Technical Specialist

The UNDP Environment and Energy Group (EEG) is based in the Bureau of Development Policy and is responsible for providing leadership and technical support towards the delivery of the Environment and Sustainable Development pillar of UNDP’s Strategic Plan.  Its main focus is helping countries develop the capacity to manage and mainstream environment into national and local, but also global and regional, policy and practice such that development can become sustainable.  The principal areas of work are in policy development and support, market mechanisms, adaptation to climate change, and local governance of resources, including energy.

In this context, EEG is launching a project that seeks to develop national and sub-national policy responses to manage climate change across key economic sectors.  The objective of this project is to strengthen technical capacities of developing countries to integrate climate change risks and opportunities into human development based planning and programming.    In support of this objective, the project will pursue the following outputs: (1) Support available for designing national climate change strategies, investment plans, programmes and/or related products; and (2) Capacities strengthened for integrating climate change risks and opportunities into national development assistance

The post is associated with the project output relating to strengthening capacities for integrating climate change risks and opportunities into national development assistance.

Organizational Context

The Technical Specialist (TS) will report to the Lead TS of this project. 

• Technical Assistance
• Knowledge Management and Sharing
• Advocacy and Partnerships

• Propose value-added project activities based upon internal discussions and identification of in-house best practices;
• Oversee development of methodologies, practices and approaches;
• Conduct technical reviews of regional and national products, as required;
• Keep abreast of emerging methodologies for risk screening/integration of climate change risks and keep UNDP Regional Technical Advisors and Regional Disaster Reduction Advisors informed;
• Prepare project proposals based on country needs that fall within the scope of the second project output
• Prepare proceedings and other documentation for workshops and seminars, as required.
• Key result: Approach/processes identified for engaging national partners in screening development assistance for climate change risks and opportunities on an ongoing basis.

• Ensure that relevant project outputs, best practices, and lessons learned are disseminated, complying with the quality requirements of UNDP and other donors;
• Identify, extract, develop and disseminate lessons from projects and other sources;
• Provide substantive guidance to, and review of, national assessments of policy options.
• Key result: UNDP establishes a functional and substantive knowledge base on screening UNDP/UN portfolios at the national level for climate change risks and opportunities.

• Provide advisory services and strategic thinking on the project;
• Build partnerships with internal/external partners;
• Lead internal/external public relations for the project, identifying collaborative opportunities and promoting project results, to ensure project remains relevant and linked to UNDP processes;
• Liaise closely with UNDP Regional Technical Advisors and Regional Disaster Reduction Advisors;
• Conduct analytical work related to the project, and share findings and recommendations;
• Develop technical and strategic position papers, presentations, advisory and briefing notes, as needed.
• Key result: EEG widely recognised in-house as the leader in developing capacity for, and support of, climate change policy activities.

• 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.

• Development and operational effectiveness.
• Ability to lead formulation of development projects and oversee implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Good written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesise project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality project reports.
• Good oral communication skills and conflict resolution competency to manage inter-group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests of varied actors.
• Ability to apply theory to the specific policy context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.
• Demonstrated analytical skills (including expert knowledge of critical econometric tools and software for supporting analytical work)
• Excellent organisational and project implementation skills.
• Broad understanding of climate change adaptation.
• Strong interpersonal skills; commitment to team work and to working across disciplines.

• 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

• Master’s degree in development or environmental management, particularly climate change adaptation.
• Experience in reporting to donors and associated monitoring and evaluation activities.
• At least 7 years of practical experience in relevant field, particularly integration of development issues into planning.
• Communications experience and advocacy skills an asset.
• Extensive knowledge of development planning/procedures is critical.
• Work experience in an international organisation and knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures is desirable.
• Experience in working and collaborating with governments and UNDP Country Offices is desirable.
• Willingness to travel, as appropriate.
• Excellent knowledge of English, as well as writing, presentation and communication skills. Fluency in other UN languages is an asset.