Adaptation Facilitator Consultant

Result of ServiceThe objective of this role is to bolster the effective implementation of Panama’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) by facilitating the integration of climate adaptation priorities into national and sectoral planning frameworks. Through strategic coordination and inclusive stakeholder engagement, the consultant will help operationalize adaptation mechanisms aligned with Panama’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). By identifying institutional gaps and promoting multi-level governance, the consultant will strengthen adaptive capacity, foster knowledge exchange, and ensure that climate resilience is embedded across planning, policy, and decision-making processes. The main objective of the position of Adaptation Facilitator Consultant is to contribute with the Ministry of the Environment and UNEP in the coordination and implementation of the Green Climate Fund funded project as set in the funding proposal document. Specific tasks and responsibilities The Adaptation Facilitator Consultant will contribute to the effective implementation of the project by guaranteeing the following tasks: Outcome 3.1 Adaptation planning governance and institutional coordination strengthened. -Output 3.1.2 Tailored awareness raising, outreach and communication strategies developed and implemented to support the understanding and to engage stakeholders on climate change adaptation planning processes. -Output 3.1.4. A national adaptation Research and Development programme to better understand cross thematic risks and identify innovations, new technologies and approaches to address them. Associated project activities: Activity 1.1. Support the implementation of activities from a strategic perspective, not only for the efficient management of resources, but also to ensure the continuity of activities and the anticipation of situations that could lead to delays in implementation. Activity 1.2. Support the collection of information as the basis for the analysis of progress of each activity. Support the identification of lessons learned. Activity 1.3. Contribute to the identification and engagement of new relevant stakeholders to contribute to project output. Activity 1.4. Ensure the effectiveness of the communication channels led by the Project Management Unit (PMU). Activity 1.5. Provide strategic inputs to the PMU in identifying opportunities for mainstreaming adaptation planning (Outcome 3.1), adaptation solutions (Outcome 3.2) and the preparation of the financial strategy (Outcome 3.4). Responsibility: The Adaptation Facilitator Consultant will play a strategic role in promoting the implementation of project activities by ensuring efficient resource management, continuity, and proactive mitigation of potential delays. He or She will contribute to progress tracking through information collection and analysis, while also identifying lessons learned to inform adaptive management. The consultant will actively engage new stakeholders to strengthen the project's reach and relevance, ensure the effectiveness of communication channels led by the Project Management Unit (PMU), and provide strategic inputs to mainstream adaptation planning, solutions, and financial strategies across key outcomes of the National Adaptation Plan. Outcome 3.2 Evidence basis produced to design adaptation solutions for maximum impact • Output 3.2.1: Baseline established for adaptation progress in each NDC adaptation theme, against which to measure NAP progress. • Output 3.2.3: Nationally agreed adaptation strategies identified and appraised. Associated project activities: Activity 2.1. Support the collection and organization of information from the consultations processes in order to guarantee that proposed adaptation actions are reality-based and adjusted to the local context. Activity 2.2. Ensure a collaborative approach with local institutions and transfer know-how to government officials and technicians. Activity 2.3. Provide input in the development of overall project workplan. Activity 2.4. Contribute to the PMU´s analysis for contract management and payments related to the ensure the quality/consistency of reports and deliverables. Activity 2.5. Support the collection, storage and management of baseline information necessary for the consultation processes on socioeconomic scenarios and climate risk and vulnerability analysis. Activity 2.6. Review of technical documents and products from the procurement processes for climate change scenarios and climate risk and vulnerability analysis Activity 2.7. Conduct synthesis reports on the results of national socioeconomic and climate risk and vulnerability scenarios and review sectoral analyses. Activity 2.8. Prepare and organize dissemination workshops on climate risk analysis results and the validation process of alternative adaptation strategies. Activity 2.9 Develop Technical report on alternative adaptation strategies for each adaptation theme (sectors and the National Plan) Responsibility: The Adaptation Facilitator Senior Consultant is responsible for bolstering the design and implementation of evidence-based climate adaptation solutions by contributing to the establishment of baselines for adaptation progress across NDC adaptation themes and identifying nationally agreed strategies. This role involves organizing and synthesizing information from consultation processes to ensure proposed adaptation actions are grounded in local realities, fostering collaboration with institutions to build technical capacity, and contributing to the development of the overall project workplan. The consultant also contributes with contract management through quality assurance of reports and deliverables, manages baseline data for socioeconomic and climate risk analyses, reviews technical documentation, and prepares synthesis reports on national scenarios. Additionally, the consultant leads the organization of dissemination workshops and the development of technical reports on alternative adaptation strategies for each sector and the National Adaptation Plan. Outcome 3.4 Adaptation finance increased. • Output 3.4.2. Thematic mainstreaming adaptation strategies developed for six NDC adaptation themes to support investment into adaptation. • Output 3.4.3. A Climate Change Adaptation Financing Strategy elaborated, and two Green Climate Fund concept notes developed to effectively mobilize public and private sector financing for implementation of priority adaptation measures. Associated project activities: Activity 3.1. Technical support for the development of thematic mainstreaming strategies by coordinating consultations with sectoral stakeholders to ensure that proposed adaptation investments are aligned with the six NDC adaptation themes and reflect sector-specific priorities and realities. Activity 3.2. Identify and engage public and private sector actors with potential to invest in adaptation, fostering partnerships and promoting innovative financing mechanisms that support the implementation of priority measures. Activity 3.3 Prepare and organize validation workshops for the six validated thematic adaptation strategies to integrate adaptation planning into planning instruments and