Climate change is happening with unprecedented speed and intensity throughout the world, threatening continued economic growth and development progress. This has become a serious and major challenge to the Central Asian region, specifically Uzbekistan whose land is extremely vulnerable to drought caused by the climate change. With this in mind, the country needs to put climate change adaptation at the heart of its agenda.

The population with lowest income of Uzbekistan lives in the most arid parts of the country, is dependent on subsistence agriculture, and is facing increased vulnerability to changes in climate conditions and natural resources availability. Given this, the government has recognized the urgent need for climate change adaptation measures.

The proposed project, as part of Uzbekistan’s response to address the above challenges, has as its objective to advance the adaptation planning process for priority climate-sensitive sectors and regions in Uzbekistan through implementation of three flows of activities that need to be coordinated and consolidated in climate change adaptation context that shall produce main expected outcomes by the project. In particularly, Outcome 3: An adaptation financing and investment strategy for Uzbekistan is developed seeks to identify options to sustainably finance the NAP process in Uzbekistan and engage the private sector in supporting adaptation.

The main beneficiaries of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) financing support will be the Center of Hydrometeorological Services (Uzhydromet), Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade (MIFT as National Designated Authority) as well as stakeholders from 5 key sectors (agriculture, water, health, housing and emergency management) and administrations in the three target provinces of this project (Republic of Karakalpakstan, Bukhara and Khorezm).

Gender inclusiveness is at the centre of the NAP process. The proposal highlights the need for gender mainstreaming in climate change adaptation planning and budgeting and recognizes that adaptation cannot be successful without the involvement of all Uzbeks, particularly women. During the implementation process, gender concerns will be brought to the forefront through all three of the project outcomes.

The project is planning to recruit an International Expert on Innovative Finance, who will take the lead in strengthening the system of building private sector engagement in climate change adaptation processes.

Under the overall operational supervision of the of the Project Manager, and in cooperation with the National Climate Finance Analyst, the International Consultant will be responsible for formulation of recommendations on workable options on incentive mechanisms and innovative solutions, including green financial products and gender focused options, to attract private sector (including farmers, homeowners, SMEs, etc) for climate change adaptation efforts with consideration of economic environment of Uzbekistan for the 5 key project sectors (agriculture, water, health, housing, and emergency management) and 3 target provinces (Republic of Karakalpakstan, Khorezm and Bukhara regions) that are under the project consideration, for that the sectoral National Adaptation Plans are being developing. The International Consultant will work closely with the project team and project partners to share information, ensuring reliable delivery of services and achieving satisfactory project outcomes through fulfilling the following tasks:

Task 1. Development of draft report on incentive mechanisms and innovative solutions, including green financial products and gender focused options, to attract private sector (including farmers, homeowners, SMEs, etc) in 5 key sector and 3 target provinces in climate change adaptation activities:

• Maintain regular and constructive contact with the project National Consultant on Gender-Responsive Analysis and other relevant national and international consultants of the project upon the request of the Project Manager or project national Climate Finance Analyst;
• Analyze the status and national experience related to incentive mechanisms and innovative solutions, including green financial products and gender focused options to involve private sector in climate change adaptation activities in Uzbekistan by:

• studying relevant legislation and reports prepared both by national and international consultants;
• providing an overview of international experiences and approaches to engage private sector in climate change adaptation measures, including lessons learnt and deriving recommendations for Uzbekistan;
• studying various relevant guidelines developed by other countries, in particular in the region of the Eastern Europe and CIS countries, working on issues pertaining to innovative finance cases related to adaptation to climate change;

• Provide guidance and support (upon request) to the National Expert on Gender Responsive Analysis and relevant stakeholders from the key sectoral ministries responsible for conducting thorough appraisal of selected adaptation options for each key project sector;
• Develop a draft report on workable incentive mechanisms and innovative solutions, including green financial products and gender focused options, to attract private sector (including farmers, homeowners, SMEs, etc) in 5 key sectors and 3 target provinces in climate change adaptation activities, taking into account gender inclusiveness;
• Submit a draft report to 5 consultations workshops, which will be organized by the project team, and participate online (via Zoom) in its discussion;

Task 2. Development of final report on incentive mechanisms and innovative solutions, including green financial products and gender focused options, to attract private sector (including farmers, homeowners, SMEs, etc) in 5 key sector and 3 target provinces in climate change adaptation activities:

• Finalize draft report by taking into account feedback, comments and proposals by participants of 5 consultation workshops.

Participate online in/ facilitate (upon request) the corresponding meetings of the Inter-Agency Working Group of the project for the validation of developed deliverables that will be organized by the project team.

• Excellent interpersonal, collaborative and communication skills. Ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships with other partners, within and outside UNDP;
• Ability to plan, develop and implement project and programme activities;
• Ability to transfer analytical results into simple and workable solutions;
• Excellent organizational skills, interpersonal communication skill, self-motivated, proactive and reliable with good communication and ability to work in harmony with staff members of different national backgrounds;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Ability to work in close collaboration with national and international experts, to meet strict deadlines and plan the work according to priorities;
• Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource;
• Computer proficiency; especially related to professional office software packages (MS Office);
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Academic Qualifications:

Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent; PhD an asset) in finance, economics, environment studies, development studies, public policy, or related fields of study. Background in other areas may be considered based on experience and performance in previous positions.

Experience:

• At least 5 years professional experience related to finance and in high-quality policy advisory roles, including in areas such as capital markets, blended finance, fiscal policy, private and financial sector development, financial analysis and advisory roles, including on issues of environment, economy, sustainable development;
• Proven experience in development of innovative financial tools or green financial product options within the development of at least 1 climate change adaptation plan;
• Progressing experience of working with and/or guide international and national expert groups in climate change action;
• Experience in reviewing and analysing changes related to at least 1 national and/or sub-national policy/law/legal framework with focus on climate change adaptation;
• Strong track record of experience in innovative leadership in climate change related issues, and proven experience in producing demonstrable results;
• Experience in working for climate change adaptation projects/programmes implemented nationally or internationally in at least 1 of the countries in Central Asia and/or Eastern Europe and CIS countries. Working experience in Uzbekistan is an asset;
• Proven working experience focused on climate adaptation with at least 1 international development organization, IFIs and donors;
• Good knowledge of UNFCCC, IPCC manuals and guidelines will be a distinctive advantage.

Language requirements:

• Proficiency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of Russian is an asset.

Application Process:

Interested candidates need to apply online at www.jobs.undp.org and upload requested documents in Part 4 of Procurement Notice no later than October 27, 2022 (New York time). Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows you to upload a maximum one document. Your on-line application submission will be acknowledged to your email address provided in application. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. Link to application at the UNDP Job Site - https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=109683 (cut and paste into browser address bar if the link does not work).

You can review detailed Procurement Notice, Terms of Reference and download templates from the UNDP Procurement Notices Site following the link: http://procurementnotices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=96408 (cut and paste into browser address bar if the link does not work).

Applications submitted via email, incomplete applications or received after the closing date (October 27, 2022) may not be given consideration.

For more detailed information about UNDP Uzbekistan please visit our website at https://www.undp.org/uzbekistan. UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified female candidates, people with disabilities, and minorities are highly encouraged to apply. UNDP Balance in Manage Policy promotes achievement of gender balance among its staff at all levels. Requests for clarification must be sent in writing to pu.uz@undp.org, ensuring that the reference number above is included in the subject line. UNDP shall endeavor to provide such responses to clarifications in an expeditious manner, but any delay in such response shall not cause an obligation on the part of UNDP to extend the submission date of the Proposals, unless UNDP deems that such an extension is justified and necessary.