In Country Facilitator – South Africa, NDC Partnership (Homebased, Retainer)

Job Description

In-Country Facilitators work as a neutral broker in the country, facilitating coordination among government agencies, partners, and other key stakeholders in a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

The incumbent will serve as the NDC Partnership’s interface in the country and operate as a liaison between the country and other NDC Partnership members. The role is one of coordination and supportive facilitation. They play a key role in ensuring the smooth implementation of the Country Engagement Process, by supporting ongoing coordination efforts between the Support Unit of the NDC Partnership, the various partners of the Partnership, and the government of South Africa. 

The incumbent will support the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and will be responsible for strengthening national coordination in terms of resource mobilization and monitoring the implementation of the NDC. The Facilitator will support the focal point of the Partnership in their daily tasks of implementing the NDC and other forms of support for the NDC implementation. 

The embedded facilitator will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the Partnership’s focal point and day-to-day contacts, in close coordination with and support from the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist. The facilitator will collaborate with other sectoral ministries, development partners and other national stakeholders to mobilize, coordinate and engage on effective and efficient NDC implementation. 

*This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve 12 months, maximum of 220 working days, with the possibility of an extension depending on satisfactory performance and on availability of funds for the period of the second NDC. 

**This is a homebased position, meaning that the incumbent will not work from a UNOPS office but from the government facilities. Therefore, the incumbent will need to use his/her own laptop and software. 

***This is a local position; the incumbent must be a national of South Africa. 

****Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

The incumbent will support South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) in the implementation of the NDC and associated national legislation, The post will be located under the branch, headed by the Deputy Director General (DDG) of Climate Change and Air Quality who has delegated this responsibility under the Chief Directorate, International Climate Change Relations and Reporting. Accordingly, the incumbent will report to the Directorate Climate Change Developments and International Mechanisms, and work in close coordination with the NDC Partnership’s Country Engagement Specialist managing engagement with South Africa. 

 

The incumbent will coordinate the development of the recently-completed second NDC investment plan and its subsequent implementation, while preparing for the formulation of the next NDC and promoting coordination across government in connection with NDC development and implementation. 

1. Coordination and communication with key stakeholders

• Stakeholder ecosystem mapping
• Facilitate periodic coordination and information exchange among partners in the country in relation to the implementation of the NDC and Climate Change Act.
• Organize meetings to monitor and coordinate the implementation of the NDC and Climate Change Act as directed by the DDG, including within the DFFE, across government, and with stakeholders more broadly. 
• Develop and implement, as applicable, a project plan for implementing South Africa’s 2nd NDC, including identifying key funding sources and technical resources.
• Develop, as applicable, a project plan for developing South Africa’s 3rd NDC, including identifying key funding sources and technical resources.  

2. Tracking of Investment Plan implementation progress

• Monitor, assess and report on implementation of the Investment Plan, as required by the DDG.

3. Mobilization of resources for implementation

• Support the government in following up on and mobilizing partner financing to close its support gaps to allow for NDC implementation, working through and strengthening existing coordination mechanisms and working groups
• Work with the Support Unit to produce an overview of support gaps to make available to partners.

4. Organize and support NDC-related meetings as needed

• If requested, facilitate national country specific multi-stakeholder NDC dialogues.
• Support the government in preparing for NDC-related events such as COPs, regional climate weeks, national events, and other convenings relevant to showcase NDC progress and generate support for implementation of the NDC.
• Organize coordination meetings between the Support Unit and the government as needed.

5. Facilitation of NDC implementation

• Create an Annual Work Plan that sets out specific goals for the facilitator role in collaboration with the Country Engagement Specialist and Focal Point.
• Collaborate with the Support Unit and DFFE to document changes in the operating context and provide support to the government and stakeholders in decision-making processes.

About the Organization

United Nations Office for Project Services