Antecedentes

The Sustainable Development Cluster resulted from a merge of the Environment and Energy Cluster and the Local/Regional Development portfolio in 2014. Aiming at further consolidation and alignment with the Strategic Plan during 2015, the new cluster firmly embraces two of the three ‘big’ ideas about development: transforming economies towards more sustainable and inclusive model and increasing resilience of economic sectors, communities and individuals. The cluster has an increasingly greater urban focus, demonstrating integrated innovative solutions at the level of cities and towns.

Recognizing that local and regional development is a multidimensional process, UNDP provides for integrated policy and local-level interventions, meaningfully engaging with central and local public authorities. At the policy level, the Government is supported to advance the decentralization agenda and strengthened local self-governance, focusing on key sectors, as well as cross-cutting areas like fiscal decentralization and administrative-territorial set up of the country. Local governments’ capacities are strengthened to efficiently operate, engage with stakeholders, and provide quality and equitable local public services.

Across the programme, the cluster promotes local and regional economic opportunities, addressing interlinked economic, environmental and social challenges. An EU-funded intervention on promoting the use of locally produced biomass and technologies is combining the social and environmental benefits through increased heat comfort in public buildings and reduced emissions. Private sector engagement towards a greener inclusive development path and access to finance are pursued throughout, demonstrating innovative mechanisms. Increased inflow of climate finance to support the implementation of low emission and climate resilient development policies is expected, as a result of capacity development for programme and project development, improving the readiness of national institutions for direct access and putting robust MRV systems in place.

In the context of Moldova’s high vulnerability to climate change, natural hazards and extreme weather events, Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management remain a priority area. In view of increasing resilience of economic sectors, communities and the population, UNDP focusses on the operationalization of national strategies by developing capacities for climate resilient planning and budgeting at the central, sectorial and local level, and mainstreaming climate change into sector policies.

In view of improved environmental and natural resource management in line with international standards and commitments assumed as part of the EU Association Agenda, the limited institutional capacities of central environment authorities remain a critical bottleneck. UNDP’s assistance is currently mainly focused on two priority sectors, biodiversity conservation and chemicals management, incl. ozone depleting substances, supporting the development of policies, legislation and operational capacities in these areas. In view of the chronical underfinancing of the sector, strengthening financial planning capacities including economic, financial and fiscal instruments and reform of the National Ecological Fund are current priorities.

Deberes y responsabilidades

The main objective of this assignment is to provide advisory and managerial support to the UNDP Sustainable Development Cluster Lead in efficiently managing the Energy and Environment Portfolio within the Sustainable Development Cluster.

In particular, the Advisor is expected to:

• (i) support in managing the Environment and Energy portfolio and ensure synergies and complementarities with local/regional development portfolio, as well as with the Effective Governance cluster;
• (ii) participate in establishing strategic partnerships and mobilize resources for environment and energy related initiatives;
• (iii) provide technical inputs and relevant policy advice on environment and energy matters;
• (iv) contribute to the upstream policy dialogue with the Government on promoting green growth through environmentally friendly production and consumption practices, promotion of energy efficiency and clean technologies, implementation of climate mitigation and adaptation measures, etc.

For detailed information, please refer to the Terms of Reference at http://www.undp.md/jobs/current_jobs.

Competencias

Technical Competencies:

• Thorough understanding of environmental and energy efficiency areas;
• Demonstrated solid knowledge of environmental financing and project cycle management;
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in governance and operational management of energy and environment initiatives;
• In depth knowledge and experience on project cycle management.

Partnerships:

• Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high-ranking members of international, regional and national institutions;
• Good oral communication skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests of varied actors;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of analytical documents.

Core Competencies:

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• Advanced university degree in energy efficiency and/or environmental management, disaster risk management, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• 10 years relevant work experience in energy efficiency and environment management, or related fields;
• At least 2 years of experience in providing policy advise to the government officials in the area of energy efficiency and environment management;
• Good knowledge of Rio Conventions requirements;
• Experience in the policy development process associated with environment, climate change and sustainable development would be an asset;
• Experience in drafting strategic documents;
• Experience of work in Central and Eastern European countries would be an asset.

Language:

• Excellent English writing skills are essential;
• Knowledge of Romanian and/or Russian would be an asset.

Important notice:

The applicant who has the statute of Government Official / Public Servant, prior to appointment will be asked to submit the following documentation:

• A no-objection letter in respect of the applicant received from the government; and
• The applicant is certified in writing by the government to be on official leave without pay for the duration of the Individual Contract.

A retired government official is not considered in this case a government official, and as such, may be contracted.

The detailed Terms of Reference and Procurement Notice can be found at  http://www.undp.md/jobs/current_jobs.