UNDP Jobs - 46381- International Policy Specialist for Climate Change

International Policy Specialist for Climate Change

Location :

Dili, Timor Leste

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2014

Application Deadline :

23-May-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

126 Days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

UNDP Country Offices are receiving an increasing number of national requests for assistance with understanding the implications of climate change on national development and preparing integrated strategies and plans to manage anticipated challenges and opportunities. UNDP has played an important role assisting countries to access and deliver climate change financing, as implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), joint manager of the National Communications Support Programme and by delivering initiatives like MDG Carbon, Capacity Development for Policy Makers, the MDG Achievement Fund, Africa Adaptation Programme, CC-DARE, UN REDD, Carbon Neutral and Climate Resilient Territories, and the 2007 Human Development Report on climate change (activities totaling more than 220 million USD in catalytic funding). Yet at the same time, UNDP must further strengthen its climate change policy advisory capacity.

In light of the increasing urgency of climate change responses in every programme country, UNDP has invested in strengthening its climate change services to all countries, in particular to Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Up to 26 Policy Specialists (Climate Change) at the national level have been recruited so far to supplement existing Country Office staff capacity on climate change. The Policy Specialists seeks to strengthen UNDPs climate policy capacity, improve coherence within UNDP and the wider UNCT, and promote strategic engagement on key climate issues for UNDP. They also develop relevant Climate Change project proposals, documents and support programme delivery and resources mobilization. The Policy Specialists are fully integrated in the community of practice of climate change advisors and experts already working at national, regional and HQ levels. In addition to their integration into the respective CO structure, the Policy Specialists work under the technical guidance of the Regional Service Centre EE Practice Leader.

Duties and Responsibilities

The work of UNDPs environment portfolio (mostly funded by GEF) in Timor-Leste is guided by three key strategic outputs, which in turn serve to guide its planning framework:

(i) Supporting the Government of Timor-Leste in responding to obligations under the Multilateral Environmental agreements, particularly under the UN conventions to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), for Biological Diversity (UNCBD) and on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The development of action plans and strategies will support the Government in developing capacity and support strategic planning in the relevant sectors;
(ii) Mainstreaming environment into policy development and national planning, ensuring that environmental considerations are reflected in relevant legislation and regulation thus supporting the government in its efforts towards sustainable development;
(iii) Providing access to sustainable energy to vulnerable communities, improving the quality of life of Timor-Leste’s most isolated communities and allowing for the development of new income generating activities.

Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, and under supervision of and reporting to the Head of Sustainable Development and Resilience Unit, and guided by the climate team at the Regional Service Centre and HQ, the consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Promote a substantive and strategic policy engagement on climate change with government and development partners, building on and ensuring consistency with international policy guidance on climate change provided by HQ;
Support UN-wide approach to climate change and promote UNDP’s role, including policy and programmatic initiatives, ensuring consistency and integration with regional and global approaches, methodologies, and strategies;
Support strategic partnerships and knowledge management;
Support the development of the Environment Portfolio of the Country Office.

Expected outputs

The key results of the assignment have an impact on the overall effectiveness and efficiency of UN climate change activities in the country, including decision-making, short, medium and long-term planning, improved business results and client services. They also impact on increasing Governments’, partners, and civil society and communities’ awareness and knowledge of climate risks to development, and on the ability for climate proofing of development plans and sectoral policies. Accurate analysis and strategic information produced and presented by the Consultant will strengthen decision-making and promote timely positioning and readjustment of UNDP programme management. More precisely, the Consultant will be responsible for follow-up on the submission and launch of the Second National Communication project. In addition, the consultant will facilitate the launch of the project on Promoting Bio-Energy Production from Biomass, recruit a project team and set up a project office. The Consultant will support the development of an LDCF proposal on Mangroves and coastal management as well as a proposal for a NAP. Once the Project on Promoting Bio-Energy Production from Biomass has been approved by the GEF, the Consultant will be responsible for starting up the project, appointing the team and setting up a project office.

The key deliverables and responsibilities of the Policy Specialist are as follows:

By end July 2014 (tentative schedule), facilitate the initiation of the PPG for the mangrove project;
By end August 2014 (tentative schedule), facilitate the launch of the Second National Communication project;
By end September 2014 (tentative schedule), facilitate the launch of the project on Promoting Bio-Energy Production from Biomass, recruit a project team and set up a project office;
By end October 2014 (tentative schedule), support and follow-up on the submission of a PIF to GEF Secretariat on a multi-focal / multi-funding project related to food security;
By end of November 2014 (tentative schedule), prepare a concept note on climate change financing and support the development of a NAP project;
By end of December 2014 (tentative schedule), develop a draft project proposal on relevant climate change issue (renewable energy, forestry, NAMA, REDD+..).

For more details please see IC Notice & ToR at following link: http://www.tl.undp.org/content/dam/timorleste/docs/Procurament/IC%20Pro%20Notice%20%26%20ToR%20International%20Policy%20Specialist%20for%20Climate%20Change.pdf

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Integrity and professionalism:

Demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment;
High degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership;
Willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures objectively, accurately and confidentially;
Responsive and client-oriented.

Accountability:

Mature and responsible;
Ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.

Commitment to continuous learning:

Initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise.

Planning and organizing:

Effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner;
Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work;
Ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

Teamwork and respect for diversity:

Ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries;
Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender.

Communication:

Proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports;
Ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely;
Ability to make and defend recommendations; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters Degree in climate sciences, environmental sciences, earth sciences, natural resource economics, or related social sciences.

Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant work experience on issues related to climate risk, vulnerability reduction and capacity development;
Background in partnership building is an essential requirement;
Experience in working with government, donors or the UN previously is an asset;
Experience in policy analysis, development work in the area of climate change and related issues;
Familiarity with and contributions to high-level policy dialogues and advisory functions involving high-level government counterparts and other stake-holders;
Thorough knowledge and understanding of the global debate on climate change and experience in multilateral environmental debates and dialogues and processes;
Experience in advising on climate change adaptation and energy policy development a major asset.
Proven experience and knowledge of the country’s institutional framework and policies of climate change is an asset;
Experience in development planning is a major asset.

Language:

Fluency in English;
Fluency of Portuguese, Bahasa Indonesian or Tetum will be considered an asset.