Technical Specialist in Strategic Adaptation Planning and Capacity Building

United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment)

Tegucigalpa, Honduras 🇭🇳

Result of Service

The main objective of the position of Technical Specialist in Strategic Adaptation Planning and Capacity Building is to contribute specifically to the execution of the following activities included in the project:

  1. Activities 1.2.3 and 1.2.4 included in sub-output 1.2 (Technical human resources and capacity building improved).
  2. Activities 1.3.1, 1.3.2 and 1.3.5 included in sub-output 1.3 (Climate information at appropriate scales and timeframe and in accessible formats for successful communication with key public and private sector actors).
  3. All the activities included in sub-output 2.1 (National Adaptation Plan institutionalized).
  4. Activities 3.1.1 and 3.1.4 included in sub-output 3.1 (Financial strategy for the National Adaptation Plan developed).

Additionally, the Technical Specialist in Strategic Adaptation Planning and Capacity Building is expected to assist the National Project Coordinator and the Project Management Unit in the development and implementation of other project-related activities, including attending national, regional, and local meetings, as required.

For the effective implementation of the activities aforementioned, the Technical Specialist in Strategic Adaptation Planning and Capacity Building
will perform the following tasks:

  1. To organize at least four workshops and training courses at the national level on adaptation to climate change for technical experts from institutions such as DNCC, Project Coordination Office under MiAmbiente, and technical experts from relevant project stakeholders, including the Climate Change National Directorate, the Project Coordination Office under MiAmbiente, and technical experts from Secretaries involved on implementation of adaptation measures such as Agriculture, Finance, Infrastructure, Health, etc., ensuring appropriate women’s participation (activity 1.2.3).
  2. To promote and organize south-south cooperation exchanges on matters related to adaptation planning with
    Latin American countries and compile the lessons learned with these exchanges (activity 1.2.4).
  3. To maintain existing participatory spaces for climate change adaptation consultation, consensus building and decision-making processes, and/or establish new ones if needed, assess their strengths, and needs, and identify a possible role within the Adaptation Coordination Architecture at the National Level (activity 1.3.1).
  4. To deploy a strategy to strengthen capacities of key social stakeholders based on barriers and needs assessment on participatory spaces for climate change adaptation consultation, consensus building and decision-making processes (activity 1.3.2).
  5. To develop terms of reference to procure a firm for the design and implementation of a capacity building programme based on the capacity assessment developed in activity 1.2.2 and 1.3.1. Conduct follow-up to the activities and products delivered by the firm.
  6. To organize at least one annual participatory meeting of relevant stakeholders to present the state of art of the National Adaptation Plan and the country´s adaptation Nationally Determined Contributions and the progress made to achieving the goals established by the country (activity 1.3.5).
  7. To contribute to the institutionalization of the National Adaptation Plan and link this plan with the relevant national development policies (activity 2.1.1).
  8. To foster the adoption of the prioritized adaptation solutions under the National Adaptation Plan by the governmental institutions in charge of its implementation and compile recommendations on how to integrate the priority actions of the NAP into the corresponding development plans and other institutional programmatic instrument (activity 2.1.2)
  9. Provide technical guidance for the adaptation planning process at regional level. Develop terms of reference to procure consultancy services for the design and institutionalize regional strategies within the National Adaptation Plan (activity 2.1.3). Conduct follow-up to the activities and products delivered by the firm.
  10. Coordinate the work on adaptation with the infrastructure and water management sectors and incorporate their results and inputs into the National Adaption Plan. Develop terms of reference to procure consultancy services for the design of adaptation strategies for the infrastructure and water management sectors (activity 2.1.4). Conduct follow-up to the activities and products delivered by the firm.
  11. To develop tools and recommendations to facilitate the validation and prioritization of project ideas identified in the National Adaptation Plan through a participatory consultation process (activity 3.1.1).
  12. To develop preliminary concept notes linked to activity 3.1.4
  13. To support the development of final concept notes linked to activity 3.1.4
  14. To prepare materials relevant for project activities as may be required.
  15. To carry out any other relevant tasks within his/her technical competence, as requested by the Adaptation Programme Officer at the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office and/or the National Project Coordinator.

Work Location

Secretariat of State for Energy, Natural Resources, Environment and Mining (MiAmbiente) – Project Management Unit, Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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.

UNEP, through its Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO) located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region – including 16 Small Island Developing States – with a population of about 588 million people, to implement the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The office works to serve the needs of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

In terms of supporting countries in the region attain the global commitments signed within the framework of the Paris Agreement, UNEP’s Latin America and the Caribbean Sub-programme on Climate Change aims at strengthening the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. In this framework, the UNEP Sub-programme on Climate Change, through its Climate Change Unit leads and supports several initiatives oriented at designing, promoting, and implementing innovative mitigation and adaptation solutions at the national and subnational level, and strengthening the transparency framework of the countries.

