Climate Mitigation Specialist (Retainer) Multiple Positions

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

**- Información en español en los documentos adjuntos -

• Informations en français dans les documents complémentaires -** UNOPS Restated 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 Specialist (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, the Strategic Initiatives (SI) under IPMG will be responsible for the technical onboarding and supervision of the Infrastructure Climate Mitigation Specialist (Retainer). All corporate retainers are invited to participate to 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 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) - 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. The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

Purpose and scope of the assignment Under the technical supervision of the Head of Strategic Initiatives, the Retainer will provide climate mitigation technical support 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. The Specialist will provide technical knowledge and will contribute to processes and decisions to facilitate climate-resilient infrastructure development and activities such as data collection and analysis, procurement, design, construction and the provision of all climate mitigation support and services to different UNOPS partners and client countries. He/She will provide technical guidance on all aspects of climate mitigation to inform effective project programming, management and partnerships. In addition, he/she is expected to provide technical expertise in support of ongoing infrastructure projects in other UNOPS regions as may be needed. As needed, the expert 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 Specialist 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 technical support in addressing decarbonisation and low-carbon infrastructure needs in developing countries. - Provide advice and assistance in the development of strategies, regulatory framework, guidelines, and enabling environment to promote climate mitigation and decarbonization 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 support at events and meetings with stakeholders and partners.

Capacity development and training - Support 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.

Business development - Provide technical support to 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 climate mitigation support in formulation of new initiatives, projects and programmes related to sustainable and inclusive infrastructure - Provide climate mitigation technical 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 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 preferably in energy planning/economics, Engineering, Climate Change, Sustainable Development, International Development or a related field from a recognized 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 - A minimum of five (5) years experience of climate mitigation in the infrastructure sectors preferably in one or more of the following sectors: energy, transport and buildings sectors in the Global South. - Experience with renewable energy projects plus their linkages to national or transnational energy systems and energy efficiency optimization is required.

Desired - Experience in resource efficient design and delivery of green buildings is desirable - Experience in mainstreaming climate mitigation actions in transport projects is 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., is an asset. - 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.

Languages: - Fluency in English or French or Spanish is required. - Intermediate English is required for the candidates with fluency in French and Spanish. - 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.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA retainer

Contract level: ICS-10, ICA-2 Contract duration: 1 year, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and business needs

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

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Additional information