Consultant Specialist in Institutional Arrangements

Result of Service The objective of this consultancy is contributing to the efficient implementation of the project “Building capacities for the development of the National Adaptation Plan in the context of the NDCs adaptation themes in Panama” by executing the tasks outlined.

The Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements will contribute to the effective implementation of the project by guaranteeing that the following tasks integrate the gender mainstreaming:

1. Assess project performance and support the coordination of synergies within the Project’s activities considering their relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and impact. 2. Provide strategic guidelines to improved environmental governance and strengthened policy coordination with informed recommendations. 3. Provide evidence-based information in the strategic and operative overview and coordination of meetings, workshops, trainings, events, trips, consultations and communications efforts. Undertake follow-up actions as needed to guarantee outputs accomplishment. 4. Prepare agendas and arrange appointments and meetings related to the project activities and produce minutes from the meetings. 5. Work in close coordination with MiAMBIENTE staff, UNEP and other partners and consultants, to provide technical inputs on potential partnership platforms and ensure the technical quality of the project outputs. 6. Identify recurring gaps in existing partnerships for Project implementation and propose strategies to reduce those gaps. 7. Analyze relevant information including current capacities related to implementation of policies, strategies, plans, and projects on climate change adaptations in all levels. 8. Design and conduct focus group discussions with relevant key stakeholders from the local and regional government, the private sector, academia, civil society, to assess implementation experiences and effectiveness, document successes, challenges, and lessons learned, and develop recommendations for improvement. 9. Identify new and innovative stakeholders to enhance technical, institutional, and managerial capacity for adaptation planning at the national and subnational levels. 10. Develop guidelines to encourage alignment of subnational-level priorities for climate change adaptation. 11. Identify opportunities for scaling up partnerships and stakeholder participation, in order to mainstream climate change adaptation considerations in investment planning processes. 12. Determine the current interaction, information sharing and working relation among the levels of government institutions) on climate change adaptation in Panama. 13. Liaise with stakeholders to facilitate collaborative and consultative processes. Suggest operative mechanisms and channels for dissemination of information to reach local stakeholders. 14. Carry out other tasks inherent to the objectives of the position, as indicated by UNEP.

Work Location Panama City, Panama.

Expected duration 12 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 is effectively undertaken in the development of its tasks to guarantee an equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives.

To fulfill the objectives of the project, the UNEP LACO Office is recruiting a Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements to assist the Ministry of the Environment and UNEP in 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 Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements will operate under the overall supervision of the UNEP Adaptation Programme Officer at the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office. The incumbent will work from Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week, full time and to be located in the Ministry of Environment, Project Management Unit in Panama. Additionally, he/she will work in close collaboration with the UNEP’s Adaptation team, the Directorate of Climate Change of the Ministry of Environment in Panama, other national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts. Travel might be needed for consultation processes.

Qualifications/special skills ACADEMIC

• Bachelor's degree in environmental management, environmental sciences, social sciences, political sciences, engineering, development, law, international relations or a closely related field is required.
• Master degree in climate change, geography, natural resource policy, management, political science or a related field is required.

PROFESSIONAL:

• At least seven (7) years of relevant working experience in development and/or natural resource management, and/or climate change adaptation is required.

• Knowledge experience in the design or implementation of national policies and planning frameworks, related to climate change and/or natural resource management is desired.

• Experience in engaging with key stakeholders including government agencies, private sector and/or civil society in policy analysis, interinstitutional dialogue or policy development is desired.

• Demonstrated experience working with national institutions in climate change and/or natural resource management and planning in the coordination of activities at the national, subnational and/or sectoral level is desired.
• Technical knowledge related to the design, development, and tracking of NDCs and related reports is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in inter-institutional and governmental work on climate change in Panama is desirable.

• Demonstrated experience in the development and execution of inter-institutional capacity building strategies is desirable.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the scope of the sectorial NAPs of Panama is desirable.

• Demonstrated experience in the elaboration of reports and official documents from technical and high-level meetings is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in systematizing and developing final reports of the results of adaptation projects and adaptation components in other projects at the national level is an asset.
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of actors including decision makers.
• Experience with international organizations is an advantage.

LANGUAGE:

• Fluency in Spanish is required.
• Confident in English is an asset.

SKILLS: · Strong understanding of the gender dimensions of climate change adaptation and the ability to analyze and address gender-specific vulnerabilities and impacts. · Demonstrate ability to build partnerships, facilitate dialogues, and work in multicultural settings. · Familiarity with key concepts, frameworks, and international agreements related to climate change adaptation. · Demonstrated understanding of the link between gender and climate change adaptation and other social categories. · Strong ability to analyze data and policies from an intersectional gender lens approach. · Ability to provide guidance on a gender intersectional approach for climate change adaptation. · Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products. · Ability to communicate complex and technical ideas to a lay audience. · Ability to build strong working relationships with people from different functions in a multicultural environment.

COMPETENCIES:

• Professionalism: 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.
• 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.