NDC Partnership In-Country Facilitator – Panama (Partnerships Specialist) Homebased, 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

The Government of Panama became a member of the NDC Partnership on December 22, 2016 and takes pride in being a net carbon sink country. Panama submitted its First NDC September 2016, its updated NDC on December 2020, and its second update on June 2024. Currently, the Ministry of Environment, under the leadership of the Directorate of Climate Change is in the process of updating and implementing its NDC2 and "National Socioeconomic Strategy low in emissions and resilient to climate change by 2050" (LT-LEDS) and the NDC Partnership Plan. 

Moreover, Panama is looking into increasing its ambition on adaptation priorities while preserving its commitment to carbon negativity, which is crucial to ensure comprehensive climate action. To achieve this, enhanced coordination support is key. Panama has had continued support from a facilitator for the past two years, this request seeks to extend this support for the upcoming year. As inter-ministerial and international cooperation coordination become more pressing to deliver on Panama's commitments.

The embedded facilitator will serve as the NDC Partnership’s interface in the country and operate as a liaison between the country and other NDC Partnership members. The role is one of coordination and supportive facilitation. They play a key role in ensuring the smooth implementation of the Country Engagement Process, by supporting ongoing coordination efforts between the Support Unit of the NDC Partnership, the various partners of the Partnership, and the Government of Panama. 

The embedded facilitator will support the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the National Secretariat of Energy of Panama, National Secretary of Science and Technology, local governments, private sector and other related governmental and non-governmental institutions in the implementation of the NDC Partnership Plan, NDC 3.0 and LT-LEDS. The incumbent will be responsible for strengthening national coordination in terms of resource mobilization and monitoring the implementation of the NDC.

The embedded facilitator will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist for Panama and will work in close collaboration with the different ministerial offices. This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve 12 months, maximum of 220 working days, with the possibility of an extension for up to 24 months.

* This is a Homebased position, meaning that the incumbent will not work from a UNOPS office but from the government facilities. Therefore, the incumbent will need to use his/her own laptop and software.

** As this is a Local Position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent should be a national of Panama or have a valid residence permit in the country.  

*** Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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

• Bachelor's degree  in related discipline in combination with additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Required

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in public, private, UN Agencies or third sector institutions with a special focus on coordination and articulation of different actors and project management in climate change, environmental or natural resource management, development cooperation or related fields;

Asset 

• Experience working on climate change with a national government technical or policy department is an asset.

• Participation in the development of National Communications, Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), or the implementation of NDCs NAMA. 

• Specialized technical understanding of climate services, climate change adaptation and climate science.

• Proven ability to write briefs, analytical and guidance documents to a high standard, and to present complex technical information/ analyses to technical and non-technical in simple and easily understandable way.

• Demonstrated experience in developing and piloting climate adaptation or risk management methodologies.

• Proficiency in Spanish and English is required.

• Proficiency in other UN languages is an asset.

Contract type: Local ICA
Contract level: LICA 10
Contract duration: One year, up to 220 working days, with possibility of extension based on performance and budget. 

• 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.