Vacancy Advisor Climate Resilience
Job location: Apeldoorn (HQ)
Starting date: to be agreed
Duration position: 1 year, possibility to extend
Working hours: 32 hours a week
Closing date: 7th of June 2026
About the role
Climate‑related disasters are increasing in frequency and severity, with a particular impact on vulnerable communities, economies and ecosystems. ZOA supports communities in adapting to climate change and strengthening their resilience through Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), integrating risk reduction measures into ongoing activities and developing standalone interventions to prepare communities for and anticipate to climate-related hazards.
As Advisor Climate Resilience, you lead and shape the integration of climate resilience across ZOA’s humanitarian programmes. You support programme design and are responsible for strategic choices. You work closely with country teams and colleagues in the Programmes Department to embed CCA and DRR across sectors such as Food Security & Livelihoods, WASH, Shelter and Peacebuilding.
About ZOA
ZOA is an international NGO standing with people affected by conflict and natural disasters. We provide emergency relief and long‑term recovery support from our Christian Identity, enabling communities to rebuild their lives. Coordinated from the Netherlands, ZOA works across Africa, the Middle East and Asia, with around 900 colleagues worldwide.
Your responsibilities
Technical support to ZOA country teams
- Proposal development, integrating Climate Resilience (CR) interventions in funding proposals: context analysis, choice of interventions, design of logframes and ToC
- Technical support during project implementation, including the use of the Environmental Stewardship Tool and the monitoring and evaluation of interventions
Capacity strengthening and knowledge exchange
- Develop and coordinate a CR learning agenda, including research and cooperation with relevant knowledge institutions
- Facilitate learning and exchange in and between countries, e.g. training of country teams on CR and DRR related topics
- Participate in and contribute to relevant climate and DRR related networks
Strategy and Policy
- Contribute to ZOA’s CR and DRR policies, standards and tools
- Actively engage in the development and implementation of new ways of working in CCA and DRR, such as the use of Early Warning Systems and Anticipatory Action approaches
- Analyse new funding opportunities and create partnerships with relevant stakeholders (including private sector and academic actors)
- Advocate towards policy makers and politicians in the Netherlands and at EU level, to integrate climate ambitions in food security and water policies and frameworks
Participate in defining interventions to reduce ZOA’s own environmental footprint
Your profile
Identity
- Fully support of the vision, mission and Christian values of ZOA
Knowledge and experience
- Solid educational background in a relevant sector, such as Climate Studies, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Disaster Risk Reduction, Resilience and Sustainability
- Experience in disaster risk reduction, preferably including early warning systems and anticipatory action approaches
- Experience in the use of climate information in decision-making and linking climate information to social impacts and community resilience
- Experience in working on climate change adaptation in ZOA’s programmatic areas, among which are the areas of water and agriculture
- Experience in the international humanitarian or development sector, in an advisory and expert role
Skills
- Strong cultural sensitivity and ability to collaborate effectively across countries and contexts
- Proven advisory and influencing skills, able to shape decisions without direct authority
- Excellent self‑management, with the ability to prioritize and work independently
- Clear and effective writing skills, suited for policies, proposals and guidance documents
- A proactive and innovative mindset, translating ideas into practical solutions
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills, internally and externally
- Fluency in English; working knowledge of French or Arabic is a plus
We offer:
- A meaningful position with international impact
- The opportunity to travel periodically and support colleagues in various countries
- A working environment that encourages initiative, continuous improvement, and professional growth
- Flexible hybrid working arrangements as part of a dedicated team
- A gross monthly salary between €3,974 and €5,667 based on full-time employment (40 hours)
- An attractive benefits package, including a 13th month and 29 days of annual leave
- An initial contract for one year, with the intention to continue thereafter
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact Elly Urban (Director of Programme Development & Support) at [email protected] or +31 55 366 3339. You may also contact Heline (HR Business Partner) via [email protected] or via the previously mentioned phone number.
Interested?
You can easily apply via the "apply now" button at this page. Closing date is June 7, 2026.
Good to know
- Reference checks are part of the selection process (three referees from the past five years)
- This position is based in the Netherlands; therefore, candidates must reside in the Netherlands and be able to work from there
Please note that ZOA carries out background and reference checks (including COTER) for all candidates as part of the recruitment process. As ZOA participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a written questionnaire: the “Statement of Conduct”, which will be sent to past employers regarding Misconduct (such as sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment).
