Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) - Part-time 50% (Home-based)

Background Information - Job-specific

UN Environment 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. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UN Environment Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

Background of assignment:

Kigoma region has a population of ~2.3 million people that is rapidly growing at a rate of 4.8%. It’s one of the poorest regions in the country with more than 32% living below the poverty line. Kigoma is currently hosting over 200,000 cross-border displaced people from neighbouring countries affected by conflict and instability, mainly Burundi and DRC, the majority of whom are living in the refugee camps of Nduta and Nyarugusu.

Between 2011 and 2018, Kigoma lost ~5.3% of its tree cover (~108,000 ha of forest), a proportion of which is attributable to climate impacts such as increased rainfall intensity and flooding, rising temperatures, increased fire incidence and hazards such as erosion and land degradation. Development drivers of degradation include demand for fuelwood, increased by refugee presence, and agricultural expansion that is partly attributable to reduced yields from climate factors. Already visible impacts are reduced yields of staple and cash crops over the past two decades (for example maize has reduced by 53%) and an increase in both flood magnitude and frequency. Climate change particularly affects resource-poor households such as smallholder local farmers and refugee families.

Climate projections indicate the likelihood of severe and prolonged drought and heat stress as well as increased intensity and frequency of flooding. These effects will impact the region’s rainfall-dependent and flood-exposed livelihoods, adding more pressure on the landscape, reducing the ecosystem’s resilience and its ability to provide essential ecosystem services for livelihoods and flood attenuation. The climate analysis and project design have been developed to address these complex and mutually reinforcing feedback loops and achieve transformative change at a landscape level.

While other activities in the region are addressing discrete elements of these problems, there is limited landscape-level coordination, limited consideration for the long-term impacts of climate change, or insufficient scale to trigger a paradigm shift.

The project “Building climate resilience in the landscapes of Kigoma region” responds to the current and projected climate change impacts such as increased rainfall intensity and flooding, rising temperatures and increased fire incidence affecting an already vulnerable and degraded landscape, whilst considering the complex needs of host communities and refugees in an environment where climate, humanitarian, and development approaches to problems and solutions intersect.

Instead, the project will promote a paradigm shift towards landscape-level solutions designed to primarily address the urgent climate adaptation needs of the host community, as well as the refugee population, with integrated interventions across sectors that are mutually reinforcing and informed by projected climate impacts.

The project objective is to increase the resilience of the agro-ecological landscape of Kigoma to strengthen climate resilience of host communities, refugees and transient agro-pastoralists as the region faces increased climate variability and extreme climate events. Concretely, change will be achieved by integrating ecosystem-based adaptation into land use planning and development and humanitarian policies, restoring degraded ecosystems and promoting climate-resilient livelihoods. Climate resilience will, therefore, be enhanced and community vulnerability reduced because of enabling policy and planning processes, healthy ecosystems, and improvements to food security.

The project proposes four interconnected outputs that will conserve and restore 42,000 hectares of land and deliver direct adaptation benefits to 570,340 people (of which 64% are host community from villages within a radius of 15 km from Nduta, Nyarugusu and the closed Mtendeli camp and 36% are refugee population from Nduta , Nyarugusu camps.

• Output 1, will involve the development of participatory and climate-resilient land-use plans (C-LUPs) in host community villages neighbouring the refugee camps. The plans will integrate ecosystem-based adaptation interventions supported by outputs 2 and 3.

• Under Output 2, Community Based Forest conservation interventions (30,000 ha) will be reinforced by agroforestry (10,000) and afforestation (in 2,000 ha), providing sustainable alternative sources for energy needs, thereby reducing pressure on the natural forests and allowing them to regenerate. Investments in forestry systems and flood and erosion control measures will contribute to restoring the ecosystem's flood attenuation capacity and reducing flood risk exposure.

• Output 3, will support climate-resilient agriculture in order to sustain or improve yields under various climate conditions, secure income and reduce pressure on the forest ecosystem. The alternative livelihood interventions in beekeeping and mushroom production will operate symbiotically with the forest interventions under Output 2.

