Antecedentes

UNDP supports countries in addressing development, climate, and ecosystem sustainability in an integrated manner. As one of the Implementing Agencies of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UNDP offers countries specialized technical services. UNDP-GEF’s Green, Low-emission, Climate-resilient Development Strategies team works to support countries to attract and direct investments towards catalyzing and supporting sustainable economic growth through initiatives focused on integrated climate change strategies, advancing cross-sectoral climate resilient livelihoods and strengthening climate information and early warning systems for climate resilient development.
 
Within this framework, UNDP-GEF designed a regional project on strengthening climate information and early warning systems (CI/EWS) for climate resilient development and adaptation to climate change. The 10 countries receiving support include Benin, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia. The project in Sierra Leone will start its implementation phase in 2014.
 
To support the implementation of the project and ensure its timely delivery, the UNDP Sierra Leone Country Office is recruiting a project team, comprised of a National Project Manager (NPM) and a Technical Adviser (TA). The team will work closely together with staff of the Meteorological Department (MD) in the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, which is the principal partner and host institution of this project.
 
The TA will render support to the project by adopting an on-the-job capacity enhancement approach targeting the MD. The TA will play a key role in quality assurance, working closely together with the NPM and the UNDP Country Office.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Summary of key functions:
  • Provide Technical and Strategic Advice to the Meteorological Department (MD);
  • Provide policy advice to the MD;
  • Facilitation of knowledge building and management ;
  • Support in the implementation of the project on strengthening climate information and early warning systems for climate resilient development;
  • Support for the establishment and maintenance of strategic partnerships.
Provide technical backstopping to the MD and Project implementation Support  of the project, focusing on achievement of the following tasks:
  • Draft Terms of Reference for consultants and sub-contractors, and assist in the selection and recruitment processes;
  • Support the NPM in the coordination of consultancies and sub-contractors, ensuring timely delivery of expected outputs, as well as effective synergy among sub-contracted activities;
  • Perform other tasks as may reasonably be requested by the NPM, MD, and UNDP in order to provide technical support and quality assurance to project implementation;
  • Provide technical and strategic assistance to the MD in guiding the implementation of project activities, including monitoring and site operations, while assuming quality control of interventions;
  • Provide specification of equipment to be procured;
  • Provide technical guidance to the NPM in the preparation and updating of M&E frameworks, as well as the UNDP-GEF Project Implementation Review/Annual Project Report (PIR/APR), inception report, technical reports, and quarterly financial reports, as required by UNDP.
Provide advisory services, including:
  • Technical and strategic assistance to the MD in guiding the implementation of project activities, including monitoring and site operations, while assuming quality control of interventions;
  • Analyze capacity constraints at the MD, and where required provide hands-on support in management, planning and monitoring of activities;
  • Provide technical guidance to the NPM in the preparation and revision of annual work plans and budgets;
  • Make recommendations to the Steering Committee for effective and timely implementation and coordination of project activities.
Facilitate knowledge building and management:
  • Seek, analyze and apply knowledge, information, and best practices;
  • Support capacity enhancement through knowledge sharing among key stakeholders;
  • Promote knowledge management, document best practices and lessons learned from project implementation, and facilitate dissemination in appropriate format to relevant stakeholders.
Support the establishment and maintenance of strategic partnerships:
  • Support the NPM in liaising with project partners, donor organizations, NGOs and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation and coordination of project activities.
Impact of Results
 
The work of the TA is expected to facilitate quality delivery of the project targets, through technical support and advise, hands-on support in knowledge sharing and capacity enhancement, and other related activities as specified above.

Competencias

Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies:
  • In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in working on institutional development and capacity building;
  • Strong knowledge / experience in results based management and results oriented approach to institutional capacity building and project implementation;
  • Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
  • Ability to apply development theory to the specific project context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations;
  • Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high ranking members of national and international institutions, government and non-government;
  • Results driven, ability to work under pressure and to meet strict deadlines;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Shares knowledge and experience actively, mentors project staff;
  • Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Proven networking and team-building skills;
  • Outstanding communication skills oral and written communication skills.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

  • Master’s Degree or equivalent in international development, meteorology, environmental studies or professional areas directly related to the project.

Experience:

  • Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in technical advice, of which at least five at international level in development contexts;
  • Demonstrated ability to provide on-the-job training to others;
  • Knowledge of meteorological monitoring, climate change issues, early warning systems, disaster risk preparedness and mitigation issues;
  • Familiarity with the goals and procedures of UN Agencies, particularly UNDP, and previous experience with GEF projects is an asset;
  • Familiarity and knowledge of the region would be an advantage;
  • Demonstrable skills in information technologies.

Language:

  • Fluency in English.