Climate and Resilience Expert in Rugby

About the role

The Climate and Resilience Expert is a specialist role that will contribute to strengthening and expanding Practical Action’s Climate and Resilience portfolio, with a primary focus on Early Warning Systems and Early Action. The postholder will play a key role in shaping the strategic direction of our EWS/EWEA work, providing high‑quality technical expertise, thought leadership and sector engagement to enhance the impact of our programmes, partnerships, and consultancy services. This role will support the delivery of ongoing workplans for key EWS/EWEA initiatives, including maternity cover responsibilities for priority projects. Approximately 50% of the postholder’s time will focus on coordinating delivery of the EWS Thematic Lead work under the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance, ensuring continuity, effective collaboration, and high technical standards across research, programme design, partnership development, and influencing activities.

About you

The successful candidate will bring strong technical knowledge of early warning systems and early action, experience working in climate resilience in low‑ and middle‑income contexts, and the ability to collaborate effectively with global teams, partners, and external stakeholders to advance Practical Action’s mission of putting ingenious ideas to work for a world that works better for everyone.

Person Specification

• Minimum of 5 years professional experience in a related role, including significant time working in different geographical contexts globally.
• Masters degree level qualification or equivalent in a related field.
• Strong personal empathy with Practical Action’s mission, vision and values.
• Ability and willingness to travel overseas several weeks a year.
• Established professional relationships with relevant key actors/networks in the Early Warning System sector.
• Experience of developing and leading consultancy assignments, projects and teams.

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• In-depth knowledge of Early Warning Systems, and relevant stakeholders and funders.
• Knowledge of Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) as a priority in EWS.
• High standards of written and spoken English.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build and maintain strong working relationships and networks.
• Enthusiastic and results driven.
• Ability to write and speak in a language other than English would be an advantage (e.g. Spanish, French, Portuguese).

The opportunity to work for an organisation that is making a positive difference to the lives of people worldwide, a friendly and supportive culture, and working with values-driven and highly engaged colleagues are just some of the reasons we think Practical Action is a great place to work. This role will be based in the UK. The successful applicant must have the pre-existing right to both live and work in the UK. The successful candidate will be expected to attend the Rugby office on regular occasions.

Interviews: It is anticipated that interviews will take place in the weeks commencing 11th and 18th May 2026. If you do not hear from us within five weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion.