NDC Partnership - Information and Systems Officer (Thematic Call) - (Programme Management - Senior Officer)

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

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).

Background Information - Job-specific:

The NDC Partnership Thematic Call on LT-LEDS and NDC Alignment, Update, and Enhancement is a response to the urgent need to achieve bolder, significantly more ambitious climate action globally starting now, in line with the mandate of the Paris Agreement and the most recent COP26 decisions.

To foster higher climate ambition now and into the upcoming update and enhancement cycles under the Paris Agreement, this thematic call focuses on promoting synergies between NDCs and LT-LEDS processes, decisions, and institutional arrangements, and on making their interlinkages visible and operational. This initiative aims to facilitate, leverage, and coordinate support from the NDC Partnership’s development and implementing partners for integrating the transition towards systemic resilience and de-carbonization envisioned in LT-LEDS into countries’ short to medium-term pledges and actions reflected in their NDCs and implementation plans.

The Information and Systems Specialist will, under the supervision of the Project Manager of the Thematic Call on NDCs and LT-LEDS alignment, update, and enhancement, and working closely with the Support Unit’s Head of Knowledge Management, lead the timely, transparent, and efficient flow of data and information on the Thematic Call within the Support Unit, and towards implementing and development partners engaged through the Thematic Call, via existing Country Engagement and Knowledge and Learning channels, systems and mechanisms.

In their role, the Information and Systems Specialist will ensure that data and information emanating from the Thematic Call are feeding into the Partnership’s systems, internal tools for project management function adequately, communications with partners are tracked and followed up on, and insights from the Thematic Call relate to the broader knowledge management and learning efforts led by the Support Unit.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Using and building on existing systems and tools used by the Support Unit (kNook, Knowledge Portal, information-sharing platforms such as SharePoint), develop and support the implementation of processes for data and information management (data collection, analysis, and archiving) for the Partnership’s Thematic Call.
2. Support the Country Engagement team in the initiation of workflow for countries engaging in the Thematic Call, track country and partner interests, and prepare relevant engagement templates (Joint Workplans, Partner Responses)
3. Support the Project Manager in the preparation of periodic reports to the NDC Partnership’s Support Unit Management Team, the NDC Partnership’s Steering Committee and PAF Advisory Group, grant reporting, and to external partners as needed, on the status, challenges and implementation needs of the Thematic Call.
4. Provide recommendations to the Project Manager and Head of Knowledge Management on process and system development to gradually enhance the efficiency and impact of information and knowledge-sharing activities carried out within the context of the Thematic Call and, on demand, other initiatives.
5. Building off the Partnership’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework, propose and implement a methodology to track the impact and results of the Thematic Call.
6. Adjusting and maintaining existing supporting tools to capture the impact and results of the Thematic Call and, on demand, other initiatives, building on the Partnership’s M&E Framework and exiting databases and systems managed by the Support Unit.
7. Establish and maintain a regular communication and feedback cycle with the Project Manager and the Knowledge and Learning team, to continuously incorporate learning into processes and activities.
8. Work with the Thematic Call team and other workstreams to ensure that the materials and templates relevant to the Thematic Call that are disseminated and published are always updated and reflect final versions.
9. Support the Country Engagement Team (Directors, Regional Managers, Country Engagement Specialists, and consultants) to ensure that staff leading engagement with countries are knowledgeable users of the processes, tools and systems put in place in the context of the Thematic Call.
10. In close coordination with the Support Unit’s Knowledge and Learning team, mainstream recommendations, and guidance on 2025 ambition-raising into the Thematic Call processes, templates, and steps.
11. Under the guidance of the Project Manager, prepare data and information packages needed to raise the visibility of the Thematic Call via communication products.
12. Design and lead training sessions / modules, and guide the learning process, of new Thematic Call team members and Country Engagement new staff, incl. on information flow, templates, Monday.com trackers, and Alchemer.com survey (PSF).
13. Develop a data analysis and information package, under the guidance of the Project Manager, to inform the preparation of a Thematic Call narrative and strategic messaging in the lead to COP, the Subsidiary Bodies under the UNFCCC, and other key events.
14. Based on information collected from the Thematic Call and guidance from the Project Manager, lead the development of demand projections.
15. Lead the incorporation of Thematic Call unsupported requests into the Call for Proposals of the Partnership Action Fund (PAF), incl. all backend coordination needed to arrive to a shortlist of eligible activities that are low risk (non-duplicative, owned by governments), high-quality (reviewed internally as well as by 2050 Pathways Platform), and impactful.
16. Participate, as needed, in PAF Evaluation Committee and recruitment processes arising from Thematic Call unsupported requests.
17. Representing the Project Manager, as needed, in recurring meetings with key partners.
18. Work in close collaboration with the different NDC Partnership workstreams, especially with the Knowledge and Learning team and the Outreach and Governance team to promote good practices and insights and increase the visibility and engagement of the Thematic Call.
19. As needed, provide oversight and guidance to consultants and interns working with the Thematic Call team.

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

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in natural sciences, economics, engineering, environmental management, climate, political science, administration, finance, international relations, international development, or a related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in related discipline in combination with additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

Required

• At least 2 years of relevant,professional experience in environmental data and information management, and climate change policy advisory.
• Excellent knowledge of international climate policy especially on the UNFCCC decisions framework on NDCs and LT-LEDS.

Assets

• Demonstrated experience in working in international teams.
• Capacity to work well under pressure and ability to successfully manage multiple deadlines.

Language

• Proficiency in English is required.
• Fluency in Spanish and/or French is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA Contract level: International ICA 1 Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, 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

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.