The Kyrgyz Republic has recognised the risks posed by climate change and has begun to take steps towards improving their adaptive capacity. The integration of climate change and disaster risk management into sustainable development planning, poverty reduction and adaptation to climate change are one of five priority areas required for building a basis of stable risk management, according to international standards.
The National Strategy for Sustainable Development (NSSD) approved in 2018 provides long-term direction, covering the period from 2018-2040 it recognizes the need to transition to more sustainable development pathways through the advancement of green economic principles as a national priority in various policy frameworks. The NSSD calls for the development of climate change adaptation strategies to reduce vulnerability and improve resilience. The NSSD will be implemented through five-year development programs. The first phase, covering the period 2018-2022, is referred to as the “Unity, Trust, Creation” program, and was approved by the parliament (Jogorku Kenesh) on 20 April 2018. Sections of the NSSD, including the “development of strategic branches of economy crosscutting priority” and “cross-cutting directions of development: ecological aspects of development” provide a clear mandate to establish a National Adaptation Plan process to provide strategic guidance on climate change adaptation, aligning it with the country’s efforts to achieve the SDGs.
The Government of the Kyrgyz Republic with support of the UNDP submitted a funding proposal for Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness and Preparatory Support for the formulation of its National Adaptation Plan. This process will be consistent with the government’s strategic vision for climate change adaptation. The project objective is to establish a national adaptation planning process that enhances vertical and horizontal climate change adaptation planning, facilitates mainstreaming of climate risks at sectoral and subnational levels, and identifies a program of priority climate change adaptation investments.
UNDP supports to strengthen the climate resilience of livelihoods of local communities in the Batken Province, which is deemed to be a most vulnerable region to climate change impacts in the Kyrgyz Republic. This is planned to achieve through expansion of the regional climate observation net, comprehensive promotion and scaled up implementation of the best practices of water efficient irrigation and climate smart agriculture, and protection of irrigation water infrastructure from hydrometeorological disasters, as well as the awareness raising of the local stakeholders on climate resilience integrating into communication campaigns.
Reducing vulnerability will be achieved through comprehensive promotion of mutually complementary solutions, replicating and scaling up climate change adaptation practices that have been successfully piloted by UNDP in such areas as agriculture, integrated water resource management and DRR.
Role description
Under direct supervision and guidance of UNDP Country Office Climate Change Policy and Programme Analyst and in close coordination with other programme clusters, the Climate Change Advisor/ Projects Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of projects at the programme level, and provides for their effective and efficient management through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning, management, monitoring and reporting of project(s) activities towards the achievement of their main objectives in line with UNDP rules of procurement, recruitment, and financial management. Climate Change Advisor/Projects Manager applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
The Climate Change Advisor/Projects Manager works in close collaboration with the Programme, Operations, Communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/projects-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems
The Climate Change Advisor/ Projects Manager will perform the following functions:
1. Provide strategic advice on Climate change adaptation initiatives
2. Ensure high quality project management and implementation of projects’ activities
3. Promote knowledge building and develop strategic partnerships with adaptation to climate change stakeholders
1. Provide strategic advice on Climate change adaptation initiatives focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Provide strategic technical advice to the Climate change adaptation of the national partners, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Cluster and contribute to the design of new interventions and development of projects’ proposals in the adaptation to climate change
- Support the Government and relevant implementing partners in their efforts to integration Climate change adaptation into the national and sectoral planning, promote sector coordination and public information campaign
- Input/support other relevant Climate Change Adaptation national interventions as well as other projects’ activities as requested by the Team Leader of the Cluster
2. Ensure high quality project management and implementation of projects’ activities focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Coordinate relevant Programme/ projects activities from substantive, administrative and financial points of view, systematic coordination of all programme/ projects activities that would result in a holistic and cross-practiced implementation of different programmes/ projects at both central and local level.
- Ensure effective communication and coordination with other Programme clusters, and the UNDP Country office.
