Technical Advisor of the Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) project (UNEP)

General

Description of assignment title: Technical Advisor of the Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) project

Assignment country: Mozambique

Expected start date: 06/03/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 13. Climate action

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No

Host entity: UNEP MOZ

Type: Onsite

Expected end date: 06/03/2024

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Maputo

Details

Mission and objectives
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The UNEP/Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

Context
This post is located in Maputo under the overall supervision of the Chief Climate Change Adaptation Unit based in UNEP headquarter in Nairobi, Kenya. The incumbent will perform the functions of Technical Advisor to support the implementation of the Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) project in Mozambique.

The project entitled “Building resilience in the coastal zone through ecosystem-based approaches to adaptation (EbA) in the Greater Maputo Area” (referred to as the EbA project) was developed by the government of Mozambique with support from UNEP to reduce the high vulnerability of the country to climate change impacts due to not only its physical location, but also the socio-economic issues that amplify the negative effects of climate change and decrease the population’s capacities to cope and adapt.

The Greater Maputo Area (GMA) that is located on the south-eastern coast of Mozambique has a population of over 3 million and is already severely affected by climate variability and change. Its main districts and municipalities are: Boane (municipality), Marracuene (district), Maputo (municipality and capital city), Matola (municipality) and Matutuíne (district). The rapid population expansion witnessed in the region has been a major factor in land use and landscape change in the area reducing the quantity and quality of ecosystems that provide essential goods and services to the people and to climate change adaptation efforts. As a result, levels of vulnerability to climate impacts remain and without intervention, the degradation of the area’s valuable coastal and marine resources will continue unabated and undermine community resilience and efforts to adapt to climate change.

The project will afford the Government of Mozambique, municipal authorities, districts and especially local communities the necessary support, tools and planning frameworks to implement sustainable solutions to protect terrestrial and coastal ecosystems and therefore adapt to climate change impacts. This will be done through three main pillars:

1. Strengthening the institutional and technical capacity of national, municipal and district authorities in the GMA to plan and implement EbA interventions in urban and peri-urban coastal areas.
2. Improving capacity of local communities to implement EbA interventions at selected project sites in the GMA
3. Increasing public awareness and knowledge of the benefits of EbA

This 6 million USD project will be executed by the National Directorate of Environment (DINAB) within the Ministry of Land, Environment (MTA) and the National Fund for Sustainable Development (FNDS) supported by the United Nations Environment Programme’s Climate Change Adaptation Unit (UNEP/CCAU).

Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of UNEP Climate Change Adaptation Unit or his/her designated mandated representative(s) as well as the project National Project Coordinator within the National Directorate of Environment (DINAB) of the Ministry of Land and Environment (MTA), the UN Volunteer Technical Advisor of the EbA project in Mozambique will contribute to the successful implementation of the project by providing Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) technical expertise, gender mainstreaming support, project management guidance and capacity building to the project team.

Duties and responsibilities

• Provide overall technical backstopping for the project
• Provide specific capacity building on project and team management, gender mainstreaming as well as ecosystem-based adaptation to support effective project implementation
• Provide advice on best suitable approaches and methodologies for the timely achievement of project targets and objectives
• Assist the National Project Coordinator in planning the implementation of project activities, and in adjusting the project Results Framework, Work Plan and Budget as required and in line with corporate requirements
• Draft or review, as requested, ToRs for technical consultancies and sub-contracts, and assist in the selection and recruitment process
• Undertake technical review and provide quality assurance of project outputs including technical reports, studies and assessments as well as field activities (those will include, climate risk and vulnerability assessment, EbA protocols, Poverty, Environment and Social Impact Assessment, ecosystems valuation studies…
• Provide guidance and technical inputs to the work carried out by national and international consultants and/or companies including on resilient agriculture, fisheries, water management
• Assist in monitoring the technical quality of project M&E systems (including indicators and targets) and ensuring full integration of gender
• Ensure that economic, environmental and social safeguards are fully integrated and promoted throughout project implementation and that the project grievance redress mechanism is established and well-functioning
• Identify risks, issues and challenges affecting project implementation and support the project team to put in place mitigation measures to overcome those blockages
• Coordinate the preparation of the annual reports including the Project Implementation Reviews (PIRs) and Half Year Reports (HYR)
• Assist staff and consultants in the conduct of project reviews and evaluations, and in revisions of the implementation strategy and work plan, based on review and evaluation results
• Make recommendations to the Project Steering Committee (PSC) for more effective implementation and coordination of project activities
• Support the project team in administrative and financial reporting
• Provide advice and assist in knowledge management, communications and awareness-raising, and document lessons learned and good practices from project implementation
• Where requested, advise the project coordinator in liaison work with project partners, donor organizations, NGOs and other groups to ensure the effective coordination of project activities
• Support the follow-up on project co-financing (collaboration with co-financing partners and regular reporting on sources and amounts)
• Support and provide recommendations to ensure the successful implementation of the project Gender Action Plan
• Perform any other tasks as may be requested by the Project Team, the Project Steering Committee, and the UNEP Task Manager

Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 – 80

Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience
5 years of experience in – technical lead or planning position on development/climate/natural resources management programmes, preferably in a developing country context;

• A minimum of 2 year international work experience in either institutional strengthening, stakeholder engagement and capacity building or development/climate/gender programmes
• Demonstrated experience in project development, implementation, management, monitoring and capacity-building would be an asset;
• Previous work experience with UN agencies or partners including Global Environment Facility (GEF), Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund (AF) will be an added asset;
• Strong skills in gender mainstreaming would be an added advantage
• Work experience in a Least Developing Country and in Africa including in Mozambique would be an advantage
• Excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills and accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively in a multicultural team and collaboratively with a range of partners, including community members and authorities at different levels;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines
• Have affinity with volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System

Area(s) of expertise: Development programmes, Energy and environment , Social work

Driving license: –

Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Portuguese, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in Climate change adaptation, environment or sustainable development or any related fields such as natural resources management, social science or gender studies

Competencies and values
• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNEP; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNEP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNEP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNEP’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Other information

Living conditions and remarks
Mozambique is a unique coastal country of the Southern Africa region offering a stable and pleasant environment to live and work. The country is linked to the region and the rest of the world through regular air liaisons. Its capital Maputo offers comfortable living conditions and accommodation options with easy access to electricity, internet, water, banking services and food products of all sorts. Medical facilities are present though capacity and infrastructure are limited. This duty station provides for an interesting and enriching environment but also require a mature level of cultural awareness, flexibility and the ability and willingness to adapt to local living and working conditions

Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy