This role serves as a Senior Advisor embedded within the Cabinet Secretary’s office, dedicated to providing high-level strategic counsel on Kenya's National Climate Agenda and Environment. The position is crucial for driving integrated climate action across key government sectors, strengthening the country's access to climate finance, and guiding readiness efforts for carbon market opportunities.
About Palladium International
Palladium develops and delivers solutions that create positive impact for communities, businesses, societies and economies. We transform lives and create enduring value by working with governments, corporations and non-profit organisations.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The expert will be embedded in the Cabinet Secretary’s office to:
- Provide strategic advisory support to the Cabinet Secretary for effective engagement with development partners, stakeholders, and on international matters.
- Facilitate inter and intra-ministerial coordination by supporting structured engagement across forestry, energy, agriculture, water, and finance sectors to promote integrated climate and environmental action.
- Advise on donor alignment to ensure support is consistent with national priorities and strengthen Kenya’s access to climate finance.
- Offer technical guidance on carbon market readiness, including interpretation of the 2024 Climate Change (Carbon Market) Regulations and positioning Kenya to benefit from nature-based and carbon market opportunities.
- Guide on preparation of high-level policy briefs and statements to support Kenya’s participation in global and regional forums (e.g., COP, Africa Climate Summit, UNGA) with technically credible and impactful messaging.
- Advise on inclusive policy development by identifying entry points for integrating gender, youth, disability inclusion, and Indigenous Peoples’ perspectives into climate and environment strategies.
Required Qualifications
Academic Competencies
- A master’s degree or PhD in a relevant field: This could include Forestry, Environmental Science and Policy, Natural Resource Management, Climate Change, or a related discipline.
- Specialized training or certification: Additional certification in climate finance multi-stakeholder coordination, governance, or institutional development is desirable.
General Experience
- Minimum of 10 years of professional experience: In senior-level public sector advisory in climate/environment policy, supported by broader experience in diplomacy and international relations, demonstrating a strong track record of supporting ministers or senior government leaders and facilitating inter-ministerial or multi-stakeholder coordination.
- Proven leadership capacity: Experience providing high-level policy advice, building institutional capacity, and managing cross-government or donor coordination processes.
- Extensive sectoral and/or regional expertise: Strong understanding of Kenya’s climate, forestry, and environmental governance landscape, with demonstrated engagement at both national and regional levels.
