Location:

Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Salary:

negotiable / YEAR
Job type:

CONTRACTOR
Posted:

3 months ago
Category:

Environment and Natural Resources, Research and Data
Deadline:

06/09/2024

JOB DESCRIPTION

UAE: DEVELOPMENT OF THE UAE NATIONAL ADAPTATION PLAN RESEARCH AND COORDINATION

INTRODUCTION TO GGGI

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and promoting strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth in developing countries and emerging economies. To learn more please visit about GGGI web page.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The climate-associated hazards pose a threat to the UAE and include heat, water stress, heavy rainfall, as well as dust and sandstorms. If left unchecked, climate change could impact the coastal zones, public health, labor productivity, food security, tourism, and infrastructure. These severe consequences can only be prevented by a combination of systematic, long-term mitigation and adaptation efforts. The UAE is in a water-scarce hyper-arid environment; therefore, climate adaptation is of critical importance. Climate change adaptation is an opportunity to address bottlenecks in governance coordination in support of human welfare because adaptation encapsulates a broad temporality of measures that address very short-term (disaster, anticipatory action related) to very long-term issues such as how the structure of the economy will interact with future climate challenges.

The UAE has already demonstrated its commitment to addressing climate change that affects all spheres of society and the environment. The challenge of rapid global heating is matched by the opportunity to pursue a sustainable growth pathway that preserves the environment and improves the quality of life, as envisioned in the UAE Vision 2021. Through this document the UAE positions adaptation as a necessity and not an option. However, while there are ongoing adaptation measures and initiatives in the UAE, there is a significant need for a national-level plan to formulate and guide adaptation measures across different sectors and in particular at different sub-national/emirate levels. Assessments of risk, exposure, and vulnerability in different sectors have been initiated but require more attention to the frame, implement, monitor, and evaluate adaptation strategies.

A National Adaptation Plan (NAP) is a powerful vehicle to facilitate adaptation planning. It seeks to identify medium- and long-term adaptation needs, informed by the latest climate data and information. These assessments inform adaptation planning measures and implementation underpinned by the enhancement of climate science and its extrapolation into accessible tools and measures that benefit all economic and social actors. This process aims to balance scientific and evidence-based decision-making with broad participation from relevant stakeholders and beneficiaries. Furthermore, a NAP, as a more “operational” document that NDCs can help to consolidate across several climate governance tools as the document aims to tackle a range of threats that impact society.

Despite the existence of the national climate change plan and national adaptation action program, the UAE needs a NAP to identify, prioritize, mainstream, implement and monitor adaptation strategies. The existing in-country risk assessment studies such as the UAE Climate Risk Assessment and Adaptation Measures in Key Sectors under the National Climate Change Adaptation Program will form the basis of risk measures and will be extended to other priority sectors identified by stakeholders. These assessments have supported the identification and prioritization of initial adaptation options in the most critical sectors (Health, Energy, Infrastructure, Environment, and Insurance). Thus, if a NAP plan and process are correctly undertaken, they can also support current broader societal goals as well as future-proof decisions made about economy, and culture and even nurture a new relationship with nature and the environment.

However, the impacts of climate change are not gender-neutral. Women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and marginalized communities are particularly vulnerable to climate-related risks. The NAP process is a key mechanism for defining adaptation priorities, channeling resources, and implementing adaptation actions. It therefore presents a key opportunity to address the gender dimensions of climate change if it is undertaken in a gender-responsive manner. Thus, integrating gender and social safeguards into the NAP ensures that the needs and capacities of these groups are recognized and addressed, promoting resilience across all segments of society.

In this context, GGGI is supporting the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), the Government of the UAE in developing the NAP for the UAE which is Gender-Responsive. The development of the UAE NAP aims to enhance the resilience of communities, economies, and ecosystems to climate-related hazards and long-term changes. As part of this strategic initiative, the inclusion of gender and social safeguards is essential to ensure that adaptation measures are equitable, inclusive, and effective.

OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

(1) Purpose

The purpose of the ‘Consultant- Research and Coordination Support’ role is to provide day-to-day assistance to the NAP Development Team on the required research and coordination support for the effective and timey delivery of outputs under the 2024 NAP Development initiative. Guided by the UAE NAP Development Project design and theory of change, the individual consultant shall assist in developing outputs that provide an accurate and comprehensive baseline on climate governance for the development of the UAE NAP. The Consultant shall be responsible for providing support to the project team by ensuring that the key tasks outlined below are anchored on robust research and well-founded synthesis, comprehensively and robustly designed, and allows for review of and immediate action for any gaps and/or overlaps, conducted on schedule with the pertinent documentation prepared, validated, and submitted on time and in accordance with the UAE NAP Developed Design and Work Plan.

