NDC Partnership Senior Climate Change Policy Adviser (Partnership Specialist) – Kazakhstan (Retainer Homebased) Re-Advertisement
JOB DETAIL
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).
Country Context
In June 2023, Kazakhstan submitted their First NDC to the UNFCCC Secretariat. The country’s NDC conveys their commitment to contribute to the global efforts to limit the rise in global average temperature to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. Our NDC sets an unconditional target of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 15% below 1990 levels by 2030 and a conditional target of 25% below 1990 levels by 2030, subject to the provision of international support.
Kazakhstan became a member of the NDC Partnership in May 2023 and submitted a request for support list (RSL) in November 2023, requesting support for two climate change specialists, and 9 other wide-ranging request items, from MRV to capacity building, GHG inventory to regional water resource protection. The RSL reflects the country’s ambition and commitment to enhance its climate action and align it with its long-term development goals.
As part of Kazakhstan’s effort to implement their NDC, NAP, and LT-LEDS, the government has requested for an Senior Climate Change Policy Adviser (hereinafter referred as “Adviser”) to support the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR) for:
- Supporting day-to-day operations related to technical assistance for based on NDC, NAP, and LT-LEDS extending any other support needed by MENR to coordinate with development partners. identifying further needs for Technical Assistance for priority based on NDC, NAP, and LT-LEDS
- Overseeing the coordination, tracking, and monitoring of the support provided by development partners on the above points; and populating and regularly updating Kazakhstan’s monitoring/reporting tool for climate finance.
- Supporting the coordination of the development and preparation of projects and concepts for potential funding by donors
- Identifying new opportunities for technical assistance and other types of support that will enhance the government’s enabling frameworks and capacities for coordinating the implementation of the country’s NDCs;
- Extending any other advisory support needed by MENR to coordinate development partners on NDC related matters.
Facilitation Model
The Adviser will be embedded in the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR). As the leading entity of the national climate agenda, MENR coordinates activities related to the fulfillment of climate commitments, including the NDC.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Adviser serves as the NDC Partnership’s interface in the country and operates as a liaison between the country and other NDC Partnership members. The Adviser’s role is purely one of coordination and supportive facilitation. Working on behalf of the partner government, the Adviser plays a key role in ensuring the smooth implementation of the Country Engagement Process, by supporting ongoing coordination efforts between the Support Unit, the various partners in the NDC Partnership and MENR.
This involves working with the Cabinet of Ministries of Kazakhstan to refine its objectives for support over time coordinating the implementation of the NDC, NAP, TNA and LT-LEDS; and serving as an anchor to assist the NDC Partnership in communicating and coordinating services at the country level. The Adviser will also liaise with the NDC Partnership Support Unit for vertical information-sharing, including contributing to and accessing knowledge products.
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 Kazakhstan.
The incumbent will support the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR). 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. This involves working with the Cabinet of Ministries of Kazakhstan to refine its objectives for support over time coordinating the implementation of the NDC, NAP, TNA and LT-LEDS; and serving as an anchor to assist the NDC Partnership in communicating and coordinating services at the country level. The Adviser will also liaise with the NDC Partnership Support Unit for vertical information-sharing, including contributing to and accessing knowledge products.
The embedded adviser 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:
Facilitation of updated NDC
- Support Kazakhstan and the NDC Partnership Support Unit in initiating NDC Partnership in-country engagement;
- Strengthen the coordination, tracking, and monitoring mechanism(s) for the support provided by development partners on the NDC Implementation Plan, and Kazakhstan’s monitoring/reporting tool for climate finance;
- Advise the government on potential and appropriate implementing and development partner/s for each action/priority and identifying the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder;
- Support preparation of NDC draft, engage stakeholder for NDC approval and NDC streamlining.
Mobilization of resources for implementation
- Support the country in exploring, following up on and in mobilizing partner support for its needs and priorities (and update those along the way as needed following the government’s guidance) along with a preferred process for coordination of country engagement under the NDC Partnership, as proposed and agreed upon by the MENR of Kazakhstan;
- Engage with partners in the country to link needs to services and resources in accordance with the NDC, NAP, and LT-LEDS, including by providing the government’s inputs on alignment of partners’ country strategies with priorities and gaps identified in the above policy documents;
- Identifying further needs for Technical Assistance for priority based on NDC, NAP, and LT-LEDS;
- Support project development and preparation for potential funding by donors;
- Assist the government in preparing concept notes to access financing for unfunded priorities in the updated NDC, NAP, and LT-LEDS.
Coordination and communication with key stakeholders
- Ensure that communications relevant to NDC Partnership engagement are shared with relevant national and international level stakeholders, including building and maintaining long-term collaborative partnerships.
- Facilitate periodic coordination and information exchange among partners in Kazakhstan, with the aim of leveraging and mobilizing their respective advantages in support of the implementation of NDC, NAP, TNA and LT-LEDS;
- Assess progress outcomes of the NDC Partnership in-country engagement and make recommendations for adjustments;
- Collaborate with the Support Unit to document changes in the operating context and provide support to MNRE and stakeholders in decision-making processes;
- Oversee the coordination NDC Partnership scoping missions to Kazakhstan and take the lead on the implementation of its recommendations;
- Coordinate and participate in the NDC Partnership’s conferences, trainings and other activities at the global, regional and national levels.
Organize NDC-related meetings as needed
- Facilitate national country specific multi-stakeholder NDC dialogues, which may serve one or more of the following objectives:
- Intersectoral multi-stakeholder dialogues to promote a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches in implementing NDC, NAP, and LT-LEDS and their integration in development policies;
- Support the government in conducting meetings among development partners and other key stakeholders, in order to maximize synergies, avoid duplication and mobilize support for identified needs and gaps for successful NDC implementation;
- Multi-stakeholder dialogues with the private sector and/or civil society organizations;
- Multi-stakeholder dialogues within specific sectors or on a certain topic (i.e., Measurement, Reporting and Verification [MRV], gender equality, etc.);
- Any other support needed by MNRE to coordinate development partners.
Identifying lessons learned and results
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- Lead the tracking of in-country engagement and provide periodic progress updates to the NDC Partnership;
- Liaise with the Support Unit to access and/or feed into global knowledge products;
- Assist the Support Unit in identifying and disseminating information on best practices and lessons learned from in-country engagement.
Capacity building
Conduct ongoing capacity development (i.e., technical assistance and formal/informal on-the-job training) of the government in preparation for fully taking on the facilitation role in the future.
| Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) |
| Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion. |
| Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. |
| Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). |
| Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. |
| Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. |
| Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. |
| Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. |
Education
- A master’s degree preferably in public policy, development, climate change, natural resource management, environmental management, engineering and any other relevant field of study.
- Bachelor’s degree in related discipline with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience (7 total) may be accepted instead of an advanced university degree.
Experience
Required
- With a Master Degree, at least 5 years of experience in public policy, climate/environment and sustainable development in Kazakhstan;
- Demonstrable experience working in climate change tasks in Kazakhstan, including, but not limited to, mitigation and adaptation action, and modeling expertise with results-based management;
- Demonstrated skills in managing and aligning diverse groups of stakeholders, including development agencies, non-state actors / civil society, financial institutions, the private sector, and others;
- Experience in facilitating the preparation and implementation of NDCs and similar public policy frameworks
- Familiarity with UNFCCC processes including Subsidiary Body and Conference of Parties (CoP), NDC and past experience on government climate change process.
Asset
- 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
- Excellent communication (Written and Oral) Skills
- Excellent MS Office (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint and others) and internet research skills.
Language
Proficiency in Kazakh, Russian and English is required.
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
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
- 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.
