Consultancy Urban Climate Change Specialist

International Resources Group (IRG), a wholly owned subsidiary of Engility, seeks an experienced Urban Climate Change Specialist to support the Global Climate Change Training, Outreach, and Communications task order awarded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This project develops and delivers climate change training courses for USAID staff and implementing partners worldwide, as well as provides support for outreach and communications. The project began delivering training courses in 2011 and has trained more than 500 staff of USAID, other U.S. Government agencies, and implementing partners. This is a short-term consultancy for senior or mid-level professionals. The preferred location to carry out this assignment is Washington, DC.

The Urban Climate Change Specialist will be responsible for developing and delivering a new course on Integrating Global Climate Change and Urban Issues (GCC-URB). This course provides an overview of critical issues and considerations regarding climate change in an urban environment, including practical ways to integrate climate change into relevant program areas such as economic growth, water, health, food security, and others. The focus of the training is on urban and peri-urban communities, resources, and systems in the developing country context. It is intended for delivery in a blended format composed of online and classroom modules, plus interactive sessions such as webinars. The Urban Climate Change Specialist will serve on as a member of the technical training team and work closely with project management and administrative staff in organizing and conducting online and classroom-based training events, possibly at overseas locations.

Period of Service: Not more than 45 days level of effort will be allocated to this assignment, consisting of approximately 30 work days for initial course development and intermittent periods thereafter for delivery of the course through July 31, 2013. We are open to the possibility of the above duties being shared by one senior and one mid-level professional.

Responsibilities:
• Work closely with the GCC Training team and USAID or other subject matter experts on urban aspects of climate change to conduct analysis of specific needs for GCC-URB training courses and materials. • Participate as needed in team meetings, discussions, briefings, and other collaborative processes to develop effective designs for urban-related courses and modules as may be required for a range of delivery mechanisms—including online interactive delivery through webinars and other tools, online delivery of self-paced modules available 24/7/365, and classroom delivery at USAID Missions or other similar venues. • Serve as Lead Trainer for the GCC-URB course by conducting the planning, development, and design of training program(s), under the guidance and direction of the GCC Training project director, USAID program manager, and USAID subject matter experts. This task also involves working closely with other members of the GCC Training team, including specialists on adaptation, clean energy, low emission development, adult learning, e-learning development and facilitation, climate change and development, and others to be identified as needed. • Draft, submit for review, and revise as needed a set of GCC-URB training course materials that adhere to established formats and styles for professionalism and scientific accuracy; depth, breadth, and accessibility of content; consistency with USAID policy and guidance; and branding, layout, and other aspects of how topics are presented. • Coordinate and collaborate closely with subject matter experts from other US Government agencies who are actively engaged in USAID programs either focused on or taking place in urban environments to remain current with technical and programmatic developments and incorporate these into training deliveries and materials as needed. • Travel as needed and upon approval to training locations in order to serve as Lead Trainer delivering the GCC-URB training course according to approved schedules. • In close coordination and collaboration with the designated USAID Subject Matter Expert, conduct and deliver the prepared GCC-URB courses, including revisions—as necessary and determined by USAID, the GCC Training project director, or designee(s)—to materials previously developed for the GCC-URB courses in online, classroom, or blended formats. • Participate in After Action Reviews and team meetings at the end of each training event to identify any revisions or modifications that may be required for the next delivery. • Participate actively and contribute as needed to development of any additional courses—for classroom or e-learning format—as may be appropriate and approved to proceed.

Required Skills and Experience:
• Advanced degree in a field directly related to urban planning, economic growth, environmental management, climate change, or similar field providing educational background in subjects directly involving promotion, implementation, or training on these topics in developing countries. • Demonstrated knowledge of principles and concepts of climate change, particularly as it relates to greenhouse gas mitigation and/or adaptation to climate change in the context of development programs being undertaken in urban and peri-urban environments. • Demonstrated knowledge of urban principles and concepts from a multidisciplinary perspective. • Detailed understanding of international development challenges, and parameters facing field staff involved in program design or implementation. • Ability and experience developing and/or conducting training programs for designers and/or implementers of development programs, including subject matter experts and generalists. • Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines; interact professionally with colleagues from different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences; and participate as a constructive member of a team. • Excellent ability to communicate complex subject matter to educated laypersons in verbal and written forms. (A writing sample will be required at interviews.)

Preferred Skills and Abilities: • Experience with USAID projects or programs in a substantive capacity, or detailed understanding of the responsibilities, challenges, and parameters facing USAID field staff involved in program design or implementation. • In-depth background, through education or experience, on urban-related aspects of climate change (both mitigation and adaptation), sustainable development, eco-adaptive strategies, and urban service delivery. • Willingness and ability to travel internationally for periods of one or two weeks each. • Experience developing and delivering professional training courses, particularly with tools for online collaboration as a learning format.

How to apply:

Please apply no later than December 31, 2012. Send your resume to climate.changeexperts@engilitycorp.comwith “GCC-URB” in the subject line.

Engility Corporation was formed in 2012 and is headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia. Our name is derived from “engineering” and “agility” and we employ great people who anticipate our customers’ needs and move quickly to serve them. Engility has some 9,000 employees in locations throughout the United States and worldwide. Our professionals provide a broad range of technical, analytical, operational, training, security services and products to government and commercial customers. At Engility, we conduct ourselves with the highest standards of integrity, accountability and respect, honoring our commitment to excellence in everything we do.

Our core competencies include Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) support, professional services, education and training, operational support, logistics, and international capacity development.

For more than 30 years, IRG has helped foreign governments, the private sector, communities, and households manage critical resources to build a cleaner, safer, and more prosperous world. We have completed more than 850 contracts in over 140 countries, delivering high-quality, cost-effective services that promote positive economic growth, institutional and social change, and intelligent use of resources – human, physical, environmental, and financial.