CPPGG – Environment & Climate Change Specialist

The UN General Assembly, and all its 193-member countries, in September 2015 adopted a global development vision entitled Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This 2030 Agenda was designed as a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity.  It lays out 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets, to stimulate global action over the next 15 years on issues critical to humanity and the planet. India committed to these SDGs at the September 2015 UN Summit and the SDGs officially came into force on 1 January 2016. The Government of India has been actively engaged in integrating the SDGs since early 2016. NITI Aayog, the National Institution for Transforming India, has been entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating the efforts on SDGs with ministries and states, indicative of “whole of government” approach. The NITI Aayog has prepared an Action Agenda (3 Years) and is preparing medium term perspective plan (7 years) and long term (15 years) goals for the country through a 15-year vision document for a period up to 2030, which will be co-terminus with sustainable development goals. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has prepared a Draft National Monitoring Framework consisting of 306 Indicators. At National level a High-Level Steering Committee which has been constituted for refining the indicators is expected to emerge as backbone on the development interventions of the country.

The UNDP’s India Country Programme Document CPD (2018-2022) signed with the Government of India (GoI) aims at transformative change and development impact at scale. In line with this, UNDP has initiated active support to many state governments in mainstreaming SDG’s within their schemes and programmes. As an overarching UN strategy, this is a part of SDG roll out for visioning and planning in India. In view of India’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda, Uttarakhand too has set ambitious targets for itself for achieving the SDGs and has already formulated its SDG Vison 2030 document.

Centre For Public Policy & Good Governance

Centre for Policy & Good Governance (CPPGG) Uttarakhand has been set up to assist in bringing about governance reforms through studies, training, knowledge sharing and promotion of innovative ideas. CPPGG is deemed to act as the think tank in the State which will help in improving the research & analytics for preparing a better planning & policy framework. The think tank is presently functioning as an autonomous body with a governing council headed by Chief Minister and Chief Secretary and has experts from various prestigious institutions as the members. The institution is mandated to identify the bottle necks in the growth trajectory of the State and firm up solutions to address the same. UNDP will support the State Government in technical empowerment of the CPPGG, by recruiting sectoral experts in mutually agreed sectors which are beneficial for the economic growth of the State and manage the policy development for fostering economic growth and inclusive development through SDGs, under the leadership and guidance of Department of Planning.

UNDP therefore is looking for a dynamic team of experts to be a part of the PMU in CPPGG and work closely with relevant government departments, technical agencies, UN agencies, civil society organization and academic institutions to provide the requisite impetus to the state government’s initiative in rolling out the SDGs and accelerating economic growth.

Natural resources and biodiversity often constitute the social safety net of the poor, representing a food bank and often their only source of livelihood. The State of Uttarakhand with rich natural resources is looking at sustainable practices for a green, clean, and resilient world where natural resources are managed to support livelihoods and strong economies. Sustainable management of natural resources builds a world better prepared for shocks and challenges, helping state to limit their exposure to resource scarcity, more volatile weather patterns, and the long-term consequences of climate change. Sustainable Development Goals were prepared to deliver on the opportunities, benefits and outcomes offered by enhanced management of the environment and natural resources. There is a need of expertise to support effective environmental risk management and sustainability by managing risk at the project level and creating opportunities to advance sustainable development, in part through the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The services of a technical officer are required to initiate research, prepare strategy papers and action plans on problems faced by the environment degradation and pursuant climate change implications for ensuring a green growth in the State as per the vision drawn in the Sustainable Development Goals Vision Document 2030.  The Technical Officer has chart out the vision strategy for green growth into the state by preparing action plans and support various departments in implementing the same. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Provide technical support to the State as a Specialist who for environmental risk management and efficiently translate the goals and targets as agreed upon the SDG Vision Document

• Identifying, reviewing and appraising the State Government and ensuring that environmental issues are properly addressed in project through specific environmental analysis which may include issues related to environmental assessments, natural habitats, forests, pest management, safety of dams, public consultations, and occupational health and safety
• Providing expert guidance to government in the preparation and successful implementation of project environmental assessment instruments/documentation, including Terms of Reference for the preparation of environmental instruments, such as environmental impact/risk assessments, environmental management plans, environmental management frameworks;
• Seeking and developing opportunities to improve and integrate sound environmental management and policies , including improving environmental benefits and providing value added service, and building capacity of relevant local clients and other stakeholders
• Coordinating and sharing information with all State Government Departments, providing environmental risk management project support or working on other environment and natural resource issues
• Contributing as required to the broader work of CPPGG on improving environmental sustainability; and identifying and pursuing innovative approaches
•  Contributing to preparation and supervision of projects in the areas of pollution and natural resource management, including forests, landscapes, coastal zone and fisheries
• Contributing to relevant analytical work
• Leveraging Global Practice's expertise and body of knowledge to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions; and
• Design and implementation of mitigation strategies in areas of risk;
• Project design in order to improve environmental benefits (positive impacts) and outcomes of the project
• Apply Environmental Engineering principals, practices, and methods and their applications in Design, construction, operation, and maintenance of infrastructure in relation to environmental, health and safety management

The specialist will be required, as needed, to provide a range of technical support to Uttarakhand Government and activities, including some of the following potential areas:

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA);
• Environmental Management Plan (EMP);
• Environmental Management Frameworks;
• Cumulative Impact Assessment
• Other forms of environmental assessments/analysis;
• Environmental risk analysis and management;
• Occupational health and safety management;

2. Provide technical support to the CPPGG Project team and various departments in the government to Design and operationalize Climate Change Adaptation Plan based on the SDG VISION 2030 document and in line with the SDG indicators approved by Central & State Government:

