NDC Partnership - National NDC Coordinator – Samoa (Partnerships Senior Officer) Retainer Homebased

*** This position is open to both nationals of Samoa and international candidates willing to move to Samoa. The contract modality (Local ICA or International ICA) will be evaluated based on the nationality of the preferred candidate. 

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).  In the Pacific, the NDC Partnership works in close coordination and collaboration with the Regional Pacific NDC Hub. 

Country Context

Samoa is a member of the NDC Partnership, and submitted its Second NDC to UNFCCC in July 2021. Samoa also launched its NDC Implementation Roadmap and Investment Plan in 2021, which is used as the guiding document for implementation and resource mobilization. Samoa has submitted several requests for support through the NDC Partnership, receiving support from members of the NDC Partnership as well as through the Partnership Action Fund. In Dec 2023, Samoa requested support for embedded coordination/facilitation support – through the recruitment of an In Country Facilitator/National NDC Coordinator.

The following responsibilities are part of the embedded incumbent role:

Coordination and communication with key stakeholders

1. Support with stakeholder mapping and management of a stakeholder and contacts database. 

2. Support with Government-led dissemination of information to stakeholders. 

3. Ensure that communications about the NDC Partnership's engagement in the country are shared with relevant stakeholders (local, national, and international). 

4. Facilitate periodic coordination and information exchange among partners in the country, with the aim of leveraging their respective advantages and mobilizing them in support of NDC implementation and utilizing a whole of government and whole of society approach. 

5. Assist and advise international and development partners to align climate projects with programmatic goals.

6. Strengthen coordination mechanisms for the whole of government and whole of society coordination for issues relating to NDCs. 

NDC Implementation

1. Under the supervision of the Focal Point and in close collaboration with partners and the NDC Partnership Support Unit, support the development and implementation of the NDC. 

2. Engage with in-country partners, including at the local/subnational level, to identify and align priorities and needs.

3. Collaborate with the Support Unit to document changes in the operating environment and provide support to government and stakeholders in decision-making processes and new developments.

4. Utilize the NDC Partnership’s Knowledge Portal, tools and guidelines and disseminate information to relevant stakeholders. 

5. Utilize the NDC Partnership’s Gender Strategy and Youth Engagement Plan and related country-led plans and strategies to inform implementation and national and sub-national levels. 

6. Support in the delivery of multi-stakeholder trainings, coordination meetings and workshops where necessary. 

Monitoring the progress of country engagement

1. Monitor the progress of in-country engagement and provide periodic updates to NDC Partnership members.

2. Utilize the NDC Partnership’s Online Partnership Plan Tool and/or Government-owned tools where appropriate. 

3. Prepare quarterly country update reports summarizing key insights and progress, challenges and recommendations for the future. 

4. Evaluate the results of the NDC Partnership's engagement in the country and make recommendations for improvement.

Organizing and assisting with NDC-related meetings as needed by the Focal Point 

1. If necessary, facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues on NDC at the national level. 

2. Support the government in preparing for NDC-related events such as COPs, regional climate weeks, national events and other relevant gatherings to showcase NDC progress and garner support for NDC implementation. 

3. Support NDC Partnership and Hub related country missions or visits. 

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

• Bachelor degree in related discipline in combination with additional 2 years of relevant work experience (5 years of experience total) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Required

• At least 2 years’ experience in public and/or private sector with a focus on climate change, project management, stakeholder and donor engagement or preparation of cross-cutting workplan/proposal development;

• Knowledge of the country’s context of policy frameworks, national plans and strategies related to climate change is required.

Asset 

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

• Demonstrated experience in fostering networks with senior leaders and high-level audiences along with other key state and non-state stakeholders

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

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

• Proficiency in English is required. 

• Working knowledge of Samoan is an asset.

Contract type: ICA retainer

• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.