ENDC Coordinator in North Macedonia Retainer (Project Management Support Specialist)

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-10 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-10 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

WEC Background:

The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and with offices based globally is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. The Portfolio has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over 500 million USD over the last 15 years to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support.

WEC effectively operationalizes partners' agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WEC’s ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

The NDC Partnership:

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition of countries and institutions collaborating to drive transformational climate action through sustainable development. In 2015, the world endorsed the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Nations signal their commitments to the Paris Agreement through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) - each country’s strategy to cut its own greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience against the negative effects of a changing climate. The Partnership advances the goals of the Paris Agreement by bringing together nearly 200 countries and institutions in new ways to accelerate NDC implementation and enhance ambition over time. The Partnership’s work through 120 partners supporting almost 80 countries produces many examples of impact, lessons learned and ideas for the future. The Partnership is governed by a Steering Committee, co-chaired by two country representatives. The Partnership’s work is facilitated by a Support Unit based at World Resources Institute in Washington DC and the UNFCCC Secretariat in Bonn, Germany. UNOPS supports the NDC Partnership and its Support Unit through the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC).

Country Context North Macedonia submitted its updated NDC (ENDC) and Long-Term Strategy on Climate Action (LTSCA) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2021, committing to a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030 and 72% by 2050 as compared to 1990 levels. The LTS estimates that achieving these emissions reductions will require cumulative capital investments of €35 billion in the period 2020-2050. The updated NDC covers energy, agriculture, land use, land use change and forestry, and waste sectors. The country plans to include an adaptation component in its next NDC.

North Macedonia has been a member of the NDC Partnership since 2022. The Partnership is beginning to support North Macedonia with the implementation of its ENDC, including by embedding an in-country ENDC Coordinator in North Macedonia’s Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning (MoEPP).

*** As this is a Local Position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent should be a national of North Macedonia or have a valid residence permit in the Country.

Functional Responsibilities

The ENDC Coordinator (Project Management Support Specialist) will contribute to the achievement of the expected Outcomes and Outputs of the NDC process in North Macedonia. This will include supporting the Climate Change Counselor (and UNFCCC and Partnership Focal Point) of the MoEPP in coordinating the ENDC implementation through strengthening coordination and cooperation on implementation of ENDC efforts in the country, identifying needs of capacity, resource mobilization, supporting organization of meetings, overall planning, and organization of activities at national level.

The support will lead to the establishment of North Macedonia’s Climate Coordination Secretariat, which will be responsible for tracking and reporting NDC-related projects in North Macedonia; serving and driving the National Coordination Committee on Climate Action; and ensuring the country continues to fulfill its mandate by preparing, communicating, and maintaining successive NDCs that the country intends to achieve. The hiring of the ENDC Coordinator (Project Management Support Specialist) will additionally support the coordination of key government institutions and partners involved in implementation of the ENDC and LTSCA. The ENDC coordinator will be embedded in the MoEPP.

The ENDC Coordinator (Project Management Support Specialist) will be responsible for meeting the following specific objectives: - Objective 1: Support for establishment and running of a Climate Coordination Secretariat office within the MoEPP to strengthen the ministry's institutional capacities for coordinating the implementation of ENDC and LTSCA. - Objective 2: Support MoEPP to partner with academia to sensitize students to climate change issues and access support for knowledge exchange and the development of training curricula.

The ENDC Coordinator (Project Management Support Specialist) shall support the Climate change counselor and the and the other relevant departments within the MoEPP with the following tasks: 1. Consultations and other forms of dialogues to inform stakeholder mapping and drafting of policies to establish and empower the Climate Coordination Secretariat. 2. Facilitation of a consultative process for development of multisectoral collaboration and coordination in establishing procedures, policies, and plans required to deliver ENDC goals in line with the national and sectoral development objectives. 3. Review of existing MRV systems or similar frameworks for tracking NDC implementation such as the Central Donor Assistance Database and MVP to inform the development of a framework for tracking NDC implementation. 4. Strengthening the evidence generation, project development, coordination, resource mobilization, and monitoring and tracking capacity of the Climate Coordination Secretariat through already established partnerships and stakeholders. 5. Coordination and facilitation of meetings, stakeholder dialogues, and/or other activities related to ENDC implementation, including with the ENDC Partnership's national focal points, the NDC partnership Support Unit, implementing and development partners, and other relevant stakeholders. 6. Technical briefs (as needed) to support decision making concerning ENDC implementation. 7. Identification of support gaps related to ENDC implementation and preparation of requests for support to the ENDC Partnership. 8. Identification and dissemination of information and knowledge products on best practices and lessons learned from in-country engagement. 9. Quarterly Country Engagement Update reports (tracking progress in coordinating and delivering ENDC implementation) using the report template developed by the NDC Partnership Support Unit.

Institutional Arrangements: The ENDC coordinator will be based in the premises of MoEPP in Skopje, North Macedonia, supporting the implementation of ENDC related activities and collaborating with staff from government ministries to support the advancement of ENDC implementation. The ENDC Coordinator reports to the NDC Partnership Regional Manager. Deliverables will be quality reviewed by the Department of Environment’s Climate Change Counselor.

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. 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 - Master’s degree in engineering (mitigation – mechanical engineering, electrical engineering,), natural sciences (mitigation/adaptation – agriculture, forestry, water resources) relevant to climate change and environment. - Bachelor's degree in related discipline in combination with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree

Experience

Required

• With a Master degree, five years of relevant experience in project management, event management or a similar field.
• Practical experience in climate change, adaptation/mitigation planning and implementation.
• Demonstrated experience working in multi-ethnic environment, demanding conditions working with public sector, private and/or civil society organizations.
• Good knowledge of the UNFCCC processes and all its instruments including the Convention, Paris Agreement, and the NDC and negotiations.
• Working experience in the areas of climate change, sustainable development, economic policy, and international development

Asset

• Experience organizing and facilitating engagements, events, and stakeholder dialogues.
• Experience with multilateral and bilateral development partners
• Ability to communicate technical concepts and complex ideas to a wide audience.

• Knowledge of sustainable financial taxonomy

  Language

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

• Language skill in Macedonian is an advantage.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local ICA - retainer Contract level: LICA 10 Contract duration: 12 months with possibility of extension depending on performance and on availability of funds.

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 staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• 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.