UAE: DEVELOPMENT OF THE UAE NATIONAL ADAPTATION PLAN(NAP) CONSULTANT-GOVERNANCE

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page. 

The climate-associated hazards pose a threat to the UAE and include heat, water stress, heavy rainfall, as well as dust and sandstorms. If left unchecked, climate change could impact the coastal zones, public health, labor productivity, food security, tourism, and infrastructure. These severe consequences can only be prevented by a combination of systematic, long-term mitigation and adaptation efforts. The UAE is in a water-scarce hyper-arid environment; therefore, climate adaptation is also of critical importance. Climate change adaptation is also an opportunity to address bottlenecks in governance coordination in support of human welfare because adaptation encapsulates a broad temporality of measures that address very short-term (disaster, anticipatory action related) to very long-term issues such as how the structure of the economy will interact with future climate challenges. If a NAP plan and process are correctly undertaken, they can also support current broader societal goals as well as future-proof decisions made about economy, culture and even nurture a new relationship with nature and the environment.

The UAE has already demonstrated its commitment to addressing climate change that affects all spheres of society and the environment. The challenge of rapid global heating is matched by the opportunity to pursue a sustainable growth pathway that preserves the environment and improves the quality of life, as envisioned in the UAE Vision 2021. Through this document the UAE positions adaptation as a necessity and not an option. However, while there are ongoing adaptation measures and initiatives in the UAE, there is a significant need for a national-level plan to formulate and guide adaptation measures across different sectors and in particular at different sub-national/emirate levels. Assessments of risk, exposure, and vulnerability in different sectors have been initiated but require more attention to the frame, implement, monitor and evaluate adaptation strategies. Furthermore, a NAP, as a more “operational” document that NDCs can help to consolidate across several climate governance tools as the document aims to tackle a range of threats that impact society. 

A National Adaptation Plan (NAP) is therefore a powerful vehicle to facilitate adaptation planning. It seeks to identify medium- and long-term adaptation needs, informed by the latest climate data and information. These assessments inform adaptation planning measures and implementation underpinned by the enhancement of climate science and its extrapolation into accessible tools and measures that benefit all economic and social actors. This process aims to balance scientific and evidence-based decision-making with broad participation from relevant stakeholders and beneficiaries. Despite the existence of the national climate change plan and national adaptation action program, still the UAE needs a NAP to identify, prioritize, mainstream, implement and monitor adaptation strategies. The existing in-country risk assessment studies such as the UAE Climate Risk Assessment and Adaptation Measures in Key Sectors under the National Climate Change Adaptation Program will form the basis of risk measures and will be extended to other priority sectors identified by stakeholders. These assessments have supported the identification and prioritization of initial adaptation options in the most critical sectors (Health, Energy, Infrastructure, Environment, and Insurance). In this context, GGGI is supporting the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), the Government of the UAE in developing the NAP for the UAE.

 

The role of the Consultant-Governance is guided by the UAE NAP Development Project design and theory of change and shall address adaptation planning governance and institutional coordination for the development of the UAE NAP. The Consultant shall be responsible for providing support to the project by ensuring that the key deliverables outlined below are comprehensively covered, robustly designed, allows for review of and immediate action for any gaps and/or overlaps, conducted on schedule, pertinent documentation are prepared, validated, and submitted on time and in accordance with the UAE NAP Developed Design and Work Plan.   

 

SCOPE OF WORK AND ACTIVITIES

The Consultant will support the delivery of outputs as part of Outcome 1.1 (Adaptation Planning Governance and Institutional Coordination Strengthened).  S/he shall participate in the key processes (consultations and meetings) in connection with the stocktaking of policies and capacity, and developing a baseline understanding of ongoing and planned climate-related policies, projects, stakeholders, and practices in the UAE including the country’s international commitments such as the NDC and LEDS as they are aligned with/relevant to the NAP Planning process; understanding the current institutional set-up and arrangements pertaining to development planning at the federal and emirates-level and the integration of climate change and climate adaptation strategies therein; identifying the stakeholders across government, private sector, academe, non-government and civil society members and their roles to foster a more robust climate adaptation action particularly through the development and its subsequent updating of the UAE National Adaptation Plan, that is evidence-based, inclusive and participatory; and, in consulting and validating the prepared baseline report with the climate adaptation and NAP development stakeholders.

