UNDP Jobs - 9017- Regional Technical Specialist for Climate Change M

Regional Technical Specialist for Climate Change Mitigation for Africa

Location :

Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

31-Jul-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4 (Fixed Term Appointment)

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

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

UNDP Environment and Energy Group (EEG) is based in UNDP’s Bureau of Development Policy and is responsible for providing leadership and technical support to delivery of the Environment and Sustainable Development pillar of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. Its main focus is on helping countries develop the capacity to fully incorporate environmental sustainability into development at national and local, but also global and regional, levels. The principal areas of work are in environmental mainstreaming, environmental finance, adaptation to climate change, and local governance of resources, including energy.

With its technical focus, the Environment and Energy Group (EEG) is organized into substantive technical teams with a Principal or Senior Technical Advisor (PTA) being the team leader within each area. Each team leader supports and guides a team of Regional Technical Advisors or Specialists (RTA or RTS). As well as being a member of a technical team, each RTA/RTS is also a member of a regional team, which consists of RTAs from all technical teams working together under the leadership of a Regional Practice or Team Leader. The regional teams are based in regional service centres from where they support UNDP’s country offices and partners in their region.

The role of a Regional Technical Specialist (RTS) is to provide high quality technical guidance and support to policy and project development and implementation partners, primarily UNDP country offices but also other UN agencies, governments and inter-governmental organizations, NGO’s, donors, etc. The PTAs and RTAs are also responsible for providing detailed knowledge related to sources of funds for environment work, and assisting partners to obtain, use, and report on, such funding. Currently the main sources of funds include: the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and its Adaptation Funds (LDCF, SCCF); the CDM carbon market; and various bilateral, multilateral, and sub-national donors and partners including country governments, NGOs, and the private sector. EEG is in the process of expanding its capacities to assist countries access the voluntary carbon markets, the private sector, the UNFCCC Adaptation fund, and, if they become available, mechanisms associated with REDD.

The Regional Technical Specialist for Climate Change Mitigation works under the overall guidance and supervision of the Principal Technical Advisor for Climate Change Mitigation and the Regional Practice / Team Leader, and in close collaboration with other technical specialists at both global and regional levels. Depending on work load and resources Regional Technical Specialists can be periodically redeployed, in accordance with capability, consent, and due process, in any region as needed. This post will be based in Pretoria with a policy and project portfolio emphasis on Climate Change Mitigation in Africa.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Regional Technical Specialist for Climate Change Mitigation is primarily responsible for providing high quality technical policy, programming, implementation support and oversight, and knowledge and capacity development services, to UNDP country offices in the region. Secondary clients might include other UN agencies, governments and inter-governmental organizations, NGO’s, donors, and the like. Specific results are expected in the areas of:

1. Strategic Planning, Management, Innovation and Partnerships (10%):

Establishing and maintaining a strategic understanding of, and engagement with, the substantive technical issues, institutions, and processes within the region, including establishing contact with and developing strategic partnerships with other agencies, donors, NGO’s, the private sector, scientific institutions and the like;
Contributing to, the development and implementation of UNDP’s global and regional strategies on environment and sustainable development;
Participating in global retreats, focal area retreats, regional strategic planning, pipeline management exercises, etc.;
Participating in cross-substantive area technical dialogue, common strategic visioning, mainstreaming, programming, and other collaboration within the regional team;
Keeping the Regional Team informed of trends and issues with respect to the substantive technical area;
Keeping the Principal Technical Advisor informed of trends and issues in the region.

2. Policy Support, Development, Dialogue and Advocacy (10%):

Providing strategic policy development support and guidance;
Developing strategic UNDP policy position papers and internal briefing notes;
Developing and advocating for specific policy analysis and development tools and guidance;
Establishing a trusted leadership role within the region;
Identifying, and sourcing of technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports;

3. Programming and Resource Mobilization (40%)

Programme and project identification and development
Providing timely quality information and technical advice on source of funds policies, priorities and activities;
Identifying priorities and entry-points for UNDP assistance;
Assisting with the coordination of design, preparation, submission and approval of project proposals and requests for project development financing;
Identification and sourcing of technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports;
Liaison with potential financing agencies and institutions.

4. Project Implementation Oversight and Support (30%):

Assisting with inception, contracting and start up of projects including establishment of indicators, benchmarks and work plans;
Supporting UNDP country offices in the supervision, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, troubleshooting and adaptive management of approved projects;
Maintaining project and portfolio information and corporate information systems;
Reviewing and commenting on relevant projects and project proposals from other agencies.

5. Generating, managing and stimulating the uptake of knowledge (10%):

Evaluating, capturing, codifying, synthesizing lessons and stimulating the uptake of best practices and knowledge, including the development of resource kits and other knowledge materials;
Peer reviewing, commenting on, and seeking to improve, the technical quality of projects, policies, practices, guidelines, advisory notes, publications and the like;
Assisting with preparation of regional Community of Practice meetings;
Preparing and delivering training courses;
Responding to queries on project progress, impacts and lessons;
Developing and carrying out a personal learning plan (5%).

Competencies

Technical Competencies:

Technical knowledge of climate change, including GHG inventories, mitigation and economics and finance issues related to climate change
Analytical approach to problem solving
Practical understanding and ability to apply logical framework approach to project development

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments
Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting
Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects
Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP

Management and Leadership

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills

Required Skills and Experience

Master’s Degree in Environmental Sciences, Economics, Engineering or Finance related to energy, climate change or closely-related field
Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in Climate Change mitigation and development
Extensive experience with project development, implementation and management (direct project management experience is preferable);
Experience in the policy development processes associated with environment and sustainable development issues;
Demonstrated strategic technical and intellectual skills in substantive area;
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strategic partnerships;
Demonstrated leadership, facilitation and coordination skills;
Demonstrated entrepreneurial abilities and demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner;
Full computer literacy;
Experience working in Africa;
Working experience in an international organization is an advantage as is knowledge of UNDP policies, procedures and practices.
Excellent knowledge of the English language, with exceptional writing, presentation and communication skills;
Competency in other UN languages, in particular French, as well as in Portuguese is an asset