ICAT Director

Many countries lack the tools and well-designed institutional arrangements to comprehensively assess the impacts of national climate policies and actions. There is no common methodological framework to measure, report and verify progress.

In response to the call to support improved transparency and capacity building under the Paris Agreement, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (BMU) in 2015 founded the Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT). In early 2016 ICAT was joined by the Italian Ministry of the Environment (IMELS) and ClimateWorks Foundation.

ICAT provides policymakers around the world with tools and support to measure and assess the impacts of their climate actions. Working initially with 20 developing countries, ICAT aims to help governments build capacity to measure the effects of their policies and report progress publicly. This will foster greater transparency, effectiveness, trust and ambition in climate policies worldwide. The initiative will improve the availability and quality of data and enable countries to promote efficient, cost-effective policies. ICAT will also provide a platform for countries to share lessons learned and build mutual confidence in their climate actions.

The Director serves as chief executive of Initiative and, in partnership with the DOC, is responsible for the success of Initiative.

The Director will lead Initiative under its new Strategic Plan. This includes implementing the strategy, structure and all operating plans/budgets approved by the DOC and working with high level global, regional and country stakeholders to fulfil the vision and mission of Initiative. S/he is the public face of Initiative and its mechanisms on a day to day basis. The Director reports on substantive matters to the DOC and to the DOC Chair, and on administrative matters to the UNOPS line manager.

Mission, policy and planning

• Helps the Board determine the Initiative’s values, mission, vision, and short- and long-term goals.
• Helps the Board monitor and evaluate Initiative’s relevance to the wider community, its effectiveness, and its results.
• Keeps the Board fully informed on the state of Initiative and on all the important factors influencing it.

Strategic  Leadership

• Provides strategic leadership in achieving Initiative’s mission and vision.
• Provides strategic direction and leadership in the translation of Initiative’s goals to and partners and stakeholders.
• Provides assistance to the Board on strategies as well as implementation. Facilitates and promotes communication between the DOC and partners on policy and program issues.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

• Ensures Initiative’s clear positioning in global SDG context, including the Paris Agreement agenda, in particular its transparency framework, with focus on delivering capacity development and guidance tools.

Initiative & Management Leadership

• Ensures clear new strategy, approach and special focus on changing Initiative’s country engagement model and implementation systems from multiple parallel streams to coherent “One Initiative” operational structure.
• Ensures smooth implementation of initiative’s re-orientation. Provides general oversight of all Initiative activities, manages the day to day operations, and assures a smoothly functioning and efficient organization.

Stakeholder Management & Resource Mobilization

• Develops strategy for mobilization of additional resources and implements strategy. Leads the representation, advocacy, and liaison tasks with all key stakeholders, in particular with Donors.

KEY RESULTS EXPECTED

Donor Oversight Committee

• Support the efforts of the Board in setting strategies and management/implementation guidelines. This includes regular, high-level strategic analysis, advice, and communication in its direction-setting and risk management roles, in active collaboration with the Chair of the Board.
• Facilitate and promote communication between the Board and partners on program and operational/implementation issues. This includes regular monitoring and reporting of progress toward key targets.
• Communicate on a regular basis with the Chair of the Board on emerging issues. Escalate to the Board any operational challenges at an early stage that need its support, including any resource deficiencies.
• Participate in meetings of the Board as a non-voting member.

Strategy and Planning

• Lead the development of strategies, budgets, work plans, and time-bound targets with specific milestones for fulfilling the Initiative’s vision, and obtain their approval by the DOC. This will be undertaken in close collaboration with the DOC Chair and members.
• Lead initiative planning exercises with clear directives and timelines. Direct and oversee setting of framework targets and monitoring tools.

Global Advocacy and Communications

• In partnership with the Board Chair, act as primary spokesperson for Initiative. Articulate and communicate Initiative’s strategy and vision to external stakeholders.
• Liaise with other key relevant partnerships and agencies, including regional entities.
• Update Partners, including donors, directly on progress against the Initiative’s Strategy, target results and deliverables.
• Identify opportunities to grow and strengthen the Initiative’s brand at global platforms and forums.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Positioning

• Establish and maintain active role in the environment and climate change sectors and in the relevant SDG platforms and forums, in line with the Paris Agreement. Ensure clear Initiative visibility in SDG and Paris Agreement related discussions.
• Ensure that climate change, transparency and MRV remain high on the global development agenda, with particular focus on capacity development and production of guidance materials.

