UNDP Jobs - 95205- Climate Scientist for Project Concept Formulation

Climate Scientist for Project Concept Formulation

Location :

Home-based, SWAZILAND

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

30-Nov-2020

Application Deadline :

16-Nov-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Twenty-Five working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Twenty-Five working days

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

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a financial operating entity of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which is established to contribute to the collective efforts of the international community to combat climate change. The GCF plans to fund programmatic approaches that provide an opportunity for a transformational shift in countries’ climate resilience and green economies, prioritizing a balanced approach between adaptation and mitigation. The GCF can be accessed directly by National Implementing Entities (NIEs) from developing countries and/or through accredited international and regional Implementing Entities (IEs). The Board of the Green Climate Fund has started Accreditation of National and International institutions for direct access. UNDP serving as the GCF Accredited Entity, an adaptation program approach has been proposed for possible funding by the GCF.

The proposed project is entitled Resilience of water, agriculture and food systems in Southern Africa. The objective of the programme is to strengthen climate resilience and agro-ecological sustainability of water, agriculture and food systems in Southern African countries of the SADC bloc. Targeted countries within the SADC bloc include Eswatini, Madagascar, Malawi, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. The preferred solution is to apply an integrated systems’ approach to support countries within the proposed programme to adapt water resources management and agricultural production to climatic stressors that improves water productivity in agriculture, reduces and reverses land degradation and interlinked degradation of freshwater sources, and builds the resilience of vulnerable communities.

The concept note will be submitted to the GCF through UNDP, which is an accredited UN Agency by the GCF.

Within this overall background, UNDP is seeking a technical expert to support project formulation to work with UNDP to prepare the concept note package in time for submission.

To validate and help finalize the project design, a detailed pre-feasibility study (PFS) is to be undertaken by a team of specialists that includes, a lead Concept Note (CN) expert, a team of land use and biophysical scientists, a value chains’ expert, an Environment and Social Safeguards Specialist, a Finance and Investment specialist, a Gender Specialist. The team of specialists will provide the pre-feasibility analysis required to formulate a concept note, and other annexes accompanying the CN

Duties and Responsibilities

The main objective of the consultancy is to identify the climate rationale for such a programmatic approach across Southern Africa, advise on formulating and producing 1) the initial concept and 2) the Pre-feasibility study. The consultant is required to work in coordination with other relevant experts to prepare all the documents that fully meets GCF investment criteria. S/he will work with UNDP Country Office, under an overall technical guidance of the UNDP’s regional technical advisor (RTA) for climate change adaptation at the UNDP’s Bangkok Regional Hub.

The consultant’s main responsibilities are as follows:

Coordinate inputs from international and national consultants and relevant stakeholders

To liaise with the relevant experts, both within and outside the set of countries that is supported, to obtain their technical inputs that will inform and guide design and feasibility of the project of interest.
To participate in, and lead, discussions with key stakeholders (from the grass roots level to national policy makers and political leaders) in order to acquire information that is critical for the design of the project that is of interest.
To liaise with and acquire technical inputs from UNDP staff, at the country, regional and HQ level, as deemed relevant for the design of the project of interest.
To participate and obtain inputs from Civil Society Organizations and the private sector to inform and guide the design of the project of interest.
Contribute to the design of a technically robust theory of change and logical framework that are backed up with scientific and technical evidence and has consensus based on in-depth dialogue including from targeting beneficiaries.

Design project Concept

Advise on and conduct technical analysis to develop the climate rationale specifically and contribute to other elements of programme design, review and dialogue to detail out project components/outcomes/outputs/activities/sub-activities and inputs
Ensure that the design of project concept takes into account key criteria such as impact potential; paradigm shift potential; sustainable development; country needs; country ownership and cost-effectiveness;
Ensure that all documentation prepared is evidence-based and has all the necessary references to establish proof of concept and feasibility;
Support the project log frame with SMART indicators, clear targets, clarity of risks and assumptions, in keeping with the indicator framework for adaptation of the targeted source of financing;
Produce the climate rationale sections of the project concept and PFS based on the consultations, research and analysis conducted.
In coordination with other technical specialists involved, under UNDP’s guidance, conduct necessary consultations with relevant government agencies, stakeholders and experts to obtain comments/suggestions and incorporate these comments into the draft documents;

Develop the full funding proposal all relevant documents associated with a submission

Develop the proposal document and coordinate inputs from all consultants to prepare the full set of Annexes as part of the package for submission (with input from UNDP and Government stakeholder input);
Coordinate with experts and/or relevant persons to facilitate the feasibility study, safeguards, gender, economic analysis and/or other prerequisite assessments required to develop the full proposal for the project of interest;
Develop the results log frame according to the targeted funds performance measurement framework;
Develop the detailed budget for the project (with input from UNDP and Government stakeholder input) using UNDP tools and following UNDP practices;
Continue to support the project refinement process post submission of the proposal towards Board approval.

The consultant will report primarily to the UNDP as well as other members of the Project Preparation Team, as appropriate.

The duration of the consultancy service will be 25 working days.

The expected deliverables are as follows:

Contribute to the drafting of the CN and TOC (by December 4, 2020).
Draft Climate impact, rationale and needs sections of the Technical Pre-Feasibility Report for the GCF Concept Note (by December 4, 2020).
Finalized sections for technical PFS report for GCF CN (by December 18, 2020).

Competencies

Functional competencies:

Demonstrated work experience with various stakeholders in the government as well as development partners on gender issues;
Proven experience of conducting similar nature of assignment in past preferably for INGOs / UN organizations;
Good inter-personal communication skills, flexibility;
Knowledge in the area of resilience and disaster risk management;
Excellent report writing skills; and
Proven capability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.

Compliance with UN Core Values:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

PhD in climate science, environmental sciences, with specific academic or professional background related to climate change adaptation or related areas.

Experience:

10 + years of experience.
Experience in the formulation and management of similar projects with global funds including:
- GCF Project design, management, and monitoring & evaluation;
- Design of logframe with SMART indicators, work plan and budget formulation;
- Working with multi-disciplinary teams, including local and expatriate technical experts;
Experiences in analytical work, with strong background in Climate Science, interpretation and application to project design; Exceptional ability in communication and networking, negotiations and writing;

Flexibility and ability to operate in different cultural settings and with a variety of stakeholders; culturally and gender sensitive

Language Requirement:

Proficiency in written and spoken English.

Additional Requirements:

Candidates are requested to submit a financial proposal for this assignment
Candidates to upload a completed P11 Form using link:use https://un.org.sz/p11/P11.docx

Important Note: The Consultant is required to have the following professional and technical qualifications. Only the applicants who hold these qualifications will be shortlisted and contacted.