UNDP Jobs - 57934- Consultancy Services - Social Economic and Climate

Consultancy Services - Social Economic and Climate/Water Policy Specialist-IWMP EWACC Project

Location :

UNDP MCO, SAMOA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

10-Aug-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

40 working 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

The project “Economy-wide Adaptation to Climate Change (EWACC)” implemented by the Government of Samoa in collaboration with UNDP became operational in November 2014. The objective to address expected impacts of climate change on lives, livelihoods, and assets of vulnerable communities in Samoa. .

The US$12.3 million project, funded by the Global Environment Facility’s Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), will contribute to overcoming barriers to climate change adaptation by strengthening institutional capacity within the government; enhancing inter-ministerial coordination of climate change adaptation; promoting the inclusion of climate change concerns into development strategies across all sectors; climate-proofing of communities’ physical assets; introducing more climate-resilient livelihoods options; and sharing lessons learned and best practice on climate change adaptation across the Pacific region. The Implementing Entity is the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment in Samoa. Responsible parties include the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Women, Communities and Social Development, the Land Transport Authority and the UNDP.

MNRE will invest the bulk of the LDCF resources in Component 2, aimed to enhance the resilience of communities as first responders of climate change-induced hazards. This component focuses on flood-protection infrastructure interventions, ecosystem-based adaptation approaches, resilient livelihoods support and revision and implementation of Disaster Risk Management plans for targeted villages. It also involves the development of an Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) that will address up- and down-stream causes and effects of climate vulnerability within all five watersheds in the Greater Apia Catchment Area. The IWMP will outline climate risks posed to the communities living in the Faleata West, Faleata East and Vaimauga West Districts in the Greater Apia Area. It will follow the “Ridge-to-Reef” principle following an integrated approach to building climate resilience and supporting community livelihoods through the inclusion of water, land and coastal management aspect within an overarching framework.

UNDP is recruiting a Social Economic and Climate/Water Policy Specialist to work as part of a team of specialists that will be developing the IWMP for the Greater Apia Catchment Area and be responsible for conducting a cost-benefit analysis of climate change adaptation strategies as well as the legislation, policy and institutional aspects of the IWMP

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties of the Socio-economist and Climate/Water Policy specialist will include, but are not limited to:

Contribute to the preparation and development of the IWMP for the Greater Apia Catchment Area by providing technical advice on the socio-economic perspectives of climate change adaptation measuresand the enabling environment aspects of the plan (legislation, policy and institutional Design/review);
Conduct a cost benefit analysis of climate change strategies suggested by the Team Leader and relevant team of specialists, including but not limited to flood control components of the IWMP such as drainages, protection wall and dam;
Develop a mechanism of identification of water supply system leak detection and leak management to prevent water losses;
Analyse the households-based village survey results carried by the IWMP specialists’ under component 2.2.1 to feed information and data into the IWMP for the Greater Apia Area;
Deliver training for relevant stakeholders on cost-benefit analysis;
Review the enabling environment for the implementation of the IWMP;
Review all relevant policies and plans of the Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment (MNRE), Land Transport Authority (LTA), Ministry of Women, Community, and Social Development (MWCSD), Ministry of Works, etc. to incorporate recommendations and streamline into the IWMP. The relevant plans and policies include but are not limited to the following; Water Resources Management Act 2008; Samoa National Urban Policy 2013, Housing Guidelines 2005, Planning and Urban Management Act 2004, Integrated Apia Master Plan for Water Supply, Sanitation & Drainage 2011, National Adaptation Program of Action 2005, Coastal Infrastructure Management Strategy and Plans (CIM) (currently under revision), EIA Regulations 2008, Land Surveys and Environment Act 1989, National Policy on Combating Climate Change 2007, Samoa National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Management 2011-2016 (which also serves as the national DRM policy), Disaster and Emergency Management Act 2007, National Disaster Management Plan (2011), National Action Plan for DRM (2011 – 2016), Fire and Emergency Service Act 2007, The Red Cross Response Plan, National Policy on Combating Climate Change, 2005, National Tsunami Plan 2008, Tropical Cyclone Plan 2007, Construction guidelines, Samoa Asset Management System (SAMS), Environmental Management Plan (EMP), Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guidebook, Draft Building Regulations 2003, National Building Code 1992 (under revision), Ministry of Works Act 2002, Home Building Manual 1992, Village Sustainable Development Plan, etc.;
Consult relevant stakeholders on policy issues relating to the IWMP;
Work closely with other team members to guide and mainstream policy and institutional aspects of IWMP;
Conduct public and community consultations to identify subprojects including but not limited to: community conservation areas, community toilets, and others;
Assist in the selection of water supply subprojects following subproject selection guidelines. Subprojects may include intakes, production wells, treatment plants, overhead tanks, bulk water facilities, distribution pipelines, etc;
Assist other IWMP specialists with the:
Preparation of a feasibility study for detailed engineering designs, including for drainage and flood control components of the IWMP;
Incorporate climate resilience into the IWMP components;
Preparation of bidding documents and bill of quantities;
Any other responsibilities assigned to him/her by Team Leader and the Project Manager.

Competencies

Demonstrates commitment to the Gov. of Samoa mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Good inter-personal and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multicultural environment;
Excellent communication, analysis and writing skills;
Good interpersonal skills (the consultants will contact various actors and stakeholders of the project).

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Post-graduate degree in environmental science, engineering, economics, water/disaster/climate change policy; political science or closely related field;

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of experience and 4 years of practical experience in the field;
In-depth and proven knowledge and experience in the implementation of development initiatives, policies and programmes relating to coastal and riparian management, including substantial knowledge of climate change adaptation measures including impacts on environment related to human development and poverty reduction;
Working experience within the Pacific region in general and Samoa in particular is an asset;
Experience with UNDP-GEF projects in the Pacific is a requirement, in Samoa a strong asset;
Previous experience with MNRE and knowledge of the watersheds in the greater Apia area is an asset;
Experience in working as part of a multidisciplinary team of experts and consultants;

Language:

Fluency in English (oral and written) is a requirement.