Climate Mitigation Senior Analyst (Retainer, Multiple position)

Entry Mid Environment

Overview

Provide expert climate mitigation technical advice for infrastructure projects globally.

You have:

• A Master’s Degree or equivalent in energy planning/economics, Engineering, Climate Change, Sustainable Development, International Development or a related field from an accredited university.
• A minimum of two (2) years experience of climate mitigation in the infrastructure sectors preferably in one or more of the following sectors: energy, transport and buildings sectors.
• Proficiency in English or French or Spanish is required.
• Experience in mainstreaming climate mitigation actions in infrastructure projects.
• Deep experience in renewable energy projects plus their linkages to national or transnational energy systems and energy efficiency optimization is required.

Contract

This is a IICA-1 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 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-1 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

Background Information – IPMG

UNOPS strategic focus places increased emphasis on national capacity development and sustainable approaches to project management, procurement, and infrastructure services. A key objective is to be recognized as an organization that delivers world-class infrastructure and project management, which is both economically and socially sustainable, even in the most challenging environments. To achieve this goal, UNOPS has established the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG).

Within UNOPS, IPMG’s objectives are to serve the organization’s personnel and partners by broadening their infrastructure and project management capabilities, while disseminating best practices in both of these areas. Through this work, the group helps facilitate the successful delivery of programmes and projects around the world.

To achieve its objectives, IPMG has established three interrelated and interdependent technical streams, namely, Strategic Initiatives, Standards, and Engagement Assurance, that are supported by the Portfolio Support team. IPMG is managed overall by the Director of IPMG.

UNOPS Organizational readiness

The organizational readiness is focused primarily on the UNOPS mandate in infrastructure, project management, and procurement. It aims to cover the ad-hoc resource needs of the Regional Portfolios to implement the corporate strategy and address the needs of donors.

UNOPS Corporate Retainer Pool

Since November 2019, the Corporate Retainer Pool (CRP) provides ad-hoc resources to UNOPS business units in several expertise areas identified by the HQ business units and in consultation with the regions. It covers a wide range of expertise areas. It is managed by the Portfolio Support team in IPMG.

Background Information – Job Specific

UNOPS Strategic Plan for 2022-2025 outlines how the institution will contribute to expanding implementation capacity for countries to achieve Sustainable Development Goals amid the COVID-19 crisis and the climate emergency. Particularly, climate action is outlined as a cardinal point for UNOPS to address in order to support the achievement of the SDGs and Paris Agreement goals while leaving no one behind.

Working within the Infrastructure and Project Management Group, the Infrastructure Climate Mitigation Senior Analysts(Retainer) will be expected to provide expert climate mitigation technical advice and guidance for various infrastructure sector programmes and projects globally (with a focus on energy, transport and buildings), in all offices where UNOPS operates.

This retainer position falls under the UNOPS Corporate retainer pool, and the Strategic Initiatives (SI) team under IPMG will be responsible for the technical onboarding and supervision of the Climate Mitigation Senior Analyst (Retainer). All corporate retainers are invited to participate in a one-hour induction session (or two 30 minutes sessions) where they are guided through UNOPS retainer management tool, the retainer contract modality and their expertise area in the UNOPS context.

The functions/responsibilities/key results of this job description are generic and may not always be applicable, nor be comprehensive, for all missions under this job title. The specific tasks and deliverables for each retainer assignment may vary and will be detailed in the terms of reference developed for each assignment by the requesting office/unit, while the SI team will exercise an oversight function. Under this contract type, the assignments will vary in scope and duration - ranging from short term assignments of a few hours at a time to longer blocks of time (e.g. several weeks or months full time, and up to a year). Work may also vary with regards to the time zone / location. Whilst most assignments can be delivered working from home, some may require presence in HQ and/or international travel on occasion, including to remote or post-conflict environments. Whilst the successful incumbent can be based in different time-zones, s/he should be able and willing to ensure a degree of time overlap with the teams ordering the retainer’s services.

