Background
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UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO Office), 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).
UNEP Brazil Country Office works in an integrated manner with UNEP LACO and its Regional Sub-Coordinators in anchoring the national programme portfolio in the design of new projects and partnerships, and as well in identifying funding opportunities that can address national priorities.
The GEF-7 CITinova II Project – “Promoting Integrated Metropolitan Planning and Innovative Investments in Urban Technologies in Brazil” is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). It was signed by the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
UNEP HQ, through the Economy Division and the Ecosystem Division, is the implementing agency for the project “Promoting integrated metropolitan planning and innovative urban technology investments in Brazil” (CITinova II). The Global Environment Facility (GEF) provides funding to a total of more than US$ 12.5 million. The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI) is the national executing partner, and as such, the institution responsible for overseeing the project activities as foreseen in the Project Document.
MCTI nominates a National Director and a National Coordinator, who are responsible for the general supervision of the project activities, which will be carried out, in a decentralized manner, by the co-executing partners – The United Nations Environmental Program Brazil (UNEP-BR) and the Brazilian Biodiversity Fund (FUNBIO) in three pilot metropolitan regions in Brazil. These are: (1) Belém Metropolitan Region, (2) Florianópolis Metropolitan Region, and (3) Integrated Development Region of Teresina.
The CITinova II Metropolitan Regions integrate the UrbanShift program. UrbanShift is the brand name of the Global Environment Facility’s Sustainable Cities Impact Program. It is led by the UN Environment Programme and implemented in partnership with the World Resources Institute, C40 Cities, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, the UN Development Programme, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. The program is supporting more than 23 cities in 9 countries and focuses on integrated urban planning, lowcarbon infrastructure, sustainable waste management and nature-based solutions for urban sustainability. UrbanShift brings together global, national, and local stakeholders, and engages with city-based organizations and the private sector to work towards common sustainability visions.
Project Description
The GEF-7 CITinova II Project – aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen biodiversity conservation, and achieve economic, social, and environmental co-benefits through integrated urban planning. The implementation of period is four years from the second quarter of 2023.
The project activities are planned at national and sub-national levels. The latter occurs at the Belem Metropolitan Region, the Florianopolis Metropolitan Region and the Greater Teresina Integrated Development Region. The proposed activities are organized into four Components:
Component 01 – Governance and integrated urban planning: Proposal of metropolitan governance arrangements, development of integrated metropolitan planning tools and preparation of integrated metropolitan plans for the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, integrated management of conservation units and urban green areas, solid waste management, sustainable urban mobility, and strategies for the sustainable urban development of urban areas.
Component 02 – Investments in low-emission technologies and biodiversity conservation: Implementation of low-emission pilot projects in the cities of Belem, Florianopolis, and Teresina. Development of agroforestry production chains on Combú Island (PA), strengthening community-based conservation and fauna monitoring in the Pirajubaé Marine Extractive Reserve (SC) and strengthening water security and fauna monitoring in the Carijós Ecological Station (SC).
Component 03 – Innovative financing: Strengthening national mechanisms for financing sustainable urban development initiatives. Capacity building of public entities to access financing. Development of a payment program for environmental services aiming to strengthen the conservation of Utinga State Park and to improve the provision of ecosystem services for the Belem Metropolitan Region.
Component 04 – Dissemination of knowledge and capacity building: Development of the Innovations and Solution System for Sustainable Urban Planning (SIS+) to promote the dissemination of knowledge on sustainable urban development and integrated urban planning at national, regional, and local level. Capacity building regarding sustainable urban planning. Systematization and dissemination of good practices, lessons learned and project experiences.
Purpose of the Recruitment
The objective of this term of reference is to hire a Technical Coordinator and Urban Planning Specialist to direct and coordinate the implementation of the technical activities of the project in collaboration with the co-executing partners (FUNBIO and UNEP Brazil), UNEP Implementing Agency, MCTI, the GEF and other partners of the Sustainable Cities Impact Program.
The Technical Coordinator will work under the supervision of the UNEP Brazil Office Representative. The Technical Coordinator will work in close collaboration with the MCTI National Directorate, UNEP Implementing Agency team, co-executing partners as well as other stakeholders. The Technical Coordinator will work with administrative support of the UNEP Brazil office and will be stationed at the headquarters of the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation in Brasilia.
The incumbent will work at the headquarters of Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, in Brasília, from Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week (7.5 hours each day).
Qualifications / special skills or knowledge required
Academic Background Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in architecture and urban planning or related field is mandatory.
- Post graduation course or master’s degree in urban planning or related field is required.
- Candidates with a Bachelor`s degree should have at least nine (9) years of relevant experience in the field of architecture and urban planning.
- Candidates with both Bachelor`s and Post graduation course or Master’s degree, should have at least five (5) years of relevant experience in the field of architecture and urban planning.
Desirable Work Experience:
- Direct professional experience working with and/or advising local governments on the development of policies, programs and projects related to urban sustainability, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and/or biodiversity conservation.
- Demonstrated experience working with stakeholder articulation from local, state, and national governments, non-profit organizations, international organizations, the private sector, academia, and civil society.
- Experience working in the Federal Government in the thematic fields mentioned in the present term of reference.
- Experience working in the UN System
- Experience with co-creation activities, teamwork, facilitation of collaborative working sessions.
- Experience with project coordination, including: relationships with government and stakeholders, experience of leading technical teams, planning, execution and control of results, preparation and critical analysis of documents (contracts, reports, projects, terms of reference, etc.), risk management
Language requirements:
- Fluency in English and Portuguese languages is mandatory.
