Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements

Result of Service The main objective of the position of Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements is to provide high quality specialized technical guidance and support to the National Project Coordinator and the Project Management Unit on the creation and strengthening of technical and institutional capacities in stakeholders, including national and local authorities and members of the civil society and the private sector, to engage and address adaptation processes at the national, subnational and sectoral level. This includes providing relevant information to decision makers and key stakeholders on the relevance of adaptation planning and on the different methodologies used to address adaptation issues. The Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements will support the Project Management Unit in specifying needs for capacity strengthening, preparing Terms of Reference, identifying technical expertise and reviewing reports. This professional will also support the drafting, consulting and definition of institutional arrangement between different national stakeholders to facilitate information exchange and enhance institutional cooperation around adaptation to climate change issues in the country, and assist the National Project Coordinator and the Project Management Unit in the development and implementation of other project related activities, including attending national, regional and local meetings, as required.

The Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements will contribute to the effective implementation of the project by performing the following tasks:

1. Generate Terms of Reference to conduct training sessions for strengthening capacities on climate change adaptation for policy and decision makers from relevant institutions at national and local levels (Activity 1.2.2). 2. Guide and oversee and report workshops/awareness raising campaigns at national and local levels for the Council for Municipal Planning, NGOs, CSOs, local communities and private sector, about climate change adaptation knowledge (Activity 1.2.3 and Activity 1.2.4). 3. Guide and oversee the process to elaborate reports on the relationship of climate change adaptation with other cross-cutting issues: Environmental sustainability, Disaster risk management, Gender equity, Land use and territorial cohesion (Activity 2.1.4). 4. Generate Terms of Reference to develop the monitoring and review guidelines and tools on data collection, analysis and dissemination of adaptation planning information, and design effective training for technical staff for the use of these guidelines and tools (Activity 4.1.1 and Activity 4.2.1). 5. Draft a proposal legal document on the Integrated System for Climate Change Planning and Control, and the National System for Environment and Climate Change Information (Activity 4.1.2). 6. Develop a report on research priorities on climate change adaptation and cooperation agreements between the Directorate of Climate Change and research institutions, including the Environmental Network of Dominican Universities. Inputs from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology shall be used in order to promote scaling-up the existing fund and setting cooperation agreements. (Activity 4.2.6). 7. Identify and analyze elements and mechanisms to transfer knowledge from exchange activities on adaptation planning and implementation to national governance mechanisms during the NAP process (Activity 4.2.7). 8. Develop a strategy for the periodic review of the National Adaptation Plan (Activity 4.2.8). 9. Generate a report on the institutional arrangements in place to centrally and systematically manage all climate change-related funds and channeling them effectively across sectors and regions (Activity 5.1.5). 10. Participate in oversight actions for the development of toolkits and training to strengthen the capacity of relevant government stakeholders (at all levels) to promote the implementation of the adaption finance strategy (Activity 5.1.6). 11. Prepare materials relevant for project activities as may be required. 12. Carry out any other relevant tasks within his/her technical competence, as requested by the National Project Coordinator.

Work Location Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Expected duration 12 months

Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) 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 (LAC Office) located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region - including 16 small island developing States -with a population of about 588 million people- to implement the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the new Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the NDCs of the region. The office works to serve the needs of the region and its activities are integrated activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA)

In terms of supporting countries in the region attain the global commitments signed within the framework of the Paris Agreement, the Latin America and the Caribbean UN Environment Sub-programme on Climate Change aims at strengthening the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. In this framework, the UN Environment Sub-programme on Climate Change, through its Climate Change Unit leads and supports several initiatives oriented at designing, promoting and implementing innovative mitigation and adaptation solutions at the national and subnational level, and strengthening the transparency framework of the countries.

The expected accomplishment regarding climate change adaptation is that adaptation approaches, including the 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 UN Environment’s Sub-programme on Climate Change is also committed to ensure that cross-cutting issues such as gender equity and women empowerment are effectively integrated in the development of its tasks to guarantee an equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives. In this context, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic and UN Environment, have agreed on the implementation of the project Building capacity to advance in the National Adaptation Plan Process in the Dominican Republic, framed within the Readiness program of the Green Climate Fund.

The project is aimed to sustainably build country capacity in identifying, prioritizing, planning and implementing measures that address medium and long-term adaptation needs considering decisions 1/CP.16 and 5/CP.17 and all elements of the NAP Technical Guidelines. The ultimate objective of the project is to reduce the vulnerability of the Dominican Republic to the impacts of climate variability and change, by building adaptive capacity and resilience through the integration of climate change adaptation into planning and implementation within all relevant sectors and at different levels, as appropriate. Specifically, the project has the objective to strengthen the country's capacity to integrate adaptation into national and local planning, including the participation of different line ministries, local governments, the private sector and civil society organizations.

The project seeks to achieve its components and objective through: - Strengthening the institutional, legal, policy and planning framework; - Engaging key stakeholders in climate change adaptation planning and implementation; - Producing high-quality and pertinent knowledge; and - Building capacity at different levels

To fulfill the objectives of the project, the UNEPLatin America and the Caribbean Office is recruiting a Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements to provide high quality specialized technical guidance and support to the National Project Coordinator and the Project Management Unit on the creation and strengthening of technical and institutional capacities in stakeholders of the project including national and local authorities and members of the civil society and the private sector to engage and address adaptation processes at the national, subnational and sectoral level. Additionally, Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements will provide support to the National Project Coordinator in the drafting, preparation and socialization of institutional arrangements aimed at mainstreaming of climate change adaptation into national planning process. This support can be in any of the following areas: strategic planning, management and innovation, policy dialogue and advocacy, development and financing, project implementation oversight and support, knowledge management.

The Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements will operate under the overall supervision of the UNEP Adaptation Programme Officer at the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office .. Additionally, he/she will work in close collaboration with the Directorate for Climate Change of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic and other national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts.

The Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements is expected to work over a 12 month-period, 40 hours per week, from 9:00am to 5:00pm (Monday to Friday) and to be located in the Project Management Unit in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: ¿ Bachelor’s degree in environmental management, environmental sciences, social sciences, political sciences, engineering, development, law, international relations or a closely related field is required. ¿ Post graduate degree in climate change, geography, natural resource policy, management, political science is highly desirable. Lack of a master’s degree or equivalent in these areas can be compensated with at least 2 additional years of professional experience working in the development of public policies related to environmental issues and/or climate change adaptation.

Experience: ¿ A minimum of 5 years of relevant working experience in development and/or natural resource management, and/or climate change adaptation or any other related field is required. ¿ Demonstrated knowledge in the design or implementation of national policies and planning frameworks, related to climate change and/or natural resource management is required. ¿ Demonstrated experience working with national institutions and other relevant stakeholders involved in climate change and/or natural resource management and planning in the coordination of activities at the national, subnational and/or sectoral level is required. ¿ Experience in engaging with local stakeholders including government agencies, private sector and/or civil society is required. ¿ Demonstrated experience in the elaboration of reports and official documents from technical and high-level meetings is an asset. ¿ Demonstrated knowledge of the Dominican Republic environmental legislation is highly desirable. ¿ Ability to communicate to a wide range of actors including decision makers and members from the civil society and the private sector will be an asset. ¿ Knowledge around climate change adaptation and environmental issues in the Dominican Republic will be an advantage ¿ Experience with international organizations will be an advantage

Language: ¿ Fluency in Spanish. ¿ Confident level of 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.

Competency: ¿ 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.

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.