Consultancy _ Facilitation of Knowledge Co-Production Workshop: Developing a Framework for Intersectional Climate Risk Assessment

Facilitation of Knowledge Co-Production Workshop: Developing a framework for intersectional climate risk assessment

Context

The Resilience team at IISD has been exploring how intersectional approaches can be applied in climate change adaptation policies and plans since 2022. We began with a literature review, conducted in collaboration with an intersectionality expert, which revealed that there is limited experience in applying intersectionality in policy spaces, highlighting the considerable gap between theory and practice.

Our next step was a knowledge co-production workshop, which brought together a small group of advocates, researchers, and practitioners to do a deep dive into intersectional approaches to climate change adaptation.  One of the main takeaways from this workshop was that intersectional approaches are very much grounded in good adaptation practice, including local leadership, participatory processes, and combining scientific information with Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge for decision making. However, we were left with questions about how we can approach adaptation in a truly intersectional way, going beyond these basic principles of inclusion, which—while important—may not succeed in identifying and addressing intersecting structures of inequity that exacerbate vulnerability to climate change.  

Recognizing that the foundation for climate change adaptation is climate risk assessments (CRAs) (the first step in the iterative adaptation cycle as framed in the United Arab Emirates Framework for Global Climate Resilience), we identified this as a key entry point for adopting an intersectional approach.  There is considerable experience in conducting CRAs within sectors, as well as at the local level and with participatory approaches; however, we have yet to identify an example where risks and vulnerabilities have been analyzed using a truly intersectional approach. This is the gap we aim to fill. Building on this, we will explore how intersectional CRAs can be used to identify adaptation options that centre those who experience intersecting inequities. 

The Workshop

To explore how an intersectional approach can be applied in CRAs, we will bring together a small group of experts in intersectionality, adaptation, and climate risk assessment in a co-production workshop. To ensure continuity from the previous co-production process, some participants from the 2024 workshop who are actively working on climate change adaptation will be invited.  With a specific focus on CRA, we will also bring in new collaborators who possess expertise in this area. 

The objectives of the workshop are to:

•    Discuss how the foundational and process principles for an intersectional approach to adaptation can be applied in the CRA phase of the adaptation cycle.
•    Co-develop a framework for an intersectional approach to CRA. 
•    Identify data needs and relevant methodologies to apply the framework in practice.

The workshop is planned for 2.5 days from May 26 to 28 in Istanbul, Türkiye (location to be confirmed shortly). The workshop will be held in English.

The Assignment

IISD seeks to engage a team of two facilitators to design and facilitate the knowledge co-production workshop, in collaboration with the IISD team.

Key considerations that will be important in this process are as follows:

• Creating a safe and inclusive space where all have the opportunity to contribute, all knowledge is equally valued, and the results are jointly owned.
• Sensitivity to cross-cultural communication and diverse styles of learning and engagement.
• Emphasis on accessibility and individual and collective well-being in the design and delivery of the event.
• Flexibility to allow for emerging ideas or ways of working together.
• Oriented toward a concrete, actionable output in the form of a practical framework for intersectional CRAs. 

The facilitators will be expected to provide a report documenting the key points emerging from the discussions, so the workshop must be structured to enable this. 

Deliverables

• First draft of workshop agenda.
• Final draft of workshop agenda, incorporating feedback from IISD.
• Workshop report, structured around the objectives described above.

Timeline

• The assignment will begin as soon as possible to prepare for the workshop.  The workshop report is to be completed by mid-June.

Qualifications

We are seeking a team of two facilitators with the following profile:

 Essential:

o   Excellent facilitation skills.

o   Fluency (written and spoken) in English.

o   Demonstrated experience facilitating knowledge co-production processes with diverse groups.

o   Demonstrated ability to harvest and document outputs of co-production processes.

Desirable:

o   Knowledge of gender equality and social inclusion and feminist and intersectional approaches.

o   Familiarity with climate risk assessment approaches and frameworks.

Candidates from the Global South and/or with lived experience of intersectionality are particularly encouraged to apply.

How To Apply

To apply for this consultancy, please send:

• CVs for the team members illustrating the qualifications described above.
• A description of your proposed approach to the knowledge co-production workshop, including the documentation of key points emerging from the discussions (maximum three pages).
•  An estimate of fees for delivering the workshop (travel and other costs will be accounted for separately).

The documents should be submitted through Bamboo HR. The deadline for submission is April 9, 2025. 

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