Result of Service
The Adaptation Specialist will contribute to the following tasks:
- Participate with the adaptation team in the preparation of climate finance funding proposals, in accordance with the requirements set out in the different Funds’ regulations, including:
- Provide technical inputs to the deliverables from team members and partners, ensuring that they follow UNEP vision, particularly in regard to sustainable development, gender equity and climate-resilience.
- Monitor proposal elaboration milestones.
- Monitor implementation of the work plan and timetables.
- Participate to site visits when necessary.
- Elaborate sound mission reports.
- Respond to information requests, arrange revisions and establish a coordination mechanism with UNEP HQ team to advance the proposals.
- Participate in meetings with potential partners in order to extract relevant information.
- Participate with the adaptation team on the implementation of approved projects, including:
- Preparation and organization of project launch.
- Establish a coordination mechanism with UNEP HQ team to advance the approved projects.
- Monitor implementation of the annual work plans and timetables.
- Monitor risks. Propose risks mitigation measures.
- Monitor project results, track results framework indicators. This includes the utilization of sex- disaggregated indicators and gender-based monitoring frameworks to assess project outcomes (if applicable).
- Support the preparation of annual performance reports and the project completion report.
- Participate in field missions when necessary to meet government officials and other stakeholders, including the private sector, prior consent of his/her Supervisor and in accordance with UN Environment rules and procedures.
- Facilitate consolidation of the Project Management Unit where relevant.
- Advocate the Steering Committee meetings.
- Provide technical inputs to the deliverables from project team members and partners.
- Take corrective management actions (and documenting them) to re-direct the project towards desired results.
- Provide team members and partners with technical advice on climate change adaptation substantial matters including strategies to guarantee that issues such as gender equality, disaster risk reduction and synergies with other adaptation and mitigation measures are undertaken.
- Development of reports, briefings and presentations. When necessary, the consultant will also support thegeneral organization of events.
- Contribute to UNEP’s overall climate change adaptation work in the region and support of the Euroclima+initiative on ecosystem based adaptation.
- Evaluate, capturing and synthesizing lessons and uptake of best practices and knowledge. Introduce innovation and best practices to enhance project performance.
- Provide technical inputs in the review and revision of terms of reference and/or project deliverables as requested by the UNEP Adaptation Programme Officer.
- Perform other related duties as requested.
Outputs
Participate with the adaptation team in the preparation of climate finance funding proposals, in accordance with the requirements set out in the different Funds’ regulations.
Participate with the adaptation team on the implementation of approved projects
Provide team members and partners with technical advice on climate change adaptation substantial matters including strategies to guarantee that issues such as gender equality, disaster risk reduction and synergies with other adaptation and mitigation measures are undertaken.
Development of reports, briefings and presentations. When necessary, the consultant will also support thegeneral organization of events.
Contribute to UNEP’s overall climate change adaptation work in the region and support of the Euroclima+initiative on ecosystem based adaptation.
Evaluate, capturing and synthesizing lessons and uptake of best practices and knowledge. Introduce innovation and best practices to enhance project performance.
Provide technical inputs in the review and revision of terms of reference and/or project deliverables as requested by the UNEP Adaptation Programme Officer.
Deliverables
Product No. 1:
Document containing January – June Logical Framework advances as stated in the respectives Approved Project Documents for NAP Readiness Projects in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Panamá and El Salvador. This document will be used as a pillar for Task Managers to report the status of each Project to the donor.
Product No. 2:
Document containing technical report including the proposed implementation timetable and procurement for July – December for NAP Readiness Projects in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Panama and El Salvador, according to the Logical Framework advances as stated in the respectives Approved Project Documents. This document is developed considering information requests from UNEP HQ team.
Product No. 3:
Document containing proposal of the National Adaptation Plan Project for Mexico, according to the new guidelines of the GCF, discussed with the national counterpart.