The expected accomplishment regarding climate change adaptation is that adaptation approaches, including the ecosystem-based approach, are implemented, and integrated into key sectoral and national development strategies to reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience to climate change impacts. Furthermore, UNEP’s Sub- programme on Climate Change is also committed to ensure that cross-cutting issues such as gender equity and women’s empowerment are effectively integrated in the development of its tasks to guarantee equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives.

In this context, the Secretariat of State for Energy, Natural Resources, Environment and Mining (MiAmbiente) of Honduras and UNEP, have agreed on the implementation of the project “Enabling environments to effectively plan, implement, monitor and report strategic National Adaptation Processes in Honduras” framed within the Readiness program of the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

The main objective of the project is to build sustainable country capacity and strengthen stakeholder engagement to plan, finance, implement, monitor and report strategic national adaptation processes and communicate knowledge about climate change adaptation.
The project seeks to achieve its objective through the following outcomes:
• Country institutional and technical capacity, and stakeholder engagement strengthened.
• National adaptation strategic planning strengthened.
• Financial flows and investment for adaptation measures under the NAP and NDC fostered.
• Knowledge management strengthened.
• Adaptation transparency framework strengthened.

To fulfill the objectives of the project, the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office is recruiting a Technical specialist in strategic adaptation planning and capacity building to provide technical support and inputs to

the National Project Coordinator and the Project Management Unit in the delivery of several activities related to strategic adaptation planning and capacity building in the country. This includes the creation and strengthening of technical capacities of project stakeholders, including government institutions at the national, subnational, and sectoral level as well as the academia and private sector, to engage them effectively in the National Adaptation Plan Process. Additionally, the Technical specialist in strategic adaptation planning and capacity building will assist the Project Coordinator and the Project Management Unit in the revision and socialization of nationally agreed adaptation instruments such as the Country´s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) and the current National Adaptation Plan (NAP) to increase their scope, and in the institutionalization of the NAP and in fostering adaptation mainstreaming into development and sectoral policies.

The Technical Specialist in Strategic Adaptation Planning and Capacity Building will operate under the overall supervision of the Adaptation Programme Officer at the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office and will assist the National Project Coordinator in the execution of the project. Additionally, he/she will work in close collaboration with the Climate Change Directorate of the Secretariat of State for Energy, Natural Resources, Environment and Mining (MiAmbiente) of Honduras and other national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts.

The Technical Specialist in Strategic Adaptation Planning and Capacity Building is expected to work over a 12-month contract, 40 hours per week, from 9:00am to 5:00pm (Monday to Friday, Honduras time). The position is located at the Project Management Unit in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Qualifications/special skills

ACADEMIC:
¿ Master’s degree or higher in climate change, natural resources management, development studies, environmental economics, social sciences, or a closely related field. (required) In case the consultant doesn’t have a Master´s Degree in the aforementioned areas, a Bachelor´s Degree in any other area with at least three (03) years of extra professional experience performing relevant tasks compensates in lieu of the requirement of a Master’s degree in such areas.

PROFESSIONAL:
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience working with developing countries on climate change adaptation and/ or natural resources management is required. Additional years of experience is desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the identification and implementation of adaptation solutions at the national, subnational, and sectoral level in Honduras is desirable.
• Understanding and experience of government institutions, policy and planning processes, and programmatic instruments in Honduras is desirable. Experience in policy mainstreaming is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in the elaboration, preparation and design of reports and official documents from technical and high-level meetings as well as from the review of primary and secondary data is required.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and organizing capacity building and training programmes and workshops is required.
• Demonstrated experience conducting consultation, validation and training workshops aimed at compiling primary and secondary data for the development of technical products is required.
• Experience in engaging with government institutions and other stakeholders at national and local levels is required.
• Experience formulating and/or revising project proposals for international funds (i.e. Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund, GEF, etc.) is an asset.
• Knowledge about climate change issues in Honduras is an asset.
• Experience with international organizations will be an advantage, as will be knowledge of UNEP policies, procedures, and practices.

LANGUAGE:
• Fluent in Spanish and English is required.

SKILLS:
Âż Excellent political, advisory and facilitation skills. Ability to facilitate technical discussions and participatory processes with multiple stakeholders in multicultural environments.
Âż Excellent communication and capacity building skills. Ability to communicate complex issues in an accessible way, tailored to different target audiences.
Âż Demonstrated understanding of development planning and the ability to apply it to strategic and/or practical situations.
Âż Excellent technical leadership and understanding of climate change adaptation concepts, principles and policies. Ability to provide guidance on climate change adaptation, especially as it relates to development planning.

COMPETENCIES:
Âż Professionalism: Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. He/she shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies
clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions.
Âż Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
¿ Teamwork: Is able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team to achieve organizational goals and to take leadership when appropriate; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.


POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

LANGUAGE REQUIRED

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