NDC Partnership In-Country Facilitator (Partnerships Specialist) - Tunisia (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).  

Recognizing the importance of having an organization with deep local knowledge to serve as NDC Partnership’s national-level interface and facilitate coordination of the NDC implementation in the country, several countries have recently joined the NDC Partnership to be assisted in advancing the climate agenda and just transition towards a green economy.

The following responsibilities are part of the embedded incumbent role:

Coordination and communication with key stakeholders

1. Ensure that communications relevant to NDC Partnership engagement are shared with relevant national, international, and local level stakeholders.

2. Facilitate periodic coordination and information exchange among partners in the country, with the aim of leveraging and mobilizing their respective advantages in support of the Implementation Plan, including with the team of Climate Analytics who developed in cooperation with the government an NDC implementation plan with sectoral roadmaps.

3. Organize meetings to monitor and coordinate the implementation of the Implementation Plan with stakeholders. 

Operationalization of NDC Implementation Plan

1. Collaborate with the NDC Partnership Support Unit and the Focal Points to manage and update the Plan in the Online Implementation Plan Tool, ensuring information remains up to date and accessible for key stakeholders.

2. Identify implementing and development partners, compile their contact details (name of focal point, email address, telephone number) and follow up with them regarding their contribution to the Implementation Plan.

3. Contribute to the development of the Implementation Plan Narrative and its validation by the government.

Facilitation of NDC Implementation Plan implementation 

1. Collaborate with the Support Unit to document changes in the operating context and provide support to the government and stakeholders in decision-making processes and new development with respect to the enabling environment.

Mobilization of resources for implementation 

1. Support the government in following up on and mobilizing partner financing to close its support gaps to allow for NDC implementation as per the Implementation Plan.

2. Update government needs and priorities for NDC implementation in the Implementation Plan. 

3. Work with the Support Unit to produce an overview of support gaps to make available to partners.

4. Engage with partners, including at the local/subnational level, to link needs to services and resources in accordance with the Implementation Plan.

5. Assist the government in coordinating with key donors, partners, and funding mechanisms on aligning country programs and projects with the needs and gaps identified in the Implementation Plan.

6. Assist and provide guidance to International and Development Partners to align climate projects and programmatic objectives with the Implementation Plan. 

Tracking of Implementation Plan and Investment Plan implementation progress 

1. Monitor and assess implementation of the Implementation Plan and coordinate periodic reporting of partners to the NDC Partnership. 

2. Prepare quarterly country update reports summarizing key insights and progress updates, challenges, and recommendations for the way forward.

3. Assess progress outcomes of the NDC Partnership in-country engagement and make recommendations for adjustments.

Organize and support NDC-related meetings as needed 

1. If requested, facilitate national country specific multi-stakeholder NDC dialogues.

2. Support the government in preparing for NDC-related events such as COPs, regional climate weeks, national events, and other convenings relevant to showcase NDC progress and generate support for implementation of the NDC.

3. Organize coordination meetings between the Support Unit and the government as needed.

• Master degree in public policy (with respect to climate/environment), economics, public finance, sustainable development, or relevant fields; 

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

Required

• At least 5 years of experience in climate change, environmental and/or natural resource management, development cooperation or related fields;

Asset 

• Knowledge about the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement, NDCs and SDGs and experience implementing NDCs;

• Demonstrated knowledge of environmental issues in Tunisia, including experience in the design and implementation of climate change related projects;

• Experience in working with government and national and international organizations in Tunisia;

• Proficiency in French is required;

• Excellent language skills in Arabic and English in writing, speaking and reading are desirable;

• Knowledge of another official UN language (Spanish, Russian,, and 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.