national and subnational levels, private sector actors, civil society organisations, and other key stakeholders to strengthen systems, build capacity, and foster inclusive participation.
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Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to produce high-quality technical outputs, reports and strategic documents.
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Strong organisational and program management skills, with the capacity to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities in low-capacity, complex environments.
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Experience working on donor-funded programs, preferably with DFAT, or other major bilateral or multilateral development agencies.
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Demonstrated experience in the application and management of safeguards, including prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH), child protection, climate and disaster risk reduction and environmental and social safeguards.
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Applied knowledge of key cross-cutting development priorities, particularly GEDSI and their integration into program design, delivery, and monitoring.
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Proven ability to provide strategic leadership and operational management to multi-sectoral teams, fostering a cultural of collaboration, learning, and adaptive management.
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Exceptional interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, as well as highly developed emotional intelligence, with the ability to build strong, trusted relationships with diverse teams, counterparts, and other key stakeholders.
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Demonstrated success in change management, conflict resolution and adaptive problem-solving within complex development contexts.
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