International Nature and Climate Specialist

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The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Sao Tome and Principe works to achieve transformation change that will lead to freedom from poverty and insecurity for every Santomean, young or old, man or woman. In partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, the UNDP Country Office (CO) contributes to institutional development efforts and strengthens the capacity of national partners through projects and interventions in several domaines, encompassing the support to economic and inclusive growth and the promotion of environmental sustainability.  Relevant areas of action in the environmental sphere include the improvement of natural resources management and people’s resilience to climate change, natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies and well as the support to the country’s energy transition, in alignment with the SDGs and UNDP corporate programmes and with the ultimate goal of providing better and fairer living conditions to the present population and preserving the planet for future generations. 

UNDP is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the government, non-governmental actors and development partners to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground.

The Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, a SIDS and LDC, has experienced significant development progress, which has positioned the country to graduate from LDC status in 2024. Despite these achievements, poverty and inequality persist, with 66% of the population living below the poverty line.

The islands' unique tropical climate, topography, and geographic isolation from the African continent have led to an extraordinary array of ecosystems and biodiversity. Often referred to as the "African Galapagos," São Tomé and Príncipe boasts some of the highest levels of endemic species globally. Committed to preserving its extraordinary natural heritage, the archipelago has embraced its reputation as an ecological paradise, exemplified by the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation awarded to the island of Príncipe.

The sustainability challenge lies in reconciling development objectives and investments that rely on natural resources and ecosystem services while minimizing negative impacts. To successfully safeguard the islands' ecosystems and promote a resilient, low-carbon economy with an equitable transition, São Tomé and Príncipe must enhance its capacity to attract innovative environmental finance and bolster blended investments in both terrestrial (green) and aquatic (blue) resources.

Project context:

The project “Enhancing Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Land and Natural Resource Management”, (the Project) funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is bringing a long-term solution to the challenges and threats to the biodiversity conservation in São Tomé and Principe, based on the grounds that the terrestrial biodiversity and high conservation value forest ecosystems in São Tomé and Príncipe are effectively protected in adequately financed and managed protected areas, avoiding the loss of globally important species and habitats, and that forest ecosystem services and natural resources are maintained and sustainably managed in well-defined buffer zones and across the wider landscape through effective integrated land-use planning and management, compliance with environmental law, the successful establishment of a new sustainable coconut-based charcoal value chain, and the reorientation of high-impact traditional charcoal-makers to new livelihood activities.

The project, implemented by the Directorate of Environment and Climate Action, is currently undergoing its Mid Term Review, which report will be ready by February 2024. The project team is complete and fully operational.
 

The individual will also focus on enhancing UNDP's efforts in the Country Office’s Nature and Climate portfolio. This will involve bolstering national capacities in areas such as biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV), and climate data management, sustainable finance. Furthermore, the role includes providing technical assistance to expedite the implementation of the updated NDC, submitted in 2021.  Furthermore, the Specialist will advise the Senior Management of the CO in identification of complementary programmatic areas, and will lead the development and formulation of proposals and contribute to the resource mobilisation efforts.

Expected Tasks: 

1. Project implementation

• Lead the effective and efficient management and quality control of the GEF-funded project including planning and timely delivery of results taking into consideration the work plans and consistency with the priorities of corporate planning documents.
• Guide project implementation partners in implementation, troubleshooting and adaptive management while providing ongoing technical support and guidance as needed.
• Assist the National Project Coordinator in the mobilisation of all project inputs, supervision over project staff, consultants and sub-contractors.
• Support the elaboration of terms of reference for consultants and subcontractors and contribute to their recruitment process.
• Provide technical review of project outputs and make recommendations to the PMU.
• Provide strategic inputs into project implementation, including adaptive management measures.
• Provide inputs to the PMU on a strategic approach to stakeholder engagement with governmental and non-governmental partners.
• Strengthen partnerships with leading national and international institutions and expert groups.

1. Strategic guidance and policy support 

• Provide top quality policy advice and technical guidance to implementing partners, Country Office and Government on matters related to biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, climate policies and strategies, blue economy.
• Contribute to a strategic understanding of, and engagement with, the substantive technical issues, institutions, and processes, including through establishing contact and developing strategic partnerships with other agencies, donors, NGOs, the private sector, scientific institutions, etc.
• Ensure that new strategic opportunities for UNDP are realized, UNDP’s technical focus is leading edge and innovative, UNDP has strong partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, and that UNDP has a trusted leadership role in the technical area of expertise.

1. Resource Mobilization

• Advice and guide the CO in the identification of complementary programmatic areas, lead the development and formulation of proposals and contribute to the resource mobilisation efforts.
• Support the development of Partnerships and Resources Mobilization efforts for the expansion of the Country Office’s Nature and Climate portfolio.
• Support relevant government institutions and projects in developing strategic partnerships with UN agencies, international financial institutions, government agencies, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on UNDP’s strategic goals, country needs and donors' priorities.
• Analyse and research information on donors to identify possible areas of cooperation and actively contribute to resource mobilization efforts.
• Provide timely and quality information and technical advice on sources of funds, policies, priorities and activities – including the Global Environment Facility funds, the Green Climate Fund, other multilateral donors, bilateral donors and foundations.

1. Other tasks

• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation

4.      Institutional Arrangement

Under the oversight of the Assistant Resident Representative Programme and direct supervision of the manager of the Economic Growth and Environmental Sustainability Portfolio, the International Nature and Climate Specialist will provide technical advisory services and management to strenghten the Nature and Climate portfolio in São Tomé and Principe. 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Thematic Area   Name   Definition
Business Direction and Strategy   Strategic Thinking   Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible  solutions 
Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP
Business Direction and Strategy   Effective Decision Making   Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources
Business Development   Knowledge generation   Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need
Business Management   Project Management   Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Management   Partnership Management   Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
Business Management   Risk Management   Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks

Partnership Management   Relationship Management       Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understanding
 

•           Previous experience in GEF projects implementation is desirable.

•           Experience of working with International Organizations and/or Private Sector will be valued.