Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) - Retainer

Contract

This is a IICA-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-2 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

UNEP is the voice for the environment within the United Nations system. UNEP’s mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnerships in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations.

The project “Building the Capacity of the Lao PDR Government to Advance the National Adaptation Planning Process” was approved by the Global Environment Fund on December 2020 with a GEF grant of US$ 3,5 million. The objective of the project is to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of stakeholders and the government to advance the NAP process. Such strengthening will be achieved through four components, namely: i) institutional and technical capacity for the NAP process in Lao PDR; ii) climate information systems for prioritizing adaptation needs; iii) social and economic development in Lao PDR that integrates adaptation to climate change; and iv) monitoring, reviewing and reporting on the NAP process in Lao PDR. The Department of Climate Change (DCC) in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) which will act as the Executing Agency. The United Nations Environment (UNEP) will act as the Implementing Agency to support and complement DCC’s executing role. This will be achieved through four project outcomes:

• Outcome 1: Capacity of stakeholders to advance the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process strengthened at the national level and across 18 provinces of Lao PDR.
• Outcome 2: System for developing, upgrading and sharing information to advance the National Adaptation Plan process strengthened.
• Outcome 3: Climate change adaptation is mainstreamed into social and economic development planning in Lao PDR in the medium and long-term.
• Outcome 4: Monitoring, reviewing and reporting on the NAP Outcomes in Lao PDR.

The main objective of this consultancy is to produce a Laos National Adaptation Plan (NAP) document based on contributions from the NAP project team, its national and international consultants and Laos NAP key stakeholders.

Functional Responsibilities

Technical

1. Prepare and finalize NAP

• Annotate NAP document outline and chapter plan with corresponding source material identified.

• Prepare an inception report containing NAP outline, methodology for compiling the NAP document, timeline, etc.

• Review available NAP related documents and analyse their content with a view of informing the NAP document
• Develop an annotated outline and chapter plan of the Nepal NAP document and, in consultation with NAP PMU, identify required additional inputs from the NAP stakeholders including national and international consultants.
• Validate the annotated outline and chapter plan and required additional inputs with PMU and key stakeholders.

Deliverable: Draft inception report that elaborates the methodology, outputs and timeline

• Draft NAP document

• Collect and review all studies and reports developed through different NAP related studies by NAP PMU and its partners including the Climate vulnerability and risk assessments (VRA)

• Collate the long list of adaptation priority programmes and measures to collected through the consultations at different level
• Work closely with national consultants on drafting the NAP document. Make work divisions in consultation with the NAP PMU
• Propose methods and scope of consultations
• Compile the draft the NAP document (together with NAP PMU and national consultants) ready for wider stakeholder consultation.
• Present draft NAP document, in collaboration with lead national consultant and NAP PMU, to key stakeholders.

Deliverable: Draft NAP document

• Final NAP document

• Collate the feedback and comments received through the nationwide consultations and UNEP

• Develop final edited NAP document (together with the NAP PMU and national consultants)
• Develop one policy brief synthesizing NAP document for decision-makers

Deliverable: Final NAP document

Project Management

• Provide overall technical backstopping, operational guidance and support to the National Project teams to ensure that project objectives are being met and that activities are carried out within agreed deadline and under high technical standards
• Assist the Project Coordinators in planning the implementation of project activities, and in any adjustment to the projects Results Framework, Work Plans and Budgets that might be required and in line with corporate requirement and GCF rules
• Provide quality assurance and technical review of projects outputs such as technical reports, studies, assessments, training materials, and knowledge products.
• Draft or review, as requested, ToRs for technical consultancies and sub-contracts, and assist in the selection and recruitment process
• Provide technical guidance and supervisory function to the work carried out by national and international consultants hired by the projects.
• Assist the Project Managers and coordinate the preparation of the half yearly report, PIR, monitoring report and any other reporting requirement of UNEP, GEF.

Deliverable: Timely technical reporting to UNEP, monitoring the deliverables of PMU, support provided to national and international consultants, technical documents reviewed.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Functional competencies

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Knowledge and exposures of multi-stakeholder partnership framework;
• Knowledge of climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation aspects;
• Ability to work effectively within a variety of government agencies and stakeholder groups and a diversity of individuals (gender, age, language etc.);
• Availability and commitment to perform the tasks and to deliver work on time;
• Ability to plan, prioritize and deliver tasks effectively and on time;
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet tight deadlines;
• Ability to synthesize information in a clear and well-structured manner;
• Record of working harmoniously in team;
• Experience in research and developing analytical reports; and
• Sensitive on do-no-harm approach.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education - A minimum advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent of preferably PhD) in an environmental science, climate change, development studies, law, public policy or a closely related field. - A relevant first university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience: - A minimum of 5 years relevant work with an advanced university degree or higher degrees with proven experience in the National Adaptation Plan NAP process at the international level in relation to climate change adaptation planning and policy, and integration of climate change into national development processes and sector policies and strategies is required. - At least two previous similar assignments related to coordinating and drafting national climate related policies and/or action plans or strategies, and associated implementation, financing and monitoring strategies, preferably in a developing country context and within the region is required. - Demonstrated previous experience in leading and facilitating high-level multi-stakeholder consultative processes to elaborate policies and programmes is desirable. - Demonstrated previous experience in leading programmes and projects related to ecosystem-based adaptation, climate change/natural resource management, and/or monitoring and reporting of environment, climate and/or development policies and plans strongly asset. - Skills and experience to facilitate internet-based virtual meetings and stakeholder consultation processes is highly preferable. - Demonstrated ability of canvasing the government and stakeholders on innovations and idea based on the climate change projection is an asset.

Language:

• Full working knowledge (Fluent) of the English language written and oral communication skills is required.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual contractor Agreement (IICA) Contract level: ICS-10, IICA2 Contract duration: Until December 2022 with a possibility of extension.

This is a retainer position and duty station is home based with travel to project sites.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Disclaimer: If the selected candidate is a national of the duty station, a Local Individual contractor Agreement will be issued.

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.