Technical Analyst (Climate Action)

The United Nations Development Programme works in about 170 countries and territories, helping Governments achieve their own development solutionsto achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion.

In the current country programme, 2022-2026, UNDP will build on the support it provided to the Government during the past Cooperation Framework, 2017-2021, in updating the national architecture that enables effective and inclusive climate change management and includes the updating of the nationally determined contributions, the National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Master Plan and the drafting of a new low emission development strategies. 

UNDP Belize is working with other Caribbean Country Offices as led by UNDP Barbados and the OECS in advancing solutions to address the challenges faced by climate change under the European Union funded EUROCLIMA Caribbean – A Partnership for a Caribbean Green Deal. “”

The overall aim of EUROCLIMA actions is to help increase the ambition of NDCs, support NDC implementation in relevant sectors and support the development of long-term strategies for decarbonization. This should be done – both at the stage of Country Dialogues and in the implementation of actions – in an efficient coordination with National Focal Points, sector Ministries and/or Departments, relevant institutions, the private sector and civil society, and respecting the leadership of the EUD on the bilateral policy dialogue. UNDP as one of the implementing agencies of the action, will contribute to the objectives, outputs and activities of the EUROCLIMA Caribbean programme being implemented in Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Belize.

Further Details on EUROCLIMA Latin America and the Caribbean can be found at https://europa.eu/capacity4dev/tei-jp-tracker/tei/green-transition-euroclima-latin-america-and-caribbean

In this context, UNDP wishes to engage an experienced Technical Analyst (Climate Action) and EUROCLIMA National Focal Point to support and as necessary lead the activities that will be implemented in Belize. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in sustainable development and project coordination as well as a nuanced understanding of interconnected issues of vulnerability, climate change, gender inequality and natural resources. S/he will have demonstrated coordination abilities and will be able to work on own initiative and minimum supervision to achieve project goals.
 

Under the direct supervision of the Nature Climate and Energy Programme Analyst, the Technical Analyst and EUROCLIMA NFP  will contribute to the development and implementation of the CPD Outcome and specifically strengthening capacities for climate change planning in national development; supporting access to climate financing and advancing the NDCs and Low Emissions Development Strategies; providing technical advice to the advancement of policy and legislation that enables gender responsive and transformative solutions for climate change and disaster risk management; capacity building of institutions and communities to mitigate and adapt to climate change and disaster risk.

Within this context, the Technical Analyst (Climate Action) and EUROCLIMA National Focal Point will also work in collaboration with the EUROCLIMA Project Manager within the Nature, Climate & Energy (NCE) portfolio based in Barbados, to develop and implement agreed project activities with the Government of Belize and ensure that objectives are reached as set out Belize EUROCLIMA workplan. The TA NFP-BZE will be the principal liaison between the national government and the EUROCLIMA UNDP Project Management Unit (PMU) and, as such, will have the responsibility for the development and implementation of project activities in Belize, ensuring the highest level of coordination with project stakeholders at national and regional level and in full alignment with UNDP rules and regulations. S/he will provide leadership to achieve project outcomes and their sustainability over time. S/he will monitor the progress of projects activities, in close collaboration with the EUROCLIMA PMU and will facilitate lesson learning and sharing at national and regional level, as relevant, in coordination with other UNDP Country Offices. S/he will work with governments, inter-governmental organizations, UN agencies, EUROCLIMA Executing Agencies, UNDP Barbados and Belize COs, the European Union Delegation Barbados & Belize, EUROCLIMA PSU, NGOs, and the private sector in order to achieve the intended programmatic objectives and outcomes.

Summary of key functions:

•           Developing workplans and implementing national-level project activities on day-to-day basis

•           Monitoring activities of the project; and

•           Facilitating knowledge management & sharing and communications.

