Senior Technical Advisor, Climate Change Adaptation

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Environment and Energy Group (EEG) is based in UNDP's Bureau of Development Policy and is responsible for providing leadership and technical support to delivery of the Environment and Sustainable Development pillar of UNDP's Strategic Plan. Its main focus is on helping countries develop the capacity to fully incorporate environmental sustainability into development at national and local, but also global and regional, levels. The principal areas of work are in environmental mainstreaming, environmental finance, adaptation to climate change, and local governance of resources, including energy.

With its technical focus, the Environment and Energy Group (EEG) is organized into substantive technical teams with a Principal or Senior Technical Advisor (PTA/STA) being the team leader within each area. Each team leader supports and guides a team of Regional Technical Advisors (RTAs). As well as being a member of a technical team, each RTA is also a member of a regional team, which consists of RTAs from all technical teams working together under the leadership of a Regional Practice or Team Leader.

The regional teams are based in regional service centres from where they support UNDP's country offices and partners in their region. The role of a Regional Technical Advisor (RTA) is to provide high quality technical guidance and support to policy and project development and implementation partners, primarily UNDP country offices but also other UN agencies, governments and inter-governmental organizations, NGO's, donors, etc.

The PTAs and RTAs are also responsible for providing detailed knowledge related to sources of funds for environment work, and assisting partners to obtain, use, and report on, such funding. Currently the main sources of funds include: the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and its Adaptation Funds (LDCF, SCCF); the CDM carbon market; and various bilateral, multilateral, and sub-national donors and partners including country governments, NGOs, and the private sector. EEG is in the process of expanding its capacities to assist countries access the voluntary carbon markets, the private sector, the UNFCCC Adaptation fund, and, if they become available, mechanisms associated with REDD.

This position is global in nature and therefore can be based at either HQ or one of UNDP's Regional Centres.

Position Overview:

The role of the Senior Technical Advisor (STA) for Climate Change Adaptation is, within this technical area, to:

1. provide technical guidance and team management;
2. develop and advocate innovative policy and financial mechanisms;
3. identify and develop cutting edge strategic programmes, projects and activities, and mobilize resources and partnerships in support of these;
4. produce development impacts and results for country partners; and
5. facilitate effective learning and management of knowledge

Responsibilities: 

The key results expected from the Senior Technical Advisor are:

1. Leadership, Management and Coordination (20%):

Providing technical guidance to the UNDP adaptation programme and managing a global team of regional Technical Advisors. The STA also represents UNDP in international and national fora, liaises with external clients and a broad range of constituencies and UNDP counterparts in Government, local and international media, other international organizations, and in civil society. The STA promotes good cooperation and coordination among all technical programme and operations staff and between the various technical divisions of EEG and BDP, as well as broader UNDP and external parties.

2. Policy Development, Dialogue and Advocacy (20%):

The development and advancement of policy initiatives, advice, support and advocacy on climate change adaptation both within UNDP, with UNDP's direct partners, and as a contribution to the global debate on climate change adaptation. This includes contributing to the development of complex policy positions at the interface of scientific knowledge and social, political and economic feasibility; wide ranging consultation with key players; the development of partnerships around positions and initiatives; and dialogue and advocacy to effect change.

3. Programme Development and Resource Mobilization (30%):

Development of programmes, projects and other initiatives. Identification of funding opportunities, sources and partners. Negotiation of funding and partnerships. Identification, development and roll-out of new business opportunities, business lines, and self-funding climate change adaptation service facilities.

4. Delivery of Results and Impacts (20%):

Effective delivery of results and impacts through high quality strategic guidance and implementation support including technical support, monitoring, troubleshooting, evaluation, reporting, and dissemination of results and impacts.

5. Knowledge, Lessons and Tools Development (10%):

Analysis and synthesis of data, information, results and knowledge into papers, lessons, guidelines, methodologies, programming kits, training, and other new tools and codified knowledge products.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Masters degree or higher in climate change, geography, natural resource policy, management, sociology, economics, political science, development studies.

Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strategic partnerships;
• Demonstrated leadership, facilitation and coordination skills;
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial abilities and demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team;

Experience:

• 10 years or more of progressively more responsible relevant leadership and management in the field of climate change adaptation and development
• Extensive experience with project development, implementation and management (direct project management experience is preferable);
• Experience in the policy development processes associated with environment and sustainable development issues;
• Full computer literacy;
• Working experience in an international organization is an advantage as is knowledge of UNDP policies, procedures and practices.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent command of written and spoken English is essential; working level proficiency in other UN languages is highly desirable.

To Apply:

For more information, a complete job description, and to apply, please visit the website.