Technical Specialist - Climate Change Adaptation (Retainer Contract)

UNOPS Pakistan Country Office is part of the South Asia Multi Country Office (SAMCO) in the Asia Region. UNOPS commenced operations in Pakistan in 1999 and significantly upscaled activities from 2005 onwards to support populations affected by and vulnerable to earthquakes. In 2010, UNOPS opened a permanent office in Islamabad to support the Government of Pakistan and other partners to undertake humanitarian and reconstruction services, following the most devastating floods in the nation’s history.

UNOPS Pakistan has been implementing projects in the areas of early recovery and reconstruction of community infrastructure, project management, monitoring and evaluation, community development, fund management, human resources management, procurement, and infrastructure design and implementation. Supported strategically by a regional operational hub and UNOPS headquarters in Copenhagen and within the overarching framework of the ONE UN Programme, UNOPS Pakistan continues to deliver projects across the country under its core delivery practices of sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement, and sustainable project management. 

With a steady growth of the project portfolio in recent years and a new strategic direction, UNOPS Pakistan is looking to strengthen the relationships with existing partners as well as build new alliances and diversify the portfolio of work, in line with UNOPS strategic and Asia regional objectives.

Climate change is impacting communities in every country, across every continent. Rising sea levels. Extreme weather events. Disrupted economies. Food and water insecurity. Resource scarcity. Conflict. Nowhere is the impact more evident than in Pakistan, with the 2022 floods being one very recent example of the crisis ahead. 

UNOPS Strategic Plan for 2022-2025 outlines how the institution will contribute to expanding implementation capacity for countries to achieve Sustainable Development Goals amid the COVID-19 crisis and the climate emergency. Particularly, climate action is outlined as a cardinal point for UNOPS to address in order to support the achievement of the SDGs and Paris Agreement goals while leaving no one behind.

UNOPS Pakistan is supporting the Government of Pakistan in combating climate change impacts through its expertise in resilient infrastructure and procurement. Additionally, the RCO has recently established a New Living Indus Initiative Team that will be leading this important agenda together with, and based in, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC).   However, there is a need to consolidate and strengthen the expertise that UNOPS has to leverage the most efficient and effective climate adaptation programming. Hence, UNOPS Pakistan is seeking a Technical Expert for Climate Change Adaptation to contribute to and steer the process. 

Purpose and Scope of Assignment; 

Primary Objectives

• Develop and deliver effective and efficient climate adaptation projects by leveraging the mandate, strength and capacity of UNOPS.

Secondary objectives include:

• Work with the senior management team to identify clear strategic way forward for UNOPS Pakistan in terms of Climate Change Adaptation programming, drawing upon and contributing to global experience to assist one of the countries most exposed to the impacts of climate change;

• Establish clear synergies with the Living Indus Initiative (LII), identify and create linkages between UNOPS service lines and LII. 

• Establish clear synergies with the Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) and its Sindh Housing Recovery and Reconstruction Platform (SHRRP), and the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF), identify and create linkages between UNOPS service lines and SPHF-SHRRP and NDRMF, particularly in the S3i resilient housing initiative. 

• Establish clear lines closely linked to WASH Department current and future scope of work and strategy, including key stakeholders to contact and lines of potential collaboration with them. 

• Review current projects strategy/scope/designs and explore with them any climate change inclusion potential considerations and adaptations that could be included in the project.

• Articulate a domain of technical expertise within the UN and develop collaboration with key UN agencies on Climate Change Adaptation and infrastructure in Pakistan and globally : UNOPS CCA and construction, UN Habitat CCA and urban development, UNEP CCA policies and targets, UNIDO CCA markets and economies, and RCO on the New Living Indus initiative. In line with the UN Pakistan Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-2027;

• Provide technical expertise and advisory services in addressing climate adaptation and resilience infrastructure needs in Pakistan to ensure compliance with the SDGs, Biodiversity convention and the Paris Agreement targets.
• Advise on the mainstreaming of climate resilience and adaptation actions in technical documents of infrastructure projects, papers and corporate communication materials.
• Conduct assessment of the potential risks that project implementation may cause to  the vulnerability of human populations and natural systems to climate variability and change, and/or to contribute to maladaptation, in particular for complex and/or risky projects.
• Review, improve and recommend Climate Risk Management Plans (CRMP) for the implementation of proposed measures to reduce climate-related risks and adapt to climate change.
• Provide advice and expert inputs in the development of strategies, regulatory frameworks, guidelines, and  enabling the environment to promote climate adaptation and resilience in infrastructure sectors, in accordance with UNOPS Climate Strategy.
• Provide technical climate adaptation advice to project teams and partners at any life cycle stages of infrastructure project development in compliance with UNFCCC climate adaptation guidelines. 
• Provide climate adaptation inputs and represent UNOPS at events and meetings with stakeholders and partners. 
• Collaborate with environmental scientists, economists, and engineers across UNOPS to design and implement high-quality analysis and technical solutions for infrastructure projects.
• Promote data collection and conceptualize new technological tools and mechanisms oriented to enhance resilience and climate change adaptation standards of UNOPS project portfolio.
• Work collaboratively with UNOPS experts in the area of climate change mitigation and others (when requested), to achieve comprehensive infrastructure solutions aligned with the SDGs and with Paris Agreement targets.