Mandatory Skills:
- Computer skills with knowledge and experience in spreadsheet packages and databases (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.).
- Capacity to write correspondences, reports, texts, documents, and invitations.
- Ability to work together with co-execution partner institutions.
- Ability to coordinate stakeholder articulation and engagement.
- Good Interpersonal relationship skills to work closely with partners and project coordinating team.
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN Environment.
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies:
- Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations.
- Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Expected result of services
All services to be performed under this Term of Reference will have a direct impact on the development and implementation of the project “Promoting integrated metropolitan planning and innovative urban technology investments in Brazil” (CITinova II).
Legislative authority
The contract will be governed by United Nations Environmental Programme rules and procedures.
Duration
Contract duration is one (1) year. Contract may be renewed. Either party may terminate the SC before the expiry date of the contract by giving notice in writing to the other party. The minimum period of notice shall be 14 calendar days.
Indicative level of remuneration
UNDP SC 4/2
The value presented on UNDP’s Service Contract table refers to the gross salary to be paid to the Contractor, not being included the amount related to the payment of Income Tax and others related Taxes, which shall be of sole responsibility of the Contractor. Under SC contract, the Local Social Security (INSS), Health and Life Insurance costs are fully covered by the organization through the corresponding funding source. Payment under the SC is based on services satisfactorily provided in accordance with the terms of reference under the SC.
Travel involved
Costs with missions/travels to meet the objectives and results stated in this Term of Reference are not included in the total amount mentioned above and shall be covered by the Project upon request of the Project National Director.
Objectives, expected outputs and accomplishment indicators
Objectives:
Task description
Under the supervision of the UNEP Brazil Office Representative and with the support of the UNEP Brazil Office, the tasks and responsibilities of the Technical Coordinator will include:
Technical coordination and supervision
- Lead the technical coordination, supervision, and implementation of the project activities.
- Ensure the technical and formal unity of the project.
- Manage and coordinate the activities of the Metropolitan Region Technical Coordinators.
- Establish working procedures and workflows among MCTI, the Implementing Agency, the coexecuting partners, specially FUNBIO, and the Project Management Unit to ensure that technical implementation is carried out according to the project design.
- Promote regular communication and guarantee the institutional coordination necessary for the project with relevant ministries, governmental agencies, co-finance partners, Project Steering Committee members, Advisory Group of Specialists, members of ad-hoc technical working groups and all other key stakeholders.
- Act as a focal point for the Global Platform through the UrbanShift Program providing information upon request and supporting the execution of its activities aligned with the project objectives and priorities.
- Present the project to stakeholders as needed.
- Undertake timely reporting to the National Directorate, the Implementing Agency, and the coexecuting partners as per the progress of the technical activity’s implementation.
- Identify opportunities for coordination with other projects and initiatives adherence to the project and coordinate with the project activities whenever possible.
- Coordinate the revision of the project outputs whenever necessary or requested to guarantee the expected results and potentialize the impacts foreseen by the project.
- Research and develop technical content in the areas relevant to the project as needed.
- Organize and coordinate meetings, committees, events, and workshops.
- Lead working groups for the implementation of the national outputs and orient the local working groups as needed.
- Coordinate and aid the preparation of technical terms of reference in collaboration with the Project Management Unit, the co-executing agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to guarantee the execution of the project outputs.
- Work in collaboration with the Communication Advisor and the Communication Agency to develop and implement communication strategies to guarantee the transparency and enhance the impact of the project activities as well as to potentialize stakeholder engagement.
- Ensure the implementation of the technical activities follows the physical and financial planning within the approved timeframe and budget.
- Monitor and ensure compliance with objectives, expected results and indicators of the project.
- Answer for the technical aspects of the project, researching and analyzing the relevant themes, in collaboration with the Metropolitan Region Technical Coordinators and other key stakeholders.
- Lead and/or aid the development of all planning processes, including the development of a detailed workplans for the execution of the technical activities.
- Ensure inclusive participatory processes wherever possible.
- Translate technical documents as needed.
- Ensure the implementation of the Gender Action Plan.
- Propose improvements to the project implementation and identify ways to enhance the impact of the project.
- Monitor the progress of the implementation of the technical activities foreseen by the project through documentation and/or on-site visits.
- Identify risks, develop, and implement mitigation strategies.
- Identify and seek to address technical issues that arise with the execution of the project in collaboration with the Project Management Unit and other relevant stakeholders.
- Review the products presented by partner institutions and consultancies in collaboration with the Metropolitan Region Technical Coordinators and technical consultants to guarantee the required quality standards and the compliance with project objectives and expected results.
- Promote the documentation of experiences, good practices, and lessons learned.
- Attend capacity building activities as per request of the National Directorate and UNEP.
Reporting
- Revise, consolidate, prepare technical notes and other related documentation required by UNEP/GEF and the Executing Partner (MCTI).
- Prepare Change Requests for scope modifications whenever necessary or requested.
- Contribute to the preparation of the technical progress reports: − Half-yearly Progress Report for the period 1 July – 31 December for each project year. − Project Implementation Review (PIR) report for the period 1 July – 30 June for each project year. The PIR report shall be accepted as the Half-yearly Progress Report for the period 1 January – 30 June.
- Help with the Mid-term and Terminal Evaluation processes.
- Contribute to the preparation of the Final Report for the overall project.
- Contribute to the elaboration of the progress reports for the Brazilian Cooperation Agency.
Project meetings and travel
- Participate in workshops, seminars, meetings, and other events related to the project’s objectives, when requested.
Work Location
This post is for duty at the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation in Brasília/DF.
Disclaimer
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UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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