Consultant on Climate Adaptation Planning

Result of Service The main objective of the Consultant on Climate Adaptation Planning is to provide technical and logistical support to the National Project Coordinator (NPC) to ensure the effective delivery of the following activities to be carried out within the framework of the project Development of subnational capacities for the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan in Costa Rica, as set in the cooperation agreement signed between UNEP and the Government of Costa Rica.

The consultant will carry out the following activities:

• Develop climate risk assessments at the cantonal level (Activity 3.1.2).
• Organize national and international knowledge exchange activities to showcase results of national and subnational adaptation planning processes. (Activity 3.2.3).
• Support efforts to include adaptation criteria in methodological guides for public investment projects (Activity 4.1.4).
• Finalize development of a government-endorsed Adaptation Funding and Resource Mobilization Strategy to effectively mobilize funding resources for the implementation of priority adaptation actions identified through national and sub-national adaptation planning processes, as well as development of 3 Concept Notes for the GCF (Activity 4.1.5).

The consultant will contribute to the effective implementation of the above-mentioned activities by performing the following tasks:

¿ Support the NPC and the UNEP Task Manager in developing terms of reference, identifying, and selecting consultants. ¿ Serve as a liaison between the local implementing entity and different consultants participating in implementation of project activities. ¿ Provide technical oversight during logistical and operative processes undertaken by the local implementing partner. ¿ Assist in monitoring progress of project activities and identifying corrective measures to overcome operational constraints. ¿ Support the technical and logistical organization of Project Steering Committee and other relevant meetings, workshops, training, consultations, and communications efforts (as necessary). ¿ Liaise with departments and communities in which the project will be implemented and establish appropriate communication channels to ensure the effective delivery of communication messages and materials. ¿ Provide technical inputs on activities implemented and in products developed by teams of consultants. ¿ Provide technical support during the preparation of content for presentations and materials related to the project activities and ensure that language and format are tailored to the different relevant target audiences. ¿ Support the Communications Specialist during organization of awareness raising and information sharing activities and materials targeting regional and municipal level actors. ¿ Support the NPC and the UNEP Task Manager in the timely preparation of project reports. ¿ Assist in the organization of exchange visits and knowledge sharing events between different subnational actors to learn lessons on adaptation planning and implementation. ¿ Support consultative processes undertaken with different relevant actors, to validate different project outputs. ¿ Support the NPC in collecting lessons learned related to project activities and sharing them through technical reports and/or policy briefs.

Work Location San Jose´, Costa Rica

Expected duration 9 months

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

UNEP, through its Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO) located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region - including 16 small island developing States -with a population of about 588 million people- to implement the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in in countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The office works to serve the needs of the region and its activities are integrated activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

In terms of supporting countries in the region attain the global commitments signed within the framework of the Paris Agreement, UNEP’s Latin America and the Caribbean Sub-programme on Climate Change aims at strengthening the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. In this framework, the UNEP Sub-programme on Climate Change, through its Climate Change Unit leads and supports several initiatives oriented at designing, promoting and implementing innovative mitigation and adaptation solutions at the national and subnational level, and strengthening the transparency framework of the countries.

The expected accomplishment regarding climate change adaptation is that adaptation approaches, including the 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 cross-cutting issues such as /gender equity and women empowerment are effectively integrated 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 Energy of Costa Rica and UNEP have agreed on the implementation of the project Development of Sub-national Capacities for the Implementation of the National Adaptation Plan in Costa Rica, framed within the Readiness program of the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

The project is aimed at reducing the vulnerability of Costa Rica to the effects of climate variability and climate change through the creation of adaptive capacities. Specifically, the project has the objective to strengthen the country's capacity to integrate adaptation into regional and municipal planning, including the participation of government entities, the private sector, and civil society.

The project seeks to achieve its objective through: - Strengthening existing planning frameworks at the regional and cantonal levels, by recognizing the crucial role of subnational authorities in adapting to climate change; - Involving key stakeholders in the planning and implementation of adaptation at these levels; - Producing cantonal risk assessments to identify adaptation needs, based on available and relevant knowledge, and a validated and efficient methodology; - Creating institutional and technical capacity and promoting agreements at different levels;

- Developing adequate monitoring and reporting mechanisms for adaptation at the subnational level and linking them to the national metric system for climate change monitoring and evaluation.

To fulfill the objectives of the project, the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office is recruiting a Consultant on Climate Adaptation Planning to provide technical and operational support to the Project Management Unit during the implementation of the project as set in the GCF funding proposal document.

The Consultant on Climate Adaptation Planning will operate under the overall supervision of the Adaptation Program Officer at the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office and will assist the National Project Coordinator (NPC) in the execution of the project. Additionally, he/she will work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica and other national consultants and government counterparts.

The Consultant on Climate Adaptation Planning is expected to work from Monday to Friday and 20 hours per week in the Project Management Unit at San José, Costa Rica. The consultant will also be required to travel around the country to engage in capacity building and technical assistance activities.

Qualifications/special skills ACADEMIC: ¿ Bachelor´s degree in environmental engineering, environmental sciences, international development, climate change adaptation, or a closely related field. Higher degrees (Masters or PHD) are an advantage.

PROFESSIONAL: ¿ At least 3 years of work experience in the fields of environment and/or climate change adaptation is required. ¿ Experience in operational and logistical work is desired.

¿ Experience working with government entities at the national and subnational levels in Costa Rica is desired. ¿ Familiarity with climate change adaptation planning processes according to UNFCCC guidelines is desired.

LANGUAGE: ¿ Fluency in Spanish and English is required.

SKILLS: ¿ Proficiency in MS Office (MS Word, Excel and Outlook) software applications. Proficiency in design and layout software packages is an advantage. ¿ 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.

COMPETENCIES:

¿ Professionalism: Is results-oriented and committed to excellence. 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. Demonstrates adaptability to change and willingness to engage in continuous learning. Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of views.

¿ 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.

¿ 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.

¿ 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.

¿ Teamwork: Is able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team to achieve organizational goals; takes 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.

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.