While the contract modality for this Vacancy Announcement is an ICA retainer contract on project or assignment basis, UNOPS may offer on a need basis a full-time employment for a specified consecutive period of time (up to one year maximum), in the context of technical surge capacity - with the possibility to go back and forth between the two contract modalities, pending acceptance of the incumbent of the assignments proposed to him/her.

All retainer assignments will be handled via the UNOPS online retainer management tool, including the request for the retainer’s services and the provision of feedback for each assignment.

Purpose and scope of the assignment

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Strategic Initiatives, the Retainers will provide climate mitigation technical advisory and supervision in the conceptualization and implementation of infrastructure projects (mainly in the energy, transport and buildings sectors) in different countries in at least one of UNOPS’ regions, and aligned with the general guidelines and strategies on climate change adaptation and mitigation to be generated by UNOPS over time. The Retainers will provide technical knowledge and will contribute to processes and decisions to add value and to facilitate green infrastructure development and activities such as data collection and analysis, procurement, design, construction, operational guidelines, and the provision of all climate mitigation support and services to different UNOPS partners and client countries. The Retainers will provide technical guidance on all aspects of climate mitigation to inform effective project design, programming, management and partnerships. In addition, he/she is expected to provide technical climate mitigation expertise in support of ongoing infrastructure projects in other UNOPS regions as may be needed. As needed, they will provide climate mitigation oversight on program design and management, working closely with stakeholders to mainstream climate mitigation actions in projects.

Functional Responsibilities

The specific tasks for each assignment may vary one assignment to another. Under the overall guidance and oversight of the Strategic Initiatives Unit and direct supervision of the designated Supervisor within the requesting office, the Senior Analyst will work on a retainer contract and will be called upon for specific projects to fulfill one or more of the following key tasks:

Technical expertise

• Provide support in addressing decarbonisation and low carbon infrastructure needs in developing countries to ensure compliance with the SDGs, Biodiversity and the Paris Agreement targets.
• Support the development of strategies, regulatory framework, guidelines, and enabling environment to promote climate mitigation and decarbonisation actions in infrastructure sectors.
• Support the mainstreaming of climate mitigation actions in technical documents of infrastructure projects, papers and corporate communication materials.
• Provide technical climate mitigation support to project teams and partners at any life cycle stages of infrastructure project development in compliance with UNFCCC climate mitigation guidelines.
• Provide climate mitigation inputs and support at events and meetings with stakeholders and partners.
• Promote data collection and conceptualize new technological tools and mechanisms oriented to enhance climate change mitigation standards of the UNOPS project portfolio.
• Work collaboratively (when requested) with UNOPS experts in the area of climate change adaptation and others, to achieve comprehensive infrastructure solutions aligned with the SDGs and with Paris Agreement targets.

Capacity development and training

• Contribute to the design, development and / or implementation of Infrastructure climate mitigation training programmes and capacity building initiatives for both internal and external participants.
• Support the delivery of training tools and techniques to mainstream climate mitigation in UNOPS infrastructure and project management services.

Practice contribution and Knowledge Sharing

• Ensure climate mitigation best practice guidance is disseminated and communicated throughout the relevant programmes and country offices and departments.
• Contribute to UNOPS knowledge management by capturing case studies and best practice examples of climate mitigation in infrastructure projects/programmes throughout UNOPS.
• Provide substantive contribution to UNOPS Climate Change practice focusing on continuous improvement of climate mitigation and decarbonisation; support the development of policy, guidance and tools.
• Create and strengthen technical support mechanisms for the dissemination of best practices to governments and other clients in the area of climate change mitigation.

Business development

• Support UNOPS country offices on opportunities for low carbon infrastructure development in addition to sharing with clients institutional and industry knowledge of climate mitigation options in infrastructure.
• Provide expert climate mitigation support in formulation of new initiatives, projects and programmes related to sustainable and inclusive infrastructure.
• Provide expert climate mitigation support to enable the delivery of low carbon Infrastructure projects and provide support to UNOPS project teams and partners in line with the climate aspirations in the UNOPS corporate strategy.
• Provide climate mitigation technical support to further UNOPS position as a climate change thought leader and value add partner to governments and other clients.

