Climate Finance Strategy Consultant

Result of Service The objective of this consultancy is contributing to the efficient implementation of the project “Building capacity to advance National Adaptation Plan Process in the Dominican Republic” by executing the tasks outlined in Clause 4.2 of the Terms of Reference.

Deliverables:

Product 1: work plan that contains at least: (i) methodological description, (ii) list of actors to be included in the participatory processes (iii) work schedule that details the deadlines for the development of the corresponding activities, deliveries of each product and temporary dedication.

Product 2: Product 2. Document containing the diagnosis of governance, capacities and climate finance needs for adaptation finance strategy.

Product 3: Document containing the strategic guidelines for the development of a Climate Financing Strategy for adaptation measures climate financing for adaptation measures contemplated in the PNACC-RD and the NDC-RD 2020. The content of said strategy must appropriately address, among others, the following:

• Introductory framework: (i) Dominican Republic in the context of Climate Change and adaptation (ii) Political, legal and governance framework, (iii) national efforts to address adaptation to climate change
• Identification of national and international financing mechanisms for adaptation to CC.
• Identification and description of the main barriers to access financing for the implementation of Climate Change Adaptation actions in the Dominican Republic.
• Principles, vision, and objective of the Financing Strategy for adaptation to climate change in the Dominican Republic.
• Formulation of the strategic framework: (i) strategic guidelines/actions, (ii) description of the actions and expected results, (iii) alignment of the financing strategy with the END-2030, the PNACC-RD, and the NDC-RD, (iv) costs associated with the implementation of strategic guidelines and actions.
• Institutional structure and governance arrangements to manage all climate change related funds and channel centrally and systematically them effectively across sectors and regions.
• Feasibility of financing the selected strategic options.
• Establish a governance model for the periodic review (every two years) of the financing strategy.

Product 3: Document of the Financing Strategy for adaptation to climate change in the Dominican Republic. This document should consider the inputs and feedback received in these workshops, ensuring that they reflect the consensus on the guidelines of the document.

Product 4: Document containing the methodology to train the technical team of government institutions and other relevant actors for the implementation of the financing strategy and potential donors. This methodology must be shared with the project management team and other relevant stakeholders.

Product 5. Report on training methodology and training workshops.

The Climate Finance Strategy Consultant will contribute to the effective implementation of the project by performing the following tasks:

a) Work in an articulated and coordinated manner with the International Climate Finance Consultant for the development of the Financing Strategy for adaptation to climate change in the Dominican Republic.

b) Review relevant information for the development of the strategy, including guides, methodologies and reports, regulations and planning related to costs and access to financing for adaptation to climate change in the Dominican Republic.

c) Compile information to identify challenges and opportunities for access to climate financing and identify information gaps for a reliable estimate of implementation costs of the adaptation measures contemplated in the PNACC-RD and the NDC-RD 2020 and others in the medium long term.

d) Fill information gaps by conducting a detailed economic study that estimates the costs of implementing prioritized adaptation interventions at the national, sectoral, and local levels.

e) Prepare a preliminary document for the Climate Financing Strategy for adaptation measures climate financing for adaptation measures contemplated in the PNACC-RD and the NDC-RD 2020.

f) Organize and carry out a broad consultation process with stakeholders from the central government, local governments, the private sector, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders in order to enrich and agree on the guidelines of the document.

g) Development of the final document of the Financing Strategy for adaptation to climate change in the Dominican Republic.

h) Create a methodology to train the technical team of government institutions and other relevant actors for the implementation of the financing strategy and potential donors.

i) Carry out technical training for representatives of central government institutions, local governments, the private sector, civil society and other relevant actors to strengthen their capacities to access national and international financing for adaptation to climate change.

Work Location Home Based

Expected duration 7 MONTHS

Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of 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).

In terms of addressing climate change, UNEP aims to support countries in the compliance of the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the countries Nationally Determined Contributions.

The overall objective of UNEP´s Sub-programme on Climate Change is to strengthen the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. The expected accomplishment regarding climate change adaptation is that adaptation approaches, including an 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 crosscutting issues such as gender equity and women empowerment are effectively undertaken in the development of its tasks to guarantee an equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives.

In this context, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic and UNEP, have agreed on the implementation of the project Building capacity to advance in the National Adaptation Plan Process in the Dominican Republic, framed within the Readiness program of the Green Climate Fund.

To fulfill the objectives of the project, the UNEP LACO Office is recruiting a Climate Finance Strategy Consultant to provide local support to the Project Management Unit and develop a climate change adaptation financing Climate Finance Strategy Consultant strategy during the implementation of the Green Climate Fund funded project as set in the funding proposal document. The Consultant will report directly to the Adaptation to Climate Change Programme Office.

The Climate Finance Strategy Consultant will operate home based, under the overall supervision of the UNEP Adaptation Programme Officer at the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office. Additionally, he/she will work in close collaboration with the UNEP’s Adaptation team, the Directorate of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in the Dominican Republic, other international and national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts. Travel within the Dominican Republic might be needed for consultation processes.

Qualifications/special skills ACADEMIC:

• Bachelor’s degree in administration, economics, finance, planning, engineering, environment, natural resources, climate change or sustainable development, or a closely related area is required.

• Master's Degree in climate change, planning, project management, or related areas is required.

PROFESSIONAL:

• At least five (5) years of work experience in development projects, environmental finance, natural resource management, climate change, sustainable development or a closely related field is required.

• Experience in at least two (2) processes of elaboration of high-level strategies, reports and/or technical documents, meeting quality standards is required.

• Demonstrated experience in financing for climate change and/or development of financial mechanisms aimed at leveraging funds from international cooperation, public and private sectors to finance environmental actions is required.

• Demonstrable experience leading at least (1) participatory and consultation process with multiple actors such as government, civil society, academia or the private sector in the Dominican Republic is required.

• Demonstrated experience of working with multilateral or bilateral funds, development of international cooperation projects is required.

• Cost estimation of environmental actions and their integration into national planning schemes and sector budgets is desirable.

LANGUAGE:

• Fluent in Spanish is required.

• Confident level of English is required.

SKILLS:

• Proficiency in MS Office (MS Word, Excel and Outlook) software applications.

• Excellent political, advisory and facilitation skills.

• Ability to communicate complex issues in a language and format that is appropriate to specific target audiences.

• Ability and willingness to travel to urban and rural regions of the country.

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and experience in stakeholder engagement and public relations.

• Results-driven and initiative-taking behavior.

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.

• Administrative and operational effectiveness: Ability to perform a variety of tasks related to administration and financial management, e.g., human resources, budget/work programme, database management, etc. Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations.

• 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.