Technical Specialist - Environmental (Climate Change)

Job Description

Initiative for Climate Action Transparency

The Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) helps countries better assess the impacts of their climate policies and actions, and fulfil their transparency commitments under the Paris Agreement. It does this by increasing the overall transparency capacities of countries, including the capacity to assess the contribution of climate policies and actions on countries’ development objectives, and providing appropriate methodological information and tools to support evidence-based policy-making. ICAT’s innovative approach is to integrate these two aspects.

ICAT works with over 30 developing countries worldwide to support their work on NDCs, including tracking of implementation, further policy development and related MRV. Work covers sectoral policies (renewables, energy efficiency, transport, etc.) and cross-cutting aspects such as the link to sustainable development benefits, transformational change, and integration of subnational and non-state actors.

ICAT is funded by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB), the Italian Ministry of the Environment (IMELS) and the ClimateWorks Foundation.

Under the overall guidance of the ECR WEC, and in coordination with the ICAT Director, the incumbent will act as ICAT focal point for the development of a blended e-learning course on climate action transparency.

This role is based in Bonn, Germany, however UNOPS Headquarters in Copenhagen and other locations (home-based) could also be considered, depending on the outcome of the recruitment process. The final decision regarding the duty stations lies with UNOPS.

Functional Responsibilities

• Defines and develops the learning content on climate action transparency, together with subject matter experts and implementing partners;

• Develops and coordinates the substantive input during the development and delivery of a blended e-learning course including coordination between the technical support team, subject matter experts, designers, and facilitators;

• Manages the meetings of supervisory and advisory committees set up to implement the e-learning course, and supports the Director and staff to participate in their work as needed;

• Manages the process and collaborates closely with implementing partners on course design and delivery, including to ensure timely advice on content and review of comments, support for identification of key learning needs and learning objectives, selection of instructional design strategies etc.;

• Coordinates workflows, conducts research and gathers data to create additional materials, as needed;

• Supervises the work with the implementing partners in the development and pre-testing of the materials, e-learning module as well as in the organization and delivery of the face to face training;

• Ensures the e-learning course developed is aligned with ICAT’s mandate, vision and its overall approach;

• Ensures the content of the e-learning is according to the current trends and best practises in the area of climate change and transparency;

• Provides additional support to the ICAT Secretariat, in particular on further developing the ICAT toolbox in coordination with implementing partners;

• Provides substantive input to ICAT’s knowledge base by drafting ToRs, background notes and engaging with active and potential partners;

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in environmental management/sciences, international relations, business,economics,environmental science, education, development studies, and/or other relevant fields for climate action transparency and capacity-building.

OR

• A first-level university degree with relevant combination of academic qualifications and two years of additional experience related to the nature of the position may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• At least five (5) years of working experience, including at least 2 years in issues of environmental management, preferably with a focus on climate change and capacity development;
• At least one year (1) of working experience with capacity-building, development assistance, training, and/or education, ideally in an international context and/or related to online learning formats.
• Experience with support to project coordination and or project management;
• Experience with coordinating multiple stakeholders, ideally in an international setting;
• Experience in developing or assisting in the development and delivery of online distance learning courses would be an asset;
• Experience working within the UN system would be an advantage.

Language Skills

• Fluency in English (written and oral) is required.
• Other UN languages will be an advantage.

Contract type, level and duration

• Contract type: Ongoing International Individual Contract Agreement (IICA)
• Contract level: ICS-10 / IICA-2
• Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

About the Organization

WEC Background information

UNOPS Water and Energy Cluster (WEC) supports the design and management of multi-stakeholder initiatives by providing services in financial and grant management, procurement, human resources, and project management.The cluster has supported projects in the areas of water resource management, climate change adaptation, mitigation and transparency, energy access and distribution and environmental conservation under the Paris Agreement.

The WEC has also supported operations and financial management services, in Vienna, the rest of the ECR region and beyond.The main partners include UN agencies, bilateral agreements (with the Nordics, Germany, and Italy ), the Green Climate Fund and several NGOs (such as CIFF and CWF).

Competencies

• 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.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.