Based in Dubai at the GGGI Office in the MOCCAE Office, s/he will support the stocktaking and analysis of UAE’s institutional arrangements and policies, programs and actions at both the federal and emirate level on climate change and climate adaptation, and captures the extent that these policies and programs reflect/support/target/facilitates/promotes gender and social inclusion. Additionally, s/he will provide day-to-day support in the stakeholder consultations that include research, coordination and logistical assistance to the NAP Team in the preparation, conduct and post workshop activities. This role is reporting directly to the GGGI UAE Project Manager of the UAE NAP Development Project.

(2) The consultant’s key tasks are outlined below:

Work Plan discussed an submitted within 3 days from contract signing, detailing the key tasks/deliverables and targeted methodological approach and standards to be adopted for each.
Support the day to day research and coordination requirements for the UAE NAP 2024 deliverables and activities including on governance, stakeholder mapping and engagement plan, and the review of deliverables by identifying any gaps or inconsistencies, and supplying the required documentation to support the analysis and articulation of findings, trends and the development of a robust synthesis arising from the different stakeholder consultations and validation sessions across the federal and emirate-level entities against the information/data carried out from desk or online review.
Support the day to day conduct of meetings and consultations and documentation reports aimed at capturing comprehensively the required information/ data for finalizing the climate governance baseline and the stakeholder mapping and engagement plan, checking for any information or policy gaps and drawing from a robust analysis of the institutional set-up at the federal and emirates level, key stakeholders and roles and the dynamics across priority sectors that will inform the formation of Working or Steering Group in support of the UAE NAP Development;
Support the review and strengthening of preliminary findings on key trends, gaps and opportunities for strengthening the current climate governance policies and actions, including those that will ensure a gender-responsive and socially-inclusive UAE NAP.
Support the knowledge product development through preparation of a policy brief/note and a script/narrative for a maximum 4-minute video clip capturing the UAE NAP Development efforts thus far, and the corresponding appropriate video clips, with short clips secured from various/selected consultation or validation sessions to effectively represent the narrative/script.
Support in reviewing and finalizing reports for publication and knowledge products or any other related project requirements for the completion of the 2024 NAP Project deliverables.

(3) Engagement

Contribute to the design, participate and document the comprehensive consultations with a wide range of stakeholders, including women’s groups, social organizations, community leaders, and vulnerable populations.
Support the facilitation of workshops and focus group discussions to understand the specific needs of various social groups under the guidance of the UAE NAP PM and Team.
Coordinate with relevant organizations and agencies, including government bodies, non-governmental organizations, international partners, and academic institutions in the conduct of stakeholder consultations or meetings.

(4) Delivery

Gather data and analyze existing policies and frameworks on climate governance and adaptation for identifying gaps and opportunities for integration into the NAP.
Support data collection on climate governance policies and related priority sectors including cross cutting theme on gender-responsive and socially inclusive elements in policies relating to adaptation and guide the integration of gender and social safeguards in the NAP governance.
Outline specific strategies, actions, and indicators to ensure inclusive and equitable adaptation measures, aligned with national policies and international commitments.
Prepare a simple brief on UAE policies across the emirates and priority sectors on the implementation of gender-responsive and socially inclusive adaptation practices.
The job duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience, including adjustment on a job description.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION AND EXPERTISE REQUIRED

Education: An advanced University degree (master degree is a plus) in political science, climate change, governance, sociology, environmental studies, economics or any discipline related to the assignment. Relevant professional experience may be considered to supplement an educational degree
Work Experience: Minimum 5 years of professional experience in the above fields with at least 1 year of international experience; experience in the UAE and MENA region will be a plus
Proven track record of integrating gender and social safeguards in policy development and project implementation
Experience in stakeholder engagement and capacity building
Knowledge, experience, and understanding of GGGI’s Strategic Outcomes
Knowledge of global issues and initiatives in climate change, green growth, and sustainable development; green jobs are a plus
Strong analytical and report-writing skills

FUNCTIONAL

Self-motivated, team player, with creative problem-solving abilities
Interest in being a part of a multicultural team within a dynamic fast-paced environment
Experience working in an international development agency with cross-functional departments and across multiple country contexts
Excellent communication skills (both written and oral)

CORPORATE

Understand and actively support GGGI’s mission, vision, and values
Promote an organizational culture of trust, transparency, respect, and partnership
Process and share information accurately and transparently
Positive team player attitude builds rapport and resolves conflict easily
Promote creativity and innovation among staff
Able to support the project management team

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Total contract value will be up to FIFTEEN THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS.
Date to close is 06 September 2024 (KST). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Application, cover letter, and CV must be sent in English. A consortium, or a firm, may not be engaged for this individual consultant assignment.

Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This job has expired.