• Advise UNOPS Pakistan on opportunities for resilient infrastructure development in addition to sharing  with clients institutional and industry knowledge of climate adaptation options  in infrastructure.
• Provide expert climate adaptation advice and support in formulation of new initiatives, projects and programmes related to sustainable and resilient inclusive infrastructure 
• Support the conceptualization of strategies aimed at improving UNOPS climate change adaptation actions and serve as a technical contributor for business development activities through technical approaches, teaming strategies and partner negotiations. 
• Present results from in-depth technical research and analysis on key infrastructure sectors to support business development and thought leadership such as on climate resilience, nature-based solutions, market systems, private sector participation, financing and others.

• Carry out , detailed review of Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) ecosystem in the country 
• Conduct comprehensive relevant stakeholder mapping and analysis and consultations on the Government needs, priorities and donor trends. Identify the key stakeholders and approach strategy  per UNOPS area of work: WASH, resilient housing, etc
• Provide technical expertise and advisory services  in identifying and addressing the key climate challenges in the country
• Advise and report on potential Climate adaptation activities/consideration to be included in the current implementing activities especially in the infrastructure projects impleted by UNOPS Pakistan office.
• Make presentations to the senior management team summarizing the state and status of climate change adaptation and its implications for UNOPS programming  in Pakistan, summarizing the main thrust of the proposed consultations and areas for further exploration and confirmation. 
• Suggest adaptation measures and prepare pre-feasibility studies and cost-benefit analysis of the proposed adaptation models
• Validate adaptation options and measures based on the scope agreed during stakeholder consultations.
• Support the preparation of concept notes/proposals under the climate change adaptation theme for UNOPS Pakistan
• Create strategy for resource mobilization for projects linked with Living Indus Initiative 

• During the Project, the following are indicative targets (subject to resource availability):
• Provide strategic guidance document to the senior management team for aligning Climate Change Adaptation within the existing and proposed projects 
• Prepare and submit 3 climate change adaptation projects to donors according to identified needs and trends

• Climate Change Adaptation is mainstreamed in UNOPS Pakistan programming 

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent), preferably in development economics, environment and climate change, or other relevant discipline from a recognized university is required. 
• First level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) preferably in development economics, environment and climate change, or other relevant discipline in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced university degree.

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in substantive experience in environment and climate change is required
• Experience in running national level workshops on climate change related issues is required
• Experience in preparation, dissemination and teaching of learning resources on climate change adaptation, resilient infrastructure, alternate energy and sustainable urbanization to wide variety of audiences, including academia is highly desirable
• Established relations with national and provincial decision makers in the area of climate change adaptation, housing and sustainable urbanization is an added advantage
• Sound knowledge of climate change adaptation approaches and issues in Pakistan 

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required
• Knowledge of Urdu and other Pakistani languages desired

• Contract type:  Individual Contract Agreement - ICA
• Contract level: L- ICA Specialist (LICA 10)
• Contract duration: Short term  until 31 Dec 2023 (Retainer contract initially approximately for 30 Working days)

• A retainer Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) is issued for a period of time during which the services of the individual contractor may be required intermittently.
• A retainer ICA will specify a unit price (e.g. amount per day actually worked). For budgetary purposes, a monetary limit will be specified at the time the ICA is awarded and issued.
• UNOPS shall have no obligation to obtain any minimum quantity of Services from the Individual Contractor during the duration of the retainer ICA.
• Payment will be made only after completion of work (if any) or reaching agreed milestones.
• As a UNOPS ICA retainer, you are required to complete at least two (2) online courses upon signature of your contract and prior to commencing any retainer assignment related to Ethics and Integrity, the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. If you go on an official mission, you are required to complete an online course related to security awareness. These courses are available for free on UNOPS learning platform and shall be completed within the first three months following the contract signature, at no cost for UNOPS. UNOPS reserves the right to request a refresher of the mandatory courses is taken or newly promulgated mandatory courses are completed at no cost for UNOPS.

• 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.