Climate Change Adaptation Specialist

The objective of this consultancy is contributing to the efficient implementation of the project “Building capacity to advance National Adaptation Plan Process in the Dominican Republic” by executing the tasks outlined in Clause 4.2 of the Terms of Reference. The consultant will develop the following Products: Outputs: 3. NAP Implementation facilitated Product No.

• Report containing the methodology for the formulation phase of 3 regional and 5 municipal adaptation plans. 3. NAP Implementation facilitated Product No.
• Report containing the methodological proposals for the development of adaptation plans for the Ozama and Cibao Northeast regions.
• Mechanisms for Reporting, Monitoring and Review of NAPs and adaptation progress in place Product No.
• Report containing the monitoring, evaluation, reporting and learning methodology for the planning and implementation processes of regional and local adaptation plans.
• Mechanisms for Reporting, Monitoring and Review of NAPs and adaptation progress in place Product No.
• Report containing strategy for the periodic review of regional and local plans advance and implementation. 3. NAP Implementation facilitated Product No.
• Report summarizing adaptation options that build adaptive capacity or establish management systems and supportive mechanisms to be presented to regional and municipal committees
• NAP Implementation facilitated Product No.
• Report containing technical inputs for a methodological guide to prepare municipal plans for adaptation to climate change in the local level. 3. NAP Implementation facilitated Product No.
• Report with inputs of adaptation measures and costs identified in the 5 municipalities (Higuey, Santo Domingo Este, Neiba, Puerto Plata, Las Terrenas).3. NAP Implementation facilitated Product No.
• A document containing three regional adaptation plans (Ozama, Cibao-Northest and Enriquillo regions)3. NAP Implementation facilitated Product No.
• A document containing 5 municipal adaptation plans (Higuey, Santo Domingo Este, Neiba, Puerto Plata, Las Terrenas). Specific tasks and responsibilities The Climate Change Adaptation Specialist will contribute to the effective implementation of the project by guaranteeing that the following tasks integrate the gender mainstreaming:
• Analyze available information on climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation initiatives, including the assessment of qualitative and quantitative information gaps and needs.
• Develop reports containing experiences obtained from technical exchanges, presenting the lessons learned by the team on adaptation planning and implementation.
• Advice on the preparation and validation of the communication strategy.
• Provide guidance for developing Terms of Reference, guide and the generation of regional and local adaptation plans, including interventions at systemic level and in specific slums.
• Collaborate within the training sessions for staff responsible for approval of infrastructure projects; Protocols on climate resilience of infrastructure projects.
• Contribute with developing Terms of Reference and oversee the preparation of a methodological guide on climate change adaptation planning and implementation at regional and local levels.
• Collaborate with the efforts to enable private sector participation and promote the establishment of public-private partnerships.
• Provide guidance to the research priorities on climate change adaptation; Cooperation agreements between the Directorate of Climate Change and research institutions.
• Contribute with the development of a strategy for the periodic review of the National Adaptation Plan, including the financing strategy, based on i) updated climate information; ii) updated socio-economic vulnerabilities, implementing costs, opportunities and plans; iii) lessons learned regarding adaptation planning (at legal, policy and institutional level); iii) lessons learned regarding implementation of adaptation measures on the ground.
• Collaborate with the process to estimate the costs of implementing the prioritized adaptation interventions at national, sectoral and local levels.
• Provide guidance for the development of concepts and associated documentation for two adaptation programmes, one focusing on urban areas (covering Santo Domingo and 4 other cities) and one focusing on rural areas (covering 2 rural areas and 1 protected ecosystem and its mitigation areas), in coordination with efforts conducted through the readiness grant already been implemented.

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level.

• Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). In terms of addressing climate change, UNEP aims to support countries in the compliance of the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the countries Nationally Determined Contributions.
• The overall objective of UNEP´s Sub-programme on Climate Change is to strengthen the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. The expected accomplishment regarding climate change adaptation is that adaptation approaches, including an ecosystem-based approach, are implemented, and integrated into key sectoral and national development strategies to reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience to climate change impacts. Furthermore, the UNEP´s Sub-programme on Climate Change is also committed to ensure that crosscutting issues such as gender equity and women empowerment are effectively undertaken in the development of its tasks to guarantee an equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives.
• To fulfill the objectives of the project, the UNEP LACO Office is recruiting a Climate Change Adaptation Specialist to collaborate with the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources and UNEP in the implementation of the Green Climate Fund funded project as set in the funding proposal document.
• The Consultant will report directly to the Regional Subprogramme Coordinator of the Climate Change Unit in UNEP LACO. The main objective of the consultancy is to provide technical expertise to the National Project Coordinator and the Project Management Unit in the coordination and development of several activities related to science-based adaptation planning within the framework of the project Building capacity to advance National Adaptation Plan Process in the Dominican Republic, including compiling baseline information on the climate change impacts, risks and vulnerabilities in the country and the main actions that are and have been implemented to address them. This includes the revision of primary and secondary data and the identification of information gaps and needs.
• Similarly, the Climate Change Adaptation Specialist will elaborate of two sets of terms of reference for the execution of the knowledge generation based component of the approved project proposal, provide technical inputs for the different processes to start with the formulation of the National Adaptation Plan and assist the National Project Coordinator and the Project Management Unit in the development and implementation of other project related activities, including attending national, regional and local meetings, as required.
• The Climate Change Adaptation Specialist will operate under the overall supervision of the Regional Subprogramme Coordinator of the Climate Change Unit in UNEP LACO. Additionally, he/she will work in close collaboration with the UNEP’s Adaptation team, the Directorate of Climate Change of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in the Dominican Republic, other national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts. Travel within the Dominican Republic might be needed for consultation processes.

Qualifications/special skills

ACADEMIC:

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, planning, conservation, environmental sciences, climate change adaptation or a closely related field is required.
• Master’s degree in climate change adaptation, natural resources management, development studies, urban planning, social or environmental sciences or a closely related field is required.

PROFESSIONAL:

• Seven (7) years of relevant experience working with climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction or natural resources management is required.
• Demonstrated experience in Land Use and Planning and Monitoring & Evaluation is an advantage.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working in design and planning of adaptation solutions, preferably in the Caribbean region and/or in the Dominican Republic, at the National, subnational or sectoral level is desired.
• Demonstrated experience in the elaboration and preparation of reports and technical documents is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience working with climate change scenarios in decision making process is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in engaging with government institutions and other stakeholders at national and local levels is desirable.
• Previous work experience and knowledge about the Dominican Republic is an asset.
• Experience with international organizations will be an advantage, as will be knowledge of UN Environment policies, procedures and practices is an asset.

LANGUAGE:

• Fluent in Spanish is required.
• Fluent in English is required.

SKILLS:

• Excellent political, advisory and facilitation skills. Ability to facilitate technical discussions and participatory processes with multiple stakeholders in multicultural environments.
• Demonstrated understanding of development planning and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.
• Excellent technical leadership and understanding of climate change adaptation concepts, principles and policies. Ability to provide guidance on climate change adaptation, especially as it relates to development planning.
• Strategic perspective to guide the development of products to maximize impact and success.

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/239736?language=en