NDC Partnership In-Country Facilitator – The Gambia (Partnerships Specialist)

Background Information - UNOPS Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO)

The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) is part of the UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on:

• Infrastructure

• Procurement 

• Project Management (full service, back on track)

• HR and Transactional Services

• Grants Management 

• Technical and Advisory Services

• Project Information

WEC Background: 

UNOPS Water and Energy Cluster (WEC) supports the design and management of multi-stakeholder initiatives by providing services in financial and grant management, procurement, human resources, and project management. The cluster has supported projects in the areas of water resource management, climate change adaptation, mitigation and transparency, energy access and distribution, and environmental conservation under the Paris Agreement. The WEC has also supported operations and financial management services, in Vienna, the rest of the ECR region, and beyond. The main partners include UN agencies, bilateral agreements (with the Nordics, Germany, and Italy), the Green Climate Fund, and several NGOs (such as CIFF and CWF). 

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

The Gambia submitted the revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in September 2021. The NDC has an ambitious target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 49.7% compared to the expected baseline level in 2030. To implement the NDC, The Gambia has developed an NDC Implementation Plan which is undergoing prioritisation and costing. In addition, The Gambia has developed a Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) vision. 

To strengthen the technical capacity and coordination on climate change, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR) through the National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) has requested the NDC Partnership for an in-country facilitator. The facilitator will be embedded in NCCS and shall provide coordination and technical support implementation of the NDC Plan in collaboration with sectors, climate change matters and related policies/regulations, strengthen partnerships with implementing and development partners and collaborate with the Climate Finance Advisor embedded in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MOFEA).

The incumbent will serve as the NDC Partnership’s interface in the country and operate as a liaison between the country and other NDC Partnership members. The role is one of coordination and supportive facilitation. He/she plays a key role in ensuring the smooth implementation of the Country Engagement Process, by supporting ongoing coordination efforts between the Support Unit of the NDC Partnership, the various partners of the Partnership, and the government of the Gambia. 

The incumbent will be embedded in the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR) through the National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS). He/she will be responsible for strengthening national coordination in terms of resource mobilization and monitoring the implementation of the Partnership Plan. He/she will support the focal point of the Partnership in his daily tasks of implementing the Partnership Plan and other forms of support to the NDC implementation.  

The embedded facilitator will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership Focal Point and will work in close collaboration with the different ministerial offices. He/she will need to use his/her own laptop. This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve 12, maximum of 220 working days.

• A master’s degree in public policy, development, climate change, natural resource management, environmental management, or other relevant field of study. 

• Bachelor degree in related discipline in combination with additional 7years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• At least 5years’ experience in public and/or private sector with a focus on climate change, project management, stakeholder and donor engagement and preparation of cross-cutting workplan/proposal development

• Experience in multilateral, national and grassroot governance and processes related to climate change, policy and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

• Knowledge of Gambian context of policy frameworks, national plans and strategies related to climate change is required. 

• Ability to foster formal and informal networks to strengthen cooperation between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders

Asset

• Experience in facilitating the implementation of NDCs is an asset

• Experience of other national contexts that indirectly contribute to climate change is desirable
  

• Demonstrated experience to foster networks with senior leaders and high-level audiences

• Strong inter-personal skills and ability to work with minimal supervision

• Excellent communication (Written and Oral) Skills 

• Excellent MS Office (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint and others) and internet research skills.

• Familiarity with UNFCCC processes including Subsidiary Body and Conference of Parties (CoP), NDC and past experience on government climate change process.

• Proficiency in written and spoken English is required.
• Knowledge of a local language is an asset.

Contract type: ICA

• 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.