the workshops of the validation of the concept notes. Activity 3.4. Provide technical input and strategic guidance in the drafting of the Climate Change Adaptation Financing Strategy, ensuring coherence with national development plans and international climate finance frameworks. Activity 3.5. Provide Technical inputs for the preparation of two Green Climate Fund (GCF) concept notes by contributing to the articulation of adaptation rationale, investment logic, and alignment with GCF criteria, in collaboration with national institutions and technical experts. Activity 3.6. Contribute to the analysis of financial barriers and opportunities for adaptation investment and assist the PMU and climate finance professional services consultancy in identifying entry points for mainstreaming adaptation finance into national budgeting and planning processes. Activity 3.7 Develop Workshop reports, including report containing the screening exercise and findings of six NDC adaptation themes and the consultations and validation of concept notes. Activity 3.8: Review and propose technical inputs for the Six thematic adaptation strategies of the to integrate adaptation planning into planning instruments and budgets. Responsibility: The Adaptation Facilitator Senior Consultant is responsible for increasing adaptation finance by supporting the development of thematic mainstreaming strategies aligned with six NDC adaptation themes and contributing to the elaboration of a Climate Change Adaptation Financing Strategy and two Green Climate Fund (GCF) concept notes. This includes coordinating consultations with sectoral stakeholders to ensure proposed investments reflect sector-specific priorities, identifying and engaging public and private actors to foster partnerships and innovative financing mechanisms, and organizing validation workshops for thematic strategies and concept notes. The consultant provides strategic guidance to ensure coherence with national and international finance frameworks, contributes to the articulation of adaptation rationale and investment logic for GCF concept notes, and collaborate with the analysis of financial barriers and opportunities. Additionally, the role involves preparing workshop reports, reviewing technical inputs, and proposing recommendations to integrate adaptation planning into national instruments and budgets. Work LocationPanama City, Panama Expected duration6 MONTHS Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe 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 (LAC Office), located in Panama City, Panama works closely with the 33 countries of the region – including 16 small island developing States – with a population of about 588 million people. The office works to serve the needs of the region, and its activities are integrated into the work programs approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly of UNEP (UNEA). The office works towards the implementation of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the new Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and National Adaptation Plans (NAP) of the region. In terms of supporting countries in the region attain the global commitments signed within the framework of the Paris Agreement, the Latin America and the Caribbean UNEP 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 Nature based Solutions with an 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, youth and vulnerable people participation, climate justice, 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 at building 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 National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process will cover ten adaptation themes in total, which are in accordance with Panama’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (presented to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change - 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 an Adaptation Facilitator Consultant to bolster 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 collaborate directly on the Adaptation to Climate Change Programme Office. The Adaptation Facilitator Consultant operates under the overall supervision of the Regional Subprogramme Coordinator for the Climate Change Unit in UNEP LACO. The incumbent will work from Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week, full time and will be located in the Ministry of Environment, Project Management Unit in Panama City, Panama. 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 skillsACADEMIC • Bachelor's degree in natural sciences, biology, engineering, economics, law, development studies, international relations, social or political sciences or any other related field is required. • Master's degree in climate change, environmental economics, environmental law, environmental management, sustainable development, natural resources management, public policy, or a closely related field is required. PROFESSIONAL • Four (4) years of relevant working experience in environmental management, climate change adaptation, or biodiversity is required. • Proven experience in facilitating multi-sectoral coordination and mainstreaming climate adaptation into public policy and development planning is desirable. • Experience in planning, implementation or monitoring of national, sectorial plans, programs, and/or projects related to climate change and/or environment is desirable. • Experience in analysis, advocacy, research or development of international and national climate policy is desirable • Previous experience developing technical and knowledge products on environment or climate change adaptation is desirable. • Experience in aligning adaptation actions with national plans and supporting policy development and institutional coordination is desirable. • Previous experience in communicating climate risks and solutions in culturally appropriate ways and building relationships among diverse stakeholders is desirable. • Previous experience or knowledge with innovative finance mechanisms for climate adaptation is desirable. • Familiarity with adaptation goals, indicator, metrics of adaptation at local, national and global level is desirable. LANGUAGE: • Fluency in Spanish is required. • Confident level in English is desirable. SKILLS: • Strong knowledge of climate adaptation planning, climate finance mechanisms, and stakeholder engagement processes, is desirable • Proven experience in facilitating multi-sectoral coordination and mainstreaming climate adaptation into public policy and development planning, is desirable • Good knowledge and understanding of government settings/functions, is desirable • Ability to work cross-functionally with stakeholders within and outside the organization to support collaborative implementation is desirable. • Capacity to contribute to the development of operational plans, budgets, and strategic frameworks that support climate adaptation outcomes is desirable. • Ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data, generate analytical reports, and provide strategic input for decision-making and resource mobilization is desirable. 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. LanguagesNot available. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.