Result of Service

The objective of this consultancy is contributing to the efficient implementation of the project “Building capacity to advance National Adaptation Plan Process in the Dominican Republic” by executing the tasks outlined in Clause 4.2 of the Terms of Reference. The main objective of the consultancy is to provide high quality specialized technical guidance and expertise to the National Project Coordinator and the Project Management Unit on the creation and strengthening of technical and institutional capacities in stakeholders, including national and local authorities and members of the civil society and the private sector, to engage and address adaptation processes at the national, subnational and sectoral level. This includes providing relevant information to decision makers and key stakeholders on the relevance of adaptation planning and on the different methodologies used to address adaptation issues. Specific tasks and responsibilities The Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements will contribute to the effective implementation of the project by guaranteeing that the following tasks integrate gender mainstreaming: Outcome 4: National and Sectoral Planning of Unit of the key Ministries review, monitor and communicate results of the NAP Process. Activity 1.1: Provide technical advice to guide, oversee and report workshops/awareness raising campaigns at national and local levels for the Council for Municipal Planning, NGOs, CSOs, local communities and private sector, about climate change adaptation knowledge (Activity 1.2.3 and Activity 1.2.4). Activity 1.2: Participate with the adaptation team in the process to elaborate reports on the relationship of climate change adaptation with other cross-cutting issues: Environmental sustainability, Disaster risk management, Gender equity, Land use and territorial cohesion (Activity 4.2.4 and Activity 4.2.5). Activity 1.3: Provide technical expertise to support the development of a report on research priorities on climate change adaptation and cooperation agreements between the Directorate of Climate Change and research institutions, including the Environmental Network of Dominican Universities. Input from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology shall be used in order to promote scaling-up the existing fund and setting cooperation agreements. (Activity 4.2.6). Activity 1.4: Provide technical expertise to develop the monitoring and review of guidelines and tools on data collection, analysis and dissemination of adaptation planning information, and design effective training for technical staff for the use of these guidelines and tools (Activity 4.1.1 and Activity 4.2.1). Activity 1.5: Provide technical support to identify and analyze elements and mechanisms to transfer knowledge from exchange activities on adaptation planning and implementation to national governance mechanisms during the NAP process (Activity 4.2.7). Activity 1.6: Draft a proposal legal document on the Integrated System for Climate Change Planning and Control, and the National System for Environment and Climate Change Information (Activity 4.1.2). Activity 1.7: Provide technical expertise to develop a strategy for the periodic review of the National Adaptation Plan (Activity 4.2.8). Responsibility: The consultant, in close collaboration with the Regional Subprogramme Coordinator for the Climate Change Unit in UNEP LACO, will provide technical advice and oversee workshops and awareness campaigns on climate change adaptation for municipal planning councils, NGOs, civil society, local communities, and the private sector. She/He will ensure the effective dissemination of climate adaptation knowledge and report on these activities. Responsibility: The consultant, in close collaboration with the Regional Subprogramme Coordinator for the Climate Change Unit in UNEP LACO, will develop monitoring guidelines for data collection and analysis, train technical staff on their use, and draft legal proposals for climate change planning systems. She/He will support research by identifying priorities and facilitating cooperation between the Directorate of Climate Change and research institutions. Moreover, the consultant will contribute to knowledge transfer within national governance and develop a strategy for periodically reviewing the National Adaptation Plan. Responsibility: The consultant, in close collaboration with the Regional Subprogramme Coordinator for the Climate Change Unit in UNEP LACO, will contribute to develop and harmonize the integration of climate adaptation strategies with cross-cutting issues like environmental sustainability, disaster risk management, gender equity, land use, and territorial cohesion, as well as to contribute to the development of a strategy for the revision of the National Adaptation Plan. Outcome 5: Government of the Dominican Republic endorses resource mobilization strategy for medium and long term CCA investment. Activity 2.1: Provide support to generate a report on the institutional arrangements in place to centrally and systematically manage all climate change-related funds and channeling them effectively across sectors and regions (Activity 5.1.5). Activity 2.2: Participate in oversight actions for the development of toolkits and training to strengthen the capacity of relevant government stakeholders (at all levels) to promote the implementation of the adaptation finance strategy (Activity 5.1.6). Activity 2.3: Provide technical expertise for the development of materials relevant for project’s institutional arrangements activities, as well as for capacities development for the adaptation finance strategy. Responsibility: The consultant, in collaboration with the Regional Subprogramme Coordinator for the Climate Change Unit in UNEP LACO, will bolster the interinstitutional arrangement’s process of the NAP Dominican Republic, as well as provide technical guidance to elaborate and develop a mid- and long-term strategy for Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) investment. The consultant is expected to provide Institutional Arrangements expertise, specifically for the development of Local and Regional Adaptation Plans with the involved municipalities.

Work Location

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Expected duration

4 MONTHS

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium- Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). To implement the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). In this context, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic and UNEP, have agreed on the implementation of the project Building capacity to advance in the National Adaptation Plan Process in the Dominican Republic, framed within the Readiness program of the Green Climate Fund. In terms of addressing climate change, UNEP aims to support countries in the compliance of the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the countries Nationally Determined Contributions. The overall objective of UNEP´s Sub-programme on Climate Change Action is to strengthen the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. The expected accomplishment regarding climate change adaptation is that adaptation approaches, including an ecosystem-based approach, are implemented, and integrated into key sectoral and national development strategies to reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience to climate change impacts. Furthermore, the UNEP´s Sub-programme on Climate Change is also committed to ensure that crosscutting issues such as gender equity and women empowerment are effectively undertaken in the development of its tasks to guarantee an equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives. To fulfill the objectives of the project, the UNEP LACO Office is recruiting a Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements Consultant to collaborate with the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources and UNEP in the implementation of the Green Climate Fund funded project as set in the funding proposal document. The Consultant will report directly to the Regional Subprogramme Coordinator for the Climate Change Unit in UNEP LACO.. The main objective of the consultancy is to provide high quality specialized technical guidance and expertise to the National Project Coordinator and the Project Management Unit on the creation and strengthening of technical and institutional capacities in stakeholders, including national and local authorities and members of the civil society and the private sector, to engage and address adaptation processes at the national, subnational and sectoral level. This includes providing relevant information to decision makers and key stakeholders on the relevance of adaptation planning and on the different methodologies used to address adaptation issues. The Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements Consultant will operate under the overall supervision of the Regional Subprogramme Coordinator for the Climate Change Unit in UNEP LACO. Additionally, he/she will work in close collaboration with the UNEP’s Adaptation team, the Directorate of Climate Change of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in the Dominican Republic, other national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts. Travel within the Dominican Republic might be needed for the consultation processes. The Specialist in Climate Change Adaptation and Institutional Arrangements Consultant is expected to work over 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday full time and to be located in the Project Management Unit in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Qualifications/special skills

ACADEMIC: • Bachelor’s degree in environmental management, environmental sciences, engineering, development, law or a closely related field is required. • Master’s degree in climate change, geography, natural resource policy, management, political science is desirable. PROFESSIONAL: • Three (3) years of relevant working experience on development and/or natural resource management, and/or climate change adaptation or any other related field is required. • Demonstrated knowledge in the design of national policies and planning frameworks, related to climate change and/or natural resource management is desirable. • Demonstrated experience working with national institutions and other relevant stakeholders involved in climate change and/or natural resource management and planning in the coordination of activities at the national and/or subnational and or sectoral level is desirable. • Experience in engaging with local stakeholders including government agencies, private sector and civil society is desirable. • Demonstrated experience in the elaboration of reports and official documents from technical and high-level meetings is desirable. • Ability to communicate to a wide range of actors including decision makers and members from the civil society and the private sector is desirable. • Experience with international organizations will be desirable. LANGUAGE: • Fluency in Spanish is required. • Confident level in English is desirable. SKILLS AND SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE: • Excellent political, advisory and facilitation skills is desirable. • Ability to facilitate technical discussions and participatory processes with multiple stakeholders in multicultural environments is desirable. • Demonstrated understanding of development planning and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations is desirable. • Excellent technical leadership and understanding of climate change adaptation concepts, principles and policies is desirable. • Ability to provide guidance on climate change adaptation, especially as it relates to development planning is desirable. • Knowledge around climate change adaptation and environmental issues in the Dominican Republic will be desirable. • Demonstrated knowledge of the Dominican Republic environmental legislation is desirable. COMPETENCIES: • Professionalism: Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. He/she shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Teamwork: Is able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team to achieve organizational goals and to take leadership when appropriate; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. • Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Languages

Not available.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.