Background Information – Job-specific
Background Information – UNOPS Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO)
The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) is part of the UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on:
- Infrastructure
- Procurement
- Project Management (full service, back on track)
- HR and Transactional Services
- Grants Management
- Technical and Advisory Services
- Project Information
WEC Background:
UNOPS Water and Energy Cluster (WEC) supports the design and management of multi-stakeholder initiatives by providing services in financial and grant management, procurement, human resources, and project management. The cluster has supported projects in the areas of water resource management, climate change adaptation, mitigation and transparency, energy access and distribution, and environmental conservation under the Paris Agreement. The WEC has also supported operations and financial management services, in Vienna, the rest of the ECR region, and beyond. The main partners include UN agencies, bilateral agreements (with the Nordics, Germany, and Italy), the Green Climate Fund, and several NGOs (such as CIFF and CWF).
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
To achieve the NDC targets, The Gambia requires both domestic and international financing. For instance, approximately $121,060,000 is required for adaptation in the first five years and various financing instruments are required to raise the resources. The Gambia has developed a Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategies (LT-LEDS) vision 2050, which is costed at $138 million annually between now, and 2050. To implement the NDC, The Gambia has developed an NDC Implementation Plan, which has been prioritized and cost for use as a resource mobilisation plan and to inform implementation of impactful mitigation and adaptation interventions.
To strengthen resource mobilisation for climate change and technical capacity on climate finance, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MOFEA) has requested the NDC Partnership, a local climate finance expert, to contribute to overall climate finance mobilisation and climate investments in the country. The advisor shall support climate resource mobilisation efforts, development of project/program investment pipelines and bankable proposals based on the prioritised and costed NDC Implementation plan interventions, capacity strengthening of sector representatives of climate finance among other deliverables aligned to the NDC implementation plan and emerging climate change issues. The advisor shall collaborate with the in-country NDC facilitator embedded at the National Climate Change Secretariat.
Functional Responsibilities
The role of the advisor will be to provide technical support to the government of climate finance mobilisation together with in country capacity enhancement to address climate change impacts.
The advisor will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership Focal Point in the MOFEA and will also work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR), National Climate Change Secretariat. He/she will need to bring his/her own laptop to the ministry’s duty station. This is a retainer national vacancy / position for 12 months, up to maximum 220 working days.
Resource mobilization
- Lead the identification and mapping of barriers (technical capacity, human resource, enabling policy environment) to investments related to climate change in consultation
- To review the prioritised and costed NDC implementation plan and map potential local and international donors to support the interventions
- Coordinate develop project/program proposals and Project Information Notes (PINs) for prioritized NDC interventions
Tracking of Partnership Plan and Investment Plan implementation progress
- To support tracking and reporting of the NDC implementation plan financing status in collaboration with the in-country facilitator.
- Working closely with the NDC Partnership Support Unit, MECCNAR and MOFEA update the NDC Implementation Plan in the Online Partnership Plan Tool
Organize and support NDC-related meetings as needed
- To convene bi-annual (private sector, NGOs, bilateral and multi-lateral donors) round table meetings on climate financing needs of the Gambia
- To provide technical input on climate finance related submissions to UNFCCC processes by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR)
Communication and reporting
- In close collaboration with climate change secretariat, in-country facilitator and the NDC Partnership Knowledge and Learning unit, develop communication and awareness resources related to climate finance in The Gambia
- Monthly and Quarterly reporting to NCCS through the MOFEA NDC focal point
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education:
- A master’s degree in public finance, resource mobilisation, economics, natural resource management or other relevant field of study.
- Bachelor’s degree in related discipline in combination with additional 7 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Experience: Required
- At least six 5 years’ experience in public finance, private sector and/or NGO sector with a focus on resource mobilisation, economics, donor engagement and program development.
- Experience in development of proposals and domestic/regional resource mobilisation.
- Knowledge of climate change challenges, policy environment and budgeting process in the Gambia.
- Ability to mobilise and strengthen local cooperation for fundraising between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders.
- Strong technical experience in resource mobilisation for climate change related projects from different sources and through different mechanisms such as loans, grants, equity, etc.
- Good understanding of The Gambia’s climate change finance policy environment, sectoral coordination, budgeting process and a strong understanding of the global climate finance landscape
Asset
- Familiarity with the local climate financing landscape and fiscal policy environment is strongly desired.
- Strong networks with local and/or international donors
- Strong inter-personal skills and ability to work with minimal supervision.
- Excellent communication (Written and Oral) Skills
- Knowledge of Microsoft suite in particular Word, PowerPoint and Excel
Language Requirements:
- Proficiency in written and spoken English is required.
- Knowledge of a local language is desirable.
Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: ICA
Contract level: ICSC 10 – LICA 10 Contract duration: Retainer contract (home-based). Duration up to 12 months (max. 220 working days). 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.aspxCompetencies
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.
Additional Information
- 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.
