UNDP Jobs - 45186- Capacity Building for Climate Change Integration (

Capacity Building for Climate Change Integration (2 Consultants - International and National).

Location :

Mbabane, SWAZILAND

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

04-Aug-2014

Application Deadline :

30-Jun-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Different number of days per consultant spreadover 3 months (Aug - Oct 2014)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Different number of days per consultant spreadover 3 months (Aug - Oct 2014)

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Department of Water Affairs of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, is seeking the services of a TEAM of consultants (one international, one local) to assess and strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders to integrate climate change risks into national development decision making mechanisms.
Climate change risks have not been adequately integrated into key decisions making processes in both the private and public sectors at all levels in the country. The technical capacities of many decision makers reflect inadequacy to foster a deeper integration of climate change risks into the processes. The key public institutions in the water sector including: National Climate Change Committee (NCCC), Swaziland Environment Authority (SEA), National Water Authority (NWA), River Basin Authorities (RBAs), Water Users Associations (WUAs), Irrigation Districts (IDs), National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and National Meteorological Service (NMS) have limited capacity to integrate climate change in their decision making.

This exercise is envisaged as a first step to gauge the opinions, knowledge and capabilities of the key stakeholders in integrating climate change into their planning and decision making processes. This will include assessment of climate change priorities, awareness levels of risks and adaptation options, messages, their use of existing resources for communicators and barriers to action.

Objective

This assignment will enhance and foster a deeper understanding of climate change impacts and issues by decision makers at all levels in the water and related sectors. This will further promote a wider response from stakeholders at grassroots and higher levels in the water sector to take immediate take action in addressing climate change related impacts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Working under the guidance of the Department of Water Affairs, Project Board and Project Technical Committee and with the Project Manager, the team, comprising a lead international and a local consultant:

Climate Change Adaptation Expert (international consultant & Team Leader) - 40 working days spreadout within the 3 month period:

Conduct an assessment of the capacity of decision makers within key government ministries i.e MoA, MoH, MoF, MNRE, MEPD, MoHUD, and other institutions such as NWA, RBAs, IDs, WUAs, NDMA, NMS, NCCC, SEA and SZWP to assess climate change risk and adaptation options;
Based on the findings of the capacity needs assessment, develop suitable materials to strengthen the capacity of decision makers in priority sectors to assess climate change risk and adaptation options;
Coordinate and conduct training for all participants based on developed materials;
Coordinate the preparation of the final report.

Workshop Facilitator (local consultant) - 20 working days spreadout within the 3 month period:

Organize and facilitate a one day workshop for stakeholders as a follow-up to the capacity needs assessment;
The workshop should bring together people who participated in the survey as well as staff of other interested entities and individuals.

Its main purpose is to:

(a) review and validate the findings of the needs assessment;
(b) agree on a list of priority activities;
(c) recommend how to implement these activities using the allocated resources from the project;
(d) recommend how this can catalyse a wider national programme and identify required additional resources (post this project);
Facilitate at least 3 training events using the materials for strengthening the capacity of decision makers;
Prepare workshop and training reports including the final report.

Deliverables:

An inception report, including a work plan with inputs from both the team members clearly specifying how the assignment will be undertaken, with clear tasks assignment for each member of the team within one week of work starting. The report should not exceed five (5) pages;
A report and recommendations based on the one-day validation workshop;
A draft final report incorporating the results of the capacity needs assessment, copies of the materials to be used during the training events (including: presentations, exercises, reference documents in hard and soft copies) and a summary of the results of the post-training questionnaires completed by participants;
Final report incorporating comments from the Project Manager/Board/Technical Committee and Technical Advisor.

Competencies

Functional competencies:

An understanding of the water and wider agriculture and/or environment sectors in Swaziland;
Experience in climate change (CC) risk assessment and adaptation;
Excellent writing and communication skills;
Ability to work as a member of a team or team leader working with diverse experts.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

At least a Masters Degree or PhD (or commensurate experience with increasing levels of responsibility) in the following areas of expertise Water Resources Management, Environmental Science, Agriculture, Climate Change or related disciplines.

Experience:

A minimum of 7 years working in the aspects of climate change relating to water resources, agriculture and the environment in Southern Africa;
Proven skills in facilitating technical workshops;
Any relevant additional qualification will be an added advantage.

Language:

Fluent in English.