Senior Economic Advisor in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Finance Specialist - Retainer)

Mid Senior Finance & Economy

Overview

Support climate finance initiatives in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

You have:

• Advanced university degree in economics, finance, business administration or related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in climate finance, preferably for a financial institution or development agency.
• Experience in developing climate budget tagging systems or related work.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Proficiency in Spanish is an asset.
• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted.
• Experience in accessing and structuring finance for climate investments.
• Experience working in developing countries on climate change and other development issues.

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

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).

Country Context

With NDC Partnership support, St. Vincent and the Grenadines submitted its first NDC in June 2016. The country is still grappling with the impacts of volcanic eruptions in April 2021. Although it is still in the recovery phase, the country is determined to submit its revised NDC. A specific date for submission has not yet been set.

*** As this is a Local Position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent should be a national of St. Vincent and the Grenadines or have a valid residence permit in the Country.

Functional Responsibilities

The Advisor will work in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and will be embedded, for at least one year, in the Sustainable Development Unit (SDU). The advisor will report directly to the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist.

The specific roles and responsibilities of the Advisor includes, inter alia:

1. Develop a Climate and Gender Budget Tagging (CBT) System for SVG, considering expenditure from the public sector, private sector, and civil society organizations.
2. Coordinate between government ministries and agencies, the private sector, and civil society organizations to ensure country ownership of the CBT system.
3. Support the development of project proposals to access SVG’s STAR allocation under the Global
4. Environment Facility (GEF).
5. Facilitate in-country capacity building efforts to support transfer of skills and knowledge to relevant stakeholders in government ministries and agencies, private sector, and civil society organizations.
6. Support project initiation and planning activities, with a particular focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, forestry and waste management which contribute to the implementation of the revised NDC for SVG.
7. Provide technical support to the National Technical Advisory Committee on Climate Change (NTACCC) in tracking the implementation of the NDC for SVG.
8. Serve as an active member of the NDC Partnership, including by representing the Partnership at events and external meetings, and by facilitating peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange.

Institutional Arrangement The Senior Economic Advisor will work in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and will be embedded, for at least one year, in the SDU. The advisor will report to reports to the NDC Partnership Regional Manager. Deliverables will be quality reviewed by the SDU.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in economics, finance, business administration or another related field.
• Bachelor's degree in related discipline in combination with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience: Required

• With an advanced university degree, at least 5 years of experience working in climate finance, preferably for a financial institution or development agency.
• Experience in developing climate budget tagging systems or related work.
• Experience accessing and structuring finance for climate investments.
• Experience working in developing countries, including SIDS, on climate change and other development issues.

Asset

• Experience organizing and facilitating engagements, events, and stakeholder dialogues
• Experience with international climate finance institutions, including inter alia, the GEF and GCF, particularly technical aspects of mitigation and adaptation activities.
• Experience with multilateral and bilateral development partners.
• Demonstrated ability to formulate project proposals in compliance with requirements of various climate finance funds, including, inter alia, the GEF, GCF and AF.

Language - Fluency in written and spoken English is required. - Proficiency in Spanish is an asset.

*** As this is a Local Position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent should be a national of St. Vincent and the Grenadines or have a valid residence permit in the Country.

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. 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.

Contract type, level and duration

• Contract type: Local ICA - retainer
• Contract level: LICA 10
• Contract duration: 12 months with possibility of extension depending on performance and on availability of funds.

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.unops.org