NDC Partnership In-Country Facilitator (Jordan) - Partnership Specialist Retainer

WEC Background: 

The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and with offices based globally is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. The Portfolio 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. 

The  NDC Partnership:

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition of countries and institutions collaborating to drive transformational climate action through sustainable development. In 2015, the world endorsed the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Nations signal their commitments to the Paris Agreement through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) - each country’s strategy to cut its own greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience against the negative effects of a changing climate. The Partnership advances the goals of the Paris Agreement by bringing together nearly 200 countries and institutions in new ways to accelerate NDC implementation and enhance ambition over time. The Partnership’s work through 120 partners supporting almost 80 countries produces many examples of impact, lessons learned and ideas for the future. The Partnership is governed by a Steering Committee, co-chaired by two country representatives. The Partnership’s work is facilitated by a Support Unit based at World Resources Institute in Washington DC and the UNFCCC Secretariat in Bonn, Germany. UNOPS supports the NDC Partnership and its Support Unit through the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC).  

The incumbent will serve as the NDC Partnership’s interface in the country and operate as a liaison between the country and other NDC Partnership members. The role is one of coordination and supportive facilitation. He/she plays a key role in ensuring the smooth implementation of the Country Engagement Process, by supporting ongoing coordination efforts between the Support Unit of the NDC Partnership, the various partners of the Partnership, and the government of Jordan. 

The incumbent will support the Ministry of Environment. He/she will be responsible for strengthening national coordination in terms of resource mobilization and monitoring the implementation of the NDC. He/she will support the focal point of the Partnership in his daily tasks of implementing the NDC and other forms of support for the NDC implementation.  

The embedded facilitator will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist and will work in close collaboration with the different ministerial offices. He/she will need to use his/her own laptop and software. This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve 12 months, maximum of 220 working days.

The following responsibilities are part of the embedded incumbent role:

Coordination and communication with key stakeholders

1. Ensure that communications about the NDC Partnership's engagement in the country are shared with relevant stakeholders (local, national, and international). 

2. Facilitate periodic coordination and information exchange among partners in the country, with the aim of leveraging their respective advantages and mobilizing them in support of NDC implementation.

3. Assist and advise international and development partners to align climate projects with programmatic goals.

Support the Development of NDC Partnership Plan

1. Under the guidance of the Focal Point and in close collaboration with partners and the NDC Partnership Support Unit, support the development process of the Partnership Plan.

2. Engage with in-country partners, including at the local/subnational level, to identify and align priorities and needs.

3. Collaborate with the Support Unit to document changes in the operating environment and provide support to government and stakeholders in decision-making processes and new developments

Monitoring the progress of country engagement

1. Monitor the progress of in-country engagement and provide periodic updates to NDC Partnership members.

2. Prepare quarterly country update reports summarizing key insights and progress, challenges and recommendations for the future. 

3. Evaluate the results of the NDC Partnership's engagement in the country and make recommendations for improvement.

Organizing and assisting with NDC-related meetings as needed by the Focal Point 

1. If necessary, facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogues on NDC at the national level. 

2. Support the government in preparing for NDC-related events such as COPs, regional climate weeks, national events and other relevant gatherings to showcase NDC progress and garner support for NDC implementation.

• A master’s degree in public policy, development, climate change, natural resource management, environmental management, or other relevant field of study. 

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline in combination with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Required

• At least 5 years’ experience in public and/or private sector with a focus on climate change, project management, stakeholder and donor engagement and preparation of cross-cutting workplan/proposal development;

• Experience in multilateral, national and grassroot governance and processes related to climate change, policy and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

• Knowledge of the country’s context of policy frameworks, national plans and strategies related to climate change is required.

Asset 

• Experience in facilitating the implementation of NDCs is an asset

• Demonstrated experience to foster networks with senior leaders and high-level audiences

•  Experience of other national contexts that indirectly contribute to climate change is desirable

• Ability to foster formal and informal networks to strengthen cooperation between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders is an asset. 

• Excellent communication (Written and Oral) Skills 

• Excellent MS Office (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint and others) and internet research skills.

• Familiarity with UNFCCC processes including Subsidiary Body and Conference of Parties (CoP), NDC and past experience on government climate change process.

Contract type: ICA / ICS 10 retainer
Contract level: Local ICA 10
Contract duration: 12 months, 220 days, with possibility of extension depending on performance and on availability of funds.

• 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.