Thailand nationals: Technical Project Specialist 

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Bangkok, Thailand 🇹🇭

Background

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.

This ToR is specifically within the scope of the project entitled “Enhancing climate resilience in Thailand through effective water management and sustainable agriculture”, which is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in the total of USD 17.5 million for 5 year duration (Funded Activity: FP170). UNDP is an Accredited Entity accountable to the GCF for the implementation of the project.  The Royal Irrigation Department (RID), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative, is the project Implementing Partner, with the King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB) and Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammearbeit (GIZ) Gmbh are the two Responsible Parties. 

Thailand is one of the 16 countries identified globally as being in the ‘extreme risk’ category of those most vulnerable to future climate change impacts over the next 30 years.  Severe drought and flood events are likely to be experienced increasingly in the near and longer-term future as a result of the combined effects of a more vigorous hydrological cycle and enhanced surface drying. Thailand’s agricultural sector, in particular, will be impacted by changing precipitation patterns with increasingly common extreme rain events and floods, as well as more extensive drought periods, which particularly affect poor households. With climate extremes expected to increase, climate-informed water management and climate-resilient water infrastructure will be critical in order to prepare for and respond to floods and droughts, which are the key priorities in Thailand’s National Adaptation Plan 2018.  Given the cost of upgrading existing water infrastructure across the country, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is seeking to complement its grey infrastructure with ecosystems-based adaptation measures (EbA), an integrated solution which brings together water management and agriculture.  

The project addresses the core problem of climate-induced droughts and floods threatening agriculture livelihoods and infrastructure in the Yom and Nan river basin (Phitsanulok, Sukhothai and Uttaradit provinces). Specifically, it seeks to:  a) support climate informed water management, planning and investment, and b) support vulnerable farmers in reducing volatility to changing climatic conditions, enhancing climate-informed and integrated planning as well as reduce disruption to smallholder farmers.  

The objective will be achieved through generation of three complementary outputs:  

Output 1:  Enhance climate and risk informed planning in the water and agricultural sectors through improved climate information and cross sectoral coordination  Output 2:  Improve water management through strengthened infrastructure complemented by EbA measures, for greater resilience to climate change impacts  Output 3:  Reduce volatility of agriculture livelihoods in drought and flood prone areas through strengthened extension support and local planning, investment in on-farm adaptation measures and greater access to finance and markets.

Details of the project information is in annex below.

The Project Management Unit (PMU) will be established at the RID to be responsible for project management and execution of the project.  The PMU will be led by the Project Manager (PM), who is responsible for the overall day-to-day management of the project. Composition of the PMU includes: Project Coordinator, Field Coordinator, Senior Finance Advisor, and Finance and Admin Officer.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP and technical consultations and guidance of the UNDP Technical Support Team,  the Technical Project Specialist, jointly with the Project Manager, is responsible for the implementation and management of the project. S/he, jointly with the PM, is responsible for the implementation and project management of the project and works closely with the Integrated Team Leader, integrated programme team across the organization.

This position will serve as a Technical Project Specialist on adaptation solutions outlined in the project document, particularly in the implementation of climate resilient small-scale infrastructure, related capacity needs and policy change.

Technical oversight of project activities

  • Be responsible, jointly with the PM, for the implementation and monitoring of all risk mitigation measures during all project phases such as inception, implementation/construction and operations.
  • Control and coordinate all technical inputs and their delivery in a timely manner in close collaboration with the Project Manager (PM), and provision of guidance and coordination of all technical inputs by the project consultants/technical experts
  • develops systems, standards and procedures for district officials to apply in developing and reviewing detailed budgets for climate resilient infrastructure planning and technical review of sub-projects against climate resilience criteria

Policy advice and capacity building

  • In close collaboration with RID, PMU and UNDP, directly contributes to annual work plan and budget revisions as to fully capture the sequencing of all technical deliverables during the project implementation
  • Builds technical and managerial capacities within the PMU, including the introduction of management tools and templates that enable effective planning, implementation and monitoring
  • Provides advice and support through technical assistance to the national counterparts, as required and relevant to the scope of the project and provision of other advice as needed to UNDP concerning the evolution and role of the relevant Ministries/stakeholders within the scope of the project

Support to project management

  • Strongly supports project implementation and management under the overall guidance of the RID
  • Provides strategic input to technical, financial and managerial aspects of the project to ensure that activities are in accordance with the Project Document
  • Provides technical and advisory support to ensure proper and timely implementation and reporting of activities implemented by the respective responsible parties;

Knowledge management

  • Identifies, analyses and communicates lessons learned that may be useful in design and implementation of similar projects, shares and promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from project implementation
  • Provides technical inputs and participate in producing technical materials, development and application of knowledge based tools
  • Promotes the substantive quality of all knowledge products, reports and services, and ensures effective integration thereof.

Partnership development and advocacy

  • Supports the development and implementation of the partnership and advocacy strategies and outreach efforts
  • Establishes and maintains relations with members, the Board of Directors and other external stakeholders, key national and international partners
  • Identifies prospects and sequencing requests to maximize opportunities for inter-agency cooperation and partnerships.

Competencies

 Core competencies:

  • 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

People Management:

  • Build capacity
  • Manage performance and ensure accountability

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Management

  • Results-based Management: Ability to manage programme and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
  • Partnerships Management: Ability to 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
  • Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

2030 Agenda – Planet

  • Nature, Climate and Energy: Climate Change Adaptation

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in environmental engineering, environmental planning and management, climate change, science, or related field.

Experience:

  • Master’s with minimum 5 years or Bachelor’s with minimum 7 years of relevant development experience at the national or international level
  • At least 5 years of experience working with national or provincial institutions in leading  and providing technical support and assistance in the areas related to climate changes, planning and management of natural resources and environment, water resource management and/or agricultural development.
  • Good technical knowledge of climate change mitigation and adaptation;
  • Proven experience with implementation of climate resilient small-scale infrastructure, the implementation and monitoring of all risk mitigation measures;
  • Proven track record of working in Thailand and/or in Southeast Asian region, with direct interaction with government, public organization, state enterprises, or large private sector, and local administrative organizations;
  •  Good knowledge of international practices in the areas of climate proofing of small-scale infrastructures and role of public finance in influencing public and private investment in climate resilient infrastructure development.
  • Professional working experience in leading, providing technical support and monitoring of development, environmental and climate related projects/programmes with the UN/international organizations is an advantage;
  • Training experience in development planning, monitoring, evaluation design, management and methodologies;
  • Project Management Certificate, PRINCE2 (Preferrable)

Language Requirement:

  • Fluency in English and Thai.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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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POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

LANGUAGE REQUIRED

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