Climate Policy Specialist

The UNDP Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (RBLAC) is expanding its programme of technical and policy support and capacity development on climate change issues to national governments and UNDP Country Offices in the region. Support to the region is primarily delivered through the Regional Service Centre (RSC), based in Panama. A Climate Policy Specialist is required to manage many activities related to this enhanced support.

The Climate Policy Specialist will report to Climate Change Cluster in the RSC. His/her main activities will include:

• Ensuring the successful implementation of the “Strengthening national capacity to develop policy options for addressing climate change in Latin America & the Caribbean” project
• Providing technical and policy services to the RSC, Country Offices, and national decision makers on policy issues related to the post-2012 climate negotiations in order to strengthen UNDP’s support to national governments;
• Managing the “National Communication to the UNFCCC” portfolio at the RSC level, ensuring the timely financial and operational implementation of the projects
• Supporting the implementation of the UNDP Energy And Environment Climate Change Regional Strategy

Functions / Key Results Expected:

Under the guidance of the Climate Change Cluster Regional Technical Advisers, the Climate Policy Specialist will perform the following specific duties:

A) Ensure the successful implementation of the “Strengthening national capacity to develop policy options for addressing climate change in Latin America & the Caribbean” project, by:

• Coordinating all project activities and ensuring their appropriate implementation.
• Identifying and developing strategic partnerships with other institutions working on similar issues to ensure a coordinated approach and leverage additional financing for the project.
• Developing annual work plans and budgets and reporting on their implementation status
• Preparing Terms of References (TORs) for inputs (individual and institutional consultancy services, organisation of training, workshops, etc.) with expert technical support, as required.
• Supervising contracted consultants and institutions, and evaluating their performance in delivering outputs as described in their ToRs, ensuring inputs are processed in a timely and transparent manner.
• Ensuring technical backstopping to national and regional activities is provided in a timely manner and to an appropriate standard.
• Assisting countries to identify appropriate international and regional experts, as required.
• Reviewing products prepared by countries, providing guidance to countries and any additional backstopping entities.
• Providing strategic inputs and advice to the Regional Service Center and Regional Bureau, as needed.

B) Provide technical and policy services to the RSC, Country Offices, and national decision makers on policy issues related to the post-2012 climate regime, by:

• Developing technical and strategic position papers, presentations, advisory and briefing notes that provide policy advice to decision makers in LAC.
• Ensuring the widespread dissemination of UNDPs Climate Change activities across high level decision makers in the LAC region, through participation and/or organization of workshops, seminars, and other strategic interventions. 
• Developing strategic partnerships with other institutions supporting the establishment of the post 2012 climate regime
• Providing policy advisory services and lead strategic thinking on policy issues for the projects, and the RSC.
• Conducting analytical work related to the project, as required, and share findings and recommendations.

C) Manage the “National Communication to the UNFCCC” portfolio at the RSC level, by

• Reviewing and approving all annual work plans and budgets
• Undergoing project implementation reviews to ensure that project objectives and outcomes are met
• Monitoring  the timely implementation, completion and closure of projects
• Ensuring adequate coordination and promoting synergies between the National Communication portfolio and other Climate Change programs and activities implemented by UNDP.

D) Support the implementation of the UNDP Energy And Environment Climate Change Regional Strategy, by

• Supporting the development of strategic plans and partnerships, and liaising with other agencies and partners
• Strengthening Country Office and Executing Agency partner capacities to manage projects
• Generating knowledge products and stimulating knowledge sharing
• Assisting the Climate Change Regional Technical Advisors in project identification, development, implementation and oversight.
  

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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 favouritism.

Functional Competencies

Operational effectiveness.

• Ability to apply theory to the specific policy context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.
• Good oral communication skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests of varied actors.
• Good written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports.
• Demonstrated solid knowledge and relevant experience in climate change and international climate negotiation processes.
• Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high ranking members of national institutions, government and non-government.

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example.
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UNDP.

Leadership and Self-Management

• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Good team player, self starter, has ability to work under minimum supervision and maintain good relationships.
  

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years relevant work experience in climate change related projects.
• Excellent knowledge of thematic areas of climate change (adaptation and mitigation)
• Excellent knowledge of international climate negotiations, ideally from a developing country perspective.
• Work experience in an international organization and knowledge of UNFCCC and UNDP policies and procedures is desirable.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience in working and collaborating with governments.
• Excellent knowledge of English and Spanish, as well as writing, presentation and communication skills.

Education

• Masters degree in environment, energy, economics, or a closely related field.