Regional Adaptation Specialist

Contract

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Result of Service

The objective of this consultancy is contributing to the efficient implementation of the project “Building capacity to advance National Adaptation Plan Process in the Dominican Republic” by executing the tasks outlined in the Terms of Reference.

The Regional Adaptation Specialist will contribute to the effective implementation of the project by guaranteeing that the following tasks integrate the gender mainstreaming:

Participate with the adaptation team in the preparation of climate finance funding proposals, in accordance with the requirements set out in the different Funds’ regulations, including:

• Provide technical inputs to the deliverables from team members and partners, ensuring that they follow UNEP vision, particularly in regard to sustainable development, gender equity and climate-resilience. • Monitor proposal elaboration milestones. • Monitor implementation of the work plan and timetables. • Participate in site visits when necessary. • Elaborate sound mission reports. • Respond to information requests, arrange revisions and establish a coordination mechanism with UNEP HQ team to advance the proposals. • Participate in meetings with potential partners in order to extract relevant information.

Participate with the adaptation team on the implementation of approved projects, including: • Preparation and organization of project launch. • Establish a coordination mechanism with UNEP HQ team to advance the approved projects. • Monitor implementation of the annual work plans and timetables. • Monitor risks. Propose risks mitigation measures. • Monitor project results, track results framework indicators. This includes the utilization of sex- disaggregated indicators and gender-based monitoring frameworks to assess project outcomes (if applicable). • Support the preparation of annual performance reports and the project completion report. • Participate in field missions when necessary to meet government officials and other stakeholders, including the private sector, prior consent of his/her Supervisor and in accordance with UN Environment rules and procedures. • Facilitate consolidation of the Project Management Unit where relevant. • Advocate the Steering Committee meetings. • Provide technical inputs to the deliverables from project team members and partners. • Take corrective management actions (and documenting them) to re-direct the project towards desired results. • Provide team members and partners with technical advice on climate change adaptation substantial matters including strategies to guarantee that issues such as gender equality, disaster risk reduction and synergies with other adaptation and mitigation measures are undertaken. • Development of reports, briefings and presentations. When necessary, the consultant will also support the general organization of events.

• Contribute to UNEP’s overall climate change adaptation work in the region and support of the Euroclima+initiative on ecosystem-based adaptation. • Evaluate, capturing and synthesizing lessons and uptake of best practices and knowledge. Introduce innovation and best practices to enhance project performance. • Provide technical inputs in the review and revision of terms of reference and/or project deliverables as requested by the UNEP Adaptation Programme Officer.

Work Location

Home-Based

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City,Panama 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).

To implement the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

In terms of addressing climate change, UNEP aims to support countries in the compliance of the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the countries Nationally Determined Contributions.

The overall objective of UNEP´s Sub-programme on Climate Change is to strengthen the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low-emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. The expected accomplishment regarding climate change adaptation is that adaptation approaches, including an ecosystem-based approach, are implemented, and integrated into key sectoral and national development strategies to reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience to climate change impacts. Furthermore, the UNEP´s Sub-programme on Climate Change is also committed to ensure that crosscutting issues such as gender equity and women empowerment are effectively undertaken in the development of its tasks to guarantee an equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives.

To fulfill the objectives of the project, the UNEP LACO Office is recruiting a Regional Adaptation Specialist to assist UNEP in the implementation of the Green Climate Fund-funded project as set in the funding proposal document. The Consultant will report directly to the Adaptation to Climate Change Programme Officer.

The main objective of the consultancy is related to report monthly the adaptation planning for the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) projects in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Panamá and El Salvador.

The Regional Adaptation Specialist will operate home based, under the overall supervision of the UNEP Adaptation Programme Officer at the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office and other national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts. Travel might be needed for consultation processes. The Regional Adaptation Specialist is expected to work Home Based.

Qualifications/special skills

ACADEMIC: • Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, geography, conservation, environment or a closely related field is required. • Master’s degree in natural resource management, geography, conservation, environment or a closely related field is required.

PROFESSIONAL: • A minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in the field of environment, sustainable development, climate change or a closely related field is required. • Experience in climate change adaptation or development is required. • Demonstrated experience in climate change adaptation project development, implementation and management is desirable. • Demonstrated experience with the successful formulation of project proposals for at least one of the following funds: Adaptation Fund, Green Climate Fund, Global Environment Facility is desirable. • Previous work experience in Latin America and the Caribbean is desirable.

LANGUAGE: • Fluent in Spanish is required. • Fluent in English is required.

SKILLS: • Excellent political, advisory and facilitation skills. Ability to facilitate technical discussions and participatory processes with multiple stakeholders in multicultural environments. • Demonstrated understanding of development planning and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

• Excellent technical leadership and understanding of climate change adaptation concepts, principles and policies. Ability to provide guidance on climate change adaptation, especially as it relates to development planning. • Strategic perspective to guide the development of products to maximize impact and success.

COMPETENCIES: • Professionalism: Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. He/she shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Teamwork: Is able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team to achieve organizational goals and to take leadership when appropriate; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; 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.

Languages

Not available.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.