UNDP Jobs - 52388- Technical Specialist, Climate Change

Technical Specialist, Climate Change

Location :

Istanbul, TURKEY

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

25-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

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 Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, South-South and Triangular cooperation initiatives, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. BPPS works closely with UNDP’s Crisis Response Unit (CRU) to support emergency and crisis response. BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes. BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working. BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.

UNDP’s policy support on climate change focuses on three focus areas of climate change: policy coherence & agenda setting; capacity building for climate finance; and policy and technical support to regional service centers and country offices, particularly focused on Small Island Developing States (SIDS)/Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

Under the supervision of Regional Cluster Leader, Climate Change & Disaster Resilience & Global Senior Advisor, Energy, the Technical Specialist, Climate Change based in Istanbul is responsible for contributing policy and programme advisory services to Country Offices and utilizing the products and tools relevant to the thematic area of Climate Change. S/he acts in response to requests from country offices and in collaboration with the integration and coordination team. Working to ensure the execution of quality and coherent policy and programme advisory services within their region and across other regions as well as alignment with the Strategic Plan, the Technical Specialist advances the mission of the UNDP and increases the credibility and recognition in this thematic area. S/he is responsible for performing and contributing to the following:

Strategy implementation;
Support to country offices, project support offices and regional programme;
Policy partnerships and resources mobilization;
Knowledge generation and management.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategy implementation

Contributes to identifying new strategic initiatives and programming opportunities. Maintains understanding of substantive technical issues, institutions, and processes within the region by scanning the external environment, researching new sectors, identifying and mapping expertise in and outside of UNDP;
Conducts thorough analysis and research on the existing strategies on adaptation and climate risk management, prepares substantive inputs to design and implementation of the regional climate strategy and program for Eastern Europe and the CIS;
Prepares and drafts substantive concepts and papers, formulates projects and drafts project documentation;
Conceptualizes, formulates and assures activities and projects under the regional program. Evaluates activities and contributes to thematic and regional-level evaluation activities.
Oversees implementation of regional project activities and provides substantive guidance and supervision to project teams.
Participates in cross-substantive area technical dialogue, common strategic visioning, mainstreaming programming and other collaboration within the regional and global team;
Keeps the Regional Team informed of trends and issues pertaining to climate change adaptation and climate resilient development.
Promotes gender equity/empowerment in adaptation and climate resilient development programming opportunities.

Support to country offices, project support offices and regional program

Provides strategic policy development support and guidance for strengthening UNDP Country Offices in the area of specialization. This includes support on project design and implementation, including alignment with national priorities, as well as leveraging public finance to attract private sector partnerships and investments;
Brokers knowledge in support of country level priorities. Facilitates CO access to information and evidence in the area of work, keeps COs updated on latest developments and topical discussions. Maintains regular contacts with CO practitioners in the area of work;
Identifies and sources cutting-edge technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of ToRs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports;
Ensures that the developed projects are aligned with the country outcomes and UNDP corporate environment results in internal UNDP tracking systems (e.g. eRBM);
Supports UNDP Country Offices in inception, contracting and start-up of projects, including establishing of indicators and workplans, supervision, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, trouble-shooting and adaptive management of approved projects. Develops guidance and tools for country offices to utilize in operationalizing projects, contracting and start-up of projects;
If requested, the incumbent will be providing support to the implementation of the residual portfolio of UNDP GEF projects and carry out management functions under delegated authority from the Director/Deputy Director of the Regional Bureau.
Maintains quality/accuracy in data and project management, management of ATLAS Risk logs, portfolio delivery. Ensuring expected quality standards are maintained in annual project reports;
Builds capacities and strengthens expertise of the COs by facilitating CO participation in regional work modalities such as development solutions team. Supports staff exchanges between COs and Regional Hub, mentors CO practitioners on-the job in the area of work. Conducts training and organizes learning events.

Policy partnerships and resources mobilization

Contributes to identifying new strategic partnerships including establishing contacts with and developing strategic partnerships with other UN agencies, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, NGOs, the private sector, scientific institutions and the like and especially with the private sector in the area of climate resilient development and climate risk management. Supports the establishment of a trusted leadership role for UNDP within the region;
Provides timely quality information and technical advice on sources of funding policies and activities to country offices and other partners to enable the preparation of projects;
Assists with coordination of design, preparation, submission and approval of project proposals, project documents and requests for project development financing;
Drafts, revises finalizes and edits concepts and project documents for submissions to donors;
Liaises with potential co-financing agencies and institutions from both the public and private sector.

Knowledge building and management

Keeps abreast of discussions, developments and main policy directions and publications within UNDP and broader policy networks in the area of work. Analyzes lessons-learnt and identifies best practices. Adapts evidence into development of new initiatives at regional and country levels;
Develops knowledge products of relevance to UNDP/GEF’s support to countries on climate resilient development;
Maintains updates knowledge of priorities and program at country level in the area of work, establishes synergies and linkages;
Makes contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Develops inputs to blogs, social media and UNDP´s internet platforms. Drafts analytical briefs and notes;
Assists with the preparation of regional Community of Practice meetings;
Develops and carries out a personal learning plan.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery

Ability to get things done.

Technical/Functional:

Primary:

Climate Change (General)

Knowledge of climate change Including climate change international regime) and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Climate Change Adaptation

Knowledge of climate change adaptation concepts and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Research

Knowledge of various programme information for research to provide recommendation and guidance to management.

Partnerships

Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.

Knowledge Management

Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.

Climate Change Mitigation

Knowledge of climate change mitigation concepts and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Secondary:

Project and Programme Management

Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Report and Brief Writing

Ability to prepare quality reports and briefs.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in environmental management, economics, business administration, social sciences or related disciplines.

Experience:

5 years of professional work experience providing policy advice and programme support in the general area of Climate Change, preferably in the region in different development contexts;
Experience working in developing country settings is required and experience in crisis contexts is an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English, both written and oral.
Working knowledge of another UN language preferably relevant to the region in which this position is based is an asset.