Technical Specialist - Climate Change Mitigation (Home-Base in the Africa region)

Job Description

Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP's policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP's Strategic Plan. BPPS staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages; represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora, including public-private, government and civil society dialogues; and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas.

BPPS's Hubs on Nature, Climate, Energy and Waste, with the support of the Vertical Fund Programme Support Oversight and Compliance Unit, works with governments, civil society, and private sector partners to integrate nature, climate, energy and waste related concerns into national and sector planning and inclusive growth policies, support country obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements, and oversee the implementation of the UN's largest portfolio of in-country programming nature, climate change, energy and waste. This multi-billion-dollar portfolio encompasses:

• Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services including forests;.
• Sustainable Land Management and Desertification including food and commodity systems;
• Water and Ocean Governance including SIDS;
• Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation;
• Sustainable Energy;
• Extractive Industries;
• Chemicals and Waste Management;
• Environmental Governance and Green/Circular Economy, and SCP approaches.

This work advances crosscutting themes on innovative finance, digital transformation, capacity development, human rights, gender equality, health, technology, and South-South learning.

The UNDP Climate Hub is the arrowhead of UNDP's commitment to the "Climate Promise" that aims to support programming countries designing and implementing pledges under the Paris Agreement, including ambitious National Determined Contributions, with climate change mitigation and adaptation interventions fully embedded in the national development planning and budgetary processes. The Climate Hub builds on UNDP's existing over USD 4 billion country-level climate portfolio on Climate Change Policies and Strategies, Climate Change Adaptation, Climate Change Mitigation (CCM), Climate and Forests, covering over 142 countries, as well as on UNDP's Nature portfolio, UNDP's Sustainable Finance Hub, UNDP's Digital offer and other relevant portfolios on youth, gender, health, climate security, among others.

The UNDP Climate Hub is responsible for:

• Thought leadership on Climate and to be the custodian of UNDP policy positions on Climate;
• Strategy and vision formulation;
• Pipeline development in coordination with the other hubs and the Vertical Fund Programme Support, Oversight and Compliance Unit;
• Provision of integrated policy and programme support to Country Offices;
• Global engagement, advocacy in collaboration with Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA);
• Integration across thematic areas;
• Strategic Partnerships development and resource mobilization;
• Lead and Support global flagship initiatives and partnerships on Climate;
• Serve as focal point with relevant UN coordination mechanisms and Conventions (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change);
• Cross-organization knowledge and learning; and
• Innovation.

Scope of Work

The Regional Technical Specialist (RTS) works under the overall leadership of the Principal Technical Advisor (PTA) for Climate Change Mitigation, the day to day supervision of the Environment Regional Team Leader for Africa based in UNDP's Regional Hub in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and in close collaboration with other Technical Specialists and Advisors at both global and regional levels. RTS have global responsibilities in their area of specialized technical expertise but are deployed from Regional Hubs, normally close to the countries to which they provide most support.

The Regional Technical Specialist for Climate Change Mitigation (CTM) is expected to be home-based in the Africa region and will be required to travel. The Regional Technical Specialist will provide support to UNDP's Principal Technical Advisor for CCM on various discrete tasks and deliverables related to the implementation of activities related to the Energy Strategic Plan Goals, as well as the climate change mitigation vertical fund portfolio with a focus in the African region. The Regional Technical Specialist will also work closely with the Environment Regional Team Leader based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Regional Technical Specialist is responsible for providing specific technical support, including for the development of new GEF climate change mitigation projects and implementation support for ongoing projects with a focus in the Africa Region.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel including IPSA contract holders regardless where they are stationed are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Provision of innovation, strategic leadership, policy dialogue, and advocacy.

• Contributing to a strategic understanding of, and engagement with, the substantive technical issues, institutions, and processes within the region, including establishing contact and developing strategic partnerships with other agencies, donors, NGO's, the private sector, scientific institutions and the like;
• Participating in the development and implementation of UNDP's global and regional strategies on environment and sustainable development within the BPPS, GN and beyond; engagement in policy and advocacy work with external partners where relevant;
• Providing policy development support and guidance to countries and governments;
• Facilitating the development of strategic UNDP policy position papers and internal briefing notes;
• Facilitating policy analysis and the development of technical tools and guidance;
• Maintain trusted relationships with country offices, government and non-governmental partners' role within the region;
• Keeping the NCE Regional Team informed of trends and issues with respect to the substantive technical area and contribute actively to regional NCE programming and Business plans;
• Keeping the Principal/Senior Technical Advisors and RTL informed of trends and issues in the region;
• Work in coordination with other RTAs/RTSs in the region to develop projects requiring technical guidance from multiple areas, including collaborations with NCE regional team members and broader GPN and RBAS teams at the Regional Hub on delivery of integrated support to Country Offices.

Ensure effective Portfolio Management

• Providing guidance and support in the maintenance of programme/project and portfolio information and corporate information systems;
• Facilitating the identification, and sourcing of technical expertise and support, including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports.

