UNDP Jobs - 60739- Climate Partnership Consultant

Climate Partnership Consultant

Location :

Geneva, SWITZERLAND

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

02-Nov-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months

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 UNDP Office in Geneva is headed by a Director who reports to the Director of the Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy (BERA). In addition to its BERA functions, it comprises BPPS (Bureau for Policy and Programme Support) units dealing with substantive issues including Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction Trade, Human Rights, HIV-AIDS, UN REDD – liaising with Geneva-based global decision and standard setting centers in those areas and providing advice and support to Country Offices worldwide, and CRU (Crisis Response Unit). It has a specific responsibility for resources mobilization vis-à-vis certain European donors, as well as for representing UNDP vis-à-vis UN sister agencies and other intergovernmental bodies and institutions present in Geneva and in the geographical area covered by the Office. It provides communication services and performs the functions of the Office of Communications in Europe except for the Nordic Countries, Ireland, the UK and the EU institutions. The Office builds strategic and innovative partnerships with a variety of actors, including local and regional authorities, private sector, foundations and civil society organizations.

The UNDP Office in Geneva being located in the second UN Centre in the world also plays a key role in supporting and advancing the UN reform and UNDP’s pivotal role therein. It fosters relations at all levels with specialized UN institutions, intergovernmental and non-governmental bodies, diplomatic missions and other partners based in Geneva and Paris and represents various UNDP units at events and meetings taking place in Geneva and as appropriate and requested in other places in Europe.

The UNDP office is also involved in supporting UNDP’s work at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) being held in Paris on November/December 2015.

Additionally, UNDP Geneva hosts the member- and donor- financed Climate Vulnerable Forum Trust Fund (CVFTF) established in 2012 as administered by UNDP’s Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (http://www.thecvf.org). UNDP is a primary implementing agency of the Fund assisting the realization of CVF-determined objectives. In 2013 UNDP initiated a global project with which to carry out CVF support and serve as secretariat for the CVF Steering Committee. The project is primarily managed by the Climate Partnership Specialist, under the supervision of the UNDP Geneva Partnership Advisor for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction. The project’s overall objective is to ensure representatives of climate vulnerable counties involved in the CVF are empowered as collective agents of more effective climate change policies at international and national levels.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the UNDP Geneva Partnership Advisor for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction, the consultant will be supporting the Geneva team in its work related to the global Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Support Project of UNDP and also COP21.

The following deliverables are expected:

Ensures effective support to the Climate Partnership Specialist in the management of external relations with member states, donors and partner institutions in relation to the CVF Support Project and COP21;
Assist in organizing multiple briefing meetings and public events with internal and external stakeholders for the CVF project and COP21, as necessary;
Support the Steering Committee of the CVF Trust Fund, organizing meetings, documenting meetings with minutes, and liaising with members for follow-up;
Contribute to donor reporting for the UNDP CVF Support project, as well as supporting documentation for meetings and public events;
Ensure provision of continuous support to the CVF secretariat led by UNDP Geneva for organizational, technical and communications needs as required;
Support the CVF project’s online web presence and social media channels and content on a continuous basis, working in cooperation with UNDP communications colleagues;
Supports the Director of UNDP Geneva and the Partnerships Advisor in the preparation and the follow up of meetings between senior officials from UNDP and other stakeholders in relation the CVF support project and COP21;
Supports the management of UNDP Geneva in day-to-day interaction and specific initiatives for inter-agency coordination in relation to the CVF support project and COP21: developing and maintaining opportunities for effective coordination, preparing material for and following up on inter-agency meetings;
Any other technical, organizational, external relations, and communications tasks that may be assigned by the supervisor, in particular in relation to the CVF support project and COP21.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modelling the UN/UNDP’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of the UN and UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Client Orientation:

Ability to identify clients' needs and appropriate solutions; ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with donors and other partner agencies;
Fosters linkages with key internal clients and other UN agencies and strategic partnerships with key external stakeholders.

Communication:

Excellent personal and professional communication and presentation skills;
Ability to build strong relationships with both internal and external actors;
Strong analytical and communications skills, and a proven ability to draft a wide range of documentation (correspondence, briefing and concept notes, talking points etc.);
Familiarity and experience managing website content and online social media channels, including web editing, publishing and/or development;
Proven advocacy, analytical and writing skills.

Cultural Sensitivity and Adaptability:

Communicates effectively with and relates to people of different cultures, demonstrating an ability to see issues from other perspectives;
Ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Teamwork:

Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to lead and gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavour;
Ability to build trust through operating with transparency and creating an open, positive and enabling environment.

Technical Competencies:

Knowledge of international climate change policies, and of application procedures and rules and regulations as regards reporting, financial management, visibility etc. of EC and other European donors an asset;
Sound understanding of UNDP practice areas and approaches to partnerships and local development.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University degree in a development-related area of study.

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of progressively relevant experience in environment, development, humanitarian affairs or other related area;
Of which at least 5 years of experience directly related to climate change issues at the international level, including a focus on developing countries, and strong, progressively responsible experience in programme/project management;
Experience in supporting international conferences, policy dialogue and communication projects and in liaising with Permanent Missions to the UN and with senior officials in relevant international and national institutions;
Strong familiarity with the UN system;
Experience in supporting partnerships with donor development partners and UN agencies;
Programme management and country-level experience in a UN context an asset.

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required;
Knowledge of French a strong asset.

Application procedure:

Shortlisted applicants will be informed to submit financial proposal and a job approach methodology for this assignment.

Criteria for selection of the best offer:

The selection will be based on a combined Scoring method – where the qualifications will be weighted 70% and combined with the price offer, which will be weighted 30%.

The 70% rating will be based on how well the applicant meets the minimum qualifications/competencies described below:

25 points: Experience in supporting international conferences, policy dialogue and communication projects, and in liaising with Permanent Missions to the UN and with senior officials in relevant international and national institutions;
20 points: Progressively relevant experience in environment, development, humanitarian affairs or other related area, including directly related to climate change issues at the international level, including a focus on developing countries and/or fieldwork experience, and strong, progressively responsible experience in programme/project management;
20 Points: Relevant education;
20 points: Excellent analytical, drafting/writing, presentation and communication skills in English, with extensive experience in drafting formal communications and briefing documents of all kinds, including press releases, speeches, talking points, op-eds, technical reports and meeting minutes;
15 Points: Experience in web publishing, web editing and/or web development especially desirable.