Project Specialist - Consultant , Multiple positions

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The overall objective of the UN Environment Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities (http://www.unep.fr/). The position is located in the Economy Division, Energy and Climate Branch, in the Climate Mitigation Unit. The position will support the Global Environment Facility (GEF) portfolio of Climate Change Mitigation projects and Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) projects.

Objective of Assignment

The consultant’s assistance is needed to support the Global Environment Facility (GEF) portfolio of Climate Change Mitigation projects and Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) projects. This will involve support to project development and implementation in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy and especially CBIT. The GEF was established in 2016 a CBIT Trust Fund responding to the Paris Agreement request, and CBIT is now funded through the Enabling Activities envelope of GEF 7.

UN Environment is the GEF Agency with more CBIT projects, and many countries are requesting its support to apply for CBIT funds. Support includes revision of GEF project documents that will be submitted to UN Environment project review committee (PRC) and GEF Secretariat, revision and desk research for developing new project concepts, undertaking Green House Gases (GHG) emissions and energy consumption calculations for project concepts and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) endorsement documents, addressing comments from review processes, support in the implementation of projects, in preparing for Steering Committee meetings and Inception Workshops, in coordinating the Project Implementation Review (PIR) 2019 process of assigned projects, and assisting in the mid-term and terminal evaluations as well as assessments of selected projects.

Specific tasks and responsibilities

• Support in coordinating and following up Climate Change mitigation and CBIT projects assigned.
• Undertake desk research needed for development of new concepts, especially consulting Nationally Determined Contributions, National Communications and Biennial Update 
• Undertake GHG calculations for all concepts and projects that the Task Manager or the Climate Change Mitigation Unit is developing.
• Support the drafting of Project Identification Forms (PIF), Program Framework Documents (PFD) and Project Documents.
• Support in the projects’ preparation phase (PPG)
• Support the preparation and the revision of GEF project concepts and projects documents that will be submitted to CRC/PRC/GEF reviews.
• Support in reviewing and addressing comments from Concept Review Committee (CRC)/PRC and GEF reviews.
• Support the internalization process of CEO endorsed projects
• Support the coordination with the other relevant stakeholders within UN Environment, especially the CBIT team, the Task Manager in Brazil and the Regional Offices
• Support in the 2019 PIR process

The consultant shall report directly to the Task Manager based in Paris of the GEF Climate Mitigation Unit, Energy and Climate Branch, Economy Division.

Ultimate result of services

UN Environment CBIT portfolio is expanded and countries receive funds to carry out activities to strengthen national institutions for transparency-related activities in line with national priorities, to provide relevant tools, training, and assistance for meeting the provisions stipulated in Article 13 of the Paris Agreement, and activities to assist with improvement of transparency over time.

UN Environment climate change mitigation projects are well designed and aligned with GEF and UN Environment strategies as well as with country specific needs and priorities.

Countries receive the support they need to develop their projects and execute them.

GEF CCM/Portfolio of projects contributing to the following Expected Accomplishments and Outputs:

Programme of Work 2018-2019- Expected Accomplishment (B): Countries increasingly adopt and/or implement low greenhouse gas emission development strategies and invest in clean technologies

• Technical support provided to countries to develop tools, plans and policies for low-emission development.
• Technical support provided to countries to implement and scale up renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
• Technical support provided to countries to address Framework Convention on Climate Change commitments, monitoring, reporting requirements and mainstreaming results into national development planning

• An advanced (Master's) University degree in industrial/chemical/mechanical/civil engineering or in close-related technical field.
• A first-level university degree in combination with additional 2 years experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced (Masters) university degree.

• Two years  experience in Climate Change engineering related work, specifically focused on tracking tools on GHG emissions required.
• Experience in developing and managing climate mitigation reporting projects required.
• Experience in developing or implementing monitoring tools on emissions reduction required
• Experience with GEF or Green Climate Fund projects and experience in projects that support countries on national reporting to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an asset.
• Ability to review project design including support in the revision/drafting of project concepts and documents, workplans and budgets is an asset.

• Proficiency in oral and written English and Spanish is required; 
• Good command of French and Portuguese will be an asset.

• 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.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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
• 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.

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)
Contract level: IICA-1 (Home Based)
Contract duration: 12 months with possibility of extension.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background Information – Kenya Multi Country Office (KMCO)

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KMCO sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and South Africa. This includes primarily transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and several island states.