Establish and maintain strategic partnerships and support resource mobilization efforts

• Providing guidance in programme and project identification and development, including on integrated approaches and multifocal area projects;
• Providing timely and quality information and technical advice on sources of funds, policies, priorities and activities - including the Global Environment Facility funds, the Green Climate Fund, other multilateral donors, bilateral donors and foundations;
• Identifying and suggesting to the PTA and regional RTL priorities and entry-points for UNDP assistance and linkage with broader UNDP priorities;
• Facilitating the process of preparation, design, submission and approval of programme/project concepts and full-fledged proposals for financing;
• Providing guidance and support in the identification and sourcing of technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports;
• Facilitating liaisons with potential financing agencies and institutions.

Effectively manage development impact

• Assisting with inception and start-up of programmes/projects, ensuring the implementation teams' understanding of technical and operational aspects of the projects, and strong technical and operational capacity of project management units;
• Facilitating UNDP country offices and programme/project implementation partners in project supervision, and timely and quality implementation, providing troubleshooting and guidance for adaptive management;
• Undertaking virtual and physical supervision missions aimed at (a) verification of results and (b) troubleshooting to manage technical quality assurance risks;
• Undertaking technical quality assurance of the Annual Work Plan cleared by the CO, ensuring alignment with the approved project document and technical robustness of proposed AWP activities in line with the approved project result framework;
• Undertaking risk management oversight including conducting risk-based second-tier portfolio oversight and address escalated GEF project risks/critical issues through Action Plan;
• Providing oversight for monitoring and evaluation support including quality and timely completion of the annual Project Implementation Reports (PIRs) reports and technical oversight related input during mid-term reviews (MTRs) and terminal evaluations (TEs);
• Facilitate production of project communication pieces effectively showcasing socio-economic and environmental impacts of individual projects and its linkage to the UNDP Strategic Plan priorities and targets.

Facilitate Learning, Knowledge Management and Self Development

• Evaluating, capturing, codifying, synthesizing lessons and stimulating the uptake of best practices and knowledge, including the development of knowledge materials;
• Peer reviewing, commenting on, and seeking to improve the technical quality of programmes/projects, policies, practices, guidelines, advisory notes, publications and the like;
• Assisting with preparation of regional Community of Practice meetings;
• Preparing and delivering training courses as needed;
• Responding to queries on programme/project progress, impacts and lessons;
• Developing knowledge products of relevance to UNDP-NCE's support to countries on low emission climate resilient development in the area of energy, infrastructure and transport;
• Developing and carrying out a personal learning plan.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

• The Regional Technical Specialist will work from his/her home base, within the African region.
• The Regional Technical Specialist will report to, and be directly supervised by the Principal Technical Advisor, CCM based in New York and the Environment Regional Team Leader based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
• The Regional Technical Specialist will work closely with: (i) staff at UNDP's BPPS Climate Hub; (ii) staff within the UNDP Sustainable Energy Hub; (iii) UNDP Country Offices; (iv) UNDP's Regional Bureau for Africa, and (v) development partners and donors;
• The Regional Technical Specialist will be given access to relevant information necessary for the execution of the tasks under this assignment;
• Given the regional work to be undertaken during this assignment, the incumbent is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones where applicable.
• The Regional Technical Specialist will be responsible for providing her/his own working station (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to a reliable internet connection.
• Candidate must be located within the African region at the time of hire.

Competencies Core

• Achieve Results LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies Thematic Area Name Definition 2030 Agenda-Planet Sustainable Energy Hub Energy: Energy access 2030 Agenda-Planet Climate Climate change adaptation policy and planning: National Adaptation Plans Business Management
Partnerships Management

Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies Business Management Portfolio Management
Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization's programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity.

Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.
Business Management Communication
Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.

Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.
Business Direction & Strategy Systems Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system Business Management Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Min. Education requirements

• Advanced University degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in Energy, Climate Change, Engineering, Finance, development studies or other closely related field is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree;

Min. years of relevant work experience

• Minimum of 7 years' (with a Master's degree) or 9 years' (with a Bachelor's degree) of relevant experience in developing countries in one or more of the following technical areas: renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy transition, energy access, energy and climate finance;
• At least of 5 years' experience providing policy advisory services in areas related to climate change mitigation and sustainable energy is required.
• At least 5 years' experience with the design and/or implementation of development projects/ programmes to promote sustainable energy investment, including climate finance and energy access is required.

Required skills

• Experience working in multiple countries in Sub-Saharan Africa is required.
• Demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of energy access projects/programmes is required.
• Experience in designing financial instruments / mechanisms for sustainable energy programs is required.
• Demonstrated experience in mobilizing partnerships and resources at scale is required.

Desired skills

• Direct experience in the design and implementation of Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Green Climate Fund (GCF) Climate Change Mitigation (CCM) /sustainable energy projects is preferable
• Experience in structuring blended finance solutions is an advantage
• Experience in leading/coordinating team of experts is an advantage
• Direct working experience with Development Finance Institutions is an advantage;
• Direct working experience in an international organization is an advantage, as is direct experience working with UNDP.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English language, with exceptional writing, presentation, and communication skills is required.
• Working knowledge French is required.

Travel

• Multiple international mission travel per year will be required to countries in the region.
• Any necessary missions must be approved in advance and in writing by the Principal Technical Advisor (PTA) for Climate Change Mitigation.
• The BSAFE course must be successfully completed prior to commencement of travel.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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