Technical Specialist-MDG Carbon Facility

UNDP-GEF has, over the last 16 years, built a large portfolio of Climate Change projects with the help of funding provided by the GEF. The majority of the projects have focused on achieving long-term global benefits in terms of greenhouse gas emission reductions through mitigation activities, in line with guidance provided by the UNFCCC and the operational strategy and programs of the GEF. The Kyoto Protocol, concluded under the UNFCCC in December 1997 and entered into force in February 2005, introduced a number of complementary financial mechanisms (CDM, JI, emissions trading, collectively referred to as “carbon finance”) that have a shorter term investment focus resulting in concrete and measurable greenhouse gas emission reductions. The objective is to maximize/optimize the synergies and use of both types of instruments, to the overall benefit of achieving the short and long-term objectives of the UNFCCC.

To complement UNDP-GEF, UNDP has established the MDG Carbon Facility (MDGCF, http://www.undp.org/mdgcarbonfacility/index.html) with the twin objectives of expanding MDG impacts (sustainable development outcomes) from carbon finance, and expanding access to carbon finance to currently under- or unrepresented countries and sub-national regions. The core of MDGCF is a partnership between UNDP, to provide technical assistance to project proponents and host governments; and a private sector Financial Service Provider, to provide competitive carbon credit purchasing and marketing services.

The MDG Carbon Facility Technical Specialist’s (hereafter ‘the Specialist’) main responsibility will be to support the sourcing, screening, and due diligence of MDGCF projects to meet targets. The Specialist will provide information, tools and project reviews to ensure all projects in the MDGCF portfolio: (i) meet carbon regime (CDM, JI or voluntary markets) eligibility requirements, (ii) demonstrably contribute to MDGCF objectives, (iii) and are consistently and transparently reported on.

The Specialist will achieve this through effective and systematic reviews (and where necessary, compilation) of project documentation, research and analysis of relevant technical and carbon market information (methodologies and comparable projects), collaboration with Country Office staff and other climate change staff in Regional Centres and Head Office in order to provide support to the global team of Regional Technical Advisers (RTAs). The position is based in the Bratislava Regional Center, and the scope of work is global, covering all regions within UNDP.

The Specialist will work within UNDP's Environment and Energy Group of the Bureau for Development Policy and report to the UNDP-EEG Technical Manager for the MDG Carbon Facility.

The Specialist will be responsible for the provision of timely and relevant information for carbon technical services to support MDGCF. Under the direction of the Technical Manager, the main tasks of the position will be to:

• Provide effective and timely support to the RTAs, Head Office and Country Office staff on carbon project eligibility aspects of MDGCF;

• Cooperate with other UNDP staff, particularly in Regional Centres, working on climate change to maximize information sharing and collaboration as part of an active network of carbon practitioners, including providing regular summary information updates and analysis of carbon technical developments such as new methodologies;

• Develop and update the necessary support tools, including, but not limited to: project screening tools and processes; updating and developing MDGCF Project Idea Note (PIN) and other process templates as needed; guidance documents; identification and application of appropriate GHG quantification protocols; standardized Terms of Reference for engaging consultants; updates including analysis and interpretation of key developments such as new methodologies in the carbon market; and other tools as identified as needed by UNDP staff developing MDGCF projects;

• Input to, and in some cases lead, project concept, PIN and Project Design Document technical reviews;

• Direct engagement with project development work when required;

• Input to and in some cases lead, the development of new carbon quantification methodologies;

• Periodically prepare reports on progress of MDGCF portfolio performance to the MDGCF Board, MDGCF’s Financial Service Provider, UNDP and public stakeholders;

• Contribute to and take responsibility for development of training packages and participate in/facilitate training presentations to relevant Head Office, Regional Bureaux, and Country Office staff as required;

• Undertake sectoral and regional analysis of GEF project development and implementation to maximize opportunities for follow-on scale up and replication with use of carbon finance.
  

Corporate:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN 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.

Technical:

• Technical and analytical capability to undertake detailed analysis of heterogeneous data and draw meaningful and relevant conclusions for practical applications;
• Practical understanding of GHG quantification, monitoring, reporting, validation and verification;
• Practical understanding of the underlying processes of common GHG emission abatement technologies;
• Ability to advise on problems with full technical competency leading to fact-based and practical recommendations and creative solutions;
• Ability to produce high-quality outputs in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating evolving needs.

Functional:

Client Orientation:

• Ability to effectively appraise and apply existing knowledge to improve performance.

Partnerships and teamwork:

• Capacity to effectively lead and contribute with UNDP perspectives in UN agency collaboration and multi-stakeholder fora;
• Interdisciplinary and intercultural sensitivity and capacity to build strong relationships with partners and clients, using interpersonal skills to network effectively;
• Ability to manage complexity and contribute effectively to team-based activities and manage conflict and stress productively;

Communication:

• Ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences, and speak clearly and convincingly, demonstrating strong chairing and presentation skills in meetings, and adapting style and content to different audiences;

• Masters degree in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management, Engineering related to Energy and Climate Change or a closely-related field.
• Five years experience in environmental management, project management or other relevant field;
• Demonstrated experience relating to GHG quantification and reporting at the project level and processing requirements including the use of appropriate methodologies, monitoring and/or verification protocols
• Practical project management (not necessarily related to climate change projects) is desirable.
• Fluency in English; working knowledge of another UN language desirable.