Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation Financing

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Application deadline 1 year ago: Wednesday 31 Aug 2022 at 23:59 UTC

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Result of Service The main objective of the position of Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation financing is to provide technical support to the National Project Coordinator, the Project Management Unit and other National consultants in the coordination of several activities related to adaptation financing within the framework of the project Building capacity to advance National Adaptation Plan Process in the Dominican Republic.

The Climate Change Adaptation financing will contribute to the effective implementation of the project by performing the following tasks:

  • Generate terms of reference and oversee the review and appraisal of adaptation options, with particular attention being paid to the sectors prioritized in the NDC and NAPCC (Activity 2.2.1).
  • Provide institutional support to enhance the efficiency of the procurement and tendering process and preparation of preliminary tender documents to enable private sector participation and promote the establishment of public-private partnerships (Activity 3.2.3).
  • Support the climate finance-related aspects of during the development of a strategy for the periodic review of the National Adaptation Plan (Activity 4.2.8), including the financing strategy,based on i) updated climate information; ii) updated socio-economic vulnerabilities, implementing costs, opportunities and plans; iii) lessons learned regarding adaptation planning (at legal, policy and institutional level); iii) lessons learned regarding implementation of adaptation measures on the ground
  • Review reports produced on costing adaptation in the Dominican Republic, compile information and identify information gaps for a reliable estimation of costs for implementing climate change adaptation in the medium and long term (Activity 5.1.1).
  • Develop an economic study that estimates the costs of implementing the prioritized adaptation interventions at national, sectoral and local levels (Activity 5.1.2).
  • Identify, analyze and recommend options for scaling up financing for adaptation, including through domestic public budgets, public-private partnerships and international cooperation (Activity 5.1.3).
  • Develop an adaptation finance strategy to access new identified sources of adaptation finance (Activity 5.1.4).
  • Explore the most convenient institutional arrangements to centrally and systematically manage all climate change-related funds and channeling them effectively across sectors and regions (Activity 5.1.5).
  • Guide 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).
  • Develop GCF concepts and associated documentation for two adaptation programmes, one focusing on urban areas (covering Santo Domingo and 4other cities) and one focusing on rural areas (covering2 rural areas and 1 protected ecosystem and its mitigation areas), in coordination with efforts conducted through the readiness grant already been implemented (Activity 5.1.7).
  • Prepare relevant materials for project activities as may be required.
  • Contribute, participate and assist in relevant activities related to strengthening of capacities.
  • Carry out any other relevant tasks within his/her technical competence, as requested by the National Project Coordinator and/or by the Adaptation Program Officer at the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office.

    Work Location Project Management Unit in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

    Expected duration 12 months

    Duties and Responsibilities 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 UNEP, through its 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 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The office works to serve the needs 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).

In terms of supporting countries in the region attain the global commitments signed within the framework of the Paris Agreement, UNEP’s 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 UNEP 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, UNEP’s Sub-programme on Climate Change is also committed to ensure that cross-cutting issues such as gender equity and women’s empowerment are effectively integrated in the development of its tasks to guarantee equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives.

In this context, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic and UNEP, 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 National Adaptation Plan 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 UNEP LACO is recruiting a Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation Financing to support the National Project Coordinator and the Project Management Unit (PMU) in the delivery of several activities related to adaptation financing, including the reviewing and appraisal of adaptation options, including economic, environmental and social costs and benefits. Additionally, the Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation Financing will draft a set of terms of reference for the execution of the financing component of the approved project proposal and provide technical inputs for the development of a financing strategy for the National Adaptation Plan (NAP).

The Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation Financing will operate under the overall supervision of the Adaptation Program Officer at the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office and will assist the National Project Coordinator in the execution of the project. Additionally, he/she will work in close collaboration with the Directorate for Adaptation and Mitigation to 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 Financing is expected to work over a 12-month period, 40 hours per week, from 8:00am to 4:00pm (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 natural resource management, conservation, environmental sciences, economics, financing, engineering, development, social sciences, project management or a closely related field is required. If the degree is not closely related to these fields, two extra years of relevant experience will be required in lieu of a Bachelor’s Degree in any area. - Master's degree in environmental sciences, development, climate change, environmental or climate finances or a closely related field is desirable.

Experience: - A minimum of 5 years of working experience in development, environmental finances, natural resource management, climate change adaptation or a related field is required. - Demonstrated experience in climate change adaptation financing and/or development of financial mechanisms aimed to leverage funding from the public and private sector to fund environmental actions is required. - Demonstrated experience in the elaboration of reports and official documents from technical and high-level meetings is required. - Demonstrated experience in the estimation of costs of environmental actions and in their integration into national planning and sectoral budget schemes is highly desirable. - Demonstrated knowledge of climate change adaptation approaches including Ecosystem-based Adaptation is an asset. - Previous work experience and knowledge about the Dominican Republic is an asset. - Experience with international organizations will be an advantage

Language: - Fluency in Spanish is required. - Confident level of English in writing and verbal skills is required

Skills: - Excellent technical, advisory and facilitation skills. Ability to facilitate technical discussions and participatory processes with multiple stakeholders in multicultural environments. - Demonstrated understanding of climate change adaptation approaches and the ability to apply it to strategic and/or practical situations. - Excellent technical leadership to provide guidance on climate change adaptation finance, 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.

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org