Background Information – Job-specific

UNOPS Water, Environment and Climate

The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and as part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Group, has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over 500 million USD over the last 15 years to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support.

WEC effectively operationalizes partners’ agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WEC’s ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

Initiative for Climate Action Transparency

The Initiative for Climate Action Transparency (ICAT) is an initiative under WEC.

ICAT helps countries better assess the impacts of their climate policies and actions, and fulfill their transparency commitments under the Paris Agreement. It does this by increasing the overall transparency capacities of countries, including the capacity to assess the contribution of climate policies and actions on countries’ development objectives, and providing appropriate methodological information and tools to support evidence-based policy-making. ICAT’s innovative approach is to integrate these two aspects.

ICAT currently works with over 50 developing countries worldwide to support their work on NDCs, including tracking of implementation, further policy development and related Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV). Work covers sectoral policies (renewables, energy efficiency, transport, etc.) and cross-cutting aspects such as the link to sustainable development benefits, transformational change, and integration of subnational and non-state actors.

ICAT is funded by Germany, Italy, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and the ClimateWorks Foundation.

Functional Responsibilities

 

Job Description

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Project Management Support Specialist, the incumbent will be responsible for collecting, analyzing and visualizing data as a part of ICAT’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Uptake (MELU) framework. The framework aims to capture the impact of ICAT’s work in countries.

The incumbent may also be asked to conduct background research related to different aspects of ICAT’s work and activities, in particular in relation to the work progress in developing climate action transparency frameworks implemented together with the ICAT beneficiary countries. The research findings will be used by the Secretariat as input for ICAT’s impact assessment and other planning activities, and for material to be used for outreach purposes.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. MELU Reporting:

• Liaise with ICATs implementing partners to support the collection and collation, review and analysis of data for the MELU framework;
• Ensure timely provision of surveys related to the MELU KPIs and follow up where required. This includes keeping track of new BUR, National Communication, NDC submissions and End of Project Surveys;
• Assist in interpretation of trends and drawing insights from project and survey data;
• Support the further development of the MELU framework based on experience in data collection and analysis, this includes supporting an external consultancy commissioned to review ICAT’s impact so far and the MELU framework with provision of data and contacts with implementing partners;
• Assist with developing strategic information, including data visuals and reports, that communicates key evidence with diverse stakeholders.

2. Grants Management Support:

• Assist the tracking and review of deliverables under ICAT Grant Support Agreements;
• Assist maintenance of dashboards used for Grants management;
• Assist the review of Grant Agreements and Grant Agreement Amendments.

3. Research support:

• Assist with background research on aspects related to the work of ICAT, in particular analyzing the role ICAT plays globally in supporting countries to build their institutional transparency infrastructure. Assistance will also be required for research on specific topics related to the countries covered by ICAT, with a focus on their GHG emissions and climate policies and actions in a global, regional and national perspective, in particular, the importance of their NDCs, the sectors covered by ICAT work, and other parameters;
• Assist analysis and assessment of the different ICAT transparency initiatives and their contribution and impact on ICAT countries’ climate policies and actions aimed at contributing to the implementation of transparency frameworks and further enhancing of their NDCs;
• Assist on compiling metrics used by countries as part of the climate action MRV, besides emissions data;
• Assist the preparation of statistical charts, tables and reports, extracting data from various sources to contribute to the preparation of background papers and outreach material;
• Assist the preparation of background research for the preparation of meeting notes and draft work plans for ICAT projects;
• Perform other duties as required based on ICAT Secretariat’s needs.

 

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• The incumbent should be enrolled in a university programme such as Bachelor or Masters OR have graduated from such studies within three (3) years prior to the applications date of the internship and be in possession of a residence permit or nationality permitting them to stay and conduct the internship in Germany during the full time of the internship
• Area of study should preferably relate to climate change, development studies, and/or environmental management

 

 

Contract type, level and duration – Internship

Contract type: Internship
Contract level: N/A
Contract duration:15 Apr 2024 through 14 Oct 2024, with possibility for extension up to 12 months

This internship is not designed to lead to a staff position with UNOPS. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of the internship.

Interns may be eligible for a monthly stipend from UNOPS provided that they do not receive funds from other institutions. Further, UNOPS may provide a one time travel lumpsum. However, they must make their own arrangements for accommodation, travel and necessary visa arrangements.

For more details about UNOPS internships please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Internships-and-volunteering.aspx

Competencies

 

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

 

Additional Information

 

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.