• Under Output 4, the results of the planning processes and physical interventions implemented under Outputs 1–3 will be used to demonstrate the economic, environmental and social value of this model, support revisions to key policies and planning processes, and promote up-scaling of the EbA model to similar landscapes.

The project contributes to the three GCF Adaptation Result Areas:

• Most vulnerable people and communities 10%.

• Health and well-being, and food and water security 30%.

• Ecosystems and ecosystem services 60%.

While delivering important co-benefits in mitigation and gender equality:

• Most vulnerable people and communities 10%.

The mitigation potential of the project has been estimated at a sequestration of 762,073 million tCO2e and emission reductions of 3.2 million tCO2e over 20 years —.

• Gender inequality in climate change adaptation planning and action is expected to be reduced through meaningful representation and participation of women in Climate-resilient Land Use Planning (C-LUP) to support ecosystem-based adaptation.

Furthermore, the project is expected to provide a global model on the application of ecosystem-based adaptation in landscapes hosting displaced populations, making it replicable to other refugee and IDP settings in the world. This is particularly critical considering that, according to the IPCC AR-WG2 report, refugee and IDP settlements are disproportionately concentrated in regions that are exposed to higher-than-average warming levels and climate hazards.

The Funding Proposal was approved by the Green Climate Fund Board on 24 October 2023. UN Environment Programme (UNEP) acts as the GCF-accredited entity for this project, the Government of Tanzania, acting through its Vice President’s Office (VPO), is the lead executing entity, and the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) is the co-executing entity. The project will also be implemented in collaboration with key Tanzanian government agencies including District Councils, the President’s Office of Regional Administration and Local Government, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Environmental Management Council and the Tanzania Forest Service, as well as NGOs working in the region, promoting an approach that is participatory, gender-responsive, conflict-sensitive and socially inclusive. The project has a 5 year implementation period with a total budget of $23.6 million, among which $19 million is a GCF grant and $4.6 million is in-kind co-financing.

The full Funding Proposal “Building climate resilience in the landscapes of Kigoma region, Tanzania” ( FP218) is available on the Green Climate Fund website.

Working arrangements:

The Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), will be embedded in the Project Management Unit (PMU), established by the Vice President Office of Tanzania (VPO), providing technical support and advisory to the lead executing entity (VPO), the second executing entity (UNHCR), the Project Manager and all PMU members, as well as implementing partners, key project stakeholders and UNEP Task Manager (TM).

The work will imply frequent interaction and establishing and maintaining relationships with counterparts, senior officers and technical staff from national, regional and district level government entities, international organizations, civil society organizations and consultants.

The CTA will be expected to conduct regular long missions to the Kigoma region in Tanzania (a minimum of four per year) to work with the PMU based in Kigoma and visit the project sites. Each mission should result in a mission report listing implementation progress for the project as well as highlighting challenges, and making recommendations for the next implementation period. The rest of the work will be carried out home-based, preferably from Tanzania or in the East Africa Region, through internet communications.

The CTA reports administratively to the UNEP Climate Change Adaptation Unit Task Manager and reports technically and on substantive matters as per the workplan to the Project Manager of the Project Management Unit (PMU) established by the Vice-President Office of the Republic of Tanzania (VPO).

Ultimate result of services:

The Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) will provide technical guidance and support to the implementation of the project, working in close collaboration with the Project Management Unit (PMU), co-executing entities, implementing partners and UNEP Task Manager (TM). The CTA will provide technical backstopping of the climate-resilient village land-use planning process with the District Councils and ensure that project activities result in building the climate-resilience of host communities and refugees in Kigoma region.

Oversee the implementation of Activity 1.1 climate-resilient village land use planning. Provide technical support to the Project Manager and implementing partners to ensure the completion of Village Land Use Plans in 20-25 villages, adhering to the National Land Use Planning Commission Guidelines of Tanzania and the relevant provisions of the Funded Activity Agreement (FAA) and Master Accreditation Agreement with the Green Climate Fund.

