Background Information - Job-specific
WEC Background:
The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and with offices based globally is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. The Portfolio has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over USD 500 million (over the last 15 years) to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support. WEC effectively operationalizes partners' agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WECโs ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.
Initiative for Climate Action Transparency:
The Initiative for Climate Action Transparency was established in 2015 at the COP that adopted the Paris Agreement to support implementation of the Agreementโs Enhanced Transparency Framework. The Initiative works with over 50 developing countries ranging from large countries, like Nigeria, to small islands, such as Antigua & Barbuda.
ICAT provides countries with tailored support and practical tools and methodologies to build robust transparency frameworks needed for effective climate action in sync with national development priorities. The projects ICAT supports relate to: building or enhancing transparency frameworks for mitigation; building a monitoring and evaluation approach for adaptation; building or enhancing frameworks to track progress in implementing nationally determined contributions; assessing the impacts of climate policies; estimating or enhancing projections of greenhouse gases; integrating and/or aggregating climate actions at the subnational level and by non-State actors; building a tracking system for just transition processes; establishing or enhancing a climate data system; and putting in place a framework to track climate finance.
To support these areas, ICAT offers a suite of practical, open-source tools and methodologies to provide effective support to the transparency efforts of countries around the world.
ICAT is an unincorporated multi-stakeholder partnership steered by the Donor Steering Committee (DSC), conformed by its donors, Austria; Canada; Germany; Italy; the Childrenโs Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF); and ClimateWorks Foundation (CWF), and includes the UNFCCC Secretariat as the dedicated UN body with a climate change policy mandate, and UNOPS as an ex-officio member. The Initiative is managed by UNOPS on behalf of the DSC. Within UNOPS, the ICAT Secretariat manages ICAT day-to-day activities, coordinating and guiding the work of the implementing partners.
The latest Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, released in 2022, clearly finds that the impacts from climate change are escalating, underscoring the urgent need for heightened adaptation measures (IPCC 2022). Adaptation policies and planning are therefore vital and a significant number of developing countries are now engaged in some form of national adaptation planning, through National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and other adaptation planning mechanisms. These forms of adaptation planning play an important role in ensuring the coherent implementation of adaptation actions, aligned with the national adaptation goals articulated in each country's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
In this context, the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of national adaptation policies and actions is essential as it enables decision-makers to assess whether a policy is on track to achieving its intended goals and whether it is having any unintended consequences. A robust M&E framework allows decision-makers to better manage policies, by providing information that facilitates strategic adjustments to policies and their implementation, with the aim of enhancing their effectiveness and making them more cost-efficient.
ICATโs focus is to support the use of data for evidence-based policymaking. Within the ICAT toolbox, there are 10 guides to support policy assessment in various sectors (e.g. agriculture, energy, forestry.) and for a range of cross-cutting topics, including the integration of actions from non-state actors. Policies can be assessed for their effectiveness in terms of meeting GHG emission reduction objectives, their potential to lead to transformational change (or a paradigm shift) and their impacts on socio-economic parameters (or sustainable development impacts). Additionally, the toolbox also includes guides and tools on topics such as article 6, air pollution, adaptation and loss and damage. The toolbox supports countries to better plan their climate policies and measures, implement NDCs, and prepare reports under the Paris Agreement.
As part of an ICAT adaptation project, three guides and one tool on adaptation and loss and damage were developed. The objective of the project was to strengthen the capacity of countries to plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate effective and efficient adaptation actions in a transparent manner. The project also aimed to develop tools and guidance in a bottom-up way, based on country experiences. The project combined methodological work with country support and focused on a limited number of priority areas cutting across aspects of the NDCs of the five partner countries: Bangladesh, Dominican Republic, India, Kenya, and South Africa. Panama was added as a sixth country subsequently.
Based on the work in the adaptation project, the following tool and guides were launched in June 2023:
Tracking progress on the ground: Guidance and good practices for integrating subnational and non-state actors into M&E systems for national climate change adaptation policies;
Fostering successful adaptation projects: Guidance for using the ICAT Assessment Tool for Adaptation Project Proposals (the tool can be found here); and
Assessing climate change-driven losses and damages.
Countries have increasingly been approaching ICAT seeking support on M&E for adaptation, where to start and how to approach the work in order to build a strong national M&E framework. Building on the needs identified in the adaptation project above and the demand from countries for more support on adaptation, the ICAT Secretariat seeks the support of a consultant to scope out the approach that ICAT can undertake to more effectively support its partner countries and regions in planning transparency efforts on adaptation.
