UNDP Jobs - 57643- Consultant - Team Leader, Climate Change Vulnerabi

Consultant - Team Leader, Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment and Planning

Location :

Honiara, SOLOMON ISLANDS

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

08-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

100 days within 9 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

9 months

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 impacts of climate change, particularly sea-level rise (SLR) and pronounced droughts have severe consequences on water and sanitation in the Solomon Islands. Due to SLR, low-lying islands, atolls and flat deltaic regions are faced with salt water intrusion, affecting the groundwater resources and limiting access to freshwater supply. Droughts have severely affected water supplies; during the 1997/1998 droughts that resulted in reduction of freshwater availability in Honiara by around 30-40%. Droughts have also damaged crops and livelihoods. Likewise, climate-related impacts on the quality and quantity of water has a gender dimension; in the context of the ethnic tensions, the safety and security of women and girls are compromised as they need to travel further to collect water, also leading to less time for other activities.

In this context, Government of the Solomon Islands, Ministries of Mines, Energy, and Rural Electrification (MMERE), in partnership with Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM), Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) – Environmental Health Division, Ministry of Development, Planning, and Aid Coordination (MDPAC), and UNDP is embarking on the Solomon Islands Water Sector Adaptation Project (SIWSAP) through support from Global Environment Facility (GEF) Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF). The project objective is to improve the resilience of water resources to the impacts climate change and improve health, sanitation and quality of life, so that livelihoods can be enhanced and sustained in the targeted vulnerable areas. SIWSAP will work with partners to achieve this objective through 1) formulating, integrating, and mainstreaming water sector-climate change adaptation response plans in the water-related sectors as well as broader policy and development frameworks, 2) increasing the reliability and improving the quality of water supply in targeted areas, 3) investing in cost-effective and adaptive water management interventions and technology transfer, and 4) improving governance and knowledge management for climate change adaptation in the water sector at the local and national levels.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Team Leader on Climate Change Vulnerability and Planning (TL) will be responsible for the overall design, assessment, consultation, documentation, and presentation/communication of the Water Sector Vulnerability Assessment and Water Sector Climate Change Adaptation Plans at national and 6 provinces, that informs the selection and interventions to be supported in 12 pilot communities through the LDCF financed work led by MMERE, MECDM, MHMS in partnership with UNDP through the Solomon Island Water Sector Adaptation Project.

The TL will advise, train, coordinate, monitor, manage, and consolidate inputs from team member comprising of national and international expertise and government officials to ensure that Vulnerability Assessment and WS-CCA plans are developed in a participatory and technically rigorous manner, and communicated effectively to key stakeholders including national and local decision-makers, vulnerable groups, and the international community.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by demonstrating positive values and ethical standards through his/her actions;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of SIWSAP project;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

Ability to effectively coordinate, manage and lead a diverse team of experts;
Ability to assess community capacity, and formulate proposals to foster positive change;
Analytical judgment, results-orientation and efficiency in a multi-tasking environment;
Shares information, knowledge and experience through effective and frequent communication;
Ability to plan and prioritize work effectively in order to keep deadlines;
Ability to engage various partners and stakeholders and builds strong relationships with clients and other stakeholders;
Ability to work in an organized and systematic manner and demonstrate professionalism with high level of integrity in the day-to-day performance of duty;
Good inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multicultural environment;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Demonstrates strong commitment and patience to deal with competing deadlines, demands, and interests;
Ability to build consensus and garner support under complex situations;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Minimum Master’s degree & above in planning, civil engineering, architecture, environmental studies, water management, public health, climate science, or any other related field.

Experience:

At least10 years of experience working on community-based planning and assessments in Asia or in the Pacific;
At least 10 years of experience in developing and implementing community-based planning tools related to disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation;
Experience and technical understanding on development context and issues in the Pacific/Solomon Islands/LDCs with a particular focus on water and sanitation and/or climate change adaptation;
Experience working on climate change vulnerability assessment in an international development context;
Experience in spatial planning and national and subnational policy making is a plus.

Language:

Strong Written & Spoken English.