 

• Deliverable 1
  Submit a Work Plan that bears the indicative timelines, tasks, activities, methodological approach and standards to be adopted, and corresponding deliverables to accomplish the scope of work, detailed methodological approach/es, models or standards to be adopted in the execution of the assignment.  Point out any anticipated challenges, risks, and bottlenecks and bring them to the attention of GGGI for their attention or action (if within GGGI’s power).

• Deliverable 2
  Prepare and submit an Interim Governance Baseline Report for review by GGGI and for validation with the country stakeholders, detailing the policies, programs, projects and strategies as well as the UAE’s institutional arrangements/set-up and various practices across the UAE country stakeholders.  A preliminary examination of the current dynamics between the development planning process and integration of the climate change and climate adaptation policies and strategies including those for priority sectors as identified under the NAP development and key priorities/considerations per emirate will need to be included.

• Deliverable 3
  In consultation with the GGGI, prepare the design and lead the conduct of a Consultation/Validation and Stakeholder Mapping Workshop with stakeholders to ensure that the Interim Governance Baseline Report’s scope comprehensively captures the current institutional set up and actions on climate change, climate adaptation and development planning at the federal and emirates level, and the dynamics between those levels of governance in-country as well as the stakeholders concerned are identified and their mandate/roles are considered.

• Deliverable 4
  Submit a Stakeholder Map and Engagement Plan reflecting the inputs and feedback during the Consultation/Validation Workshop with country stakeholders.

• Deliverable 5
  Submit the Validated and Revised Governance Baseline Report examining the UAE climate-related institutional arrangements and existing capacity for adaptation and an inventory of climate-related policies especially on adaptation and the related policy targets and various practices across stakeholders and their roles at the federal and emirates level. S/he will identify and assess the current development processes including the planning process in UAE (federal and emirates level), and key stakeholders involved in the process at both the federal and emirates level across the 7 emirates of UAE.  The Report will also include recommendations for which stakeholder entities must be included as members of the Project Development Steering Group and identify entry points for strengthening coordination across these entities, keeping in mind the sectoral priorities of the country as the focus.

• Deliverable 6
  Submit a Concept Note on the Role of a Robust Institutional Arrangement for Ensuring an Effective Implementation of Climate Adaptation Actions identifying opportunities or entry points for strengthening climate adaptation institutional set-up in UAE to ensure effective stakeholder participation in support of an enhanced climate adaptation planning and implementation.

 

SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Deliverable	Due Date	Payment (Percentage)	Amount (USD)
Work Plan	By the 1st week after contract signing	Once Work Plan is approved by GGGI – 10%	2100
Interim Governance Baseline Report	By 20th August 2024	15%	3150
Consultation/Validation Workshop	By 30th August 2024	10%	2100
Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement Plan	By 15th September 2024	20%	4200
Validated and Final Governance Baseline Report	By 30th September 2024	30%	6300
Concept Note	By 5th October 2024	15%	3150
TOTAL			21000

 

• A Master degree in law, political science, governance, climate change and policy, economics, or related fields
• At least 8+ years of relevant experience in climate change and governance, institutional development
• Experience with stakeholder engagement particularly with government, private sector and CSOs
• Fluency in English and excellent writing skills are required
• Knowledge of green growth would be an advantage
• Experience with the UN system or other international organizations is required
• Experience in organizing, and facilitating workshops, meetings, and stakeholder consultation
• Good level of proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Understand and actively support GGGI’s mission, vision, and values

 

• Self-motivated, team player, with creative problem-solving abilities
• Interest in being a part of a multi-cultural team within a dynamic fast-paced environment
• Experience working in an international development agency with cross-functional departments and across multiple country contexts
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral)

 

• Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect, and partnership
• Process and share information accurately and transparently
• Positive team player attitude builds rapport and resolves conflict easily
• Promote creativity and innovation among staff
• Able to support the project management team in executing the necessary consultations and meetings with key stakeholders, especially the key government counterpart.

 

• Total contract value will be up to Twenty One Thousand United States Dollars (USD21,000).
• Date to close is 10 July 2024 (KST). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Application, cover letter, and CV must be sent in English. A consortium, or a firm, may not be engaged for this individual consultant assignment.

Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.