Climate Change Advisor

Under the overall strategic guidance of the Director or the Regional Center in Cairo, Egypt and as an integral member of its Environment and Energy Practice, the Sub-Regional Climate Change Advisor reports directly to the Resident Representative / Resident Coordinator in the hosting country (Algeria) with a matrix reporting line to the RCC Director.   The Sub-regional Climate Change Advisor is responsible to provide strategic advice and guidance on key issues related to climate change policy and programming in the Horn of Africa and neighbouring countries, with a specific focus on international and domestic climate change policies, low carbon strategies, the nexus between poverty and climate change, climate resilience and adaptation. . The expert analyzes political, social, economic and environmental trends related to climate change matters and leads policy advice, partnership building and knowledge management services related to UNDP programmes in A Horn of Africa and neighbouring countries.

The Sub-Regional Climate Change Advisor will be responsible for giving overall advice and direction for key issues related to climate change policy and programming in Algeria including cross-cutting issues linked to low carbon development and climate change. The advisor works in the Policy Support Team in close collaboration with other teams working in the Climate Change area, programme staff in other UN Agencies as required, Government officials, other technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation.

As the functions of the Sub-Regional Climate Change Advisor are an integral part of the workplan of the Regional  Center/Cairo, the substantive  work will be agreed  by the Director, Regional  Center, Cairo and the hosting and service Resident Representatives.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Political and Technical advice for UNDP Climate Change programme strategies, with a specific focus on Mitigation and Adaptation.
• Leads strategic partnership and resource mobilization in area of climate change and energy
• Leads UNDP knowledge management activities in area of climate change and energyGuide,  advice and develop UNDP country offices in the Maghreb and Libya,  in Environment and Energy projects and programmes, including the GEF portfolio, and ensure stronger policy leverage from these.

Ensures high level policy advice to country offices for effective development and implementation of strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Thorough analysis and research of the international & multilateral negotiations framework in relevant fora (mostly within UNFCCC, Kyoto and post-Kyoto, Copenhagen and Post-Copenhagen negotiations).
• Analysis and research in order to promote integration of cross-cutting themes of political, social, economic and environmental aspects of the climate change, with particular emphasis on the connections between low carbon development and human development.
• Identification of areas for further support and interventions within the area of climate change mitigation, adaptation and low carbon development. Keeping abreast of policy changes regarding climate change and energy related issues and inform senior management. 
• Participate in UN related activities such as UN Theme Group on Environment and Climate Change, production of UN Policy Papers, media products and outreach activities on climate change and energy. 
• Advise at high level on climate change considerations, and specifically on mitigation/adaptation matters and risk & vulnerability models, promote their integration with the Arab development policies and strategies and/or on financing opportunities and fund-raising.
• Overviews on the best solutions related to adaptation/mitigation and/or analysis and research on international carbon markets and financial aspects of carbon markets and carbon exchange framework schemes.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Undertaking advocacy to keep abreast of government of Algeria and Horn of Africa  evolving climate change and low carbon development polices and legislation.
• Provide advice and partnership with NDRC, CCICED, other governmental institutions including support to UNDP partnership for key events and activities.
• Development of partnerships with key government institutions related to climate change and low carbon, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector, civil society based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.
• Development of regular UNDP climate change and low carbon development briefs, statements and activity information for bilateral donors, academia, private sector and other UNDP field offices to support UNDP’s climate change and low carbon public awareness activities. 

Ensures provision of top quality policy advice services and  facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to country policy goals.
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in low carbon development, climate change, mitigation/adaptation.
  Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.

Guide and advise UNDP Algeria Environment and Energy projects and programmes, including the GEF portfolio, and ensure stronger policy leverage from these, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Analysis of lessons for policy and advisory from ongoing UNDP supported programmes and projects
• Analysis of ongoing and pipeline projects and identify new areas for UNDP support in Environment and Energy
• Undertake regular field visits and monitoring trips
• Strengthening UNDP programmatic approach in Environment and Energy.

Corporate Responsibility & Direction:

• Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of UNDP

People Skills:

• Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others; gives credit to the contributions of others

Managing for Results:

• Plans and prioritizes work activities to meet organizational goals.

Partnering & Networking:

• Builds and sustains relationships with key constituents (internal/external/ bilateral/ multilateral/public/private; civil society)

Innovation & Judgment:

• Conceptualizes and analyzes problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate
• Generates creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations
• Devises new systems and processes, and modifies existing ones, to support innovative behaviors.

Communication:

• Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrates effective communication skills in a multidisciplinary working environment
• Demonstrate respect to knowledge and culture and religion in a multidisciplinary working environment

Job Knowledge & Expertise:

• Applies the required depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise to meet job demands
• Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource

Education:

• Masters Degree or higher in economics or environmental sciences or other relevant academic fields.

Experience:

• At least 10 years post-masters professional experience in climate change related issues
• Experience in working with government, donors or UN previously is an asset
• Proven track record in policy analysis, development work in the area of climate change and related issues.
• Ability to engage in and contribute to high-level policy dialogues and advisory functions involving high level government counterparts and other stake-holders.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the global debate on climate change and experience in multilateral environmental debates and dialogues and processes.
• Experience in advising climate change and energy policy development a major asset.
• Proven experience and knowledge of the Algerian institutional framework and the policies of Climate Change in Algeria is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience with GEF is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and French.  Knowledge of Arabic would be an asset.