Background

Myanmar has embarked on a major transition towards democracy, market style economy and peace. Myanmar has low middle-income status (LMIC) and is committed to lifting itself out of Least Developed Country (LDC) status within the next seven years. Following the implementation of the first ever UNDP Country Programme during 2013-2017 and as a key development partner of the government of Myanmar, UNDP will implement a new UNDP Country Programme for the period 2018-2022, striving to deliver on a large and relevant programme portfolio that is responsive to the main development challenges facing the country. 

The UNDP Myanmar Sustainable and Inclusive Growth Team anchors UNDP’s programme portfolio in these areas of sustainable and inclusive growth issues (including economic growth, environment, climate change and disaster risk reduction) and provides thought leadership on cross-cutting development issues in Myanmar, and globally, to ensure that UNDP’s mandate of convening development partners in support of the national development agenda, informed by a commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, is amplified by internal knowledge, research, and stand-out policy advice.

Given the importance of enhancing the local resilience through thematic and practical integration of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) in a wider development context of Myanmar, UNDP developed a project concept (PIF) “Reducing Climate Vulnerability of Coastal Communities of Myanmar through an Ecosystem-based approach” in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONREC) and in consultations with the relevant line ministries/departments and Rakhine State Government. The PIF, approved by GEF secretariat, focuses on mainstreaming Ecosystem Based Adaptation (EBA) into local planning processes to foster sustainability transitions.

A Project Preparation Grant (PPG) has been obtained to carry out necessary analyses and prepare the full-fledge project proposal. In order to ensure the results of the project preparation work, UNDP is seeking an international Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialist to work with other PPG team members to produce a project document along with a set of relevant evidence-based analyses for submission to the GEF. The approved PIF will be the basis for developing a fully formulated project proposal. The proposed project anticipates activities to;

1. Mainstream EBA into sub-national and national development policies, laws, and institutional functions;

2. Strengthen the capacities and knowledge of broad stakeholder groups required for employing effective and participatory EBA to enhance the local social and ecological resilience; and

3. Link EBA activities to DRR efforts such as community-based DRR and people-centered Early Warning Systems (EWS) and lessons documentation to be shared with the wider public and stakeholders.

In doing so, the project will introduce EBA as an integral component in the country’s approach to CCA, thereby strengthening recognition of the importance of natural ecosystems for climate change risk management, as well as maintenance of socio-economic benefits and conservation of biodiversity.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chief of Unit (Sustainable and Inclusive Growth) and technical support of the UNDP-GEF Technical Advisor, the Social and Environmental Safeguards Specialist will work with the other PPG team members to ensure the PPG informed by rigorous analyse of social and environmental risk. S/he will take the lead in developing environmental and social management plan(s) for all risks identified in the Social and Environmental Screening Procedure (SESP).

UNDP Myanmar will lead the project development process and manage the GEF PPG budget in full consultation with the UNDP-GEF Technical Adviser. In executing necessary preparation of the full-fledge project proposal, the SES Specialist will carry out the following tasks;

1. Preparatory Technical Studies and Reviews (Component A)
2. Formulation of the ProDoc, CEO Endorsement Request and Mandatory Annexes as well as project specific annexes (Component B)
3. Validation Workshop (Component C)
4. Final Deliverables

Please find detail as following Procurement Notice Link:http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=48848

Competencies

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;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP.

Technical competencies: 

• Ability to provide guidance on implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS), including design and implementation of ABS and traditional knowledge policy and bioprospecting projects;
• Knowledge of environmental issues, NRM concepts, principles and policies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations;
• Ability to work with multiple stakeholders across a wide range of disciplines.

Functional competencies:

• Development and Operational Effectiveness:
• Ability to contribute to 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:

• Demonstrates practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP. 

Client Orientation:

• Maintains 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; 
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Professionalism:

• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
• Excellent reporting skills;

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education: 

• Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field:environmental development, environmental policy, natural resources management, socio-economic development, conflict management, or closely related area.

Experience: 

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in Environment and Social Safeguards, environmental management, and policy development and implementation - Knowledge of UNDP, GEF or similar internationally funded projects is an asset

• Proven track record of supporting, advising, and collaborating with government institutions in developing countries on environmental land social safeguards, climate change and sustainable development

• Demonstrated experience working on policy and programmatic issues with national and local governments and civil society organizations including community organizations and indigenous people

• Excellent facilitation skills, including with gender responsive stakeholder meetings

• Computer proficiency, especially related to professional office software packages (Microsoft Office)

Language skills: 

• Excellent English language skills with strong technical writing skills, effective oral and communication skills