Moldova nationals: Project Associate (NAP-2: Advancing Moldova’s National Climate Change Adaptation Planning Project)

The Government sees the National Adaptation Planning (NAP) process as key to achieving the adaptation objectives outlined in its 2014 Climate Change Adaptation Strategy of the Republic of Moldova, and its 2020 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), as well as the continued mainstreaming of climate change considerations into its policies and budgeting processes. The proposed project supports the Government of the Republic of Moldova in advancing the second cycle of its National Adaptation Planning process (known as NAP-2).  The outcomes of the NAP-2 national adaptation planning processes, are:

1. To strengthen and operationalize the national steering mechanism for climate change adaptation (CCA);
2. To improve the long-term capacity on planning and implementation of adaptation actions through CCA technologies;
3. To improve the mainstreaming of climate change adaptation through the increased alignment of national development priorities, in the priority sectors (forestry, health, energy and transport).

The project will contribute to UNDAF, 2018-2022 outcome #3 (The people of Moldova, especially the most vulnerable, benefit from enhanced environmental governance, energy security, sustainable management of natural resources, and climate and disaster resilient development). Additionally, the project will contribute to the UNDP Country Programme Output 3.3 (National and sub-national governments have improved capacities to integrate resilience to climate change and disasters into development plans and practices to reduce population’s vulnerability). Other than that, the project will contribute to the National Development Strategy “Moldova 2020” through: a) reduction of energy consumption by increasing energy efficiency and using renewable energy sources, and b) agriculture and rural development: competitiveness of agri-food products and sustainable rural development.

The Government launched its NAP process in 2014 through consultations with national stakeholders and with the support of the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and UNDP. The preliminary work under the first cycle of the NAP (known as NAP-1) supported the development of a NAP as a process, conceptualizing and developing its elements, including the national steering mechanism, and laid down the groundwork towards long-term adaptation planning. Albeit the progress, significant gaps remain in the integration of climate change considerations into many of the development policies of the national priority sectors and their associated budget priorities. National appropriations for CCA remain limited.

In preparation for NAP-2, a stocktaking exercise was conducted between August and October 2017, and its recommendations validated by the representatives of key sectors. These included representatives from the energy, health, water, labour and social protection, forestry, agriculture, regional development, economy and infrastructure, gender, environment, internal affairs, and emergency situation ministries, district Local Public Authorities (LPAs), and the National Designated Authority (NDA): the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment (MARDE). The stocktaking exercise highlighted remaining weaknesses, as well as prevailing barriers to CCA planning in Moldova. The results confirmed that in order to comprehensively address climate change vulnerabilities, Moldova must overcome coordination and planning capacity weaknesses, as well as a general lack of awareness of CCA – both at the national and subnational levels – especially in those sectors where Sectorial Adaptation Plans (SAPs) have not yet been developed. As a result, the NAP-2 cycle is designed to help the Moldovan government continue to increase its capacity to address the country’s long-term vulnerabilities to climate change in its national priority sectors

Moldova’s NAP-2 cycle has been formulated on two parallel project tracks. Each track corresponds to a separate submission to the GCF. This dual track approach is needed as during the NAP-1 cycle, due to lack of funds as well as insufficient sectorial interest, could not address one of the most important of the nationally identified priority sectors—the agriculture sector. At the same time, there remain significant needs capacity, information and investment needs at the national level:

• The first track (i.e., this NAP-2 proposal) expands and deepens the national approach developed during the NAP-1 and strengthens institutional synergies both vertically, at the different levels of the economy, and horizontally, between the sectors affected by climate change to reduce duplication of efforts, pool scarce resources for the effective use of CCA actions and measures, and ensures a more coherent and comprehensive approach to the integration of CCA responses into development planning.

By its very nature, the NAP-2: Track 1 will facilitate integration of CCA into existing strategies, policies and programmes and establish a strong foundation for the integration of methods, tools and information systems in day-to-day planning activities to effectively inform decision-makers on the climate risks, and to enable the informed formulation of resilient projects and financing strategies. This track also has a strong focus on private sector engagement and implementation capacity.