Resource  Mobilization

• Lead and coordinate all efforts against clear targets to urgently mobilize additional financial resources in order to sustain the organization. Ensure the development and management of an effective and proven resource mobilization strategy which underpins Initiative’s viability and growth, with specific focus to successfully diversify the existing core Donors/Funding Sources while maintaining close engagement with current core Donors (as applicable).

Country Engagement & Implementation

• Organizational re-orientation toward the “One Initative” structure wherein all experts at the Secretariat work together to provide coordinated support to each country programme team.
• Direct and support strategies to ensure overall country ownership and adequate allocation of resources for implementation.

Management of Secretariat

• Provide clear and effective management leadership to the Secretariat, being responsible and accountable for the administration, guidance and direction of its work. This includes setting priorities and targets for activities and delivery, ensuring the development and implementation of policies and guidelines and ensuring that the ICAT Secretariat deliver of input and output in a timely manner.
• Provide leadership to ensure cohesive and effective operations and ultimate oversight of all Secretariat functions.
• Provide intellectual and management leadership to guide partners and stakeholders in a multicultural environment to ensure maximal responsiveness, high productivity, and effective results.
• Ensure organizational re-orientation and change management processes are smoothly implemented. Provide leadership,  support, and fully endorse the transition process.
• Ensure all operational structures, systems and processes are in line with the ICAT guidance document and with UNOPS rules and regulations. Provide leadership in optimizing timely, cost-effective arrangements that meet value for money expectations and fiduciary standards. Work in close cooperation with designated UNOPS manager and team to ensure smooth operational support and adequate problem-solving, where necessary.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Education:

Master's degree or higher in environmental economics, natural science or climate change or other relevant field is required. 

University degree in international law, social sciences, economics, political science, management or in a related field WITH 2 additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a master's degree.

Specialization in climate change and MRV, is highly desirable.

At least 10 years of progressive national and international experience in at least 2 areas of the following 3 areas: (i) climate change policies and MRV, (ii) strategy development, and (iii) technical support in developing countries.

Significant experience of leading large, complex, multi-stakeholder projects with multi-million dollar budgets is required.

Experience in partnership building with various organizations such as UN agencies, NGOs, governmental organizations, private sector, foundations, civil society is required. 

Experience with management of multidisciplinary teams in complex projects/initiatives with proven ability to handle financial and human resources required.

Experience in partnerships at national and international level will be considered a strong asset. Demonstrated experience in advocacy, communication and resource mobilization, is highly desirable.

Experience in managing complex governance structures including the management of a Board desirable.

Expert knowledge of English is required. Strong writing and presentation skills in English.

Functional Skills and Knowledge - Highly desired

• Proven ability to problem-solve and think creatively to develop and implement smart business solutions on policy matters
• Excellent communication, planning and organizational skills, attention to detail, understanding of management information systems, donor environment, ability to multi-task, ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines, cultural sensitivity, integrity.
• Demonstrated diplomatic capacity to build partnerships and consensus around difficult issues.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs, gain support, and is proactive in developing solutions
• Proven leadership and management skills in administering financial resources with the purpose of raising and effectively using funds through proper work planning and monitoring.
• Media management skills are highly desirable.
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.
• Demonstrates openness to change, flexibility and ability to manage complexities.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

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.

NOTE:

1)    Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

2)    Work life harmonization: UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types.

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Water and Energy Cluster

Based in Copenhagen, the UNOPS Water and Energy Cluster provides specialized project management services to partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Bank. Together with partners, the cluster executes projects that support sustainable development by:

• promoting international cooperation to prevent and reverse environmental degradation of international water systems
• enhancing the resilience of communities and eco-systems to climate change
• lowering emissions by bridging renewable energy solutions
• developing Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions to strengthen climate-resilient development