NDC Partnership - In-Country Facilitator (Partnerships Specialist) - Argentina (Home-based)

Job categories Partnerships

Vacancy code VA/2023/B5002/26822

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

Duty station Buenos Aires or within commuting distance, Argentina

Contract type Local ICA Specialist

Contract level LICA Specialist-10

Duration Up to 12 months (max. 220 working days)

Application period 02-Oct-2023 to 17-Oct-2023

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.

This vacancy has been cancelled.

Apply

Expand all [+]

Background Information - Job-specific

**The position is home-based in Buenos Aires, Argentina or within commuting distance.**

Background Information - UNOPS Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO)

The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) is part of the UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on:

Infrastructure
Procurement
Project Management (full service, back on track)
HR and Transactional Services
Grants Management
Technical and Advisory Services
Project Information

WEC Background

The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio under the UNOPS Austria Multi-Country Office has built strong partnerships and has effectively been managing a portfolio of 490 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

In December 2020, Argentina presented its Second NDC which was once again updated in 2021, driving a significant increase in climate ambition by 27.7% higher than the target set in 2016. Within the same framework, to fulfill the NDC in conjunction with National Law No. 27.520 on climate change, the country developed the National Plan for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in 2022. This plan consists of 250 measures for adaptation, mitigation, co-benefits, and addressing losses and damages. The plan is organized into 6 strategic lines, 4 instrumental lines, and 4 cross-cutting approaches. The process of designing the national climate policy involved the National Climate Change Cabinet, which engaged more than 75 government areas, 2400 organizations and institutions, and over 8,000 individuals.

Based on this background, in 2022, within the context of the COP27 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Argentina heightened its effective commitment to its Long-Term Low-Emission Resilient Development Strategy by 2050 (ELP). The ELP´s objective is to reach Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions neutrality, reduce vulnerability, and enhance adaptation and resilience capacity. Within this framework, it is stipulated that the path to neutrality must be defined in a manner that is compatible with human development needs, social inclusion, gender focus, diversity, and poverty eradication – all of which are essential for a developing country like Argentina.

Functional Responsibilities

The incumbent will serve as the NDC Partnership’s interface in the country...

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 Argentina.

The incumbent will work as an embedded facilitator for stakeholder engagement at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development in Argentina. In this role, the consultant will support the Ministry of Environment in ensuring the effective and efficient use of international resources towards the fulfillment of Argentina’s NDC commitments and the long-term low-emission resilient development strategy (LTS).

The incumbent will engage with sectors, donors, implementing agencies and other key stakeholders to oversee and ensure the coordinated implementation of NDC Partnership-supported activities in the country, and pursue alignment between country priorities and needs for NDC and LTS implementation and enhancement and international support initiatives and finance. In doing so, they will work in close coordination with their counterpart from Argentina’s National Directorate of Climate Change (NDCC).

The incumbent will be part of the National Directorate of Climate Change and work under the guidance of the DNCC and report to the Director and to the NDC Partnership Support Unit.

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, including with the team of Climate Analytics who developed in cooperation with the government an NDC implementation plan with sectoral roadmaps.
Organize meetings to monitor and coordinate the implementation of the Partnership Plan with stakeholders.
Support NDCC in setting up a coordination framework across key stakeholders to maximize synergies, avoid duplication, and mobilize support for identified needs and gaps for successful NDC updating, enhancement and further implementation. This framework should include the methodology for prioritizing climate action projects and policies, training and communication strategies, gender perspective strategies; monitoring tools/instruments, definition of roles and multi-stakeholder dialogues involved with the private sector and/or civil society organizations, within specific sectors or on a specific topic, as well as with implementing and development partners.
Support the integration of the NDC Partnership support leveraging process into the existing climate change, climate finance and/or NDC coordination mechanisms identified by the government. Provide services to strengthen coordination as needed.
Coordinate the alignment of the actions and work plans developed during this consultancy with the work of the DNP’s facilitator.

Facilitation of NDC Partnership work

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.
Preparation of quarterly NDC Partnership facilitator reports.

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.
Update government needs and priorities for NDC implementation in the Partnership Plan.
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.
Collaborate with various national and subnational actors and sectors through the National Climate Change Cabinet and the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development to prioritize strategic projects and initiatives related to the implementation of the NDC and the LTS.
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.
Assist and provide guidance to International and Development Partners to align climate projects and programmatic objectives with the Partnership Plan.
Engage with in-country partners to connect needs with services and resources based onArgentina’s Requests for Support to the NDC Partnership and other instruments outlining NDC needs. This includes emerging needs from the update and ambition enhancement process. Liaise with the NDC Partnership Support Unit to access and/or contribute to related global knowledge products.
Draft proposals for international requests for support, considering national priorities and the requirements for NDC implementation and updating.
Assist the NDCC in reporting to donors/stakeholders. This includes drafting progress, narrative or analytical reports on projects activities, implementation and resource utilization.
Support in identifying potential future sources of support, focusing on international cooperation, aligned with Argentina's current and enhanced NDC
Provide assistance and evaluate technical projects and initiatives for the design and implementation of scenarios within the long-term low-emission resilient development strategy 2050, in coordination with the National Directorate of Climate Change and the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.

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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: Degree in public policy (with respect to climate/envi...

Education:

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 additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

Required

At least 5 years of experience in climate change, environmental and natural resource management, development cooperation, and related fields.
Knowledge of the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement, NDCs, and the SDGs.
Knowledge of environmental issues in Argentina.
Experience designing, implementing, and managing projects in collaboration with government agencies and civil society organizations.
Experience designing, updating, and strengthening national and multisectoral public policies.
Experience in public projects conducted with international agencies on climate change, environment, and sustainable development.
Experience analyzing documents, projects, and policies related to climate change and sustainable development.
Experience formulating and analyzing regulatory projects and legislation on environmental, climate change, and sustainable development issues.
Experience coordinating, managing, and administering climate and environmental governance systems or schemes.
Experience working with multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams.
Experience in management, coordination, and teamwork.

Asset

Experience in facilitating the implementation of NDCs is an asset.
Experience in the design and implementation of climate change related projects.
Experience in working with governments and national and international organizations in Argentina.
Excellent MS Office (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint and others) and internet research skills.

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in Spanish is required.
Knowledge of English is an asset.

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.

Contract type, level and duration

**The position is home-based in Buenos Aires, Argentina or within commuting dist...

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. 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.

This vacancy has been cancelled.

Apply

APPLICATION TIPS

How to send a good application:

TOGETHER, WE BUILD THE FUTURE

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.

Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

We are proud of our people. The UNOPS family brings together approximately 160 nationalities, represented by over 5,000 UNOPS personnel as well as some 7,800 personnel recruited on behalf on our partners. Spread across 80 countries, our workforce is rich in diversity and culture – with inclusion at its core.

We understand the importance of balancing professional and personal demands and offer several flexible working options.

Explore what we offer here.