•           Drafting TORs and Specifications with Procurement and Contract Management including 

•           Finalize Environmental and Social Standards for projects

•           Coordinate Communications, Stakeholder Engagement, and Partnerships for Projects

In the fulfillment of these key functions, the Technical Analyst – Environmental and Climate Change will undertake the following:

Technical Advice to Implementation
•   Provide technical advice to the Programme Analyst and the Euroclima Project Analyst in identifying and scoping project  needs 
•   Conduct research, compile and synthesize technical reports on relevant topics, plans, NDCs for  project Implementation
•   Identify and monitor existing external communications channels on Climate Change, NDCs’, National and Sectoral Adaptation and Investment plans in the Caribbean, filter and synthesize key developments relevant to project implementation and communicate these to the Project Analyst.
•   Provide technical review and feedback on project outputs, communications, consultancy deliverables and other documents as relevant
•   Coordinate as needed with technical experts contributing to project implementation
•   Scope and summarize existing environmental management frameworks relevant to the issue and the beneficiary countries


Support with Project Management and Coordination
•   Support overall coordination, including preparation of work plans and budgets, tracking activities and expenditure,
and management of project resources, and the preparation of reports
•   Support project monitoring, evaluation and reporting, including monitoring progress and results against planned.
timelines and the project results framework
•   Support the monitoring of risks to project implementation, including identification of any new risks and updates to
the risk log
•   Support the Euroclima Project Coordinator in liaising with the Project Support Unit and beneficiary country implementing.
partners, including reporting and information dissemination
•   Provide regular project reports including to the Euroclima Project Coordinator and flag any deviations from the work plans immediately.

Procurement and Contract Management 
•   Develop procurement plans, procurement/tender documents, and evaluation process
•   Draft TOR and Specifications, provide inputs to TORs for counterpart and provide oversight on procurement timeline
•   Responsible for contract management functions, including budget and schedule tracking, coordination of contractor activities, review of outputs and reports, and performance appraisals and provide recommendation of acceptance of deliverables.
 

Environmental and Social Standards implementation
•   Apply project environmental and social standards and broader UNDP policies that are relevant
•   Prepare and maintain summaries of relevant environmental and social policy frameworks in beneficiary countries
•   Effective integration of environmental and social standards into project implementation
•   Provide input to project planning documents and reports in the area of environmental and social standards
•   Review project outputs and consultancy deliverables and provide feedback on integration of environmental and
social standards
•   Maintain records and provide input to project reporting for environmental and social standards

Coordinate Communications, Stakeholder Engagement, and Partnerships
Coordinate the development of, and adaptive updates to, stakeholder engagement and communications strategy(ies)in alignment with the approved project document and approved work plans, and in collaboration with focal points from beneficiary countries
•   Development and maintenance of relationships with main counterparts within country in line with the
stakeholder engagement plan and briefing with Communications Analyst
•   Contribute to the wide dissemination and visibility of project achievement and the communication strategy
Provide report on the  mechanisms for exchange of information, experience and lessons learned at the local and national levels, knowledge codification and ROAR inputs
Perform any other duties within the functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.
 

Institutional Arrangement

Reports to: The NCE Programme Analyst

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business  Acumen   

•   Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome.
•   Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such framework
 

System Thinking   

•   Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
 

Effective  Decision  Making   

•   Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources
 

Results-based  Management   

•   Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
 

Project  Management   

•   Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
 

Monitoring   

•   Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
 

Relationship  management   

•   Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

 

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, and capable of preparing well formatted documents and creating visually compelling presentations.

• Fundamental knowledge of Climate Change, Natural Resources Management and Environmental issues related to Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
• Demonstrated knowledge of/ experience working with the specific issue(s) being addressed by the project Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National and Sectoral Plans would be advantageous.
• Experience with research and/or compiling and synthesizing technical information, demonstrated through academic research and/or relevant technical project experience.
• Experience working in Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is preferred.
• Experience working on the coordination/development and/or implementation of environmental projects and activities in the Caribbean region.
• Experience working in the UN system would be advantageous.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Experience writing and reviewing reports and technical documents.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Superior time management and organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Applicants are solely responsible for any required travel and/or relocation costs.