Programme Specialist (Climate Change and Urban Resilience)-UNHABITAT-(Nationals Only)

This position is open to Ghana Nationals Only 

BACKGROUND

Addressing urbanisation and climate change issues is one of the key global challenges and priorities for UN-Habitat. Working in the area of sustainable urban development and human settlements, UN-Habitat is uniquely placed to work with all sectors of society to help mobilize the institutions and resources required to support countries implement their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in the context of the Paris Agreement. 

With a growing portfolio, Climate Change and Urban Resilience is a key component of UN-Habitat’s programme in Ghana.  UN-Habitat aims to strengthen public institutional capacities to reduce environmental degradation and implement climate action, as well as facilitate access to information, knowledge and tools that promote green jobs, citizen participation in environmental conservation, and community resilience. In this regard, UN-Habitat is collaborating with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and other institutions to turn Ghana’s commitments under the Paris Agreement into concrete action, ensuring that climate change and urbanisation issues are addressed in a wholesome and strategic manner, that plans are gender responsive, and that different strategies are employed to mobilize the financial resources that are needed to implement Ghana’s climate and urbanisation agenda. This area of work includes support to have attractive and realistic financing strategies in place, access vertical funds, take advantage of international cooperation mechanisms outlined in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, as well as build local capacities (including of the private sector) to mobilize climate finance. At the local level, UN-Habitat is helping communities to adapt to climate change and reduce their vulnerabilities to disasters. Key among them is them is the implementation of the Improved Resilience in Coastal Communities in Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana funded by the Adaptation Fund.

UN-Habitat Ghana Country Office seeks to engage the services of a Climate Change and Urban Resilience Specialist to 1) strengthen UN-Habitat’s technical advisory support in the area of sustainable development, climate change and environment 2) contribute to the effective and high-quality delivery of the sustainable urban development, environment and climate change portfolio; 3) manage and expand the improved resilience in the coastal areas of Ghana project, other climate change and urban resilience project pipeline; and 4) strengthen key partnerships that advance UN-Habitat’s vision for supporting NDC enhancement and implementation.

Position Purpose: 

Under the guidance of the Country Manager and/or Project Manager, Improved Resilience for Coastal Areas in Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire the Programme Specialist, Climate Change and Urban Resilience plays a pivotal role in advancing UN-Habitat's program in Ghana, specifically focusing on sustainable development, urban resilience, environmental conservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, in alignment with the country's commitments under the Paris Agreement. The role encompasses technical advisory support, portfolio delivery, project management, and partnership building to achieve these goals.

UN-Habitat adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UN-Habitat personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

1.) Provide top-quality advisory and technical services in the area of climate change, urban resilience and sustainable development: 

• Provide timely and quality information and technical advice to the Government of Ghana on NDC implementation, public and private climate finance opportunities and strategic engagement of the private sector.
• Provide technical advice on urban resilience and nationally led climate-related initiatives and processes, upon the request of the Government of Ghana to UN-Habitat.
• Coordinate and substantively contribute to UN-Habitat’s policy advice to Government in other thematic areas under the Environment, Urban Resilience and Climate Cluster (e.g., green economy, circular economy etc.).
• Undertake relevant analytics and research, as required, and prepare knowledge materials to support UN-Habitat’s climate related initiatives and more broadly those implemented by the Urban Resilience and Climate Portfolio.
• Contribute to the preparation of necessary briefings and update for UN-Habitat’s effective participation in programme important meetings, workshops and relevant events.
• Support UN-Habitat’s efforts on advocacy and policy dialogue, including participation and contribution to policy-driven researches and reviews.
• Advise UN-Habitat and UN Country Team on relevant national and international developments on climate change (including UNFCCC processes) and assist in identifying coordinated approaches.
• Support UN-Habitat’s engagement in UN interagency coordination and provide substantive technical contribution and research insights on urban resilience, environment and climate issues. This includes supporting the development of the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
• Maintain close collaboration within UN-Habitat’s Global Policy Network to receive technical support as needed.
• Contribute to global learning and knowledge exchange by documenting and disseminating lessons learned from activities of climate change portfolio and disseminate widely through on-line platforms. 
• Enhance UN-Habitat’s visibility and profile on climate change and other thematic areas under the Climate, Urban Resilience and Environment Portfolio.
• Coordinate and contribute to the establishment of project pipelines in the area of sustainable development. Follow up on existing pipeline projects to fast-track their approval and start of implementation.

