Background
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The Regional Technical Specialist for Climate Change Adaptation is primarily responsible for providing high quality technical policy, programming, implementation support and oversight, and knowledge and capacity development services, to UNDP country offices in the region. Secondary clients might include other UN agencies, governments and inter-governmental organizations, NGO’s, donors, and the like. Specific results are expected in the areas of:
Innovation, Strategic Leadership, Dialogue and Advocacy
- Provide support to establishing and maintaining a strategic understanding of, and engagement with, the substantive technical issues, institutions, and processes within the region, including establishing contact with and developing strategic partnerships with other agencies, donors, NGO’s, the private sector, scientific institutions and the like;
- Contributing to identification, development and implementation of new strategic programming opportunities and partnerships in the area of climate change adaptation, climate resilient development and sustainable livelihoods;
- Participating in global retreats, focal area retreats, regional strategic planning, pipeline management exercises, etc.;
- Participating in cross-substantive area technical dialogue, common strategic visioning, mainstreaming, programming, and other collaboration within the regional team; and
- Assist in keeping the Regional Team informed of trends and issues with respect to the substantive technical area.
Programming and Management
- Supporting the development of strategic policy and guidance for strengthening UNDP Country Offices with climate change adaptation project design and implementation including alignment with national priorities;
- Assisting the development of and advocacy for specific policy analysis and development tools and guidance in support of programming and finance for climate change adaptation;
- Supporting the establishment of a trusted leadership role for UNDP-GEF within the region;
- Sourcing of technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports;
- Contributing to regional retreats, focal area retreats, regional strategic planning, pipeline management exercises, etc.;
- Promoting gender equity/empowerment in programming opportunities;
- Helping to ensure that strategies and projects are aligned to country outcomes and UNDP corporate environment results in internal UNDP project tracking systems (e.g. ERBM);
- Maintaining quality/accuracy in data and project management (UNDP EF systems like PIMS), management of ATLAS Risks logs, and portfolio delivery rates;
- Monitoring to ensure expected quality standards are maintained in project implementation reviews; and
- Supporting the RCU to internalize lessons from evaluations in programming in the region.
Programming and Resource Mobilization
- Assisting the provision of timely quality information and technical advice on source of funds policies, priorities and activities;
- Draft, revise, finalize and help editing concepts and project documents for submission to donors including the Global Environment Facility and Green Climate Fund;
- Supporting the coordination of design, preparation, submission and approval of project proposals and requests for project development financing; and
- Support the liaison with potential (co)financing agencies and institutions.
Development Impact
- Assisting with inception, contracting and startup of projects including establishment of indicators, benchmarks and work plans;
- Supporting UNDP country offices in the supervision, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, troubleshooting and adaptive management of approved projects, including preparing and reviewing annual reports and work plans;
- Maintaining project and portfolio information and corporate information systems;
- Developing guidance and tools for country offices to utilize in operationalizing projects inception, contracting and startup of projects including establishment of indicators, benchmarks and work plans; and
- Functioning as surge capacity to COs, supporting EFP with urgent, pressing, complex and /or specific tasks in the context of climate change adaptation.
Learning, Knowledge Management and Self Development
- Evaluating, capturing, codifying, synthesizing lessons and stimulating the uptake of best practices and knowledge, including the development of resource kits and other knowledge materials;
- Peer reviewing, commenting on, and seeking to improve, the technical quality of projects, policies, practices, guidelines, advisory notes, publications and the like;
- Assisting with preparation of regional Community of Practice meetings;
- Preparing and delivering training courses, as needed;
- Developing knowledge products of relevance to UNDP-GEF’s support to countries on low emission climate resilient development in the area of climate change adaptation; and
- Developing and carrying out a personal learning plan (5%).
Competencies
Core
Innovation – Ability to make new and useful ideas work.
Leadership – Ability to persuade others to follow.
People Management – Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.
Communication – Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.
Delivery – Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.
Technical/Functional
Environmental Issues – Knowledge of environment issues, concept and principles and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.
Climate Change Adaptation – Knowledge of climate change adaptation concepts, principles and policies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations. Ability to provide guidance on climate change adaptation especially as it relates to livelihoods, early warning systems, and coastal risk management.
Economics – Knowledge of economics concepts, principles and policies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.
Development Planning – Knowledge of development planning processes and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.
Program Planning and Design – Develop programmes through a process.
Resource Mobilization – Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources.
Results Based Management – Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results.
Advocacy and Representation – Ability to productively share UNDP knowledge and activities (at UN and other venues).
Monitoring and Evaluation – Knowledge of methodologies, tools, systems and apply practical experience in planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting.
Knowledge Management – Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.
Project Management – Ability to plan, organize, motivate, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals. Ability to guide the design and implementation of multi-sectoral and sectoral programmes and projects at different scales.
Collaboration and Partnership – Ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with others inside (programmes/ projects) or outside the organization and across a wide range of disciplines who can provide information, assistance, and support. Sets overall direction for the formation and management of strategic relationships contributing to the overall positioning of UNDP.
Required Skills and ExperienceEducation:
- Master’s degree or higher in environmental economics, development economics environmental law, business administration with a specialization in environment and development, or other closely related field.
Experience:
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience working with developing countries on climate change adaptation, climate finance, and/or sustainable development;
- Experience with project development, implementation and management is required, with engagement with vertical funds strongly desired;
- Experience in the policy development processes in climate change risk management;
- Demonstrated facilitation and coordination skills;
- Experience working in Africa is strongly desired;
- Working experience in an international organization is an advantage as is knowledge of UNDP policies, procedures and practices.
Language Requirements:
- Excellent command in written and spoken English and French are essential;
- Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period. DisclaimerImportant information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders) Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications. Applicant information about UNDP rosters Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements. Scam warning The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
