Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) - Retainer - Zambia

The climate change vulnerability of rural communities in Zambia is being exacerbated by ongoing degradation of wetlands and forests and an associated reduction in the provision of ecosystem services. In order to address underlying causes and barriers to increase the resilience of rural communities and ecosystems, the Ministry Lands and Natural Resources is executing the project “Building the resilience of local communities in Zambia through the introduction of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) into priority ecosystems, including wetlands and forests”. The Zambia EbA Project (short-form name) is funded by the Global Environment Fund (GEF) administered Least Developed Country Fund of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with a budget of US$ 6,185,000 and co-financing of US$ 15,465,200 over period of four years. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the Implementing Agency and support the Department of Climate Change and Natural Resource Management of the Ministry.

The objective of the project is to strengthen the capacity of government and rural communities living around wetlands and forests to adapt to climate change using EbA. This will be achieved through: i) strengthening the institutional and technical capacity in Zambia to plan and implement EbA; ii) implementing EbA interventions at target sites in the Lukanga and Bangweulu wetland systems that reduce the effects of climate change impacts while also generating adaptation and non-adaptation co-benefits; iii) enhancing the climate resilience of rural communities in Zambia through the introduction of additional livelihoods, climate-resilient agricultural techniques and water-efficient irrigation infrastructure; iv) introducing energy-efficient technologies and alternative fuel sources to reduce the pressure on local ecosystems; and v) increasing knowledge and awareness on climate change, EbA and the value of functioning ecosystems.

The UNEP is seeking to recruit an experienced Chief Technical Advisor to provide a total of 240 days input over 4 years starting from Q2 2021. The Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) will contribute to the successful implementation of the project by providing ecosystem-based adaptation technical guidance, project management guidance and capacity building to the project team.  The CTA will work in close collaboration with the Project Manager (PM), Project Director/Department of Climate Change and Natural Resources Management and the UNEP Task Manager (TM).

• An advanced University degree (Master's Degree /Ph.D) in Environmental Planning or Management, Natural Resources Management, Public Policy and Management, International Development, Adaptation Planning, Geography and Urban and Regional Planning, or any related fields of study is required.
• Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Planning or Management, Natural Resources Management, Public Policy and Management, International Development, Adaptation Planning, Geography and Urban and Regional Planning, or any related fields of study with additional two (2) years of relevant working experience may also be considered in lieu of an advanced University degree.

•   A minimum of five (5) years’ work experience in implementation of climate change adaptation projects, or related experience, preferably applying ecosystem-based adaptation approaches in least developed and/or middle-income countries is required;  
• A minimum of 2 years’ of work experience in capacity-building is required; 
• Previous work experience work experience on gender issues and mainstreaming is desired
• Demonstrated experience in coordinating a large, multidisciplinary team of experts and consultants is desired; 
• Previous work experience with managing GEF/LDCF/SCCF/AF funded projects implemented by UN agencies and familiarity with GEF and UN Environment Gender Maker, Environment and Social Safeguards System is an added advantage.
• Previous experience in project monitoring and Evaluation is an asset
• Experience of working and collaborating with developing country government institutions is desired;
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power point) and conducting virtual meetings is desired. 
• Previous work experience in Zambia or the Southern African Region desired

• Fluency in English is required

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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 2
Contract duration: Home-based Retainer contract with missions to Lusaka, Zambia. one year initially, renewable over the project duration of four (4) years subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability
 

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.

Kenya Multi-Country Office (KEMCO)

The Kenya Multi-Country Office (KEMCO) is based in Nairobi and is responsible for 15 countries in East and Southern Africa, with ongoing projects in Eritrea, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

UNOPS has worked in Kenya since 1995, where it manages a growing portfolio of engagements, providing project management, infrastructure, procurement, transactional, and financial management services. From renovations of elementary schools in Kenya to improving maternal and child health, KEMCO works to provide practical solutions to support sustainable growth and development in the region. UNOPS KEMCO helps partners achieve their project goals in sectors including: governance, education, health, the environment, grant management and rural development. UNOPS KEMCO has over twenty years of experience working in the region, including on large scale infrastructure projects. With a flexible and responsive presence throughout the region, UNOPS is able to scale up rapidly, through various mechanisms into high-risk areas which have proven to be beneficial to partners.