Technical Specialist

Result of Service 2. Objective.

The Technical Specialist will work in close collaboration with the Project Coordinator and the PMU, supporting the agreed tasks in the PMU planning regarding the execution of the project workplan, preparation of technical documents, implementation of adaptation measures, relation with the stakeholders and beneficiaries, organization of events such as missions, workshops and meetings, and coordination of field work teams in the project intervention areas. The Officer will also support the monitoring of the activities and the reporting of technical and budgetary execution according to the requirements of UNEP, the Adaptation Fund and MADES.

The Technical Specialist will perform the following tasks:

1. Execute the technical components of the project and provide technical and logistical support to the PMU. 2. Execute and support the development of the activities proposed in the project document, logical framework and planning for the fulfillment of the project objectives. 3. Attend and coordinate actions for performing training workshops, meetings, presentations and other events. 4. Maintain a close and continuous relation with the relevant stakeholders and beneficiaries of the project and report issues in a timely manner 5. Review the documentation related to the project and its annexes, and other projects and initiatives with synergies with the project, plan and draft reports accordingly 6. Prepare notes, memoranda, and / or emails, communicating the status of the project to the stakeholders and beneficiaries participating in the project, in close consultation with the PMU and MADES. 7. Coordinate field trips. 8. Support the compliance with the agreements reached in the project agreement, the Steering Committee and the recommendations of the Technical Support Mechanism and the Local Coordination Committees. 9. Support and execute of the project strategy, project workplan and annual and monthly plans. 10. Prepare execution plans, mission plans and procurement plans, in close consultation with the PMU 11. Prepare and consolidate the plans, progress reports and results of the project, for the Steering Committee, the Technical Support Mechanism and the Local Coordination Committee, in coordination with the Project PMU. 12. Register and systematize the agreements of the meetings and monitor them, especially the decisions related to his / her area of intervention and keep records on shared platforms with PMU, UNEP AND MADES. 13. Draft Terms of Reference, coordinate procurement of consultants, services and goods, and advice and assist in the supervision of the compliance with the procurement processes based on the requirements of UNEP and MADES, in close coordination with the administrative staff 14. Keep a systematized record on shared platforms (hard and soft copies) of all the communications received from or sent to MADES, which are related to the project. 15. Prepare reports of missions and other technical activities of the project, collect the means of verification (forms, surveys, minutes, photos, videos, publication newsletter) and keep a systematized record on shared platforms 16. Support the writing of reports and documents to actively communicate project progress. 17. Support the preparation or update of project manuals and guidelines. 18. Support the preparation of project execution and budget reports. 19. Support the systematization of products and lessons learned. 20. Provide continuous support to consultants hired by the project and to national and local partners in the execution of the project. 21. Review technical documents, such as consultancies products, among others. 22. Provide occasional technical support to DNCC in relation to the project. 23. Other activities relevant for the fulfillment of the position’s objectives.

Work Location ASUNCION, PARAGUAY

Expected duration 12 MONTHS

Duties and Responsibilities 1. Purpose.

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.

UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (ROLAC), located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region -with a population of about 588 million people- and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

The office works towards the implementation of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the new Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and National Adaptation Plans (NAP) of the region.

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 UNEP 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 Nature based Solutions with 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 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.

The adaptation team of the Climate Change Unit is implementing a portfolio of projects and continuously developing a pipeline of new projects, both for adaptation planning and for implementation of concrete measures, in the three subregions of the region: Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The adaptation team works in close coordination with the rest of the Climate Change Unit and regional office, UNEP regional, sub-regional and national offices in the region and worldwide, including Headquarters; other UN System Agencies, Programmes and Funds; Regional and Subregional Organizations, countries’ institutions, and national and local organizations; and donors and financing institutions such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Global Environment Facility (GEF) or the Adaptation Fund (AF).

As part of this support to countries in the region, UNEP signed an agreement with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Paraguay (MADES) to implement the project “Ecosystem Based Approaches for reducing the vulnerability of food security to the impacts of climate change in the Chaco region of Paraguay” (AbE Chaco Project), with the financial contribution of the Adaptation Fund (AF).

The Project started its activities in April 2019, and aims to contribute to the reduction of food security vulnerability to the effects of climate change in the following communities of the Paraguayan Chaco: i) General Díaz, ii) Pozo Hondo and iii) Campo Loa in the Department of Boquerón, and iv) Toro Pampa, v) Colonia María Auxiliadora, vi) San Carlos, vii) 14 de mayo, viii) Sierra León, and ix) the fisherman community of the urban area of Bahía Negra in the Department of Alto Paraguay.

The project has three components: Component 1: Knowledge management on vulnerability and resilience to climate change improved with tools and instruments to implement cost-effective adaptation measures. Component 2: Adaptive capacity in rural areas of greatest vulnerability strengthened through concrete adaptation measures favoring and ecosystem-based approach. Component 3: Capacity development and awareness to implement and upscale effective implementation of adaptation measures at national and local levels.

Project´s implementation relies on a Project Management Unit (PMU), which is accountable for the technical, operative and administrative management of the project as well as for the development of activities in the field. To fulfill project´s objectives and results one Technical Specialist per Chaco Department is required to support the PMU on the execution of the project and activities, to ensure proper implementation of the adaptation project with a focus on resilience and sustainability, considering safeguarding and gender equity, and according to UNEP, AF and MADES’s requirements.

The Technical Specialist will operate under the overall supervision of the Adaptation Programme Officer of UNEP’s Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, in close coordination with the Project Coordinator. She/he will work within the PMU based in MADES, in close collaboration with UNEP’s Adaptation team, from Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week, full time.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: - Postgraduate degree in environmental science, agronomy, forestry, engineering or related field is required. - Additional studies or specific training in in adaptation, climate change natural resource management, food security, social work or a related field is an asset.

Experience: - At least 7 years of relevant work experience in programmes and projects is required. - At least 3 years of professional experience in the implementation of cooperation projects Is required. - Demonstrated experience in climate change adaptation or resilience. - Demonstrated experience in agriculture or livestock is an asset. - Relevant experience overseeing and monitoring social, environmental, gender and indigenous communities’ safeguards is an asset. - Relevant experience with climate change vulnerable communities is an asset. - Relevant experience with projects in the Chaco Region of Paraguay is required.

Language: - Fluency in Spanish and Guaraní is required. - Knowledge of English is a desirable.

Skills: - Planning and organization skills - Excellent use of computer tools, Office suite and digital communication. - Sensitivity to work in situations of cultural diversity. - Negotiation skills and good interpersonal skills. - Knowledge of the integration of gender considerations in the formulation, planning and implementation of projects. This includes designing gender-sensitive methodologies to collect and evaluate baseline data, evaluate results, and monitor project results when appropriate. - Experience facilitating / moderating community and national courses and workshops. - Ability to teamwork. - Analytical skills to understand complex situations and solve problems. - Innovation, creativity, and critical thinking. - Ability to pick up new terminology and concepts easily.

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.