Background

The original UNCDF mandate from the UN General Assembly (UNGA) is to “assist developing countries in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants and loans” (General Assembly Resolution 2186, 13 December 1966). The mandate was modified in 1973 to serve first and foremost but not exclusively the LDCs.

UNCDF has a unique financial mandate within the UN system. UNCDF has proven its ability to deliver true leverage on smaller and more risky investments and interventions within its core areas of expertise: Inclusive Finance and Local Development Finance. UNCDF has also a proven track record in developing local public finance capacities; The concept- proven pilot projects and programmes are replicated and brought to scale with the help and the add-on financing of other development partners with different and complementary mandates.

It is in this context that UNCDF launched the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LOCAL).

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Support LOCAL implementation through the various stages of the approach (i.e. assessments and planning; financing and budgeting; implementation of adaptation measures; performance assessments and reporting);
  • Ensure appropriate liaison and coordination with UNDP and Un sister agencies (Delivering as One) key Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at the National and Regional levels, targeted MMDAs and stakeholders, and in-country development partners;
  • Support the effective, efficient and transparent project implementation;
  • Lead and/or contribute to the knowledge management and communication efforts of the LOCAL project  at various levels (i.e. Local, regional, national, and global);
  • Carry out other relevant tasks as assigned by the LOCAL Project Manager (Africa)/ UNCDF Regional Office for Western and Central Africa and UNDP.

Competencies

  • Ability to lead on strategic planning, result-based monitoring and evaluation reporting;
  • Ability to lead formulatio, implementatio, moniotring and evaluation of development programmes and projects and mobilize resources;
  • Ability to implement new systems and positively affect staff behavioral/attitudinal change;
  • Deep understanding of the decentralization and local government system in Ghana;
  • High intellectual capacity to understand and interpret national development issues.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Minimum of a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science or Management, Climate Change, Development Studies, Development Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics or other related fields.

Experience:

  • Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in the fields of local development, decentralization and/or environment and climate change adaptation with a specific emphasis on local or climate governance, adaptation and development planning, public financial management/budgeting, climate finance, and/or climate change mainstreaming;
  • Knowledge of Ghana’s development planning system  and the budgeting processes and procedures;
  • Experience in capacity development and institutional strengthening, ideally in the context of decentralization processes and/or climate change adaptation;
  • Proven ability to establish and manage relationships among international organizations, national/local governments and civil society and donor liaison ;
  • Hands-on experience in policy, programme and project design and implementation, and in monitoring and evaluation of development interventions; Strong analytical, communication and interpersonal skills, track record in producing reports, and other knowledge and communication materials, in contributing to website management, and in organizing and facilitating consultations and workshops;
  • Excellent knowledge of the country;
  •  Fully computer literate (office software, use of social media, etc.).

Language:

  • Fluent in English.