Background
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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.
This ToR is specifically within the scope of the project entitled “Enhancing climate resilience in Thailand through effective water management and sustainable agriculture”, which is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in the total of USD 17.5 million for 5 year duration (Funded Activity: FP170). UNDP is an Accredited Entity accountable to the GCF for the implementation of the project. The Royal Irrigation Department (RID), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative, is the project Implementing Partner, with the King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB) and Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammearbeit (GIZ) Gmbh are the two Responsible Parties.
Thailand is one of the 16 countries identified globally as being in the ‘extreme risk’ category of those most vulnerable to future climate change impacts over the next 30 years. Severe drought and flood events are likely to be experienced increasingly in the near and longer-term future as a result of the combined effects of a more vigorous hydrological cycle and enhanced surface drying. Thailand’s agricultural sector, in particular, will be impacted by changing precipitation patterns with increasingly common extreme rain events and floods, as well as more extensive drought periods, which particularly affect poor households. With climate extremes expected to increase, climate-informed water management and climate-resilient water infrastructure will be critical in order to prepare for and respond to floods and droughts, which are the key priorities in Thailand’s National Adaptation Plan 2018. Given the cost of upgrading existing water infrastructure across the country, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is seeking to complement its grey infrastructure with ecosystems-based adaptation measures (EbA), an integrated solution which brings together water management and agriculture.
The project addresses the core problem of climate-induced droughts and floods threatening agriculture livelihoods and infrastructure in the Yom and Nan river basin (Phitsanulok, Sukhothai and Uttaradit provinces). Specifically, it seeks to: a) support climate informed water management, planning and investment, and b) support vulnerable farmers in reducing volatility to changing climatic conditions, enhancing climate-informed and integrated planning as well as reduce disruption to smallholder farmers.
The objective will be achieved through generation of three complementary outputs:
Output 1: Enhance climate and risk informed planning in the water and agricultural sectors through improved climate information and cross sectoral coordination
Output 2: Improve water management through strengthened infrastructure complemented by EbA measures, for greater resilience to climate change impacts
Output 3: Reduce volatility of agriculture livelihoods in drought and flood prone areas through strengthened extension support and local planning, investment in on-farm adaptation measures and greater access to finance and markets.
The Project Management Unit (PMU) will be established at the RID to be responsible for project management and execution of the project. The PMU will be led by the Project Manager (PM), who is responsible for the overall day-to-day management of the project. Composition of the PMU includes: Project Coordinator, Field Coordinator, Senior Finance Advisor, and Finance and Admin Officer.
Duties and Responsibilities
This position will serve as a Senior Technical Project Specialist on adaptation solutions outlined in the project document, particularly in the implementation of climate resilient small-scale infrastructure, related capacity needs and policy change.
Technical oversight of project activities
- Be responsible, jointly with the PM, for the implementation and monitoring of all risk mitigation measures during all project phases such as inception, implementation/construction and operations.
- Control and coordinate all technical inputs and their delivery in a timely manner in close collaboration with the Project Manager (PM), and provision of guidance and coordination of all technical inputs by the project consultants/technical experts
- develops systems, standards and procedures for district officials to apply in developing and reviewing detailed budgets for climate resilient infrastructure planning and technical review of sub-projects against climate resilience criteria
Policy advice and capacity building
- In close colaboration with RID, PMU and UNDP, directly contributes to annual work plan and budget revisions as to fully capture the sequencing of all technical deliverables during the project implementation
- Builds technical and managerial capacities within the PMU, including the introduction of management tools and templates that enable effective planning, implementation and monitoring
- Provides advice and support through technical assistance to the national counterparts, as required and relevant to the scope of the project and provision of other advice as needed to UNDP concerning the evolution and role of the relevant Ministries/stakeholders within the scope of the project
Support to project management
- Strongly supports project implementation and management under the overall guidance of the RID
- Provides strategic input to technical, financial and managerial aspects of the project to ensure that activities are in accordance with the Project Document
- Provides technical and advisory support to ensure proper and timely implementation and reporting of activities implemented by the respective responsible parties;
Knowledge management
- Identifies, analyses and communicates lessons learned that may be useful in design and implementation of similar projects, shares and promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from project implementation
- Provides technical inputs and participate in producing technical materials, development and application of knowledge based tools
- Promotes the substantive quality of all knowledge products, reports and services, and ensures effective integration thereof.
Partnership development and advocacy
- Supports the development and implementation of the partnership and advocacy strategies and outreach efforts
- Establishes and maintains relations with members, the Board of Directors and other external stakeholders, key national and international partners
- Identifies prospects and sequencing requests to maximise opportunities for inter-agency cooperation and partnerships.
Institutional Arrangement
Under the direct supervision of the Integrated Team Leader and overall guidance by the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP and technical consultations and guidance of the UNDP Technical Support Team, the Senior Technical Project Specialist, jointly with the Project Manager, is responsible for the implementation and management of the project. S/he, jointly with the PM, is responsible for the implementation and project management of the project and works closely with the Integrated Team Leader, integrated programme team across the organization.
Competencies
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Management: Results-based Management: Ability to manage programme and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
Business Management: Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakesholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
Business Management: Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contibutors to participate and share, particularly externally
2030 Agenda – Planet: Nature, Climate and Energy: Climate Change Adaptation
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in environmental engineering, environmental planning and management, climate change, science, or related field
Experience
- Master’s with minimum 5 years or Bachelor’s with minimum 7 years of relevant development experience at the national or international level
- At least 5 years of experience working with national or provincial institutions in leading and providing technical support and assistance in the areas related to climate changes, planning and management of natural resources and environment, water resource management and/or agricultural development.
Required skills
- Good technical knowledge of climate change mitigation and adaptation;
- Proven experience with implementation of climate resilient small-scale infrastructure, the implementation and monitoring of all risk mitigation measures;
- Proven track record of working in Thailand and/or in Southeast Asian region, with direct interaction with government, public organization, state enterprises, or large private sector, and local administrative organizations;
- Good knowledge of international practices in the areas of climate proofing of small-scale infrastructures and role of public finance in influencing public and private investment in climate resilient infrastructure development.
Desired skills
- Professional working experience in leading, providing technical support and monitoring of development, environmental and climate related projects/progrmmes with the UN/international organizations is an advantage;
- Training experience in development planning, monitoring, evaluation design, management and methodologies;
- Excellent computer skills, including full command of text, spreadsheet, data bases, internet.
Required Language
- Fluency in English and Thai.
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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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