NDC Action - National Technical advisor for Colombia

Result of Service 2. Objective.

The NDC Action consultant will initially focus on NDC Prioritized Strategic Sectors in Colombia, including but not limited to the actual NDCs sectors. The NDC Action working plan will be coordinated with key professionals within the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the National Planning Department.

Overall Activities: The NDC Technical advisor will contribute to the achievement of the expected Outcomes and Outputs of the NDC Action Project in Colombia. This will include supporting the Directorate of Climate Change and Risk management (DCCGR) of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development in Colombia in coordinating the NDC implementation through regular update reports on implementation and supporting organization of meetings, overall planning, organization and implementation of the Project in country with close cooperation of national technical institutes.

• Support and advise the technical development of the project activities in Colombia and support the National Project Coordinator (NPC), the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, as well as the Department of National Planning, in order to ensure project outcomes, outputs, and activities are performed according to commitments made with the donor.
• Elaborate and coordinate with national entities, the TORs for consultants and the selection processes according to the project’s work plan.
• Facilitate the engagement of stakeholders of energy efficiency related sectors with the project from private and public sectors.
• Support the planning and development of capacity building activities focused in the energy efficiency sector in the scope of the project.
• Support the discussions and coordination of activities among stakeholders of national government, public and private sectors prioritized in the workplan of the project.
• Support the coordination of activities with consultancies and consultants hired in the frame of the project in Colombia.
• Support the elaboration and revision of reports of the project to UNEP, donnors, and national government as required.
• Facilitate and coordinate technical and political meetings, technical and high-level events with the stakeholders involved in the project as required.
• Support and facilitate the coordination of experiences and lessons learned activities with other countries part of NDC Action project.
• Ensure the articulation of activities with other national initiatives, programmes, projects and plans.

Ultimate Result of the Service: - The project meets its objectives and achieves expected outcomes via day-to-day project operations and project partners are periodically updated on the progress of the project via progress reports. - Project partners are periodically updated for allocation of the grant according to the quarterly and annual work plans and budgets elaborated in coordination with relevant stakeholders. - TORs for consultants are published and candidates to the positions are interviewed according to the work plan. - National Launching event and workshops, national NDC Action workshops and Climate action coordination comities and/or commissions are held according to the approved work plan. - Technical advice and guidance are provided to the project team on issues related to the project activities for energy efficiency sector.

Work Location Bogota, Colombia

Expected duration 12 MONTHS

Duties and Responsibilities 1. Purpose.

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.

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).

The project entitled “NDC Action – Facilitating implementation of climate-resilient and low-carbon development aligned with national and global goals” will be implemented in Colombia by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UNEP DTU Partnership (UDP) in close collaboration with identified national institutions.

To achieve the adaptation and mitigation goals of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), countries need to translate their broad NDCs into specific actions. NDCs typically list these actions, but the descriptions often lack specificity and details and are generally weak on institutional arrangements and transparency. By translating each NDC into sectoral portfolios of policies and programmes, the project will bridge the gap between the content of the NDCs and the information and capacity required for their implementation.

Aligning with Colombia´s own NDC priorities, the NDC Action Project bridges this gap. The project will secure a multi-stakeholder and high-level engagement; provide the technical support to strengthen the capacity of Line Ministries and Sub-regional government bodies responsible for NDC implementation; support development of a portfolio of sectoral policies and programmes for two priority sectors selected in each country; support development of investment plans in these sectors; and facilitate experience-sharing, both among the partner countries and beyond.

Key elements of the programme include the strengthening of NDC relevant institutions and multi-stakeholder consultation mechanisms, the preparation of a portfolio of policies and programmes for two prioritized sectors in the country, the mainstreaming of NDCs into climate-friendly investment plans and the support for the development of finance-ready proposals, as well as sharing of lessons learnt across sectors, countries, and regions.

NDC Action Project supports countries to accelerate NDC implementation in the following ways: - Build on partner countries’ existing NDC coordination mechanisms and reinforce them where needed; - Support partner countries translate their NDCs into sectoral strategies and actions, including climate-friendly investment plans, ready for financing and implementation;

• Build institutional capacity among the ministries and multi-stakeholders through training programmes to lead to concrete investments in two priority sectors selected by each partner country;
• Facilitate peer-learning at the regional level among partner countries and beyond to foster the uptake of proven policies, programmes, and financing schemes for accelerated NDC implementation.

In this sense, the Climate Change Unit of UNEP is recruiting a technical advisor, to support technical development, reporting and overall progress of the initiative in the country. The incumbent will be supervised by UNEP’s Climate Ambition and Transparency Coordinator of the Climate Change Unit for Latin America and the Caribbean Office and will work in the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia in Bogota, 20 hours per week, from Monday to Friday, part-time.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: - University degree (Bachelor´s Degree) in environmental sciences, natural sciences, public policy economics, public administration, economy or engineering. - Master in engineering, public administration, development, economy, finance, natural resource management, environment or earth sciences, or socio-economic related field is desirable.

Experience: - 10 years of general professional experience in environmental affairs, environmental regulations, and/or energy efficiency. - 7 years of experience in areas of work related to environmental development and or management, climate change policy development and analysis, institutional assessment and capacity building in relation to climate change mitigation, adaptation or climate finance, or management of environmental issues with private sector stakeholders, is desirable. - Experience in participation in the processes of development and implementation of public policies regarding compliance with the NDCs in Colombia will be an asset. - Holding environmental scientific and / or public policy publications will be an asset. - Experience in climate finance with a focus on the public sector is desirable. - Experience with energy efficiency-related activities is desirable. - The professional is expected to hold technical and public policy skills, as the person will provide support to the Environment Sectorial Plan of Colombia.

Language: - Fluent in Spanish is required - Basic in English is required.

Skills: - Excellent understanding of global and national climate change issues in particular related to the evaluation, validation, and verification of GHG, climate knowledge management, and climate finance. - Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to climate change mitigation and adaptation planning. - Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; - Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations. - Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; 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. - 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.