NDC Partnership In-Country Facilitator – Lao PDR (Partnerships Specialist) - Retainer, Homebased

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 Lao PDR government submitted its first NDC to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in 2015 and building on it, submitted updated NDCs in May 2021. Lao PDR’s updated NDC consists of an unconditional greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 60% by 2030 compared to the 2020 baseline scenario, or around 62,000 ktC02e. With international support, the country aims to develop 1.3GW of renewable energy output from wind, solar, and biomass. It aims to achieve a  net zero GHG emissions by 2050. Laos joined the NDC Partnership in 2019, designating the Department of Climate Change and the Department of International Cooperation as national focal points. The country, through GGGI (Global Green Growth Institute) and with support from the Partnership Action Fund, developed an NDC Implementation Plan in 2023 to achieve ambitious targets. Through the support under the NDC Partnership Action Fund ‘PAF’, GGGI provided support to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to develop the NDC Implementation Plan and Framework. This project comprises the development of the NDC Implementation Plan, which identified the 2030 roadmap to ensure Lao PDR achieves its ambitious unconditional and conditional targets in the updated NDC.  

The embedded facilitator will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership Regional Manager 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 based on performance and availability of funds.

* 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 Lao or have a valid residence permit in the Country.  

*** Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

The incumbent 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. He/she plays 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 LAO PDR.

The incumbent will supportbe embedded in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. He/she will be responsible for strengthening national coordination in terms of resource mobilization and monitoring the implementation of the NDC. He/she will support the focal point of the Partnership in his daily tasks of implementing the NDC and other forms of support for the NDC implementation.  

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

The following responsibilities are part of the embedded incumbent role:

Coordination and communication with key stakeholders

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

• 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 Partnership Plan, request for support letters or equivalent instrument. To this end, usage of existing government coordination mechanisms shall be prioritized.

• Organize meetings to monitor and coordinate the implementation of the Partnership Plan, or equivalent instrument, with stakeholders. 

Operationalization of NDC Partnership Plan

• Collaborate with the NDC Partnership Support Unit and the Focal Points to manage and update the Plan in the Online Partnership Plan Tool, ensuring information remains up to date and accessible for key stakeholders. When an Online Partnership Plan does not exist yet, support the transition to the online tool.

• Identify implementing and development partners, compile and periodically update their contact details (name of focal point, email address, telephone number) and follow up with them regarding their contribution to the partnership plan or equivalent instrument.

• When applicable, contribute to the development of the Partnership Plan Narrative and its validation by the government.

Facilitation of NDC Partnership Plan implementation 

• 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 developments with respect to the Partnership Plan, equivalent instrument and its enabling environment.

Mobilization of resources for implementation 

• Support the government in following up on and mobilizing partner financing to close its support gaps to allow for NDC implementation as per the Partnership Plan or an equivalent instrument.

• Update government needs and priorities for NDC implementation. When Partnership Plans are available, these should be regularly updated.

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

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

• 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 Partnership Plan, other planning / coordination instruments, as applicable, and requests for support.

• Assist and provide guidance to International and Development Partners to align climate projects and programmatic objectives with the Partnership Plan or other support planning / coordination instruments as applicable. 

Tracking of Partnership Plan and Investment Plan implementation progress 

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

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

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

Organize and support NDC-related meetings as needed 

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

• 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.

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

• A master’s degree in public policy, development, climate change, natural resource management, environmental management, or other relevant field of study is preferred 

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline in combination with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience is required.

Required

• With a Master degree, at least 5 years of experience in the public and/or private sector with a focus on climate change, project management, stakeholder and donor engagement and preparation of cross-cutting work plan/proposal development;

• Experience in multilateral, national and grassroot governance and processes related to climate change, policy and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

Asset 

• Experience in facilitating the implementation of NDCs is an asset

• Knowledge of the country’s context of policy frameworks, national plans and strategies related to climate change is required. 

• Demonstrated experience in fostering networks with senior leaders and high-level audiences and ability to strengthen cooperation between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders

•  Experience of other national contexts that indirectly contribute to climate change is desirable

• Excellent communication (Written and Oral) Skills 

• Excellent MS Office (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint and others) and internet research skills.

• Familiarity with UNFCCC processes including Subsidiary Body and Conference of Parties (CoP), NDC and past experience with government climate change process.

• Proficiency in Laotian is required.

• Proficiency in English is a requirement.

Contract type: Local ICA retainer
Contract level: LICA 10. ICS 10
Contract duration: 12 months, max 220 working days, with possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funds. 

• 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.