• Prepare a stock taking document with reference to SDG Vision Document on climate change and prepare an executive summary for the State Officials on the important actions to be taken.
• Provide insight on based on the initial analysis the causes of the problem as well as barriers impending implementation of immediate adaptation strategies and measures.
• Identify adaptation strategy, opportunities and alternatives and prepare a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for the State in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
• Discuss the findings with other relevant stakeholders and solicit a coordinated action plan for the State.
• Study the linkages with adaptation and sustainable development at the local level, sectors (Agriculture, Water Resource Management, Livelihoods, Infrastructure etc) and support in planning coordinated actions.
• Ensure mainstreaming the climate change risks and adaptation in the State policies, programming priorities ensuring the information about climate related risk vulnerability, and options for adaptation are incorporated into planning and decision making in key sectors, such as agriculture, water, health, disaster risk management etc
• Organise studies/research for mainstreaming climate change adaptation strategies in the development scenario in line with vision document.
• Streamline a gender-neutral climate change response to ensure mainstreaming of women’s need in climate change strategies
• Advocate the application of ground-breaking climate change and sustainable energy approaches, especially as an integrated approach to achieving the SDGs
• Advise CPPGG on strategies to achieve the targets relevant to Environment, Climate Change, Energy, Water & Sanitation, Planet, People, Disaster resilience etc. 

3. Support in undertaking a Vulnerability and Future Risk Assessment in coordination with various internal & external stakeholders for effective mitigation and adaptation strategies against the targets set in the SDG VISION 2030 DOCUMENT:

• Study and document Impact of climate change on the growing economy of the state, along with Assessment of the current socio-economic conditions and vulnerability
• Assess future climate change risks for the developmental objective chalked out in the vison document.
• Undertake Extrapolations of existing socio-economic trends
• Undertake Economic & financial impact predictions as a result of climate change and plans to mitigate

4. Support the Centre for Public Policy & Good Governance in drafting a short-term action plan, medium term strategies and long-term Adaptation Plan and formulate a Programmes/projects for Adaptation to the Climate Change in close coordination with relevant departments

•  Prepare the adaptation scenario taking into account the impacts of climate change so as to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
• Prepare a long-term plan (15 year), medium term Strategy Papers (7 years) and short term action plan (3 years) considering the climate variability and extreme events that has affected the state.  
• Contributing to identification, development and implementation of new strategic programming opportunities and partnerships in the area of climate change adaptation, climate resilient development and sustainable livelihoods;
• Promoting private sector engagement in adaptation: Supports the engagement of private sector in the adaptation portfolio through understanding of barriers, risks, and opportunities to the private sector in adaptation.  
• Provide analytical deliverables, including policy briefs, to national and intergovernmental discussions on environmental SDGs.

5. Generate reports on various environment and climate change adaptation sector:

• Devise campaigns and behavior change communication strategies for the State to adapt to the climate change issues
• Ensure effective participation of all stakeholders  to the mitigation strategies by devising communication campaigns on the eventualities of climate change.

6. Ranking of Districts, Departments for performance improvement

• Prepare ranking of districts/sectors/business firms on the composite environment index being prepared and provide inputs for improvement
• Prepare department wise ranking for performance improvement of their services for environmental protection.
• Support in the review meeting by preparing reports, triangulating them with other indicators etc.

7. Capacity Building & Training of staff:

• Enhancing the capacity of the State and District officials on Climate Change Adaptation Plans, NRM Strategies
• Attend conferences, seminars, meetings and other events and provide written highlights and briefing notes
• Performing other duties within the purview of the programme and any related activities as assigned by the Supervisor.  

Technical Competencies

• Knowledge and experience related to environmental impact assessment and management in some of the key areas of economic activity with significant environmental implications (i.e. agriculture, water, energy & extractives, transport & ICT, urban & rural development, and natural disaster management).
• Understanding of the environment regulatory framework of India and Uttarakhand
• Knowledge of climate change Including climate change international regime) and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
• Knowledge of climate-friendly technologies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
• Knowledge of climate finance concepts and instruments, as well as market-based energy financing, and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
• Knowledge of impact of Energy issues within a humanitarian-development nexus
• Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

• Knowledge on national/international best practices on environment conservation and climate change adaptation

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
• Strong IT skills
• Analytical Skills
• Ability to produce high quality reports and knowledge products
• In-depth knowledge on development issues
• Preferably knowledge of SDGs
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
• Ability to work independently with limited instruction
• Ability to identify problems and to propose solutions
• Results-orientation and ability to develop strategic approaches
• Team player

Core Competencies:

• Promotes and enforces ethics and integrity and creates precedence in good practice
• Demonstrates corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Self-development, ability to take initiative, adopt a corporate approach to complex situations
• Creates and promotes an enabling environment for open communication

Required Qualification and Experience:

Education:

·         Master's degree in Environmental Studies/Climate Change /Ecology/ Green Economics /Energy/ international development or related social science field, with related national and international experience of 7-10 years

Experience:

·         5 years of relevant experience with government at the national level or sub-national level with experience of environment, climate change etc.

·         Experience in Environmental Impact Assessment/Climate Change Adaptation strategy preparation

·         Experience in leading a team or sub-offices as part of a larger organization or entity.

·         Experience in the policy development processes in climate change risk management;

·         Experience in data analytics for decision making.

·         Good Knowledge on the local context (Himalayas) is an asset.

• Prior Work Experience on SDGs/MDGs/ or related development programmes

Language Requirements: Fluency in written and oral English and Hindi. 

Remuneration package is INR 1,19,175/- per month (taxable). UNDP also offers additional benefits which include medical insurance coverage and limited pension reimbursement for contract holder and encourages work life balance to its employees.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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