NDC Partnership In-Country Facilitator (Kyrgyz Republic) - Partnership Specialist (Retainer - Homebased)

Job categories Partnerships, Climate

Vacancy code VA/2024/B5002/29354

Department/office GPO, GVA, Water, Environment & Climate (WEC)

Duty station Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Contract type Local ICA Specialist

Contract level LICA Specialist-10

Duration 12 months, max 220 days, with possibility of extension depending on performance and on availability of funds.

Application period 05-Dec-2024 to 05-Jan-2025

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

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Background Information - Job-specific

WEC Background:

UNOPS Water and Energy Cluster (WEC) supports the design and management of multi-stakeholder initiatives by providing services in financial and grant management, procurement, human resources, and project management. The cluster has supported projects in the areas of water resource management, climate change adaptation, mitigation and transparency, energy access and distribution, and environmental conservation under the Paris Agreement. The WEC has also supported operations and financial management services, in Vienna, the rest of the ECR region, and beyond. The main partners include UN agencies, bilateral agreements (with the Nordics, Germany, and Italy), the Green Climate Fund, and several NGOs (such as CIFF and CWF).

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 90 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:

Recognizing the importance of having an organization with deep local knowledge to serve as the NDC Partnership’s national-level interface and facilitate coordination of the NDC implementation in the country, the Kyrgyz Republic joined the NDC Partnership in February 2017 and received technical support from the Governments of Germany, the EU, Sweden, Spain and Italy in partnership with the UNDP to update its NDC.

On 24 September 2021, the Kyrgyz Republic approved and submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC Secretariat. According to the updated NDC, the Kyrgyz Republic committed to conditional emissions reduction targets of 36.61% by 2025 and 43.62% by 2030 compared to business as usual. The country also set unconditional emissions reduction targets of 16.63% by 2025 and 15.97% by 2030 compared to business as usual. The revised NDC lists adaptation measures by sector, with qualitative targets to be achieved by 2025. It is expected that the adaptation part of the NDC will be revised in 2025, for the 2026-2030 period.

The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) has been under development since October 2021, supported by the UNDP-led GCF Readiness Project. The priority sector-focused adaptation plans include disaster and emergency management, health, biodiversity conservation, agriculture, and irrigation water.

On July 21, 2022, under the leadership of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision (MNRETS), the “Technology Needs Assessment'' (TNA) was launched. This project is funded by the GCF and implemented jointly with the Climate Technology Centre-Network (CTC-N) and UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre. The goal of this project is to conduct a technology needs assessment and develop a technology roadmap of priority technologies to address climate change in critical sectors of the economy.

On October 19, 2022, the development of the Concept of Kyrgyz Republic's Long-Term Carbon Neutrality Strategy 2050 (LT-LEDS) was launched. This strategy charts the path for steering the government’s investment in green growth and sustainability.

As part of Kyrgyz Republic’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 In-country Facilitator (hereinafter referred to as “Facilitator”) Climate Change Policy Department (CCPD), MNRETS:

Facilitation of updated NDC
Mobilization of resources for implementation
Coordination and communication with key stakeholders
Organize NDC-related meetings as needed
Identifying lessons learned and results
Capacity Building

Functional Responsibilities

*This is a Home-based position, meaning the incumbent will be expected to work f...

*This is a Home-based position, meaning the incumbent will be expected to work from government offices in Kyrgyz Republic and not work from a UNOPS office nor from home. Additionally, the incumbent will need to take their own laptop, equipped with all the relevant software, to government facilities.

**This is a retainer vacancy / position for twelve 12 months, a maximum of 220 working days. As this is a Local Position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent must be a national of Kyrgyz Republic or have a valid residence permit in the Country.

*** FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

The Facilitator will report to Partnerships Development Manager. 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. 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 CCPD under MNRETS.

This support involves working with the CCPD and, coordinating and monitoring support received for 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 the Kyrgyz Republic:

Facilitation of updated NDC

Take the lead in strengthening NDC Partnership's in-country engagement
Strengthen coordination and act as liaison between among different line ministries on NDC related issues.
Take the lead to strengthen the coordination, tracking, and monitoring mechanism(s) for the support provided by development partners on the NDC Implementation Plan, and Kyrgyz Republic’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.

Mobilization of resources for implementation

Take the country in exploring, following up on, and 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 Kyrgyz Republic;
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;
Coordinate partner support for project development and preparation to access potential funding by donors.
Provide technical inputs to the government in preparing concept notes to access financing for unfunded priorities in the updated NDC, NAP, TNA and LT-LEDS.

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.
Lead the periodic coordination and information exchange among partners in the Kyrgyz Republic, 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 CCPD under MNRETS and stakeholders in decision-making processes;
Prepare Quarterly country engagement update reports.

Organize NDC-related meetings as needed

Lead the lead in 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.);
Oversee the coordination of NDC Partnership scoping missions to Kyrgyz Republic and take the lead on the implementation of its recommendations;
Conduct meetings with partners following the progress reports, through calls or in-person (meeting preparation, facilitation, reporting).
Any other support needed by CCPD to coordinate development partners.

Identifying lessons learned and results:

Lead the tracking of in-country engagement and provide periodic progress updates to the NDC Partnership.
Liaise with the 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.

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.
Coordinate and participate in the NDC Partnership’s conferences, training programs, and other activities at the global, regional, and national levels.

The Facilitator will support the Climate Change Policy Department, MNRETS. As the leading entity of the national climate agenda, MNRETS coordinates activities related to the fulfillment of climate commitments, including the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). He/she will also work in close collaboration with the NDC Partnership Support Unit and will report to the Partnership Development Manager at the NDC Partnership. He/she will need to bring his/her own laptop to the ministry's duty station.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and ex...

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education Master in either public policy (with respect to climate/envi...

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local ICA Contract level: LICA 10 / ICS 10 Contract duratio...

Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. Applic...

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.

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