Result of Service
Objective and scope of the consultancy:
The main objective of the position of Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements to assist the Ministry of the Environment and UNEP in the implementation of the Green Climate Fund funded project as set in the funding proposal document. The Consultant will report directly to the Adaptation to Climate Change Programme Office.
The Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements is expected to work over a 12-month period, 40 hours per week, full time (Monday to Friday), and to be located in the Ministry of Environment, Project Management Unit in Panama.
The Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements will contribute to the effective implementation of the project by performing the following tasks:
- Support the coordination of synergies within the project´s activities.
- Maintain the communication channels among the Ministry of Environment, the Implementing entity, UNEP and the Project Management Unit.
- Support the adaptation planning specialist in the strategic and operative overview and coordination of meetings, workshops, trainings, events, trips, consultations and communications efforts. Undertake follow-up actions as needed to guarantee outputs accomplishment.
- Prepare agendas and arrange appointments and meetings related to the project activities and produce minutes from the meetings.
- Work in close coordination with MiAMBIENTE staff, UNEP and other partners and consultants, to provide technical inputs on potential partnership platforms and ensure the technical quality of the project outputs.
- Identify recurring gaps in existing partnerships for Project implementation and propose strategies to reduce those gaps.
- Identify new and innovative stakeholders to contribute to the country ownership.
- Identify opportunities for scaling up partnerships and stakeholder participation among project outcomes and on daily activities of the project.
- Liaise with stakeholders to facilitate collaborative and consultative processes. Suggest operative mechanisms and channels for dissemination of information to reach local stakeholders.
- Carry out other tasks inherent to the objectives of the position, as indicated by UNEP and the Ministry of Environment.
Work Location
Ministry of Environment, Project Management Unit ,Panama City, Panama
Expected duration
12 MONTHS
Duties and Responsibilities
General Background of Assignment
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 Office) 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, 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).
To implement the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the new Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the NDCs (Nationally Determined Contribution) of the region.
In terms of supporting countries in the region attain the global commitments signed within the framework of the Paris Agreement, UNEP´s 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, the UNEP’s Sub-programme on Climate Change is also committed to ensure that cross-cutting issues such as gender equity and women empowerment are effectively integrated in the development of its tasks to guarantee an equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives.
In this context, the Ministry of Environment of Panama and UNEP, have agreed on the implementation of the project Building capacity for the development of the National Adaptation Plan in the context of the NDCs adaptation themes in Panama, framed within the Readiness program of the Green Climate Fund.
The project is aimed to build sustainable country capacity and strengthen stakeholder engagement to plan, finance, implement, monitor, and report strategic adaptation processes and communicate knowledge about climate change adaptation. The NAP process will cover ten adaptation themes in total, which are in accordance with Panama’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (presented to UNFCCC in 2020) to ensure alignment with national climate change strategies and priorities.
The project seeks to achieve its components and objective through:
• Adaptation planning governance and institutional coordination strengthened;
• Evidence basis produced to design adaptation solutions for maximum impact;
• Private sector engagement in adaptation catalyzed; and
• Adaptation finance increased.
To fulfill the objectives of the project, the UNEP LACO Office is recruiting a Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements to assist the Ministry of the Environment and UNEP in the implementation of the Green Climate Fund funded project as set in the funding proposal document. The Consultant will report directly to the Adaptation to Climate Change Programme Office.
The Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements will operate under the overall supervision of the UNEP Adaptation Programme Officer at the UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office. Additionally, he/she will work in close collaboration with the UNEP’s Adaptation team, the Directorate of Climate Change of the Ministry of Environment in Panama, other national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts. Travel might be needed for consultation processes.
Qualifications/special skills
Qualifications Required
ACADEMIC:
¿ Master’s degree or higher in project management, climate change, natural resource management, conservation, environment, international cooperation, sustainable development or a closely related field (required).
PROFESSIONAL:
¿ At least seven years of work experience in areas related to design, planning, execution and monitoring in project development is required.
¿ At least seven years of relevant work experience in climate change adaptation is required.
¿ Previous work in climate change adaptation in Panama is desirable .
¿ Previous experience in the generation of national climate change reports (National Communications, Biennial Update Reports) is required.
¿ Experiences in international climate negotiation processes on the issue of adaptation to climate change is desired.
¿ Experience with international organizations will be an advantage. Knowledge of UN Environment policies, procedures and practices is an asset.
¿ Experience with GCF or GEF projects is an asset.
¿ Knowledge of environmental regulations and climate change in Panama is an asset.
LANGUAGE:
¿ Fluent in Spanish is required.
¿ Confident in English is required
SKILLS:
¿ Ability to pick up new terminology and concepts easily and to turn information from various sources into a coherent project document.
¿ Ability to design and develop technical documents.
¿ Excellent organization and planning skills.
¿ Excellent communication skills (written and oral presentations).
¿ Ability to work independently and as a team.
¿ Motivated and dynamic to jump-start activities.
COMPETENCIES:
¿ 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.
¿ 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.
