GCF Programme Advisory Consultant

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

Organisational Context

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organisations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) 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.

The primary role of the Green Climate Fund Programme Advisory Consultant is to provide monitoring and oversight support to the UNEP-GCF Timor-Leste project and to provide technical guidance, as necessary, for project implementation. The consultant will document good practices and lessons learned in the implementation of the UNEP-GCF Timor-Leste project.

Project Information:

The project “Enhancing Early Warning Systems to build greater resilience to hydro meteorological hazards in Timor Leste” was approved by the Green Climate Fund Board in October 2021, with a total budget of USD 21.7 million. The United Nations Environment Programme serves as the Accredited Entity for the project. Activities will be executed by the State of Timor-Leste through the Secretary State for the Environment (SSE) and UNEP. The project will be implemented across five years and aims to deliver transformative impact to the entire population of Timor-Leste, including 1.03 million as direct beneficiaries (80% of the population), directly contributing to the attainment of selected targets and indicators of Article 7 of the Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 on Climate Action, SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-Being and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The project will address the urgent need for integrated and end-to-end climate information services and multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) through comprehensive institutional, technical and technological capacity building from national to local level to generate and disseminate robust climate data and information at all stages of the climate services value chain. This will be achieved through four inter-related components – the Project Results:

Result 1. Strengthened delivery model and legislation for climate information and multi-hazard early warning services;

Activity 1.1 Establish institutional and policy frameworks, legislation and delivery models for climate services

Result 2. Strengthened observations, monitoring, analysis and forecasting of climate and its impacts;

Activity 2.1 Enhance infrastructure and technical support for observations and monitoring

Activity 2.2 Strengthen climate modelling and impact-based forecasting

Activity 2.3 Establish climate services for health

Result 3. Improved dissemination and communication of risk information and early warning;

Activity 3.1 Establish targeted multi-hazard early warning information systems

Result 4. Enhanced climate risk management capacity.

Activity 4.1 Build capacity to prepare for and respond to climate risks and hazards

Activity 4.2 Establish Forecast-based Financing (FbF)

Local Context:

Timor-Leste is a Least Developed Country (LDC) and a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) whose infrastructure and governmental systems were devastated by a 25-year war of independence. Timor-Leste is highly vulnerable to both extreme climate and slow-onset events, with very limited capacity to prepare for and recover from climate impacts. As these events increase in frequency and intensity, Timor-Leste needs accurate, timely and actionable information and early warnings on local weather, water, climate and ocean conditions and related risks to human and environmental health.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

• Technical and Institutional Support
• Implementation and Outreach
• Monitoring and oversight
• Knowledge management and innovation

1. Technical and Institutional Support - Provide technical support to the Project Management Unit, Gender Expert, Executing Entity and Technical Partners, as necessary, for project implementation. - Work with UNEP colleagues, consultants and technical partners, as relevant, to develop new GCF CIEWS project/programme proposals; coordinate inputs from all contributors to prepare the full set of Annexes as part of the funding proposal package for submission to the GCF or other potential funding sources. - Participate in meetings with national stakeholders and technical partners to obtain their inputs to inform GCF project/programme design and implementation. - Refine GCF project/programme documentation and draft responses to address feedback from internal and external partners.

2. Implementation and Outreach - Based on desk research provide recommendations on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in project design and implementation. - Participate in GCF project/programme workshops. - Document good practices and lessons learned in the implementation of the UNEP-GCF Timor-Leste project; apply experiences from Timor-Leste to climate information and early warning systems (CIEWS) projects/programmes in other countries. - Contribute to and support the preparation of communications products and materials (e.g., briefing notes, presentations, brochures) to inform on project results and achievements; facilitate knowledge sharing on CIEWS. - Participate in field missions as needed to support stakeholder engagement, data collection, monitoring and oversight.

3. Monitoring and reporting

• Provide monitoring and oversight support to the UNEP-GCF Timor-Leste project.
• Document good practices and lessons learned in the implementation of the UNEP-GCF Timor-Leste project; apply experiences from Timor-Leste to climate information and early warning systems (CIEWS) projects/programmes in other countries.
• Assist in developing the workplan to respond to country requests for GCF project/programme development.

4. Knowledge management and innovation

• Research and analyze relevant documents/communications/reports to determine country baselines on climate-related hazards, trends, vulnerabilities, impacts and capacities.
• Ensure that all project/programme interventions are robustly designed to meet GCF investment criteria.

Impact of Results

The Green Climate Fund Programme Advisory Consultant directly impacts on achievement of programme and project development and implementation. This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNEP as an effective Executing Entity and Accredited Entity in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Competencies

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 in natural science, environmental science, climate change, or a related field.
• A Bachelor’s university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of least 2 years of relevant experience, related to environment, climate change and/or sustainable development is required;
• At least two (2) years of professional experience related to climate services and early warning systems;
• Experience in the design and implementation of projects financed by the Green Climate Fund is highly desirable;
• Experience in ensuring Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in relevant project/programme design is desirable;
• Experience in the in working with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Asia and the Pacific is desirable;
• Experience in technical research in support of the formulation of projects/programmes/proposals for climate services and early warning systems is an asset;
• Experience in engaging with a range of stakeholders and/or officials such as government agencies, funding agencies, technical partners scientists, and the ability to communicate findings to high-level and mid-senior level management.

Language:

• Fluency in English is required.

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type: IICA
2. Contract level: ICS 9 / IICA 1
3. Contract duration: Three years with possibility of extension.

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

Disclaimer: In duty stations where the NPO category has been established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), a Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) will be issued for a home-based contract.

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, 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 recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.