Objectives
The aim of the consultancy will be to scope out an approach that ICAT can recommend countries to use when planning their transparency efforts on adaptation. This will include identifying what methodological work is required and which tools could add value. The work should result in a systematic, stepwise approach that can be used by countries when they are planning their adaptation transparency efforts and seeking support in developing an M&E framework for adaptation actions. This would also include recommendations on how ICAT can support countries in this process.
All tasks spelled out below shall be conducted in close coordination with and based on instructions by the Secretariat. The deliverables are subject to a review process involving a range of experts and to final endorsement by the Secretariat.
Tasks and Activities
Task 1: Conduct a review of relevant literature and existing work on M&E for adaptation
The first task is to conduct a review of the relevant literature and existing work on the transparency and M&E of adaptation, including country experiences, the ICAT guides and tools mentioned above, relevant scoping reports, training offerings, academic literature, and other methodological work and guidance from organizations such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the Global Centre on Adaptation, and the NAP Global Network, as well as multilateral development banks. This must also take into account the requirements of the ETF, including voluntary reporting requirements, and other relevant UNFCCC requirements and IPCC guidance, as well as the work and activities of relevant bodies under the UNFCCC such as the Adaptation Committee. Relevant outcomes from COP28 (and other COPs), the Global Stocktake and discussions related to the Global Goal on Adaptation must also be considered.
The review should also consider tools and approaches at the city or subnational level, which could be scaled up for use at the national level. Different forms of approaches should also be explored, as several countries are moving away from a project-based approach to a pathways-driven approach.
The focus of the review is on what is needed for effective policy frameworks and financing of priority adaptation actions. This task may involve interviews or discussions with relevant experts and other stakeholders to identify and map the relevant methodologies, tools and approaches involved in planning and implementing national adaptation M&E activities.
Task 2: Produce a report that provides an overview of the findings from the review in Task 1 and recommendations
The second task is to prepare a report, which should include both an overview of the findings from the review and discussions in Task 1, reflecting on benefits, gaps and limitations, from the existing work related to the transparency and M&E of adaptation, as well as recommendations.
The report should be concise, focused and clear, and include recommendations:
Task 3: Develop an approach to adaptation, which countries can use to plan their transparency efforts on adaptation, and develop terms of reference for the recommendations identified
Based on the work completed in Task 1 and Task 2, the third task is to develop a systematic, stepwise approach to planning and developing an M&E framework of adaptation, which ICAT can recommend to countries (see here an example of an approach used in the context of MRV frameworks). This task should be completed in parallel with Task 2.
The approach should include the main elements that need to be addressed and be practical, easy to follow, with built-in flexibility to meet the needs of countries regardless of how much progress they have made on the M&E of adaptation. It should also support countries to understand how to use the resources they already have and build upon the work that has already been done, including their adaptation reports to the UNFCCC, to develop an M&E framework for transparency that is meaningful for their specific country's context.
The consultant is also required to develop draft terms of reference for additional guides and/or tools that may be recommended as part of this work.
The consultant will provide a draft approach and any resulting terms of reference to the ICAT Secretariat and other stakeholders for review, and implement recommended changes as appropriate. Reviewers will be provided by the ICAT secretariat and should also be suggested by the consultant. The consultant will be required to do a virtual presentation of the draft approach at a meeting with relevant experts. Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education:
An advanced university degree (Masterโs degree or equivalent) in environmental management/sciences, economics, finance, international relations, development studies, and/or other relevant fields for climate change and transparency; OR First-level University degree (Bachelorโs degree or equivalent) combined with two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a Masterโs degree. A PhD in a relevant area is an advantage.
Required experience:
At least seven years of working experience in the area of climate change and environmental management, including at least 5 years with a focus on international climate change cooperation, climate adaptation, and MRV/transparency;
Evidence of in-depth understanding of adaptation policies or actions in developing countries;
Experience in working and collaborating with different stakeholders;
Experience from working with developing countries;
Experience with report writing.
Desired experience:
Experience with support to project coordination and or project management;
Experience with coordinating multiple stakeholders;
Experience working within the UN system.
Language:
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). 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. 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. 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. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: ICA
Contract level: IICA-3/ICSC-12
Contract duration: 50 working days starting as soon as possible, until 31 December 2024, with the majority of work to be completed by 31 August 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 Considerations
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.