Background

Timor-Leste is a small half-island country which is one of the 10th top countries most vulnerable to climate change. Every year, Timor-Leste experience increased temperature, heavy rainfall, sea level rise, landslides, floods, soil erosion, and drought which result in loss of lives and livelihoods of the rural population. Moreover, manmade factors such as traditional slash and burn farming method, forests over exploitation for fuelwood, and waste disposal in to uncontrol open landfills presents significant risk to the environment. Thus, poverty reduction and economic diversification is possible only if the environment is well protected and natural resources are well managed in a more sustainable manner that does not destroying the nature.

The Environment/Sustainable Development Programme of UNDP Timor-Leste in partnership with the Government of Timor-Leste is currently implementing several projects on sustainable energy, climate change, sustainable management of natural resources and waste, marine/ biodiversity conservation, disaster risk management, and the Rio Conventions cross cutting capacity development project, and other new projects.  

Duties and Responsibilities

The principal responsibility of the International Technical Advisor is to support the CO Sustainable Development team and the National Project Coordinators in project design/development, implementation and monitoring of several new and ongoing projects on renewable energy, marine protected areas/biodiversity conservation/protection, waste management/recycling, and the Rio Conventions cross cutting capacity development project, climate proofing infrastructures, and other new projects.

Specific responsibility will include:

  • Assist the CO Management and Programme Manager with drawing up of Terms of Reference (ToRs) for technical consultancies as well as development of RFQs; and assist in the recruitment process
  • Undertake technical review of project outputs (e.g. studies and assessments) and support development of project progress reports;
  • Support the National Project Coordinators during projects implementation in the provision of technical supervisory function to the work carried out by national and international consultants hired by the projects.
  • Assist the National Project Coordinators in the preparation of the Project Progress Reports, AWPs, and terminal evaluation processes for submission to UNDP, the GEF and Government Departments, as required;
  • Assess in designing/formulation of concept notes/proposals for resource mobilizations for potential scaling up of the ongoing/new projects
  • Conduct assessment and economic analysis of the existing renewable energy/improved cook stoves subsidy scheme and propose way forward including development of a potential reduced subsidy to ensure sustainability after project closure
  • Conduct economic analysis of the Waste Management facility, and capacity gap/need assessments, and development of a sustainable business model to ensure sustainability
  • Provide technical input to inception workshop and inception report of the ATSEA project including development
  • Perform other task as requested by UNDP Senior Management.

Competencies

  • Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, including the ability to liaise effectively at project management levels;
  • Ability to communicate and function effectively in an international, multicultural environment;
  • Ability to work effectively in a team
  • Strategic vision, strong technical and analytical capabilities;
  • Strong reporting and writing abilities;
  • Ability to work in a team, develop synergies and establish effective working relations with government counterparts, donors, NGOs and other development partners;
  • Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback
  • Ability to accommodate additional demands on short notice;
  • Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
  • Ability to manage heavy workload and solve complex problems with minimum supervision.

Required Skills and Experience

 

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (Master, PhD is an advantage) relevant to the thematic area (e.g. Environment, Economics/business development, Energy, Science, Physics, Climate Change, Business, or other relevant degree)

Professional Experience:

  • A minimum of 10 years’ international working experience relevant to the above thematic area of climate change mitigation and adaptation, economic and/sustainable development
  • Excellent analysis and formulation skills; proven record of at least three official economic analysis and/or reports or papers/studies in the relevant area;
  • At least 3 years of experience managing and/or advising climate change adaptation and mitigation projects such as sustainable energy, economic/business development, marine biodiversity conservation, Rio Convention cross-cutting capacity development, and sustainable waste management.
  • Experience in providing technical and advisory support as well as capacity building support/training on topics related to economics, climate change, or another relevant field.
  • Previous experience working in the UN/UNDP system is an advantage

 

Language Requirements: