NDC Partnership In-Country Facilitator (Kyrgyz Republic) - Partnership Specialist Retainer

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 500 million USD 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 WEC’s 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.

The NDC Partnership:

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition of countries and institutions collaborating to drive transformational climate action through sustainable development. In 2015, the world endorsed the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Nations signal their commitments to the Paris Agreement through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) - each country’s strategy to cut its own greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience against the negative effects of a changing climate. The Partnership advances the goals of the Paris Agreement by bringing together nearly 200 countries and institutions in new ways to accelerate NDC implementation and enhance ambition over time. The Partnership’s work through 120 partners supporting almost 80 countries produces many examples of impact, lessons learned and ideas for the future. The Partnership is governed by a Steering Committee, co-chaired by two country representatives. The Partnership’s work is facilitated by a Support Unit based at World Resources Institute in Washington DC and the UNFCCC Secretariat in Bonn, Germany. UNOPS supports the NDC Partnership and its Support Unit through the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC).

Country Context

Recognizing the importance of having an organization with deep local knowledge to serve as the NDC Partnership’s national-level interface and facilitate coordination of the NDC implementation in the country, the Kyrgyz Republic joined the NDC Partnership in February 2017 and received technical support from the Governments of Germany, the EU, Sweden, Spain, and Italy in partnership with the UNDP to update its NDC.

On 24 September 2021, the Kyrgyz Republic approved and submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC Secretariat. According to the updated NDC, the Kyrgyz Republic committed to conditional emissions reduction targets of 36.61% by 2025 and 43.62% by 2030 compared to business as usual. The country also set unconditional emissions reduction targets of 16.63% by 2025 and 15.97% by 2030 compared to business as usual. The revised NDC lists adaptation measures by sector, with qualitative targets to be achieved by 2025. It is expected that the adaptation part of the NDC will be revised in 2025, for the 2026-2030 period.

The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) has been under development since October 2021, supported by the UNDP-led GCF Readiness Project. The priority sector-focused adaptation plans include disaster and emergency management, health, biodiversity conservation, agriculture, and irrigation water.

On July 21, 2022, under the leadership of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision (MNRETS), the “Technology Needs Assessment” (TNA Project) was launched. This project is funded by the GCF and implemented jointly with the Climate Technology Centre-Network (CTC-N) and and UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre. The goal of this project is to conduct a technology needs assessment and develop a technology roadmap of priority technologies to address climate change in critical sectors of the economy.

On October 19, 2022, the development of the Concept of Kyrgyz Republic's Long-Term Carbon Neutrality Strategy 2050 (LT-LEDS) was launched. This strategy charts the path for steering the government’s investment in green growth and sustainability.

As part of Kyrgyz Republic’s effort to implement their NDC, National Adaptation Plan (NAP), TNA, and Long Term-Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) the government has requested for an NDC Partnership In-country Facilitator (hereinafter referred to as “Facilitator”) Climate Change Policy Department (CCPD), MNRETS:

Supporting day-to-day operations related to technical assistance for/based on NDC, NAP, TNA and LT-LEDS extending any other support needed by CCPD under MNRETS to coordinate with development partners. identifying further needs for Technical Assistance for priority based on NDC, NAP, TNA, and LT-LEDS

Overseeing the coordination, tracking, and monitoring of the support provided by development partners on the above points;

Supporting the coordination of the development and preparation of projects and concepts for potential funding by donors;

Identifying new opportunities for technical assistance and other types of support that will enhance the government’s enabling frameworks and capacities for coordinating the implementation of the country’s NDCs;

Extending any other advisory support needed by CCPD under MNRETS to coordinate development partners on NDC related matters.

The Facilitator will report to Partnerships Development Senior Manager. The Facilitator serves as the NDC Partnership’s interface in the country and operates as a liaison between the country and other NDC Partnership members. The Facilitator plays a key role in ensuring the smooth implementation of the Country Engagement Process by supporting ongoing coordination efforts between the Support Unit, the various partners in the NDC Partnership, and the CCPD under MNRETS.

This support involves working with the CCPD and, coordinating and monitoring support received for the implementation of the NDC, NAP, TNA, and LT-LEDS, and serving as an anchor to assist the NDC Partnership in communicating and coordinating services at the country level. The Facilitator will also liaise with the NDC Partnership Support Unit for vertical information-sharing, including contributing to and accessing knowledge products. The following responsibilities are part of the in-country Facilitator role in the Kyrgyz Republic:

Facilitation of updated NDC

Support the Kyrgyz Republic and the NDC Partnership Support Unit in initiating NDC Partnership in-country engagement;

Strengthen the coordination, tracking, and monitoring mechanism(s) for the support provided by development partners on the NDC Implementation Plan, and Kyrgyz Republic’s monitoring/reporting tool for climate finance;

