Regional portfolio coordination support – Asia

Job Opening

Job Opening ID: 225588

Job Network : Economic, Social and Development

Job Family : Environmental Affairs

Category and Level : Consultants, CON

Duty Station : PARIS

Department/Office : United Nations Environment Programme

Date Posted : Jan 20, 2024

Deadline : Jan 26, 2024

Result of Service

The main objective of the consultancy is to support the ECB's NDC Team with the global coordination, management and implementation of the NDC Action Project and its associated activities.

The services of a consultant are needed to respond quickly, flexibly and effectively to immediate, time-bound needs to support the ECB's NDC Team. With his/her advisory capacity and special knowledge, the consultant is expected to deliver specific, measurable and results-oriented support services, falling outside of the staff's core responsibility of ensuring the global management and coordination of the NDC Action project.

The assignment is of a temporary nature and the tasks capable of being performed and completed within the specified period of time. The services performed clearly relate to programmed activities in the project document and budget. The need for the required services cannot be met from within the current staff resources of the Secretariat owing to a lack of time and capacity.

Specifically, the consultant is required for:

1. Coordinating UNEP's engagement within the NDC Partnership on the global operational level;

2. Exploring opportunities to attract additional funding for complementary add-on project activities on the global level, where feasible – Attracting additional funding globally, excluding francophone donors and Germany;

3. Supporting regular donor communication, in close consultation with the project manager, upon request;

4. Ensuring timely & high-quality project reporting to donors (IKI, NDC Partnership) and UNEP (IPMR);

5. As part of the editorial team, ensuring high-quality and up-to-date online presence through the project website, and contributing to other communication & outreach activities where needed – In consultation and coordination with communication and graphic design team and UNEP-CCC's knowledge products manager ;

6. Drafting project document revisions as needed, under project manager's guidance;

7. Supporting project implementation in Jordan, Bangladesh, Mongolia, and Viet Nam, where needed, in close consultation with the project manager and other involved colleagues;

8. Participate in the organization of project workshops and/or webinars related to NDC implementation in Asia;

9. Supporting the elaboration of policy briefs, studies, concept notes and/or technical analyses, as/if needed

10. Exploring and/or supporting new areas of support and groups to engage further (e.g. private sector, displaced populations) for increased ownership of NDCs and their faster implementation, and increased integration of NDCs and national climate strategies.

Work Location

home based

Expected duration

10 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the international 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.

The 'NDC Action' Project – jointly implemented by UNEP and the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Center ("UNEP-CCC") – supports ten partner countries to translate their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement into concrete strategies and actions ready for financing and implementation, and fosters accelerated public and private investment in sector specific NDC implementation. It builds on three core principles: country ownership, balanced focus between adaptation and mitigation, and integration with national development and climate change priorities.

Mainly funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of BMWK/Germany, the project was recently awarded additional funding from that program through a project cost-extension, as well as from several donors, including the World Resource Institute (WRI) and UNOPS that are hosting NDC Partnership (NDC-P)'s dedicated assistance funds, SIDA/Sweden and Norway, for the support of complementary areas of action.

The NDC Action team based at the Energy & Climate Branch in Paris (in the following referred to as 'ECB's NDC Team') ensures the global management and general coordination of the project across partner countries in alignment with the new delivery model. In addition, the team serves as liaison between UNEP and the NDC-P for coordinating responses by UNEP teams to countries' requests shared by NDC-P, apply for additional funding where relevant, and consolidate implementation reporting, as well as with related projects of the IKI Programme.

Qualifications/special skills

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Climate Change/Environmental Studies, International Development, International Relations, or related studies (required)

WORK EXPERIENCES:

o At least two-years-combined full-time and part-time, paid or unpaid- professional experience with relevance to climate change, sustainable development, support to environment/development projects, and/or working with/in developing countries is required;

o Proven hands-on knowledge of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) support, climate transparency, and/or any other topic closely related to the implementation of the Paris Agreement is required;

o Familiarity with project management support is required, such as organising (virtual) workshops and stakeholder consultations, drafting briefings notes, developing and/or revising project documents and concepts, project reporting and evaluation;

o Experience working with/in developing countries would be asset;

o Experience working with climate and development stakeholders from recipient countries and if possible, the donor government institutions, national development agencies, international organizations, and technical partners;

o Experience with monitoring/reporting processes would be an asset;

o Experience working with/for the UN and Civil Society Organizations (e.g. gender, disadvantaged groups, Youth Organization) is required;

o Strong communication skills, ability to listen and analyse carefully, rigorous and autonomous; and

o High motivation to support developing countries in planning and implementing climate actions.

SKILLS:

PROFESSIONALISM:

● Has a solid commitment to the national and global goals of climate change, per the Paris Agreement.

● Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to climate change mitigation and adaptation planning.

● Ability to identify, analyze and participate in resolving issues/problems. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work, and manage conflicting priorities.

● Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter.

● Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.

● Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns.

● Shows persistence when faced with complex problems or challenges.

● Remains calm in stressful situations.

TEAMWORK:

● Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.

● solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise.

● is willing to learn from others; supports and acts per 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 consistent with agreed strategies.

● Identifies priority activities and assignments.

● Adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate 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.

Languages

Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Some Knowledge of Arabic would be an asset.

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