Chief Technical Advisor - Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation

Under the One UN Reform in Papua New Guinea, climate change and its effects have been identified as one of the growing development challenges in the country. As part of the UN Sustainable Livelihoods program, UNDP has planned certain interventions in the environment and energy portfolio which directly relate to climate change. At the corporate level, UNDP has initiated the 'UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD)' with FAO and UNEP, which aims to support national REDD Programmes. UNDP has also been actively engaged in the dialogue of a national climate change policy and development of a REDD Programme as well as sharing experiences with respect to climate change and in particular REDD related issues. It is anticipated that this work will further develop as the issues of climate change and REDD are gaining importance in the overall (political, economic, social and environmental) development agenda of Papua New Guinea.

Under a matrixed working arrangement, the Chief Technical Advisor will work within the Office of the Climate Change (OCC). On day-to-day policy and technical matters the advisor will work closely with OCC REDD Director. The Chief Technical Advisor in consultation with the OCC REDD Director will work closely with other government counterpart agencies to assist with the implementation of the REDD Program Framework and development of a REDD Strategy including alternative REDD policy options to enhance the policy impact on REDD program and projects. The Chief Technical Advisor will also support the OCC coordinate and manage the joint national UN REDD programme.

The Chief Technical Advisor is expected to conduct analysis and provide the government officials and CO with policy advice and alternative policy options related to REDD issues. The Chief Technical Advisor will also contribute to knowledge sharing by providing examples of best practices and information on latest development regarding REDD.

The Chief Technical Advisor will also be expected to liaise and facilitate dialogue at the international level. He/She will maintain a network with colleagues from UNDP Headquarters and Regional Centers, and — in the context of UN-REDD - other UN Agencies, IFIs, Government officials, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society and engage in substantive dialogue with national and international stakeholders. This element of the TOR will include dialogue with other REDD countries with a view to share experiences and lessons to support REDD readiness and demonstration activities.

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, the Chief Technical Advisor will also provide advice on REDD related policies and trends and relevant linkages to all UNDP Programmes. The Chief Technical Advisor will contribute to UNDP's policy dialogue with the Government and donors and facilitate knowledge building and sharing.

The overall performance appraisal of the advisor will be done as per UNDP rules and regulations by the UNDP DRR as the primary supervisor.

In line with the UN division of Labor, the incumbent should work closely with the UN agencies and Sustainable Livelihoods Task Team members to plan and implement the following:

1. Provide advice to Government counterparts and facilitation of knowledge building focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provide policy options and strategy for the design and implementation of PNG's national REDD Programme to Government and other development actors;
• Support the OCC review and analyse PNG's political, economic, social, cultural and legal landscape and international best practices approaches to REDD design and implementation for application in the local context as well as to better inform REDD legislative framework design team;
• Effectively share knowledge on REDD by (i) documenting lessons learnt and best practices from in-country and international experience and contribute to the development of knowledge based tools (including policies, strategies, guidelines, etc); and (ii) facilitate exchanges between PNG and other Rainforest Nations;
• Provide timely quality information and technical advice to the OCC, UN Country Team, implementing partners, line ministries and other partners to ensure effective development and delivery of a national REDD strategy, including the UN-REDD national joint programme;
• Assist the OCC and UN Country Team with the coordination of design, preparation, submission and approval of the UN-REDD national joint programme, including the management of responses to technical review comments and other comments from the UN-REDD Policy Board members;
• Through the UNDP Country Office, coordinating and working with the UNDP Regional Technical Advisor for UN-REDD (Bangkok) to ensure the UN-REDD national joint programme benefits from regional expertise and meets the requirements of the UN-REDD Programme;
• Coordinate an institutional capacity assessment of relevant national, provincial and local entities along the REDD supply chain; and
• Assist in the identification of technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports.

2. Provide advice and support to UNDP management/staff, programmes and projects focusing on achievement of the following results in areas related to REDD:

• Contribute to the production of periodic updates and briefs on country development situation on
  REDD to be used by UNDP;
• Identification of entry points for UN interventions and or support on REDD at the policy and programmatic levels; formulate substantive recommendations on the approach and content of those interventions to ensure that UNDP Programmes are in line with national policies and priorities;
• Strategic recommendations to ensure programme impact and synergies between project addressing REDD related issues; and
• Systematic monitoring of international progress of REDD dialogues and implications on UN interventions in PNG, identification of data gaps and capacity issues, and development of strategic support.

3. Provide day-to-day management of UN-REDD programme support to OCC focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Assist the REDD Director, OCC to coordinate technical assistance inputs and donor support;
• Provide close and regular backstopping to the REDD Director, OCC and other implementing entities for the implementation of various components of the national REDD programme;
• Lead the review of relevant policies and development of policy framework;
• Organisation of, and substantive contributions to a high level policy dialogue on development of a UN-REDD joint national REDD Programme;
• Provide management assistance to OCC and other implementing entities in developing their work plans, preparing progress reports, and integrating these into overall OCC strategic plan;
• Assist the REDD Director, OCC in coordinating and supervising activities of national and international experts /consultants to secure timely production of planned outputs;
• Assist OCC to coordinate and liaise with stakeholders – in particular line ministries and development partners;
• Liaise with other REDD initiatives, in particular the PNG-Australia Forest Carbon Partnership and the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility;
• Assist the OCC with inception, contracting and start up of national REDD programme including establishment of indicators, benchmarks and work plans.
  
  

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism
• As strong understanding of political sensitivities and ability to work positively with all partners in a politically dynamic environment

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Demonstrated capacity in knowledge sharing and knowledge management and ability to promote a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
• Ability to advocate and provide top quality advice services on REDD
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
• Ability to conduct research and analysis and strong synthesis skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to develop innovative approaches to program design, implementation, monitoring evaluation of development programmes and projects
• Ability to mobilize resources
• Ability to work with minimal supervision

Management and Leadership

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback; consensus-oriented
• Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Proactive and have the ability to discuss openly with all senior government staff
• Results-orientation and efficiency in a multi-tasking environment
• Capacity to perform effectively under pressure and hardship conditions
• Highly develop inter-personal, negotiation and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multi-cultural environment
• Highly developed inter-cultural communication and skills
  

• Masters degree or advance qualification in forestry, natural resource management, sustainable development, environment, energy, geography or relate field including socio-economic issues linked to environmental changes;
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience working in the forest field (forest carbon trading an advantage), natural resource economics/environmental management and sustainable development as well as international development corporations;
• Experience in conducting policy analysis and providing policy advice at senior level;
• Management experience, including supervision of consultants and coordination of research project teams in an multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment;
• In-depth understanding of REDD (carbon trading in particular) and sustainable development issues, and their practical implications for sustainable development processes;
• Proven record in the writing of research papers, policy analysis and recommendations, reports and publications;
• Previous work experience in the Pacific/South East Asia or developing countries is desirable;
• Experience from policy-related work, planning and management of development cooperation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and programmes;
• Knowledge of donor practices and modalities. Familiarity with UNDP policies and programming practices;
• Excellent computer skills, including full working knowledge of standard word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software packages;