- Provide direction and leadership to programme/projects teams and responsible parties in advocating programme/projects objectives and in ensuring that all interested Parties are well informed about the programme/projects’ activities and goals.
- Identify possible support and advice required for the management, planning and control of the Programme/projects.
- Control timely preparation and compilation of the Programme/Projects’ Annual/Quarterly Work Plans and Progress/Final substantial and financial reports and its submission to the UNDP CO.
- Prepare monthly reports for the CO on key programme/project activities, issues and required action points, and provide oversight to the drafting process of monthly integrated progress and related reports, based on the need.
- Undertake regular monitoring visits to the programme/projects and subcomponents’ sites and report to UNDP CO on the status of activities, including suggestions for improvements.
- Guide and orient efforts and contributions of consultants, personnel and government counterparts towards achievement of programme/ projects objectives. Procure goods and services to initiate activities, including drafting of TORs and work specifications.
- Under the Country Office lead, contribute to the development of a gender mainstreaming strategy and ensure mainstreaming of gender into all programmatic activities.
- Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports.
- Meet feedback from the respective CO staff on the basis of a performed quality assurance function from the CO and ensure that those are addressed in a timely and quality-based manner.
- Represent programmes/projects, if delegated and required on behalf of UNDP, vis-a-vis other UN organizations in Kyrgyzstan, donor organizations, other international organizations, as well as national Government and non-governmental institutions and endeavor to build professional relationships with local, district and regional authorities in order to ensure full participation of a broad spectrum of national leadership in the identification, planning and execution of programme/ projects activities.
- Ensure proper professional relationships with community leaders, local NGOs and other Community Based Organizations (such as Women associations, Youth associations, etc).
- Oversee the process of verification and channeling of all requests for programme/ projects, administrative, logistical and other support, and report all incidents related to security and issues of general concern to UNDP CO.
- Control the transfer of programme/ projects deliverables, documents, files, equipment and materials as per the standard UNDP norms and procedures.
- Control establishment and maintenance of proper electronic and paper filing systems.
- Perform other duties that may be required by UNDP CO Environment/CC Programme Officer or UNDP Senior Management.
3.Promote knowledge building and develop strategic partnerships with climate change adaptation stakeholders focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Draft timely and high-quality background papers, briefing notes, talking points, analysis, and other substantive information for the Team Leader on CC and DRM and as requested by UNDP CO on relevant Climate Change Adaptation projects - activities and issues
- Support capacity and knowledge building initiatives of national counterparts, including curriculum development, trainings, workshops, seminars, conferences, design of interventions, as well as identify opportunities for government counterparts to share their experience with other countries and facilitates South-South cooperation
- Contribute to the harnessing of effective partnerships and competitive selection of partners for implementation of UNDP projects; promote joint programming, and collaborate effectively in established frameworks for UN and other international coordination; ensure proper coordination and information sharing with all international and national partners working in Climate change adaptation
- Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the projects for organizational sharing and learning as well as external information
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
- Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures. Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must.
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
- Ensures that programmes and projects are consistent with UN/UNDP values.
- Treats peers fairly by maintaining consistent values inspiring trust and confidence through personal credibility.
- Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions.
Education:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics / Social Sciences / International Relations / Development Studies, Environmental Studies or any other relevant field.
- Additional training and certification in project management would be an advantage.
- Gender certification is an asset
Experience:
- At least 5 years of progressive working experience in the design, management/implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects in environment and/or projects in the field of Climate Change, Natural Resources Management and/ or working in a relevant position to this post.
- At least 2 years of experience in managing teams.
- Proven experience in working with Government institutions and/or CSOs.
- Proven ability to draft, edit and produce written proposals and results-focused reports.
- Sound knowledge of development methodologies, including participatory approaches to strategic planning, strategic management and the management of institutional change in developing countries.
- Experience of work with the international organizations, high-level government officials representing central governmental bodies and/ or local administrations.
- Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
Language requirements:
- Fluency in English and Russian.
- Knowledge of Kyrgyz is an asset
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: 6 months with possible extension