The Santiago network for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage

The Santiago network was established in December 2019 at COP25, as part of the Warsaw International Mechanism, for averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage associated with the adverse effects of climate change, to catalyze the technical assistance of relevant organizations, bodies, networks and experts, for the implementation of relevant approaches at the local, national and regional level, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.(decision 2/CMA.2, para 43, noted by 2/CP.25)

The Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Convention and the Paris Agreement subsequently decided on the functions of the Santiago network at COP26 and on the institutional arrangements to enable its full operationalization. Parties agreed the structure would comprise:

• A hosted secretariat that will facilitate its work, to be known as the Santiago network secretariat;
• An Advisory Board, to provide guidance and oversight to the Santiago network secretariat on the effective implementation of the functions of the network; and
• A network of organizations, bodies, networks and experts (OBNEs) covering a wide range of topics relevant to averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage.

At COP28 in 2023, Parties selected the consortium of UNOPS and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) as co-hosts of the Santiago network secretariat for an initial term of five years, with five-year renewal periods.

Organizational structure of the secretariat

The Santiago network secretariat, co-hosted by UNOPS and UNDRR, is responsible for facilitating the implementation of the functions of the network and managing its day-to-day operations in accordance with decision 12/CMA.4.

While UNOPS will provide the necessary administrative and infrastructural support for the effective functioning of the secretariat, UNDRR will provide the secretariat with technical backstopping and expertise in the domain of averting, minimizing and addressing loss and damage consistent with the guidelines for preventing potential and addressing actual and perceived conflicts of interest in relation to the Santiago network. Accordingly, UNDRR will annually submit a review of the management of technical issues within the Secretariat to the Advisory Board for consideration.

Relevant decisions on the Santiago network can be consulted here.

Role of the Programme Support and Operations Associate, Santiago network

Under the supervision of the Programme Support and Operations Manager for the Santiago network, the Programme Support and Operations Associate supports the overall management of operations and administration of the Santiago network secretariat and its activities with high quality and accuracy of work.

In performing her/his work, the Programme Support and Operations Associate promotes a quality and results-oriented approach, and works closely with the rest of Santiago network secretariat as well as relevant UNOPS teams to ensure consistent service delivery and effective collaboration.

1. Programme management support

• Assist in the design and formulation of the work plan and budgets for the Santiago network.
• Contribute to the design, development and implementation of management and implementation mechanisms for the work plan of the Santiago network
• Contribute to the design, development and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation system to assess the timeliness, appropriateness, and outcomes of assistance provided under the Santiago network.
• Provide operational support and facilitate the work of the Advisory Board, including the preparation and the organization of Advisory Board meetings.
• Facilitate the procurement of goods and services, and manage and/or facilitate the resolution of issues related to contract management for the operation of the Santiago network secretariat.
• Ensure that relevant procurement procedures, regulations and standards of accountability, ethics, integrity and performance are met.
• Keep abreast of best practices that can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Santiago network’s operations.
• Liaise with UNOPS and UNDRR on procurement support for major events.

2. Administrative, financial management and grant support

• Support the development and implementation of effective mechanisms for disbursing funds provided to the Santiago network secretariat, ensuring compliance with the Advisory Board’s approved policies, procedures, and guidelines, as well as UNOPS legal framework.
• Support the operationalization of the lifecycle of the Santiago network’s technical assistance processes and support the administration of funds allocated for technical assistance in a cost-effective and transparent manner.
• Support the coordination of the development and monitoring of budgets and allocations related to technical assistance and the operation of the Santiago network secretariat.
• Support monitoring of the Santiago network financial projections to ensure the availability of required financial reports, including investigating anomalies to resolve problems and reporting or recommending any action required to relevant stakeholders.
• Support the development of reporting templates and preparation of reports, compilation of data and answering queries on pledges recorded, funds received, adjustments made to ensure financial compliance, accuracy and completeness of data for its inclusion into statement of accounts and adjustment of budgets.
• Maintain financial records and monitoring systems to record and reconcile expenditures, balances, payments, statements and other data for day-to-day transactions and reports.
• Reinforce the Santiago network secretariat’s efforts in being compliant with respect to established policies, plans, guidelines, and procedures.
• Support and/or facilitate that audits are conducted as required.
• Support general administrative functions of the secretariat.

3. Innovation and knowledge management

• Support to identifying, synthesizing and documenting best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to operations and programme/project management of Santiago network.
• Participate in the organization and conducting of training for the operations/projects personnel.

4. Team Management

• Support the engagement and provision of high quality results and services of the team supervised through effective work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development.
• Provide oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies and best practices.
• Manage calendars and correspondences.

Education

• Completion of secondary school is required.
• First University Degree preferably in Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent disciplines is desirable but not required.

Experience

• Minimum of 6 (six) years of relevant experience in general administrative, logistics, or operations/support services in national or international public or corporate organizations is required.
• Experience in UN system organizations is desirable.
• Proficiency in computers and office software applications (MS Office/Google Workspace) and experience in handling web-based management systems is required.
• Experience in use of Enterprise Systems is required.

Language

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Contract type: Staff – FTA
Contract level: GS6 (ICS-6)
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.