2.)         Lead implementation of Adaptation Fund project in Ghana and Agency portfolio on sustainable development, environment and climate change and contribute to implementation of the Country Programme:

• Provide strategic direction and oversight to Improved resilience in coastal areas of Ghana and UN-Habitat’s programme on environment and climate change, ensuring sound project management in line with UN/UN-Habitat’s Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures.
• Lead the team and supervise personnel in the Climate and Urban Resilience Portfolio, providing mentoring and guidance in the implementation of work plans.
• Provide oversight of nationally implemented projects in close collaboration with the relevant implementing partner/responsible party, ensuring timely quality delivery.
• Undertake monitoring and commission evaluations of projects, identification of operational and financial challenges and development of solutions.
• Effectively apply Result Based Management (RBM) tools, establishing management targets and monitoring achievement of results.
• Produce aggregate reports on activities, outputs and outcomes, including reports for donors as needed.
• Support procurement of goods, services and consultants. 
• Implement other tasks necessary for implementation of the Country Programme and Portfolio

3.)  Maintain and expand strategic partnerships and support resource mobilization for the Country Programme with focus in the area of sustainable development, climate change and urban resilience: 

• Explore new areas of cooperation and identify opportunities for initiation of new initiatives on climate change in line with UN-Habitat Strategic Plan, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, and UN-Habitat Country Programme Document in Ghana.
• Lead the formulation of project proposals on Climate change, Environment and Urban Resilience.
• Coordinate overall resource mobilization efforts of the Climate Change, Environment and Urban Resilience Portfolio.
• Support the development and coordination of strategic partnerships with UN entities, development agencies, private sector networks, community networks and other relevant bodies to strengthen UN-Habitat policy advice and programme delivery on environment and climate change.
• Participate and contribute to development partners’ engagements with government on climate change and environment actions including meetings and events.
• Support the development and coordination of strategic partnerships with UN entities, development agencies, Adaptation fund project executing agencies (i.e Habitat for Humanity and ITC) private sector networks, community networks and other relevant bodies to strengthen UN-Habitat policy advice and programme delivery on sustainable development.
• Partner with the UN-Habitat- global and regional programmes, offices and networks on sustainable development areas to support the Country Office’s policy development and programming needs in this sector.
• As part of the involvement in the UNSDCF Results Group 1 and 2 identify and pursue opportunities for joint programming with other UN Agencies in the area of sustainable development.

4.) Partnership and resource mobilization.

• Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice in the area of Climate Change and Urban Resilience.
• Contribute to the development and review of knowledge products in close coordination with the Communications Unit.
• Support organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on the sustainable development programme.
• Support programme networking, linkages and partnership development in sustainable development areas with other UN Agencies and development partners.
• In line with the UN-Habitat Strategic Plan, identify innovative ways to engage private sector and civil society to work with UN-Habitat to develop and/or implement sustainable development related programmes

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:  Supervision and performance management of the Country Office Programme Team

Core Competencies: 

• Achieve Results LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, and have lasting impact.
• Think Innovatively LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, and develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
• Learn Continuously LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, and diversify experiences.
• Adapt with Agility LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, and manage multiple competing demands.
• Act with Determination LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate tasks/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
• Engage and Partner LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate the complex landscape, champion Inter-agency collaboration.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion LEVEL 3: Appreciate the benefits of a diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in sustainable development, environment sciences, social sciences, or related field is required, 

OR

• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

• Minimum of 5 years (with a master’s degree) or  7 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of relevant years of professional experience in leading multidisciplinary teams in the formulation and implementation of sustainable development and climate change initiatives/projects is required. 
• At least five (5) years of relevant progressively responsible experience supporting national processes on climate change and sustainable development is desired.
• Solid experience/understanding of climate change related issues at both the global (e.g. Paris Agreement processes, climate finance opportunities) and local (challenges, policy environment, key initiatives) levels is desired.
• Experience preparing knowledge products and communications material is required.
• Experience working with UN/DP and/or other multilateral, bilateral, national or civil society actors on climate change and NDC issues is an asset.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English language is required.
• Fluency in any of the local dialects in Ghana is required. 
• Knowledge of another UN language (especially French) is desirable.

Applicant information about UNHABITAT rosters

UN-HABITAT 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 UN-HABITAT at the same grade level and with similar job descriptions, experience, and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

• UN-HABITAT 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. 
• UN-HABITAT 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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