UNDP Jobs - 50008- Senior Climate Change Expert- NPPP IV, NEX Project

Senior Climate Change Expert- NPPP IV, NEX Project- (Open to Nepalese Nationals Only)

Location :

Kathmandu, NEPAL

Type of Contract :

Other

Starting Date :

24-Nov-2014

Application Deadline :

13-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Other

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year (Possibility of extension)

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

The Nepal Climate Change Support Programme (NCCSP) was designed with an aim to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable communities in Nepal are able to adapt to the effects of climate change. This is the first significant climate change adaptation intervention in Nepal in line with the recommendation of the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA). The Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MoSTE) is leading the implementation of the programme in collaboration with Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD) and other stakeholders with the support from UK-AID DFID, European Union and UNDP. The Programme will i) implement 70 Local Adaptation Plan for Actions (LAPAs) in 69 Village Development Committees and 1 Municipality, ii) institutionalise/strengthen local and regional mechanisms for planning, implementation and promotion of scalable local adaptation actions, and iii) establish/strengthen institutional and funding mechanisms for climate change adaptation actions. The Programme will be implemented in 14 districts of Mid and Far-Western Districts of Nepal, namely, Bajura, Achham, Kailali, Humla, Jumla, Mugu, Dolpa, Kalikot, Dailekh, Jajarkot, Bardiya, Dang, Rukum and Rolpa from 2013 - 2015.

Duties and Responsibilities

This position has been envisaged to be a highly qualified senior professional position having strong technical competency in providing strategic guidance to the NCCSP management and implementing partner for building sustained national capacity for climate change adaptation and resource mobilisation in the long run. The key output expected from this position is that national capacity for climate change adaptation planning and implementation will be built within Nepal and a mechanism for climate change financing established leading to a significant amount of resource flow coming to Nepal for climate change adaptation.

This having envisaged as a strategic technical position will not be engaged in day-to-day managerial functions.

The incumbent will be stationed at the NCCSP's Programme Central Office at MoSTE, however, he will also technically support the Ministry of Local Development (MOFALD) as deemed necessary.

The incumbent is expected to provide strategic advices to development partners including DFID, EU, and UNDP and as appropriate on climate change programming issues related to NCCSP and beyond.

While the incumbent will work under the direct supervision of NPD and NPM, s/he will work closely with team members at the Programme Central Office, Programme Regional Offices, DEECC Sections and government deputed staff to the project as relevant.

The key roles of the incumbent:

Providing technical advices for ensuring implementation of climate change policy and strategies for climate change adaptation and alignment with national mitigation activities. (20% of time);
Providing technical advices for ensuring coordination and building collaborative ownership of stakeholders on climate change initiatives. (30% of time);
Developing a resource mobilisation strategy for local level climate change adaptation and related activities in Nepal, establishing a climate change financing mechanism as envisioned in Climate Change Policy of Nepal to support sustained implementation of climate change initiatives in the long run; and assisting MoSTE and concerned stakeholders in implementation and/or reporting on climate change and related multi-lateral environmental agreements (MEAs). (40% of time);
Providing guidance for proper implementation of NCCSP. (10% of time).

Specific activities under each of the above roles may be described as below:

Providing technical advices in ensuring implementation of climate change policy and strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation activities:

Undertake close review, assessment and evaluation of the initiation, implementation and progress on the implementation of the climate change policy and strategies of the government of Nepal;
Facilitate conducting climate change policy dialogues, orientation, and sensitisation among stakeholders within and beyond the government bodies including private sector and civil societies;
Facilitate bringing technical expertise and knowledge on climate change matters from both within and outside of the country for optimum utilisation of their expertise on climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Providing technical advices in ensuring coordination and building collaborative ownership of stakeholders on climate change initiatives

Provide technical advices to the NPD, NPM and concerned officials of the MoFALD and MoSTE for coordination and collaborative actions among all concerned stakeholders;
Facilitate coordination with all other climate change related projects, poverty reduction projects, governance projects, etc. in order to build synergies to help produce desired results;
Facilitate MoSTE and MoFALD in spearheading harmonization of climate change and disaster related interventions at different levels;
Provide constant drive to the multi-stakeholder climate change implementation and coordination committee (MCCICC).

Spearheading in developing a resource mobilisation strategy and climate change financing mechanism for sustained climate change initiatives in the long run including provision of assistance to MoSTE and concerned stakeholders in implementing and/or reporting on climate change related multi-lateral environmental agreements (MEAs).

Assist MoSTE and MoFALD to design a strategy and mechanism that will encourage in-flow of external resources for climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives as well as generate internal resources;
Develop procedures and guidelines as well as capacity of MoSTE and concerned stakeholders for encouraging and negotiating skills with donors and international communities;
Develop strategies, mechanisms, procedures and guidelines for establishment of climate change financing mechanism at central and district levels and, provide necessary guidance to programme management team for implementation;
Build strong linkages with the bilateral and multilateral agencies for bringing in resources in the country in the area of climate change;
Undertake all necessary activities in building capacity of GoN in ensuring that the climate finance benefits Nepal at the optimum level;
Provide support to MoSTE in timely fulfilment of obligations related to climate change MEAs to ensure benefits arising from such agreements;
Provide inputs towards conceptualization, design and establishment of a climate change fund structure.

Providing advices for proper implementation of NCCSP

Coordinate with the National Programme Director (NPD), National Programme Manager (NPM) and Deputy Programme Manager (DPM) of NCCSP and concerned Joint/Under Secretary of MoFALD and provide strategic advices in planning and budgeting of annual and quarterly activities;
Identification and prioritisation of activities proposed in the Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPA) and spearhead the LAPA implementation in close coordination with NPD and NPM at the central level and with Regional and District coordinators at sub-national level;
Collaborate with NPD, NPM and DPM in ensuring timely monitoring of the field activities and reporting;
Provide technical support to the sub-national and local level climate change officials and the service providers, primarily through Regional Climate Change Coordinators;
Assist as well as build capacity of NPD and NPM in proper reporting of progress and accomplishments in a timely manner.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and follows zero tolerance towards sexual harassment; and
Respects UN’s anti-corruption norms.

Technical Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning;
Knowledge of international climate change negotiations and experience of conducting climate change policy dialogues.
Experience on resource mobilisation;
Ability to provide top quality policy and technical advices on climate change issues, especially on adaptation programming;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues; and
Strong analytical skills and ability to provide broader context and positioning for Nepal in international climate regimes.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of projects;
Ability to work with minimal supervision;
Ability to lead formulation and evaluation of development projects.

Management and Leadership

Builds strong relationships with all partners, focuses on impact and results and responds positively to critical feedback;
Promotes sharing of knowledge and experience, and actively works towards continued personal learning and development;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovative solutions;
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
Ability to multi-task and work under tight deadlines;
Proven networking, team building, organizational and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master degree in environmental science/management, climate change, agriculture, forestry, social sciences, management, international development or public administration or other relevant subject or equivalent.

Experience:

10 years of relevant work experience in managing programme and policy development in a governmental or multilateral organization;
Prior experience of working in the UN system will be an asset;
Experience of working in a multi-cultural setting as well as in post conflict reconstruction situation;
Proven experience in communication, partnership building and networking;
Excellent knowledge of and experience with RBM methodologies and tools (project and programme management, design, monitoring and evaluation) and report writing;
Experience in usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc).

Language:

Strong written and spoken skill of Nepali and English languages.