Programme Analyst- NAPs: Environment & Climate Change - (Open to Samoan Nationals Only)

UNDP’s new Strategic Plan (2014 – 2017) lays out a commitment to strengthening sustainable development pathways and building resilience in developing countries. In this context, UNDP is currently supporting a number of countries to implement a large portfolio of climate change adaptation projects, which have designated sets of indicators to track project activities and impact. Among these initiatives is one that focuses on supporting countries to advance their National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process, which is meant to result in the integration of climate change considerations into planning and budgeting systems at the country level. Several sources of financing including the Least Developed Country Fund, Special Climate Change Fund and bilateral funding from the Government of Japan and Germany are also supporting this body of work.

In this context, UNDP is seeking a programme analyst to support a set of initiatives that are underway which focus on supporting countries that fall under the purview of the UNDP Multi-Country Office in Samoa (which include Samoa, Tokelau, Niue and Cook Islands) with the National Adaptation Plans process,

Under the overall guidance of the Lead Technical Specialist for the NAPs portfolio, based in the Bangkok Regional Hub, and direct supervision of the Programme Manager Environment & Climate Change Unit (Samoa), the Programme Analyst analyzes political, social and economic trends and participates in the formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within the Environment & Climate Change portfolio. In addition to the activities related to the Environment and Climate portfolio, the Programme Analyst will specifically provide quality assurance and support to the Samoa, Tokelau, Niue and Cook Islands in the coordination of the National Adaptation Planning (NAP) processes.

The Programme Analyst can supervise and lead programme support staff. The Programme Analyst works in close collaboration with the Multi-Country Office (MCO) Management, Programme and Operations teams, programme staff in other UN Agencies and UNDP HQs staff.

Ensures implementation of programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP, IWP, Compact and other documents;
• Preparation, analysis and synthesis of specific proposals in the area of environment and climate change.

Participate in effective management of the environment and climate change programme, achieving the following results:

• Design and formulation of some parts of the programme within the area of responsibility;
• Initiation, preparation, implementation and finalization of projects; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review. Programme Analyst performs functions of Manager Level 1 in Atlas for POs and vouchers approval (if authorized by SM), participates in recruitment processes for projects;
• Financial and project progress monitoring and evaluation of the projects, solution of operational and financial problems. Participation in audit of projects under national implementation modality (NIM);
• Preparation of inputs for reporting, including donor reporting;
• Quality control in line with new trends in Samoa, Niue, Tokelau, Cook Islands and the Pacific, especially in line with developments from the Global Environment Facility, the Green Climate Fund, the Adaptation Fund and other major donors in the region.

Develop partnerships and mobilize funds, focusing on the following results:

• Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of factsheets and substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for new projects, and active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization;
• Provide top quality advisory services to the Governments in collaboration with UNDP offices, experts, and regional technical advisors (RTAs) located in Samoa, Fiji, and Bangkok, focusing on achievement of the following results;
• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned linked to programme country goals;
• Contribution to the offices efforts to share information about UNDP’s work in the Pacific, and to partners’ and beneficiaries’ knowledge of UNDP;
• Organization of trainings for colleagues in the office, in government and in other partner institutions on programme issues;
• Professional growth through active learning.

In particular, the candidate should assist the Samoa, Tokelau, Niue and Cook Island Governments with targeted technical assistance to support its National Adaptation Planning  (NAP) process, and link with relevant projects in each country such as for example  the Samoa Economy Wide Adaptation to Climate Change project. The Governments of Samoa, Tokelau, Niue and Cook Islands have recognized the need to advance in their NAP processes. For this purpose, it would be necessary that UNDP Samoa provides quality assurance and supports the government in the coordination of the NAP process. The candidate will be responsible to share and contribute information and lessons learned from the Samoa NAP process with ongoing NAP initiatives in other countries in the Pacific Region and globally. The following tasks should be accomplished, which are focused on aspects related to NAP support, particularly concerning investment and budgetary planning and related economic analysis capacity needs in support of appraising adaptation options and related decision making processes of development planning  (as per UNFCCC LEG guidelines).  The support services will be in line with, and in collaboration with the NAP-GSP and UNDP offices, experts, and regional technical advisors (RTAs) located in Samoa, Fiji, and Bangkok:

• Provide overview/introductory info and sessions on NAP process during focused NAP trainings (i.e., from the NAP Global Support Programme (NAP GSP), also implemented by UNDP and funded through SCCF), facilitate and conduct sessions on economics of climate change adaptation, appraisal of adaptation options, and project formulation;
• Identify NAP entry points for Samoa, Tokelau, Niue and Cook Islands in collaboration with these respective governments as well as domestic and international expertise to support the NAP process;
• Draft Terms of Reference for NAP stock- takings, roadmaps and other assessments;
• Undertake stocktaking exercises of existing institutional mechanisms, planning processes and other initiatives relevant to the NAP process based upon Government requests in these countries;
• If and when requested, support NAP GSP mission and team in drafting a NAP roadmap for the short and medium term (at least a 5 year period) that the country will review and finalize to guide their NAP process;
• Assist the Government of Samoa, Tokelau, Niue and Cook Islands in NAP institutional coordination and process follow-up, as needed.

Functional Competencies:       

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP’s mandate.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work;
• Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration;
• Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation.

Building Strategic Partnerships

• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues;
• Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things.

Resource Mobilization

• Analyzes information/databases on potential and actual donors.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position;
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for advocacy for UNDP’s goals for a variety of audiences.

Client Orientation

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity; 
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development, initiative-taking;
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Creating synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Education:

• Minimum Bachelor degree in political, environmental, social science, economics, development studies or related field.

Experience:

• For Master’s degree experience will be an asset;
• For Bachelor’s degree, 2 years of relevant experience with environment and climate change related work such as research, training, coordination/development and/or implementation of environmental projects and activities is required;
• The candidate should have solid experience in working with computers and online systems.

Language:

• Fluent in English and Samoan both verbal and written.

Note:

• Women candidates are encouraged to apply.