General

Description of assignment title: Nature and Climate Specialist

Assignment country: Sao Tome and Principe

Expected start date: 08/01/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 13. Climate action

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No

Accessibility measures in place

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Host entity: UNDP

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Sao Tome

Reasonable accommodation

No

Additional accessibility info

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Details

Mission and objectives

Update

Context

Sao Tome and Principe (in short, STP) is an African Small Island Developing State (SIDS) and a Least Developed Country (LDC). A former Portuguese colony that achieved independence in 1975, STP is Africa’s second-smallest country, after the Seychelles and has the smallest economy of Africa’s sovereign states. Thanks to its rich biodiversity, both on land and in the sea, it qualifies as one of the few net-sink countries in the world, as reported in the Country’s reports to UNFCCC. The inaccessibility of much of the primary forest that covers more than one fourth of the land mass makes it one of the richest and most diverse forest ecosystems in Africa and a haven for endemic and threatened species ecosystems in Africa and a haven for endemic and threatened species. The geographical location of the two main islands Sao Tome and Principe, surrounded by an Exclusive Economic Zone that is 160 times the land surface, explains the country’s geostrategic importance. Today, the country’s population stands at about 222,000 and the Human Development Index (HDI) of STP rose from 0.56 to 0.62 between 2010 and 2019, placing the country close to the average for countries in the medium human development group (0.63). The economic model of the country has been largely based upon tourism, particularly related to nature and beaches, and its related services sector in restauration and wholesale/retail, as well as agriculture which mostly consists of subsistence farming but accounts for 70% of rural employment. STP faces development challenges that are typical of small and insular states, imprinted in its structural multi-dimensional vulnerabilities. Its remoteness increases production costs and its size and ability to reach production scales curbs the diversification of its economy, making it more vulnerable to external shocks, including those resulting from climate change and environmental degradation. In this context, UNDP is implementing – in collaboration with the Government and with CSO- an increasing portfolio of Nature, Climate and Energy (NCE) projects, aimed at enhancing biodiversity conservation, reducing climate-induced vulnerabilities and accelerating the implementation of the updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) the Country submitted in 2021.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Delivery, monitoring and reporting of Climate Promise 2 and Liqueza Tela Non (“Enhancing Biodiversity Conservation”) projects

•  Support the CTA and national authorities in the implementation of the Liqueza Tela Non and Climate Promise 2 projects.
•  Review and revise workplans and budgets and provide inputs to the preparation of results-based work plans.
•  Coordinate day-to-day implementation of nature, climate and energy strategic efforts led by UNDP in the country.
•  Support the preparation of project progress reports and related presentations, briefings, knowledge products and relevant documents as required.
•  Support the quality assurance of the portfolio through the substantive and financial monitoring of projects, including through field visits, to identify operational bottlenecks and develop recommendations for effective solutions.
•  Support the recruitment of consultants and service providers and the administration of contracts through drafting TORs, finalizing advertisements, screening, long and short listing, interviews.
•  Provide strategic support to all aspects of the climate and environment portfolio through anticipatory action, proactive monitoring, data mining, production of studies and processes supporting the alignment of the portfolio targets with the UNDP CO Country Programme Document (CPD) and Business Plan.
•  Assess the programmatic impact and oversee the appropriateness and the accuracy of methods use to verify progress and the results. II. Ensure guidance and capacity building and facilitation of knowledge building and sharing
•  Identify capacity building needs on climate change and nature issues to the different national stakeholders, including the national Government and the regional Government in Principe, and develop training programmes and support their implementation.
•  Contribute to knowledge building and sharing related to the current and emerging trends in the fields of sustainable development, climate change, biodiversity, blue economy, energy, circular economy; special focus will be given to sharing trends and successful actions from other SIDS in those fields.
•  Contribute to the compilation and dissemination of best practices and lessons learned through relevant knowledge platforms including the UNDP Global Community of Practices related to Energy, Climate and Environment.
•  Identify and synthesize of best practices and lessons learnt.
•  Keep well-informed of new developments and innovative approaches/solutions in the areas of climate change and environmental management and actively contribute to the office learning process and corporate knowledge tools. III. Ensure creation of strategic partnerships and support the implementation of resource mobilization
•  Support the coordination and management of communications with donors, implementing partners, and other cooperation agencies.
•  Liaise and build relationships with government counterparts, other United Nations (UN) agencies, international non-governmental organizations (I/NGOS), academia, private sector, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders.
•  Support the establishment of strategic partnerships and management of external relations.
•  Conduct analysis and research of information on partners and donors for the preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of cooperation opportunities.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in climate change and nature and conservation projects, preferably in the context of developing countries. Previous experience in project development, planning, implementation, and monitoring is highly valued.

Area(s) of expertise

Development programmes, Energy and environment , Natural and life sciences

Driving license

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Languages

Portuguese, Level: Fluent, Required English, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, Geography, Economics, International Relations, or related fields

Competencies and values

•  Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.
•  Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
•  Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
•  Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.
•  Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
•  Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
•  Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;
•  Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

Officially the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, is a Portuguese-speaking island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western equatorial coast of Central Africa. It consists of two archipelagos around the two main islands: São Tomé and Príncipe, located about 140 kilometres (87 miles) apart and about 250 and 225 kilometres (155 and 140 miles), respectively, off the north-western coast of Gabon. At sea level, the climate is tropical—hot and humid with average yearly temperatures of about 27 °C (80.6 °F) and little daily variation. The temperature rarely rises beyond 32 °C (89.6 °F). At the interior’s higher elevations, the average yearly temperature is 20 °C (68 °F), and nights are generally cool. Annual rainfall varies from 5,000 mm (196.9 in) on the southwestern slopes to 1,000 mm (39.4 in) in the northern lowlands. The rainy season is from October to May.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy