Consultant in Climate Adaptation Mainstreaming at Territorial Level

Result of ServiceThe Consultant’s ultimate result of services is to contribute to the efficient implementation of the project “Agreements, processes, and tools to move towards a climate-resilient society in El Salvador”. Work LocationSan Salvador, El Salvador Expected duration4 MONTHS Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. 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 UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). In terms of addressing climate change, UNEP aims to support countries in compliance of the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the countries Nationally Determined Contributions. The overall objective of UNEP´s Sub-programme on Climate Change is to strengthen the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. The expected accomplishment regarding climate change adaptation is that adaptation approaches, including 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 crosscutting issues such as gender equity and women empowerment is effectively undertaken in the development of its tasks to guarantee an equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives. In this context, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) and UNEP have agreed on the implementation of the project “Agreements, processes, and tools to move towards a climate-resilient society in El Salvador – National Adaptation Plan project” (NAP project) framed within the Readiness program of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The project aims to strengthen institutional engagement and capacities to plan, finance, implement, monitor, and report strategic adaptation processes, considering stakeholders at multiple levels. The project seeks to achieve its objective through 4 components: • Adaptation planning governance and institutional coordination strengthened. • Evidence basis produced to design adaptation solutions for maximum impact. • Private sector engagement in adaptation catalyzed. • Adaptation finance increased. To fulfill the objectives of the project, UNEP LACO is recruiting a Consultant in climate adaptation mainstreaming at territorial level to provide technical assist to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and UNEP in the implementation of the Green Climate Fund funded project as set in the funding proposal document. The Consultant in climate adaptation mainstreaming at territorial level will operate under the overall supervision of the Deputy Regional Director UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office and in coordination with MARN. The incumbent will work from Monday to Friday, 28 hours per week, and to be located in the MARN, in San Salvador, El Salvador. Additionally, he/she will work in close collaboration with the UNEP’s Adaptation team, the MARN in El Salvador, other national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts. Travel might be needed for consultation processes. Specific tasks and responsibilities The Consultant in climate adaptation mainstreaming at territorial level 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 3.1.3. Country ownership and technical capacities strengthened to lead the NAP process. • Output 3.1.4. Monitoring and reporting systems are established for the adaptation of national priorities. • Output 3.1.5. Learnings from the NAP process adequately collected, stored and shared. Activity 1.1: Provide evidence-based information in the strategic and operative overview and coordination of meetings, workshops, training, events, trips, webinars, consultations and communications efforts at the subnational level. Activity 1.2: Develop the implementation of the system for monitoring and reporting of the NAP activities at the subnational level. This system must include quantitative and/or qualitative indicators aligned with NAP objectives (e.g. number of adaptation measures implemented, stakeholder participation, financial mobilization) and reporting tools for tracking progress. Activity 1.3: Conduct the identification of lessons learned at the subnational level. Activity 1.4: Provide guidance on the communication mechanisms and channels for dissemination of information to reach local stakeholders. Responsibility: The consultant, working closely with the Deputy Regional Director UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office and the National Project Coordinator, will conduct the identification and engagement of local stakeholders in each of the four zones of the country, with an emphasis on vulnerable groups, private sector and members of NAP Coordination Platform. The consultant will analyze the information for the evaluation of progress and outcomes for identified lessons learned and undertake follow-up actions as needed to guarantee outputs accomplishment. Outcome 3.2 Evidence basis produced to design adaptation solutions for maximum impact: • Output 3.2.1. Understanding of risks and impacts related to climate change increased, both at the sectoral and subnational levels. • Output 3.2.2. Set of nationally agreed adaptation strategies to reach adaptation objectives. • Output 3.2.3. National Adaptation Plan and prioritized thematic adaptation plans produced. • Output 3.2.4 Mainstreaming adaptation at sectoral and subnational levels. Activity 2.1: Conduct the collection and analysis of information from subnational level, to be used for adaptation of local planning. Activity 2.2: Develop guidelines to encourage alignment of subnational-level priorities for climate change adaptation. Activity 2.3: Provide guidance to the preparation of inputs for the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), thematic adaptation plans and monitoring instruments. Activity 2.4: Conduct the incorporation of information on local adaptation planning activities into the development of the National Adaptation Plan and thematic adaptation plans. Activity 2.5: Advise new and innovative stakeholders to enhance