UNDP Jobs - 60729- Chief Technical Advisor-UN-REDD Mongolia National

Chief Technical Advisor-UN-REDD Mongolia National Programme

Location :

Ulaanbaatar, MONGOLIA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Nov-2015

Application Deadline :

28-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Two year

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

Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (REDD+) is a new mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The main objective of REDD+ is to achieve significant reductions in anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases globally through efforts and actions to reduce deforestation and forest degradation, and to maintain and enhance forest carbon stocks in developing countries.

The UN-REDD Programme is the United Nations collaborative initiative on REDD+, launched in 2008 through a partnership between FAO, UNDP and UNEP to “Deliver as One”, to assist developing countries in preparing and implementing national REDD+ strategies.

With the support of the UN-REDD+ Programme, the Government of Mongolia has developed its REDD+ Readiness Roadmap, outlining four main outcomes, as follows:

National REDD+ management arrangements established while ensuring improved stakeholder awareness and effective stakeholder engagement;
National REDD+ strategy prepared;
Forest reference emissions levels and forest reference levels developed; and
National forest monitoring system and safeguards information system developed.

Based on this Roadmap, Mongolia’s request for full-scale National Programme funding was approved by the UN-REDD Programme Policy Board in July 2014. The UN-REDD Mongolia National Programme (National Programme) will be established to support the Government of Mongolia in implementing the Roadmap.

The implementation of the National Programme is expected to start in July 2015. The Department of Forest Policy and Coordination under the Ministry of Environment, Green Development and Tourism (MEGDT) is the National Implementing Partner of the National Programme. A Programme Management Unit (PMU) will be established at the MEGDT. The PMU will be headed by a Programme Manager (PM), whose role is to ensure smooth implementation and coordination of all programme related activities and affairs on a daily basis. The PM will report to the National Programme Director (NPD).

With the support of the UN-REDD+ Programme, the Government of Mongolia has developed its REDD+ Readiness Roadmap, outlining four main outcomes, as follows:

National REDD+ management arrangements established while ensuring improved stakeholder awareness and effective stakeholder engagement;
National REDD+ strategy prepared;
Forest reference emissions levels and forest reference levels developed; and
National forest monitoring system and safeguards information system developed.

Duties and Responsibilities

The CTA will take responsibility for the effective oversight and coordination of all technical aspects of the UN-REDD Mongolia National Programme, in coordination with the Participating UN Organizations, the National Programme Director (NPD) and Programme Manager (PM).

The CTA will ensure sound delivery of technical outputs and strategic documents, in accordance with national circumstances and build capacity and development support of the NPD, national implementing partners and other key stakeholders in all technical and management aspects of REDD+ and the UN-REDD Programme.

Programme Implementation Support:

Provide technical assistance to NPD and PM in strategic planning process;
Assist the NPD and PM in establishing effective technical working relationships with the national and international counterparts;
Document and analyze the programme’s effectiveness, summarizing lessons learned, successful tools and methodologies, ensuring that the information is shared with all relevant partners;
Develop and implement a mechanism for technical quality assurance for the programme;
Identify and develop terms of reference (ToR) for required technical inputs and mobilization of appropriate technical specialists to deliver those inputs, in consultation with NPD/PM;
Assist the NPD/PM in supervising and coordinating the programme to ensure its results are in accordance with the National Programme Document;
Assist in monitoring of programme delivery and advise on modifications to the strategy and work plan in order to rectify any shortcomings in delivery, as necessary;
Assist PM in ensuring coherency between all components of the Programme and common understanding of Programme objectives among PMU staff;
Enable coordination of advisory inputs from Participating UN Organizations to national counterparts; and
Work closely with the National Implementing Partner, Participating UN Organizations and other key implementing partners for successful programme implementation.

Technical Advice:

Provide overall technical guidance and quality assurance to the programme;
Advise the Programme on key policies, barriers, opportunities and partnerships;
Advise the National Implementing Partner and Participating UN Organizations on policy and strategy;
Provide substantive technical inputs into legal, policy and strategy documents; and
Review all the technical outputs (e.g. reports etc.) to be generated within the scope of the Programme, and ensure improvement of such reports in accordance with the expectations of the Government of Mongolia and Participating UN Organizations.

Capacity development:

Advise the NPD/PM on the performance and capacity needs of national partners in the Programme implementation;
Provide technical guidance to PMU staff and national / international consultants and contractors, in consultation with NPD/PM;
Support the PM in collecting, analysing and sharing knowledge and information regarding REDD+ initiatives in the country, and international developments regarding REDD+;
Liaise with other initiatives and stakeholders to share knowledge and enhance coordination with regard to technical matters

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates a strong commitment to Project mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Integrity.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

In-depth knowledge and practical experience on a broad range of forestry and sustainable development issues, such as forest management with multiple objectives, forest monitoring and inventory, biodiversity conservation, illegal logging, land tenure, spatial planning, Indigenous Peoples, community empowerment, drivers of land use and land cover change;

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Proven record of working in complex teams and programmes in defining and achieving developmental targets;
Proven capacity to liaise and effectively work with international development agencies and government agencies.

Communication:

Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Strong interpersonal skills;
Commitment to team work and to working across disciplines.

Management and Leadership:

Strong managerial/leadership and decision-making skills;
Interpersonal skills;
Commitment to team work and to working across disciplines and with stakeholders at all levels;
Track record in advising and managing large scale and complex projects related to forestry, natural resources management and biodiversity conservation;
Ability to analyse complicated issues, and to generate and communicate solutions.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Post graduate degree in forestry, environment, earth sciences, environmental economics or a closely related field.

Experience:

At least 7 years of experience in senior technical advisory roles in forestry management, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development, including work within the Asia region, including Central Asia;
Track record of successfully working with a broad variety of stakeholders, from senior government officials to local communities.
Technical familiarity with REDD+ and the UN-REDD Programme; and
Experience of working within Mongolia, are strongly preferred;

Language:

Proficient in English language, spoken and written.

Computer literacy:

Excellent command of MS Office is essential.

Application submission:

Letter of Interest;
UN application form P11;
A copy of your ID;
At least 2 (two) reference letters or performance assessments from previous and/or current employers;
Copies of diplomas and academic transcripts.

Please kindly upload all documents as one file.