Offer technical guidance on Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) and support stakeholders involved in the land use planning process. Ensure that the participatory planning process contributes to enhancing the climate resilience of host communities and refugees in Kigoma, adopting a landscape approach.

Build capacity and support stakeholders engaged in land use planning to identify and implement participatory processes, conflict mitigation measures, environmental and social risk mitigation measures, and gender-enabling measures, aligning with the project's Stakeholder Engagement Plan, Environmental and Social Management System, Conflict Sensitivity Analysis, and Gender Action Plan.

Conduct direct beneficiary mapping in host communities and refugee camps within the project area, following the Initial Criteria of the FAA and the Eligibility Criteria for the Final Beneficiary selection outlined in the Funding Proposal. Update the project Stakeholder Consultation Plan.

Provide strategic guidance and technical support to the Vice President's Office (VPO) of Tanzania for the delivery of specified project output 4 activities directly implemented by VPO through implementing partners and/or with consultant support: - Activity 4.1. Generate evidence of the economic benefits of ecosystem-based adaptation to host and refugee populations, for use by policymakers and planners.

- Activity 4.2. Develop communication products to disseminate project results.

- Activity 4.3 Draft revisions to key plans and policies and support their integration into national and district government planning processes to promote up-scaling of the EbA model.

Sustainability plan, including: (i) the human resources and financial arrangements with governmental bodies at national and sub-national levels, to ensure the effective implementation of the project activities during and after Project completion; and (ii) the benefit-sharing arrangements in host communities and refugee camps that evidence how the benefits derived from the Project are accrued and shared among the host community beneficiaries and among refugees within the camps in the project area.

2. Overall technical support for the project:

Provide technical advisory on best approaches and methodologies for timely achievement of the targets and objectives of the approved Project, ensuring the Project is implemented in compliance with the Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA), its annexes and applicable national, UNEP and GCF policies and regulations.

Provide technical oversight of the work of the Project Management Unit to ensure high technical quality of delivery.

Provide strategic guidance to the implementation of the project in relation to government policies, guidelines, institutions, with a view to facilitating the uptake of project results.

Provide monitoring and operational support to the project.

Conduct technical supervision missions to project sites and follow-up on the implementation of recommendations to improve project delivery.

Develop terms of references for consultancies and procurement activities and participates in the identification and selection of consultants and service providers.

Coordinate and supervise the work of specialist technical consultants (including the water, forestry, livelihoods, agriculture and policy consultants) who will contribute to specific deliverables within each Output.

Oversee consultants’ compliance with the terms of reference, review deliverables and provide substantial technical and quality feedback.

Undertake technical review of project materials and outputs such as inception reports, studies, assessments, training materials, and knowledge products.

Provide technical assistance to the Project Management Unit in the development of annual and quarterly workplans with detailed budgets and procurement plans based on the Funding Proposal Package to be approved by the Project Steering Committee (PSC).

Providing biannual reports to the PSC on project progress, performance towards objectives and recommendations. Participate in PSC meetings in an observer and advisory capacity.

Support stakeholder engagement and coordination at the country level, as well as the establishment of linkages and/or partnerships with international knowledge exchange platforms relevant to ecosystem-based adaptation and adaptation in displacement contexts, with a view to facilitate synergy and share project experiences and lessons learned.

Provide technical advice and support to the Safeguards and Gender Officer in undertaking and/or putting in place adequate measures to ensure that the management of the environmental and social risks and impacts arising from is compliant at all times with the recommendations, requirements, and procedures set forth in the Project Environmental and Social Management System (consistent with the GCF Revised Environmental and Social Policy and UNEP Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability Framework) and that the recommendations and requirements of the Gender Action Plan are implemented.

Provide technical advice and support to the Safeguards and Gender Officer for the effective implementation of the Grievance Redress Mechanism.

Support the M&E Officer in the implementation of the project M&E system to monitor project progress against indicators and targets, propose corrective actions, risk mitigation options, and practice adaptive management in the event of delays and implementation challenges in coordination with the Project Management Unit, UNEP Task Manager and Project Steering Committee.

