Back Project Technical Advisor

Brazil has received funds from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for the project “REDD+ results-based payments for results achieved by Brazil in the Amazon biome in 2014 and 2015”. The results-based payments received by Brazil from the GCF will contribute to the implementation of the forest sector actions of Brazil’s NDC and Brazil’s REDD+ National Strategy overall objective. This project has two main outputs:

The Floresta+ is a new and innovative pilot program that aims to provide incentives for environmental services in the Legal Amazon region, in accordance with Brazil’s Forest Code, the ENREDD+ and Brazil’s NDC. This pilot program will have the following specific objectives: 1. provide monetary compensation to incentivize native vegetation conservation and restoration/recovery and improvement of ecosystems that generate environmental services (including but not limited to carbon); 2. Prevent the occurrence of deforestation, forest degradation and forest fires through financial incentives; 3. Incentivize the restoration/recovery of native vegetation of rural properties, conservation areas, indigenous lands, land settlements and local community lands; 4. value the actions of land owners, land users, settlers, Indigenous Peoples and local communities in conservation and restoration/recovery of native vegetation; 5. promote compliance with the environmental legislation, especially that related to the protection and restoration/recovery of native vegetation (Forest Code); 6. offer a financial mechanism to foster the development and implementation of public policies aimed at conservation and restoration/recovery of native vegetation.

This project also aims to contribute with the ENREDD+ implementation facing the complexity of a forest monitoring system for the whole Brazilian territory, the low capacity and resources of subnational governments and ILPCs to engage in ENREDD+ implementation, the limited amount of public resources to implement the ENREDD+, the safeguard information scattered among different governmental systems and/institutions and the complexity to evaluate the impacts of REDD+ [1] policies.

It is with this background that a qualified, experienced and self-motivated Project Technical Advisor is being sought for recruitment.

The Technical Advisor will receive inputs from the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) in the Ministry of Environment and is responsible for providing technical support to the Project Coordinator and overall technical guidance and project coordination, technical review of project reports, products and other documents. The Technical Advisor will be a full-time post over the project lifespan.

[1] Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and the role of conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.

Key Functions and Specific Duties:

• Analyze and revise indicators and targets of the project document;
• Conduct technical visits to LPAs;
• Support planning and monitoring meetings and workshops with stakeholders;
• Propose solutions and demonstrate conflict resolution and mediation skills;
• Provide technical support for the elaboration of Terms of Reference;
• Supervise and monitor the specialized consulting team;
• Technically approve the products of the specialized consultancies, guaranteeing the quality and the fulfillment of the deadlines of the project;
• Propose integrated actions among the participating agencies, including the government institutions, and with the other institutions listed in the project document from the private and public sector;
• Implement tools to evaluate the level of progress for approved indicators and targets
• Support the monitoring of environmental and social safeguards; 
• Support inter-institutional negotiations in the implementation of this project, coordinating and keeping track of co-financing activities, as well as other related activities;
• Ensure compatibility between the various elements and activities provided and/or funded by other partner organizations and project implementation;
• Assist in the preparation of annual progress reports;
• Perform other obligations that contribute to the efficient operation of the project;
• Maintain contact with partner institutions and stakeholders, including participating in meetings, seminars, workshops and other events, as requested by the Project Coordinator and the Project Board.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity 
• Self-development, initiative-taking
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others.

Functional Competencies:

• Highly organized person, sets priorities, produces quality outputs, meets deadlines and manages time efficiently.
• Ability to maintain overview in complex work situations, self-starter.
• Able to gather and process data and information.
• Ability to identify opportunities, conceptualize and develop project reports;
• Ability to analyses situations and act accordingly
• Excellent interpersonal skills to network among the national team and beyond to other national institutions.
• Shares knowledge and is willing to provide support to others who request advice or help.
• Works toward creative solutions by analysing problems carefully and logically.
• Maintains professional relationships with supervisors, co-workers and clients.

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Climate Change, Agriculture, Forest Engineering, Rural Development, Biodiversity Management, Environmental Science or another associated field.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of professional experience in providing technical support for the implementation of projects in the environmental arena;
• Experience of, at least, 6 years in working on forest, land use, agriculture and/or climate change projects;
• Experience with public policies, laws, and regulations related to the Brazilian Forest Code implementation of at least 1 year is required;
•  Experience with the National REDD+ Strategy (ENREDD+) or equivalent international experience is an asset;
• Previous experience working with IPLCs is desirable;
• Previous experience working with rural technical assistance and extension is desirable;
• Experience with monitoring environmental and social safeguards;
• Communication skills and capacity to promote, coordinate and systematize dialogues and debates with different stakeholders and government;
• Availability for extensive domestic travel;
• Ability to work under high pressure.

Language:

• Excellent command of both oral and written Portuguese and English and good communication skills.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Contract Duration: 12 months, with possibility of extension during project implementation