Specialist in Spatial Analysis for Climate Risk

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 Specialist in Spatial Analysis for Climate Risk will contribute to the effective implementation of the project by developing the following activities: a. Analyse climate hazards, exposure, sensitivity, and risks through GIS maps. These maps should also visualize, to the extent possible, current development conditions (municipal infrastructure, building footprints, natural resources (such as hydrological resources), topography, geology, geomorphology, etc. b. Prepare GIS maps using a variety of different sources, e.g. importing data from PDFs, AutoCAD files, TIFFs (or similar images), Adobe Illustrator files, etc. and converting information into shapefiles and other dependent files. c. Further develop a geospatial database that can be turned in to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the target regional and municipal government institutions for their use. d. Alongside the Climate Adaptation Specialist, conduct information dissemination and validation sessions with regional and municipal climate adaptation planning committees. e. Update geospatial data based on feedback received from climate adaptation planning committee and other other key stakeholders during validation sessions. f. Manage training sessions on the use and interpretation of GIS maps, including how to load the data, basic fundamentals of working with shapefiles, spatial databases and map layers, and interpreting climate risks for adaptation planning. Deliverables: Product 1: Methodological proposal for strengthening local and institutional capacities in using Geographic Information Systems to evaluate climate vulnerability and risk associated with variability and climate change. Product 2: Training tools and guides to collect information and analyze threats, exposure, vulnerability and climate risk using QGIS. Product 3: Training tools and guides to collect information and analyze threats, exposure, vulnerability and climate risk using GEP. Product 4: Report on future climate, exposure and vulnerability mapping under CMIP6 models for Enriquillo region and Neiba and Las Terrenas municipalities. Product 5: Report on future climate, exposure and vulnerability maps under CMIP6 models for Ozama region, and Santo Domingo Este and Verón-Punta Cana Municipalities. Product 6: Report on future climate, exposure and vulnerability maps under CMIP6 models for Cibao Nordeste region and Puerto Plata municipality. Product 7: Report on technical assistance inputs given to Santo Domingo Este and Verón-Punta Cana municipalities to strengthen climate adaptation elements of disaster risk reduction plans. Product 8: Spatial analysis report of the impact of proposed adaptation measures for for Enriqullo region, and Neiba and Las Terrenas municipalities. Includes: risk zoning, proposals to change land use classification, expansion of non-developable areas, maps that visualize the potential beneficiary population, etc. Product 9: Spatial analysis report of the impact of proposed adaptation measures for for Ozama region and Santo Domingo Este and Verón-Punta Cana municipalities. Includes: risk zoning, proposals to change land use classification, expansion of non-developable areas, maps that visualize the potential beneficiary population, etc. Product 10: Spatial analysis report of the impact of proposed adaptation measures for Cibao Nordeste region and Puerto Plata municipality. Includes: risk zoning, proposals to change land use classification, expansion of non-developable areas, maps that visualize the potential beneficiary population, etc. Product 11: Report of training workshops on the use of GIS to analyze vulnerability and climate risk for strengthening local and institutional capacities in DR.

Work Location

Home Based

Expected duration

10 Months and 7 days

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). 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. 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. To fulfill the objectives of the project, the UNEP LACO Office is recruiting a Specialist in Spatial Analysis for Climate Risk to assist the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources and 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 UNEP Adaptation Programme Management Officer at the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office. The Specialist in Spatial Analysis for Climate Risk will operate under the overall supervision of the UNEP Adaptation Programme Management Officer at the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office. Additionally, he/she will work in close collaboration with the UNEP’s Adaptation team, the Directorate of Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in the Dominican Republic, other national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts. Travel within the Dominican Republic might be needed for consultation processes. The Specialist in Spatial Analysis for Climate Risk is expected to work 40 hours per week, from Monday to Friday full time, and to be home-based.

Qualifications/special skills

ACADEMIC: • Bachelor's degree in environmental sciences, environmental planning, environmental engineering, civil engineering, or a closely related field is required. • Master’s degree in climate change management, disaster risk management, urban planning, environmental engineering, civil engineering, climate & society, geography, geographic information systems or a closely related field is required. • Completion of intermediate to advanced graduate and/or postgraduate coursework in climate risk and/or disaster risk management, and geographic information systems, is desired. PROFESSIONAL: • At least five (5) years of relevant working experience in climate risk management, disaster risk management, disaster risk reduction is required. • Experience in conducting climate vulnerability and/or risk assessments is required. • At least three (3) years of relevant working experience in geographic information systems (GIS). Professional knowledge of QGIS is required. Familiarity using ArcGIS is desirable. • Experience utilizing different sources and formats to generate new maps at regional and local (municipal) scale is desired. • Experience working with different stakeholders to identify and prioritize climate hazards, impacts, exposure, vulnerability and risks is desired. • Experience using climate scenarios to identify impact and sensitivity thresholds is desirable. • Experience modeling frequency and intensity of climate risks is desirable. • Experience in projects related to at least one of the following topics: climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, urban resilience, nature-based solutions, environmental management is desired. • Demonstrated experience working with national institutions in climate change and the coordination of activities at the national, subnational and/or sectoral level is desired. LANGUAGE: • Fluent in Spanish is required. • Confident in English is desirable. SKILLS: • Excellent data analysis and visualization skills utilizing QGIS, ArcGIS, Adobe Photoshop and similar products • Experience in working with GIS software products, especially QGIS, for mapping and spatial analysis, including the development of (open source) geodatabases, is a strong asset. • Excellent communication and organizing skills. • Experience in Geographic Information Systems, spatial data management (including databases use and development), and environmental and natural resource management, including monitoring and interpreting data for reporting, is desirable. • Experience in working with data analysis for climate change adaptation planning programs projects with/for international development organizations and/or national public sector institutions is a strong asset. • Results-driven and initiative-taking behavior. 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.