WEC Background:
The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and with offices based globally is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. The Portfolio has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over 500 million USD over the last 15 years to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support.
WEC effectively operationalizes partners' agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WEC’s ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.
The NDC Partnership:
The NDC Partnership is a global coalition of countries and institutions collaborating to drive transformational climate action through sustainable development. In 2015, the world endorsed the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Nations signal their commitments to the Paris Agreement through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) - each country’s strategy to cut its own greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience against the negative effects of a changing climate. The Partnership advances the goals of the Paris Agreement by bringing together nearly 200 countries and institutions in new ways to accelerate NDC implementation and enhance ambition over time. The Partnership’s work through 120 partners supporting almost 80 countries produces many examples of impact, lessons learned and ideas for the future. The Partnership is governed by a Steering Committee, co-chaired by two country representatives. The Partnership’s work is facilitated by a Support Unit based at World Resources Institute in Washington DC and the UNFCCC Secretariat in Bonn, Germany. UNOPS supports the NDC Partnership and its Support Unit through the Water and Energy Cluster (WEC).
Under the overall guidance of the UNOPS’ Country Engagement Deputy Director, and in coordination with the UNOPS Senior Programme Manager and the Head of Programme for WEC, the incumbent will support the Country Engagement Team within the NDC Partnership in countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. As part of the Partnership’s Country Engagement process, you will engage directly with Government counterparts and other stakeholders to assess climate-related needs and identify opportunities for collaboration around these needs across sectors, regions, and international partners. You will provide targeted and coordinated technical assistance, along with members of the Partnership to support countries. For example, policy and strategy formulation for NDC mainstreaming, development of NDC implementation plans and associated resource mobilization efforts, NDC revision and enhancement, /or green economic recovery.
Summary of functions:
Research, Analysis & Engagement
Reporting/ad hoc
Communications & Administrative
Research, Analysis & Engagement:
Under the direction of the Country Engagement Deputy Director, the Country Engagement Specialist will be tasked with:
Developing country engagement plans (e.g., Partnership Plans/NDC Implementation Plans), including target setting, action planning, and performance tracking, and preparation of guidance documents and training materials.
Facilitating exchanges with NDC Partnership focal points, other government officials, and implementing partners.
Planning and development the content for technical and high-level workshops, following applicable internal guidance.
Leading engagement, outreach and dissemination efforts around NDC Partnership Thematic Calls by coordinating work across workstreams, proposing dissemination methods, designing outreach plans and strategies.
Coordinating formal communication between country counterparts as well as institutional and associate members of the Partnership.
Ensure information on assignment and contact details of focal points (FP) and day-to-day persons are up-to-date, and that new contact points receive proper on-boarding to the NDC Partnership, its core service offerings and processes.
Liaising with Knowledge and Learning counterparts, partners and other organization, as appropriate, to provide guidance and inputs for the development of in-depth analyses to support scoping, engagement planning, results reporting and Partnership Plan narratives.Supporting/leading efforts to strategically link NDC Partnership knowledge products with in-country engagement efforts.
Supporting/leading exchanges and resource mobilization between the Support Unit, countries, and institutional and development partner members.
Supporting the overall request for support processes by providing guidance to focal points in identifying support priorities, filling up and preparing request for support forms, and supporting the development, preparation and packaging of concept notes, terms of references and budget plans that will be included in the RSL and/or PAF calls for proposals (CFP) circulation.
Conducting Quality Assurance and Quality Control of requests for support (including Partnership Plans) produced by governments / facilitators prior to circulation to the membership. This activity may entail reviewing requests for support for countries outside the specialist’s own portfolio.
Upon request of the supervisor, provide advisory and guidance to new in-country facilitators and Country Engagement team members on the day-to-day implementation of the Partnership’s Country Engagement Strategy.
Representing the country engagement team in external meetings and events.
Providing innovative ideas, strategies, and inputs to the management of the SU.
Contributing to or leading other relevant NDC Partnership initiative or programme, beyond her/his country portfolio, if required.
2. Reporting/ad hoc
Under the direction of the Country Engagement Deputy Director, and as relevant to the work in the countries under her/his portfolio, the Country Engagement Specialist will be tasked with:
Preparing information resource materials for implementing partners of the NDC Partnership on country engagement progress and results, as requested.
Ensuring SU tools are up to date in relation with the context of countries under her/his portfolio, including inputs and updates to Monday boards, and archiving and updating of Dropbox and SharePoint folders.
Under the direction of the Country Engagement Deputy Director, the Country Engagement Specialist will be tasked with:
Organizing or contributing to internal and external meetings, workshops, conferences, and other dissemination activities (COPs, Peer-to-Peer exchanges, regional meetings).
Supporting the development and/or maintenance of content related to country engagement on NDC Partnership and affiliated websites.
Developing and co-authoring blog posts, presentations deck, talking points, infographics, brochures, and other online and offline communications materials.
Liaising with external partners to gather relevant information.
Evaluating proposals submitted under PAF CFP and job applications for in-country facilitators
Supervising in-country consultants, and interns as requested.
Reviewing and advising on consultant deliverables and coordinating approval with the government, in line with the Partnership Action Fund (PAF).
| Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. |
| Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion. |
| Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. |
| Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). |
| Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. |
| Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. |
| Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. |
| Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. |
Master's degree in international relations, international development, economics, finance, engineering or a related field is required.
Bachelor degree in related discipline in combination with additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Required
At least 5 years of experience (or more depending on academic credentials) in international cooperation and/or project management related matters focused on the target region is required.
Experience with other bilateral and multilateral donors, consulting, research institutions, think tanks and other civil society actors is an advantage.
Good knowledge of international climate policy and of national climate policy making
Asset
Demonstrated skills in building effective relationships with government officials from both developed and developing countries and navigating the complexities of working across the whole of government, including in countries with limited institutional capacity.
Demonstrated experience in dissemination techniques and event coordination and organization.
Proficiency in Arabic and English is required.
Proficiency in the French language is an asset.
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
Terms and Conditions
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