Its main beneficiaries of the NAP-2 are the National Commission on Climate Change; the MARDE; the forestry, health, energy and transport sectors, and 3 urban authorities. Indirect or secondary beneficiaries include other ministries and local governments receiving capacity development support, as well as all other entities associated with CCA in Moldova: gender centered CBOs and NGOs, the Congress of Local Authorities, universities, Academy of Sciences, SMEs and the Hydro-meteorological Services of Moldova (SHSM).

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager and overall guidance of the Programme Analyst, the incumbent assists in the effective management of the project through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning, management and monitoring of project activities. The Project Finance Associate applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. 

Project Associate works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and resolving complex project-related issues and information delivery.

The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

Administrative management

• Pro-actively contribute to day-to-day project implementation and ensure conformity to expected results and project work-plans;
• Provide support to international consultants in the implementation of their tasks for the achievement of project results (communication, contracts, agenda, visas, accommodation, etc);
• Maintain records on all project personnel/national consultants and their respective status (contracts, ToRs, and attendance – if appropriate, etc.) in accordance with accepted policies and procedures;
• Coordinate translators, and short-term consultants.
• Prepare and issue contracts;
• Make pertinent logistical arrangements for the prompt and effective implementation of the programme activities;
• Draft minutes of Project Board and other project related meetings;
• Assume overall responsibility for administrative matters of a more general nature, such as registry and maintenance of project files and records;
• Arrange external and internal meetings (including the meetings of the Project Board, Technical level, as well as other relevant meetings etc.).

Financial management

• Prepare requests for advance of funds and/or direct payments;
• Monitor budget expenditures and maintain a proper record of approved project budgets and their revisions;
• Prepare proposals for budget revisions;
• Prepare and submit expenditure and programme budget status reports;
• Respond to queries from the Government and UNDP with respect to financial aspects of the programme, liaise with UNDP-appointed and external auditors wherever required;
• Prepare recurring reports as scheduled and special reports as required for budget preparations and audit;
• Advise and assist international advisors and national consultants on all aspects of allowances, travel claims and other financial matters and calculate payments due for claims and services;
• Assist the auditing performed by the project managers over the funds allocated to project. Ensure the compliance of allocated funds with the UNDP norms and regulations.
• If necessary, travel for control and auditing purposes to the project.
• Undertake other financial and administrative tasks on an ad hoc basis.

Procurement

• In accordance with the Work Plan arrange for procurement of equipment, supplies and services;
• Create and mange e-requisitions in ATLAS;
• Prepare the procurement plans for the projects and monitoring of their implementation;
• Prepare the submissions to the Contract, Asset and Procurement Committee (CAP);
• Arrange for equipment maintenance and insurance as required;
• Ensure that contractual processes follow the stipulated UNDP procedures;
• Physically clear and ensure delivery of equipment and supplies procured for the various programme sites;
• Maintain the equipment and spare inventory including verification and transfer when required.

Other duties as assigned.

1. Assume full responsibility for and manage effectively and efficiently financial, physical / material assets, etc. in order to meet expected results.
2. Apply UNDP programming tools utilization, and namely, introduce and control over the financial data in ATLAS.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
• Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures.  Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results-Based Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of programme, managing data, reporting.
• Ability to provide input to business processes, re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems.
• Ability to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the host government required.
• Strong communication and inter-personal skills; including the ability to effectively communicate with persons from a variety of backgrounds.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Ability to achieve results and deadlines in a timely manner, maintaining a high standard throughout.

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Education:

• University Degree in economics, finance, accounting, law, public administration or other related field.

Experience:

• At least six years of experience in administrative work, accounting/finance, economics, and/or procurement related, or other substantive area is required.
• At least three years of previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, consulting company, or NGO or previous experience with UNDP is compulsory.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in both oral and written English and Romanian.  Knowledge of Russian is desired.
• Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.