National NDC Coordinator - Republic of Fiji (Partnerships Specialist) - Home based

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

The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio under the UNOPS Austria Multi-Country Office has built strong partnerships and has effectively been managing a portfolio of 490 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).

Recognizing the importance of having an organization with deep local knowledge to serve as the NDC Partnership’s national-level interface and facilitate coordination of the NDC Implementation in the country, the Republic of Fiji joined the NDC Partnership in April 2017. Fiji entered an active engagement with the NDC Partnership in 2019 through a request for technical assistance for a private sector-led renewable energy funding facility –the Pacific Energy Access Fund (PEAF). This request received funding from the UK Government and was implemented by the Pollination Group. The funding facility is designed to significantly grow a pipeline of renewable energy projects in Pacific Island Countries through highly capitalized, blended financing and aims to support the installation of more than 150 megawatts of renewable energy infrastructure. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, an economic advisor in Fiji was mobilized with funding from the World Resources Institute to support the government in developing concept notes on 1) green investment in the agriculture sector, primarily supporting the adoption of solar-powered pumps that can help in decarbonizing the sector and help meet Fiji’s NDC commitments; 2) blue bonds, which will finance sustainable commercial aquaculture, hybrid electric inter-island shipping, and coastal protection using nature-based solutions; and 3) the decarbonization of public buses

Recently, the NDC Partnership received a request for support from the Government of Fiji on the preparation of an adaptation investment pipeline for potential funding by donors and for the mobilization of resources for the implementation of the country’s NDC Implementation Roadmap and National Adaptation Plan. The Government requested support for a team of climate finance advisors and technical experts to carry out the tasks, as well as an In-country Facilitator (i.e. National NDC Coordinator) to support the coordination of key government institutions and partners involved in NDC implementation.

Functional Responsibilities

The National NDC Coordinator serves as the NDC Partnership’s interface in the country and operates as a liaison between the country and other NDC Partnership members. The role is purely one of coordination and support facilitation. Working on behalf of the partner government, the Coordinator plays a key role in ensuring the smooth implementation of the Country Engagement Process, by supporting ongoing coordination efforts between the Support Unit, the various partners in the NDC Partnership, the Pacific NDC Hub, and Fiji’s Climate Change Division. When working at the Government's premises and outside the home-base, the incumbent will need to bring his/her own laptop. This involves working with the Government of Fiji to refine its support objectives over time, coordinating the implementation of the National Climate Finance Strategy, and serving as an anchor to assist the NDC Partnership in communicating and coordinating services at the country level. The Coordinator will also liaise with the NDC Partnership Support Unit for vertical information sharing, including both contributing to and accessing knowledge products.

The following responsibilities are part of the Coordinator’s role in Fiji:

Summary of functions: - Facilitation of Fiji’s National Climate Finance Strategy and NDC Investment Plan - Mobilization of resources for implementation - Coordination and communication with key stakeholders - Organize NDC-related meetings as needed - Identifying lessons learned and results - Capacity building

Facilitation of Fiji’s NDC Implementation - Support Fiji and the NDC Partnership Support Unit in initiating NDC Partnership in-country engagement; - Coordinate, track, and monitor the support provided by development partners on the National Climate Finance Strategy and NDC Investment Plan and populating and regularly updating Fiji’s monitoring/reporting tool for climate finance working collaboratively on ongoing initiatives such as the Capacity Building Initiative on Transparency to establish internal reporting and tracking systems and processes. The Coordinator will work closely with the CBIT project team in contributing and establishing online based NDC tracking tool. - Provide recommendations, on a case-by-case basis, for selecting the most appropriate implementing and development partner/s for each action/priority, and identify roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder; - Collaborate with the Support Unit to document changes in the operating context and provide support to the government and stakeholders in decision-making processes.

Mobilization of resources for implementation - Support the country in following up on and mobilizing partner support for its needs and priorities (and update those along the way as needed following the government’s guidance) along with a preferred process for coordination of country engagement under the NDC Partnership, as proposed and agreed upon by the Government of Fiji; - Organize regular coordination meetings with country and regional-level development partners and donors to discuss anticipated new requests for support and outstanding priorities in the NDC Investment Plan and the National Climate Finance Strategy; - Engage with partners in the country to link needs to services and resources in accordance with the National Climate Finance Strategy and NDC Investment Plan, including by providing the government’s inputs on the alignment of partners’ country strategies with priorities and gaps identified through ongoing consultations with key stakeholders in the Strategy and Investment Plan; - Identifying further needs for Technical Assistance for priority based on National Climate Finance Strategy and NDC Investment Plan; - Provide inputs, as necessary, to project development and preparation for potential funding by donors; - Support coordination with the Pacific NDC Hub on potential areas of support.

Coordination and communication with key stakeholders - Ensure that communications relevant to NDC Partnership engagement are shared with relevant national and international level stakeholders; - Facilitate periodic coordination and information exchange among partners in Fiji, with the aim of leveraging and mobilizing their respective advantages in support of the implementation of the NDC Implementation Roadmap; - Track, monitor and assess the implementation of the National Climate Finance Strategy and NDC Investment Plan, including monitoring and reporting on gender equality, and coordinate periodic reporting of partners to the NDC Partnership; - Assess progress outcomes of the NDC Partnership in-country engagement and make recommendations for adjustments; - Assess the needs and challenges of line Ministries in implementing the NDC. - Collaborate with the Support Unit to document changes in the operating context and provide support to the Climate Change Division and stakeholders in decision-making processes.

Organize NDC-related meetings as needed - If requested, facilitate national country-specific multi-stakeholder NDC dialogues, which may serve one or more of the following objectives: - Intersectoral multi-stakeholder dialogues to promote "a whole-of-government approach" in implementing NDCs and their integration in development policies; - Support the government in conducting meetings among development partners and other key stakeholders, in order to maximize synergies, avoid duplication and mobilize support for identified needs and gaps for successful NDC implementation; - Multi-stakeholder dialogues with the private sector and/or civil society organizations; - Multi-stakeholder dialogues within specific sectors or on a certain topic (i.e., Measurement, Reporting and Verification [MRV], gender equality, etc.); - Other support needed by the Climate Change Division to coordinate development partners.

Identifying lessons learned and results - Assist in tracking the progress of in-country engagement and provide periodic progress updates to the NDC Partnership Steering Committee, through the Support Unit; - Liaise with the Support Unit to access and/or feed into global knowledge products; - Assist the Support Unit in the identification and dissemination of information on best practices and lessons learned from in-country engagement.

Capacity building - Conduct ongoing capacity development (i.e., technical assistance and formal/informal on-the-job training) of the government in preparation for fully taking on the facilitation role in the future.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: - Advanced degree in public policy (climate/environment), climate finance, public finance, economics, sustainable development, or a similar field. - A bachelor’s degree with two additional years of work experience can be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience: Required - At least 5 years of experience in climate/environment and sustainable development in Fiji and/or the Pacific. - Demonstrable experience working in climate change tasks in Fiji and/or the Pacific including, but not limited to, mitigation and adaptation action, government policy and legal frameworks, MRV, M&E systems, and results-based management. - Demonstrated skills in managing and aligning diverse groups of stakeholders, including development agencies, non-state actors / civil society, financial institutions, the private sector, and others.

Language Requirements: - Excellent writing, editing, digital, and oral communication skills in English. - Proficiency in Fijian and other local languages is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA

Contract level: ICSC 10 - LICA 10

Contract duration: Open-ended, based on availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

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

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.

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.