Position: Research & Administrative Assistant
Duration: 5 months (short-term contract)
Title of Project: Advancing Renewables for Enhanced NDC Alignment (ARENA)
Team: Climate Change and Energy Programme (CEP)

The results of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, including floods, sea level rise, coral bleaching, disappearing species, unbearable heat, and disastrous storms.

At the core of the Paris Agreement are pledges of countries to reduce GHG emissions. Countries commit to set their Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and the achievement of its long-term goals. NDCs embody efforts by each country to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. NDCs are pledges to act to address the climate crisis. These contributions outline each country’s planned actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to 1.5° Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015, there have been two rounds of Nationally Determined Contributions, and a third round is underway. The Philippines, among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, has pledged a projected 75% reduction and avoidance of GHG emissions by 2030, of which only 2.71% is unconditional.

Achieving the Philippines’ climate goals depends not only on national ambition but on how effectively cities and provinces can act, as the path to realizing NDC targets lies in the hands of local governments. It is at the LGU level where energy systems are managed, and communities experience the impacts of climate change.

The country’s energy sector remains the single largest source of emissions, with coal and other fossil fuels dominating the power mix. Despite a declared moratorium on new coal projects, the Philippines continues to depend heavily on imported fuels. Yet, longstanding WWF partner cities in the province of La Union demonstrate that locally led, clean energy transition is possible. At least 3 LGU’s in the province have opposed coal-fired plants, providing a strong entry point to advance the province’s clean energy transition at both the local and national level.

WWF-Philippines has been granted a 13-month funding to implement “Advancing Renewable for
Enhanced NDC Alignment (ARENA)”, which will start on December 15, 2025, until January 14, 2027. The ARENA project has an overall goal of reinforcing the Philippines’ climate ambition through the integration of national and local level contributions to the NDC and actions moving towards a just energy transition. It aims to advance the country’s NDC by assessing gaps in fossil fuel phaseout and energy transition policies, fostering evidence-based dialogue with key agencies, and promoting inclusive civil society participation. At the local level, it builds the capacity of provinces and cities, beginning with La Union, to craft and implement energy efficiency and renewable energy plans, demonstrating how locally led action can drive national climate ambition. Below are the project’s specific objectives and its intended outcomes:

Reporting to the Project Manager and the Project Officer, the Research & Administrative Assistant shall render the following duties and responsibilities in support of the activities and deliverables of the ARENA project:

1. Shall follow the regular working hours of 5 days per week or 40 hours per week under a hybrid working set-up
2. Work closely with the Project Officer to complete the required deliverables relevant to the short-term engagement
3. Provide research assistance on related activities such as desktop and on-ground data gathering, activity planning, and presentations
4. Coordinate with project consultants and LGU partners in the conduct and completion of on-ground activities in the Province of La Union
5. Assist the project team in organizing events in collaboration with relevant national government agencies (NGAs), local government units (LGUs), and civil society organizations (CSOs)
6. Contribute to event organizations and activity documentations
7. Collaborate with other internal WWF-PH teams involved in the project, such as One Planet Cities (OPC) and Communications Team, in the write-up and formulation of analysis report
8. Help facilitate related logistical requirements for events and meetings with key stakeholders engaged in the project
9. Attend and support relevant meetings for the Project, both online & offline
10. Support the Project Officer in travel arrangements including preparation and liquidation of travel forms
11. Perform other tasks that may be assigned by the direct supervisor and/or CEP Unit Head

• Draft write-up of analysis report
• Relevant presentation materials necessary in project activities and events
• Database of gathered baseline data and research information
• Activity report/documentation of conducted events involving external partners

• A college graduate, preferably in urban design, engineering, physics, economics studies, environmental science, or any related course
• Good at written and verbal communication
• With background and familiarity with climate change, renewable energy, energy efficiency, & sustainable development
• Experience in working with muti-stakeholders, conducting data-gathering research and preparing/writing reports; experience in event organization and facilitation is a plus.
• Willing to travel locally to conduct field works and city visits
• Proficient in Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint.
• Can work with minimum supervision

As an equal employment opportunity employer, WWF does not discriminate based on an applicant’s race, religion, sex, gender, or disability status. To reduce use of paper, submissions by mail will not be accepted. Due to the high volume of applications, inquiries via phone cannot be accepted.

To apply, send your CV and Letter of Intent by mail to apply@wwf.org.ph with the subject line: "ARENA_Research & Admin Assistant [First Name_Last Name]" on or before February 20, 2026 COB.