Climate Change Manager

🌱 About Better Cotton

Better Cotton is the world's largest cotton sustainability programme, working to help cotton communities thrive while protecting and restoring the environment. Through our field-level partners, we have trained over 2.5 million farmers across 23 countries in sustainable farming practices. Today, a quarter of the world's cotton is grown under the Better Cotton Standard.

Climate change is a major challenge for the cotton sector. Over the past two years, we have conducted extensive research on how cotton farming contributes to climate change and how farmers are affected. We have outlined a climate change strategy aligned with our 2030 targets, focusing on:

• Reducing climate impact – Cutting emissions and enhancing carbon sequestration.
• Adapting to climate change – Strengthening farmers’ resilience.
• Ensuring a Just Transition – Making climate-smart farming socially inclusive.

Our ambitious goals for 2030 include halving GHG emissions from cotton farming, reducing synthetic pesticide use, improving soil health, increasing farm incomes, and promoting gender equality among farmers and workers.

About The Role

📍 Location: Delhi, India / Lahore, Pakistan
🕒 Contract Type: Full-time, open-ended
📅 Application Deadline: 26 March 2025
🚀 Start Date: ASAP
💰 Salary:

• If hired in Delhi: ₹3,042,400 INR per annum
• If hired in Lahore: 6,773,600 PKR per annum
  Salary is commensurate with experience and skills.

Key Responsibilities

🌍 Technical Expertise & Thought Leadership

• Ensure Better Cotton's climate strategy aligns with global trends, donor expectations, and scientific research.
• Lead internal and external working groups for knowledge sharing and collaboration.
• Represent Better Cotton in industry initiatives related to climate and textiles.
• Develop climate-related training materials and contribute technical expertise.
• Engage in speaking events, conferences, and panel discussions.
• Monitor industry trends and provide strategic recommendations to internal teams.

🚀 Impact Delivery & Innovation

• Identify and test innovative solutions to achieve Better Cotton’s 2030 climate goals.
• Support country teams in developing local action plans for climate adaptation and mitigation.
• Strengthen collaboration across thematic areas to enhance field impact.
• Support global research initiatives and pilot climate-sensitive agricultural practices.
• Manage cross-functional climate projects across multiple countries.

🤝 Fundraising & Partnership Building

• Provide technical input for fundraising proposals and donor engagement.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with key NGOs, government bodies, and other stakeholders.
• Support Better Cotton’s fundraising team in securing resources for climate initiatives.

🎯 What We’re Looking For

Essential Qualifications & Skills

✔️ University degree in a relevant field.
✔️ Expertise in climate change mitigation and adaptation in agriculture.
✔️ Experience in technical advisory roles or programme management.
✔️ Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects.
✔️ Proven ability to collaborate across teams and cultures.
✔️ Excellent communication skills – written and verbal.
✔️ Financial skills, including budgeting and resource planning.
✔️ Fluent in English.
✔️ Strong computer and IT skills (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).

Desirable Skills

➕ Experience working with smallholder farmers, especially in cotton farming.
➕ Knowledge of GHG footprinting and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
➕ Understanding of the textile value chain.
➕ Experience in fundraising and business development.
➕ Familiarity with sustainability standards and systems.
➕ Proficiency in additional languages such as Hindi, Urdu, Portuguese, French, Mandarin, or Turkish.

💼 What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Hybrid working (2-4 days in the office per week)
• Work-from-anywhere option for up to one month per year
• Flexible working hours (core hours: 10 AM – 4 PM local time)
• Continuous learning and development opportunities
• Pension scheme
• 25 days annual leave + 8-9 Bank Holidays + 3 additional days off over Christmas
• Enhanced parental benefits
• A positive, inclusive work environment
• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact in sustainable cotton farming

📌 Working Arrangements

This is a full-time (40 hours/week) position based in Delhi or Lahore. It involves some travel (2-3 short-haul trips per year, plus 1-2 trips to cotton-growing regions in Africa, South Asia, or the Americas).

🔍 Hiring Process

1. Initial Screening – CV & cover letter review, possible short phone/video interview.
2. Interviews – One or more interviews with hiring managers and team members.
3. Assessments – May include technical tests or practical exercises.
4. Reference Checks – Validation of experience and qualifications.
5. Offer Stage – Selected candidates receive a formal job offer.