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Uzbekistan faces major challenges caused by climate change, including increased desertification, water scarcity, more frequent draughts, and depletion of the Aral Sea. Climate risks in the country are exacerbated by both rising of the average temperatures at a much faster pace than the global average and melting of mountain glaciers, a vital source of drinking water. While forests account for only 8.4 percent by World Bank data (much lower than a global average of 31%) of the country’s territory they are vital for reversing desertification, protecting biodiversity and landscapes, and providing livelihoods.
Land degradation, water scarcity, and frequent natural disasters suppress livelihoods and reinforce vulnerabilities in local communities particularly in such regions as Aral Sea (Karakalpakstan) and Surkhandarya.
To combat the negative impact posed by climate change, in November 2021, the Government of Uzbekistan launched an afforestation initiative, called Yashil Makon/Green Nation. This nation-wide afforestation program was added to the National Development Strategy - New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026 and envisages expansion of forests coverage by planting 200 million trees annually. The Green Nation Programme foresees comprehensive greening efforts with engagement of various public agencies and research community. To achieve this ambition, the Government plans to establish a Green Nation Fund, as defined in the new National Development Strategy. This ambition is part of a broader, collective ambition to mitigate and adapt to climate change, ultimately progressing towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The joint project aims at addressing these issues by supporting the Government in implementing Yashil Makon/Green Nation initiative for a sustainable climate adapted future for Uzbekistan’s people and its landscapes, through innovative long-term financing, management and capacity building opportunities. The joint project will have the following objectives:
Development of financial plans with viable innovative financial instruments to fund the afforestation initiative. Greening Uzbekistan’s landscapes and cities: Master planning and working for a sustainable future through strengthening preparedness, anticipatory action and response to support protection and solutions for communities. Enhancing resilience of communities to climate related and environmental risks, with focus on the sand and dust storms in Surkhandarya.While implementing the joint project, UN partners (UNDP, UNECE) work closely with the following national partners: the Ministry of Nature (former State Committee for Ecology and Environment Protection), the main national partner of the project, the Forestry Agency (former State Committee on Forestry), the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Hydrometeorological Service Agency, civil society and media. The project will also work in cooperation with other UN agencies and the UN Country team.
Duties and ResponsibilitiesUnder the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist on Environment and Climate Action Cluster, in close coordination and collaboration with the UNDP CO Environment and Climate team and other respective staff, the Project Analyst takes responsibility for the following key deliverables:
Detailed workplan for the Components and budget agreed by all major partners. National Steering Committee Meeting Minutes shared with all major partners. All team members and consultants recruited and delivering to schedule and working relations between team members clarified and effective. Lines of communication and working methods agreed and functional. Reporting and updates provided to UNDP, the government, etc. Planned activities are carried out in line with timelines and required quality standards as defined in the project document. Contribution to the promotion of gender equality ensured by reaching, involving and benefiting both women and men in the project activities. All workshops organized in line with work plan and well documented. Relevant workshop reports, meeting reports of National Steering Committee, and inputs to the technical reports in collaboration with the technical experts.Institutional Arrangement
The Project Analyst will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist on Environment and Climate Action Cluster. The Project Analyst will supervise staff under project as defined in the project document.
CompetenciesPeople Management Competencies
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies
Negotiation and Influence Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates ‘win-win’ situations. Human-centered Design Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process. Partnerships Management Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies. Communication Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels. SDG Integration SDG Acceleration and Bottleneck Assessment Knowledge of applicable legal framework Understanding of the legal norms as applied to the United Nations in general, and to UNDP in particular. This includes an understanding of the structure, functioning and operations of UNDP within the broader UN system and the application of international treaties, including the UN Charter, GA resolutions, the relevant basic country assistance agreement and UN system-wide legal instruments, as well as an understanding of the internal legal framework (financial regulations and rules, policies, and procedures) of UNDP. SDG Integration Institutional and Context analysis Required Skills and Experience Education: Master’s degree in economics, finance, public administration, natural resource management, including water/land management, biodiversity, climate change, environmental finance, environmental economics, environmental studies or a closely related field. Bachelor's degree in related field with 2 additional years of experience will be accepted in lieu of Master's degree. Experience: Minimum 2 years (with Master's degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor's degree) of experience in economics, finance, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, environmental management, environmental finance, environmental economics or other related field. 2 years of demonstrable project/programme management experience. 2 years of experience working with international organizations, ministries, national or provincial institutions that are concerned with finance, natural resources, environmental management, environmental finance, environmental economics.Desired Experience:
Experience working in an international/multi-country or regional contexts. Exposure to environmental issues or biodiversity. Proven experience and knowledge of the country’s institutional framework and policies on environment, biodiversity. Experience in developing partnerships with collaborating agencies. Experience in dealing with international and national experts and institutions.Technical/Functional Skills:
Working with ministries, national or provincial institutions that are concerned with natural resource and/or environmental management. Project management setting involving a multi-lateral/ international funding agency. Previous experience with the UN project will be a strong asset. Knowledge and understanding of climate change adaptation and disaster risk management context of Uzbekistan.Desired Skills:
Highly organized person, sets priorities, produces quality outputs, meets deadlines and manages time efficiently. Ability to multi-task, excellent inter-personal skills and flexible attitude and work well under pressure Ability to maintain overview in complex work situations, self-starter. Able to gather and process data and information. Works toward creative solutions by analyzing problems carefully and logically. Maintains professional relationships with supervisors, co-workers and clients. Proficiency in using computer applications (word processing, spreadsheet, presentations, project planning, e-mail, etc.) Ability to work in multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary environments. Demonstrated project management skills and ability to coordinate different stakeholder groups.Languages:
Fluency in English and Uzbek (written and spoken). Good command of Russian is desirable. Disclaimer 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. Non-discriminationThis vacancy is archived.