Support the development of management responses to comments from the Fund, findings of the monitoring missions or independent evaluations.

Support the Project Management Unit in ensuring high-quality preparation of all required technical and financial reports and project documents including: Annual Performance Reports, Half-yearly Progress Reports, Quarterly Expenditure Reports, Budget Revisions, Co-financing Reports, biannual reports to the PSC on project progress, lessons learned, etc.

Undertake any other tasks as may be assigned by, and mutually agreed with the line manager.

3. Compliance requirements:

Refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on the United Nations and shall not engage in any activity which is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations or the mandate of UNEP.

Ensure compliance with the Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Framework of the
United Nations Secretariat, as well as the Green Climate Fund Policy on Prohibited Practices.

Ensure compliance with the UN and GCF policies on sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment at all times.

Implement project activities in compliance with the Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and its annexes.

Implement project activities in compliance with the relevant safeguard requirements set out in the UNEP Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability Framework (hereinafter referred to “ESES Framework”), and in the Green Climate Fund’s Environmental and Social Safeguards.

4. Monitoring and Progress Control:

The above tasks represent the deliverables of the assignment. Other deliverables associated with the above tasks include:

Annual workplans and budget revisions including variance analysis are developed and submitted to UNEP.

Mission reports including implementation progress as well as challenges and recommendations are shared with the project national coordinator and UNEP task manager within two weeks of the end of the mission.

High quality Annual Progress Report (APR) and semi-annual Progress reports elaborated and submitted to UNEP based on the executing entities and implementing partners inputs.

ToRs for consultants, sub-contracts, workshop agendas and presentations are developed or reviewed as required.

Written reviews of technical reports and key inputs shared by consultants and contractors, ensuring quality deliverables are produced in line with the approved TORs and are compliant with GCF and UNEP policies.

Key project management documents such as progress reports, expenditure reports, procurement plans, inventory of non-expendable expenditure, audit reports produced by the project executing entities are revised before submission to UNEP.

Key project substantial products, technical material, M&E tools and knowledge publications revised and integrate gender as required before being submitted for approval and presented to the PSC.

Lessons learned factsheets developed.

Any other deliverables as may be requested by the Project Team, the Project Steering Committee, and the UNEP Task Manager.

An advanced University education (MSc or PhD) in the area of Environmental Management/Studies, Natural Resource Management, Climate Change Adaptation, Geography, Landscape Planning or related fields is required.

A PhD in the area of Environmental Management/Studies, Natural Resource Management, Climate Change Adaptation, Geography, Landscape Planning or relevant field will be an added advantage.
Experience:

At least 7 years of professional experience in senior technical lead positions in planning and management of climate change adaptation, environmental and/or natural resources management projects/programmes, including institutional strengthening and capacity building, of which at least four are at an international or regional level, and four are in climate change adaptation is required.

At least five (5) years of solid experience in project management including all tasks needed to keep projects on time and budget is required.

Demonstrated experience in coordinating and implementing land use planning activities, preferably in the context of climate-resilient initiatives is required.

Experience in climate change adaptation policy and planning in developing countries is required.

Proven experience providing technical support to project managers and implementing partners, ensuring compliance with guidelines and agreements is required.

Track record of working with governmental bodies and international funding institutions, preferably with Green Climate Fund (GCF) projects, Global Environment Facility, Adaptation Fund or similar donor-funded projects is required.

Experience with gender mainstreaming and social and environmental safeguards in international projects is desirable.

Candidates based in Tanzania or in the Eastern Africa region will be prioritized. Language:

As per UNOPS Policy, in duty stations where the NPO (National Professional Officer) category has been established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), a home-based contract must be issued as a Local ICA Specialist position.

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

Additional Information

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.

This position is Home-based, preferably in Tanzania or East Africa region, with regular missions to the Kigoma region in Tanzania (Kigoma and districts of Kibondo, Kasulu and Kakonko)

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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.