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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• A Master’s Degree or equivalent in energy planning/economics, Engineering, Climate Change, Sustainable Development, International Development or a related field from an accredited university.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s Degree with additional 2 years of relevant working experience may also be considered in lieu of the Master’s Degree.

Experience

Required Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years experience of climate mitigation in the infrastructure sectors preferably in one or more of the following sectors: energy, transport and buildings sectors.
• Deep experience in the mainstreaming of climate mitigation measures in infrastructure projects.
• Experience with renewable energy projects plus their linkages to national or transnational energy systems and energy efficiency optimization is required.

Desired experience:

• Experience in resource efficient design and delivery of green buildings.

• Experience in mainstreaming climate mitigation actions in transport projects.

• Experience in advising the structuring and compliance of NDCs in developing countries is highly desirable.

• In-depth knowledge of the Paris Agreement and its framework for action will be an asset.

• Experience working with IPPs and leading PPP negotiations would be considered an asset.

• Experience in mainstreaming climate mitigation actions in other sectors of infrastructure e.g Water, Digital development, waste management, etc.

• International experience in developing countries is highly desirable.

• Previous assignments with the UN system will be an added advantage.

• Experience working with Multilateral Development Banks and other Donors would be considered an asset.

Language

• Proficiency in English or French or Spanish is required.
• Intermediate level of English is required.

• Please note that:

  • the shortlisted candidates will be invited to indicate in which language they want to take the written tests (English or French or Spanish).
  • however, the competency based interviews will be held in English.

Other

• Please attach a cover letter highlighting the experience, knowledge and qualifications relevant for the position.
• Mandatory trainings to be completed within the first three months following the contract signature, at no cost for UNOPS (also see the terms and conditions below): (1) Ethics and Integrity, (2) the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and (3) Security awareness while on official mission.

Additional Information

• Please note that in case of discrepancies between the EN and the translated version, the English prevails.
• A retainer Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) is issued for a period of time during which the services of the individual contractor may be required intermittently.
• A retainer ICA will specify a unit price (e.g. amount per day actually worked). For budgetary purposes, a monetary limit will be specified at the time the ICA is awarded and issued.
• UNOPS shall have no obligation to obtain any minimum quantity of Services from the Individual Contractor during the duration of the retainer ICA.
• Payment will be made only after completion of work (if any) or reaching agreed milestones.
• A retainer ICA does not accord any exclusivity to the Individual Contractor with respect to the Services listed in the job description. UNOPS shall have no limitation on its right to obtain Services of the same kind from any other source at any time.
• UNOPS Individual Contractors must comply with the standards of conduct required of a UN civil servant when carrying out their official UNOPS responsibilities and also all other times. This includes the standards of conduct set forth in the UN Secretary-General’s Bulletin of 9 October 2003 entitled “Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse” (ST/SGB/2003/13) and the UN Secretary-General’s Bulletin of 18 June 2002 entitled "Regulations Governing the Status, Basic Rights and Duties of Officials other than Secretariat Officials, and Experts on Mission" (ST/SGB/2002/9) as they may be amended from time to time.
• UNOPS Individual Contractors must comply with all applicable UNOPS policies and instructions. This includes the obligation to declare any outside activity that could result in an actual or perceived conflict with the interests of the UN; as well as to refrain from using information gained through the UNOPS Individual Contractor Agreement contract for the Individual Contractor’s own purposes or to help a third party (unless the information is already in the public domain), in particular, but not only in relation to the procurement of works, goods and services.
• UNOPS Individual Contractors must abide by UN safety and security policies, instructions, directives, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
• The standard terms and conditions of the UNOPS ICA as of the present date can be found at https://content.unops.org/HR-Documents/ICA_contract/Annex-A-ENGLISH.pdf

Additional information

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.unops.org