NDC Partnership In-Country Facilitator – Moldova (Partnerships Specialist)- Home-based -Retainer

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

Moldova has been an active member of the NDC Partnership, which is a global coalition of countries and institutions working together to drive transformational climate action. Moldova's engagement in this partnership underscores its commitment to fulfilling the goals of the Paris Agreement. In March 2020, Moldova submitted its updated First NDC, reflecting its dedication to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing climate resilience (UNFCCC) (NDC Partnership).

As of 2024, Moldova is preparing for the next phase of its climate commitments with plans to submit a new NDC in 2025. This upcoming NDC will outline more ambitious targets and strategies to further integrate climate action into national development policies (UNFCCC). The focus areas include improving measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems, advancing gender equality, and promoting multi-stakeholder engagement to ensure a holistic approach to climate resilience and mitigation.

The In-Country Facilitator will play a pivotal role in this process by providing technical and policy advisory services, coordinating development partner support, and facilitating the formulation of detailed work plans. The advisor will also lead the development of a comprehensive Mitigation and Adaptation Options Paper, ensuring that the proposed strategies align with Moldova’s specific needs and international best practices. By fostering effective stakeholder engagement and overseeing the coordination of the NDC 3.0 taskforce, the advisor will ensure seamless collaboration and timely implementation of Moldova’s climate objectives.

1. As part of Moldova`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 country In-country Facilitator (hereinafter referred to as “Facilitator”) Ministry of Environment:

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

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

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

5. 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;

6. Extending any other advisory support needed by Ministry of Environment to coordinate development partners on NDC related matters

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. Working on behalf of the partner government, 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 Ministry of Environment.

This involves working with the Cabinet of Ministries of Ministry of Environment to refine its objectives for support over time, coordinating 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 Moldova:

1. Facilitation of updated NDC

• Support the Moldova 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 Moldova’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.

• Create an Annual Work Plan that sets out specific goals for the facilitator role in collaboration with the Country Engagement Specialist and Focal Point.

2. 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 Moldova;

• 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;

• Developing concept notes and preparation of projects to access financing for unfunded priorities in the updated NDC and monitor implementation of the accessed funds in the NDC, NAP, TNA and LT-LEDS; 

• Mobilize funds and support Ministry of Environment to manage the projects portfolio related to NDC, NAP, TNA and LT-LEDS.

3. 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 Moldova, 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 Ministry of Environment and stakeholders in decision-making processes;

• Oversee the coordination of NDC Partnership scoping missions to Moldova 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. 

4. 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.

5. Identifying lessons learned and results

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

• Liaise with the NDCP 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.

6. 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.

• An advanced degree (Masters or higher) preferably 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.

• Advanced proficiency in English and Romanian is required.

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese Mandarin) is an asset

• 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.