Advise the government on potential and appropriate implementing and development partner/s for each action/priority and identify the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder;

Mobilization of resources for implementation

Support the country in exploring, following up on, and in mobilizing partner support for its needs and priorities (and update those along the way as needed following the government’s guidance) along with a preferred process for coordination of country engagement under the NDC Partnership, as proposed and agreed upon by the Cabinet of Ministries of the Kyrgyz Republic;

Engage with partners in the country to link needs to services and resources in accordance with the NDC, NAP, TNA and LT-LEDS, including by providing the government’s inputs on alignment of partners’ country strategies with priorities and gaps identified in the above policy documents;

Identifying further needs for Technical Assistance for priority based on NDC, NAP, TNA and LT-LEDS;

Support project development and preparation for potential funding by donors;

Assist the government in preparing concept notes to access financing for unfunded priorities in the updated NDC, NAP, TNA and LT-LEDS.

Coordination and communication with key stakeholders

Ensure that communications relevant to NDC Partnership engagement are shared with relevant national and international level stakeholders, including building and maintaining long-term collaborative partnerships.

Facilitate periodic coordination and information exchange among partners in the Kyrgyz Republic, with the aim of leveraging and mobilizing their respective advantages in support of the implementation of NDC, NAP, TNA and LT-LEDS;

Assess progress outcomes of the NDC Partnership in-country engagement and make recommendations for adjustments;

Collaborate with the Support Unit to document changes in the operating context and provide support to CCPD under MNRETS and stakeholders in decision-making processes;

Oversee the coordination of NDC Partnership scoping missions to Kyrgyz Republic and take the lead on the implementation of its recommendations;

Coordinate and participate in the NDC Partnership’s conferences, training programs, and other activities at the global, regional, and national levels.

Organize NDC-related meetings as needed

Facilitate national country specific multi-stakeholder NDC dialogues, which may serve one or more of the following objectives:

Intersectoral multi-stakeholder dialogues to promote a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches in implementing NDC, NAP, TNA, and LT-LEDS and their integration in development policies;

Support the government in conducting meetings among development partners and other key stakeholders, in order to maximize synergies, avoid duplication, and mobilize support for identified needs and gaps for successful NDC implementation;

Multi-stakeholder dialogues with the private sector and/or civil society organizations;

Multi-stakeholder dialogues within specific sectors or on a certain topic (i.e., Measurement, Reporting and Verification [MRV], gender equality, etc.);

Any other support needed by CCPD to coordinate development partners.

Identifying lessons learned and results:

Lead the tracking of in-country engagement and provide periodic progress updates to the NDC Partnership;

Liaise with the Support Unit to access and/or feed into global knowledge products;

Assist the Support Unit in identifying and disseminating information on best practices and lessons learned from in-country engagement.

Capacity building:

Conduct ongoing capacity development (i.e., technical assistance and formal/informal on-the-job training) of the government in preparation for fully taking on the facilitation role in the future.

The Facilitator will support in the Climate Change Policy Department, MNRETS. As the leading entity of the national climate agenda, MNRETS coordinates activities related to the fulfillment of climate commitments, including the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). He/she will also work in close collaboration with the NDC Partnership Support Unit and will report to the Partnership Development Senior Manager at the NDC Partnership. He/she will need to bring his/her own laptop to the ministry's duty station.

This is a one-year retainer position based in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, for 220 working days, with the possibility of an extension.
*** As this is a Local Position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent should be a national of Kyrgyz Republic or have a valid residence permit in the Country.

Competencies
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. 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. Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education

An advanced degree (Masters or higher) in business, finance, law, public policy, public finance, sustainable development, environment management, or a similar relevant field.

Bachelor's degree in a related discipline in combination with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

Required

At least 5 years of experience in public policy, climate/environment and sustainable development in Kyrgyz Republic;

Demonstrable experience working in climate change tasks in Kyrgyz Republic, including, but not limited to, mitigation and adaptation action, government policy and legal frameworks, MRV, M&E systems, and results-based management;

Demonstrated skills in managing and aligning diverse groups of stakeholders, including development agencies, non-state actors / civil society, financial institutions, the private sector, and others

Demonstrated experience in fostering networks with senior leaders and high-level audiences;

Asset

Experience with public service organizations in the Kyrgyz Republic is desirable;

Experience in facilitating the implementation of NDCs and similar public policy frameworks is an asset;

Familiarity with UNFCCC processes, including Subsidiary Body and Conference of Parties (CoP), NDC and past experience in the government’s climate change process;
Language

Proficiency in English is required.

Advanced proficiency in Kyrgyz, and / or Russian is required. *** As this is a Local Position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent should be a national of Kyrgyz Republic or have a valid residence permit in the Country.

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.

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. 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.