technical, institutional, and managerial capacity for adaptation planning at the subnational levels. Activity 2.6: Design and monitor focus group discussions with relevant key stakeholders from subnational government, private sector, academia, civil society of the four zones of the country, to validate the adaptation measures to include in NAP and thematic adaptation plans. Activity 2.7: Implement with Consultants/Firms how to transfer know-how to governmental officials, technicians and other local stakeholders, through practical training sessions, capacity building workshops, tailored guidance materials with lessons learned and best practices. Responsibility: The consultant, in collaboration with the Deputy Regional Director UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office and the National Project Coordinator, will be responsible for strengthening the evidence base that informs El Salvador’s National Adaptation Plan by ensuring that territorial realities, stakeholder perspectives, and technical knowledge are systematically integrated into national frameworks. This role involves technical guidance to ensure coherence between local and national priorities, facilitating stakeholder engagement process and consultations, developing and embedding institutional capacity-building to ensure that adaptation strategies are evidence-driven and participatory and advising on methodological approaches for evidence-based decision making in adaptation planning. Outcome 3.3 Private sector engagement in adaptation catalyzed: • Output 3.3.1 Tools created and capacities strengthened to foster climate-resilient decisions into private sector business models. • Output 3.3.2 An enabling environment for the participation of the private sector in the implementation, monitoring and financing of adaptation strategies is fostered. Activity 3.1: Provide guidance to the PMU in identifying opportunities for private sector stakeholders in each of the four zones of the country. Activity 3.2: Manage framework indicators and monitor risks for private sector. Responsibility: The consultant, in collaboration with the Deputy Regional Director UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office and the National Project Coordinator, will collaborate on the coordination and development of participatory events with the private sector and its results. The consultant is therefore expected to collaborate in the identification of lessons learned with private sector. Outcome 3.4 Adaptation finance increased: • Output 3.4.1 Sources, mechanisms and operational steps are identified to mobilize financial resources for national adaptation priorities. Activity 4.1: Collaborate with the PMU in preparing the financial strategy of NAP and thematic plans. Activity 4.2: Identify opportunities for scaling up partnerships and stakeholder participation, in order to mainstream climate change adaptation considerations in investment planning processes. Responsibility: The consultant, in collaboration with the Regional Deputy Regional Director UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office and the National Project Coordinator, will conduct the organization, synthesis, and analysis of data obtained from studies and activities across the components, with emphasis at the subnational level, for calculating the estimated costs of implementation for the NAP and thematic plans. Qualifications/special skillsACADEMIC ● Bachelor's degree in environmental management, environmental sciences, social sciences, political sciences, engineering, development, law, international relations or a closely related field is required. ● Master’s degree in climate change, geography, natural resources management, development studies, environmental economics, social sciences or a related field is desirable PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ● Two (2) years of relevant working experience in development and/or natural resource management, and/or climate change adaptation or closely related field is required. ● Knowledge experience in the design or implementation of national policies and planning frameworks related to climate change and/or natural resource management is desirable. ● Experience in engaging with key stakeholders including government agencies, private sector and/or civil society in policy analysis, interinstitutional dialogue or policy development is desirable. ● Demonstrated experience working with national institutions, subnational and local governments in climate change and/or natural resource management and planning in the coordination of activities at the subnational level is desired. ● Demonstrated experience in the development and execution of inter-institutional capacity building strategies is desirable. ● Demonstrated knowledge of territorial and urban development is desirable. ● Demonstrated experience in the elaboration of reports and official documents from technical and high-level meetings is an asset. SPECIAL SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ● Demonstrate ability to build partnerships, facilitate dialogues, and work in multicultural settings. ● Familiarity with key concepts, frameworks, and international agreements related to climate change adaptation. ● Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products. ● Ability to communicate complex and technical ideas to a lay audience. ● Ability to build strong working relationships with people from different functions in a multicultural environment. ● Demonstrated experience in systematizing and developing final reports of the results of adaptation projects and adaptation components in other projects at the national and subnational level is an asset. ● Ability to communicate with a wide range of actors including decision makers. ● Experience with international organizations 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. Languages● Fluency in Spanish (Required) ● Confident level in English (Desirable) 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.