NDC National Coordinator for Costa Rica

Result of Service 2. Objective.

NDC Action support will focus on the industrial private sector of Costa Rica and the support to the decarbonization long-term plan from the financing needs perspective. The NDC Action working plan will be coordinated with the professionals in charge of the private engagement for decarbonization at the Ministry of Energy and Environment.

Ultimate Result of the Service: - The project adapts and rethinks priorities according to national circumstances. - 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. - Via monitoring the risk management plan, project partners are notified in writing if there is need for modification to the agreed implementation plan and budget, as a means to seek approval. Any inconsistencies made by the Executing Agencies will be addressed and rectified. - Annual work plans are prepared in consultations with the NDC Action Review Committee and project partners. - Stakeholder analysis an engagement strategy is drafted and monitored its implementation to reduce project risk and ensure objectives are meet. - TORs for consultants are published and candidates to the positions are interviewed according to the work plan. - Inception workshops, national NDC Action workshops 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. - Management and coordination, project partners, of the operative aspects of contracting professional services and everything necessary for the execution of any activity are periodically made, taking into account any mechanism necessary to monitor compliance with external contracts and subcontracts. - The gender approach is mainstreamed in project activities

Activities Overview:

• Organize high-level closure event for the project for key stakeholders in the last half of 2023
• Support the development of sectoral NDC policies and programmes in the industrial sector aligned with the NDC thematic areas.
• Support UNEP climate change cooperation center in the organization of workshops in the country as part of the initiative, considering the national priorities.
• Organize monthly calls with UNEP climate change cooperation center and ROLAC to coordinate project activities.
• Provide technical advisory services to the high-level political authorities on NDC implementation to support the decarbonization perspectives, mainly on the promotion of policies to support private sector engagement.
• Propose innovative approaches, policies, and initiatives to implement Costa Rica NDC and Decarbonization Plan, mainly focus on private sector.
• Be responsible for the quality of the activities and the coordination of local and international experts.
• Regular meetings and briefs to high level political authorities on strategies and policies to increase private sector engagement to the NDC implementation and the project objectives.
• Incorporate innovative approaches to implement Costa Rican NDC in the previous expected deliverables as a crosscutting activity.

Expected Deliverables: - Workshop reports from high-level closure events, multi-stakeholder consultation meetings, and training workshops that aim to strengthen institutional capacity. - Manage and coordinate the day-to-day activities in order to ensure that the project meets its objectives and achieves expected outcomes - Take responsibility for day-to-day oversight of project execution, activities implementation, financial and project operations. - Carry out stakeholders’ analysis, engagement strategy and monitor its implementation. - Ensure that the project meets its objectives and achieves expected outcomes in close coordination with national focal points; - Prepare annual work plans in consultation with project partners. - Manage and coordinate the day-to-day activities regarding all the operative aspects of contracting professional services and following up the execution of activities. - Participate in the preparation of TORs for consultants and participate in the process of interviewing the candidates. - Prepare the Project progress reports and, all annual/year-end project revisions. - Ensure coordination with relevant national institutions and government ministries to ensure that project activities are distinct and fully complementary to other national initiatives. - Define the procedures of approval for recommendations related to the overall NDC Action Activities. - Implement the necessary strategies for gender mainstreaming. - Manage financial resources and processing all financial transaction relating to sub-allotments, when required. - Attend and prepare inception workshops and national technical workshops. - Monitor risk management plan. - Periodic reporting to project partners for allocation of the NDC Action grant according to the quarterly and annual work plans and budgets in coordination with UN Environment Program and the National Project Director (NPD). - Notify project partners in writing if there is need for modification to the agreed implementation plan and budget, and to seek approval. - Address and rectify any issues or inconsistencies raised by the Executing Agency. - Support compilation and submission of progress, financial and audit reporting to the Executing Agency. - Provide accurate and up-to-date technical advice, inputs and guidance on issues related to the implementation of the project activities according to any change in the national context relevant for project implementation. - Liaison and engagement with national stakeholders and local climate change involved entities. - National insights for all experts involved. - Co-drafting and reviewing of all products assigned to local and international experts. - Provide local insights provision to international experts.

Work Location SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA

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 project entitled “NDC Action – Facilitating implementation of climate-resilient and low-carbon development aligned with national and global goals” has been implemented in Costa Rica from March 2020 by United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) and the UNEP DTU Partnership (UDP) in close collaboration with identified national institutions and will continue until November 2023.

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 Costa Rica’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; - help 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.

UNEP is looking for an NDC Action Coordinator, whom will be at hand at the Ministry of the Environment and Energy of Costa Rica, assisting the government to progress in the NDC Implementation.

Overall Activities: The Country NDC Project Coordinator (NPC) will contribute to the achievement of the expected Outcomes and Outputs of the NDC Action Project in Costa Rica. This will include supporting the DCC 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. The NPC will work under the general supervision of the UNEP Head of the Climate Change Unit, in close collaboration with the government of Costa Rica. The NPC will be based in San José, in the office of Ministry of Environment and Energy upon the partner government’s request of the NDC Action Project, to assist in liaising the initiative. - Enhance the Government’s engagement and participation. NPC should ensure the continuity of project activities implementation and will recommend new strategic vision according to national authorities’ prerogatives. - Overall NDC Action Coordination acting as a liaison between UNEP and the Ministry of Energy and Environment - From the Ministry of Environment and Energy, support the implementation of the NDC’s goals related with the project objectives.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: - University degree in environmental science, public policy economics or engineering, postgraduate degree in environmental science, project management, public policy economics and/or engineering is desirable.

Experience: - At least 8 years of experience in areas of work related to climate change policy development and analysis and institutional assessment and capacity building in relation to climate change mitigation and adaptation. - Experience working with the Government of Costa Rica is an asset - Experience in program development and implementation is an asset - Excellent skills and experience in stakeholder engagement and facilitation - Excellent communication skills in written and oral of Spanish, - Advanced knowledge in English written and oral is required. - Professional experience of working with the United Nations projects would be an added advantage - Ability to work under pressure, with short lead times.

Language: - Fluency in Spanish and working knowledge of English are required;

Competency:

PROFESSIONALISM:

• 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

TEAMWORK:

• 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.

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.