Product No. 4:
Document containing technical report including disaster risk reduction (DRR) and synergies with other adaptation activities for NAP Readiness Projects.This document should included at least 5 proposed actions to mainstream DRR in the NAPs.
Product No. 5:
Document containing technical/strategic report including lessons learned and best practices incorporated in NAPs LAC, including examples of their application.
Product No. 6:
A document containing a Policy brief on technical inputs to final deliverables from project management units and key partners for NAP Readiness Projects in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Panama and El Salvador.
Product No. 7:
Document containing July – December Logical Framework advances as stated in the respectives Approved Project Documents for NAP Readiness Projects in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Panamá and El Salvador. This document will be used as a pillar for Task Managers to report the status of each Project to the donor.
Work Location
Home Based
Expected duration
6 months
Duties and Responsibilities
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global Environment.
UNEP, through its Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO) located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region – including 16 small island developing States -with a population of about 588 million people, the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).
To implement the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the new Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the NDCs (Nationally Determined Contribution) of the region.
In terms of supporting countries in the region attain the global commitments signed within the framework of the Paris Agreement, UNEP´s Sub-programme on Climate Change aims at strengthening the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. In this framework, the UNEP Sub-programme on Climate Change, through its Climate Change Unit leads and supports several initiatives oriented at designing, promoting and implementing innovative mitigation and adaptation solutions at the national and subnational level, and strengthening the transparency framework of the countries.
The expected accomplishment regarding climate change adaptation is that adaptation approaches, including the ecosystem-based approach, are implemented and integrated into key sectoral and national development strategies to reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience to climate change impacts. Furthermore, the UNEP’s Sub-programme on Climate Change is also committed to ensure that cross-cutting issues such as gender equity and women empowerment are effectively integrated in the development of its tasks to guarantee an equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives.
In this context, the Climate Change Unit of UNEP LACO is currently supporting countries in the region to develop proposals to access climate change funds and thus promote socioecological resilience for both men and women, and in particular in those most vulnerable to climate change. In addition, UNEP, as delivery partner, is in of charge of the supervision of the implementation of adaptation projects recently approved. To fulfill the objectives of the project, the UNEP LACO Office is recruiting an Adaptation Specialist to provide technical and management support to its work.
The consultancy is product based related to adaptation planning for the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) projects in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Panamá and El Salvador.
The Adaptation Specialist will operate under the overall supervision of the UNEP Adaptation Programme Officer at the UNEP LACO. Additionally, he/she will work from home in close collaboration with the UNEP’s Adaptation team and other national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts. Travel might be needed for consultation processes.
Qualifications/special skills
ACADEMIC:
¿ Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, geography, conservation, environment or a closely related field is required.
¿ Master’s degree in natural resource management, geography, conservation, environment or a closely related field is required.
PROFESSIONAL:
¿ A minimum of 12 years of relevant work experience in the field of environment, sustainable development, climate change or a closely related field is required.
¿ Demonstrated knowledge of climate change adaptation or development is desirable.
¿ Demonstrated experience in climate change adaptation project development, implementation andmanagement is desirable.
¿ Demonstrated experience with the successful formulation of project proposals for at least one of thefollowing funds: Adaptation Fund, Green Climate Fund, Global Environment Facility is desirable.
¿ Previous work experience in Latin America and the Caribbean is an asset.
LANGUAGE:
¿ Fluent in Spanish is required.
¿ Fluent in English is required
SKILLS:
¿ Excellent political, advisory and facilitation skills. Ability to facilitate technical discussions and participatory processes with multiple stakeholders in multicultural environments.
¿ Demonstrated understanding of development planning and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.
¿ Excellent technical leadership and understanding of climate change adaptation concepts, principles and policies. Ability to provide guidance on climate change adaptation, especially as it relates to development planning.
¿ Strategic perspective to guide the development of products to maximize impact and success.
COMPETENCIES:
¿ Professionalism: Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. He/she shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions.
¿ Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
¿ Teamwork: Is able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team to achieve organizational goals and to take leadership when appropriate; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
¿ Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
