Regional Adaptation Specialist

The Regional adaptation specialist will structure and implement a road map to bolster the development of a regional strategy of adaptation within the framework of the NAP projects of El Salvador and Panama. In addition to contributing to the project management, he/she is expected to guide the work related to (a) Generation and dissemination of science-policy knowledge, (b) Technical and advisory services, (c) Regional advocacy and outreach and (d) Intergovernmental and interagency process. Specific tasks and responsibilities The Regional adaptation specialist will contribute to the effective implementation of the project by performing the following tasks: Outcome 3.1 - Output 3.1.4 Monitoring and reporting system established for the adaptation national priorities. (Technical guidance and Operations - 30%) Associated project activities: • Activity 1.1: Contribute to technical coordination of NAP (National Adaptation Plan) projects. • Activity 1.2: Contribute to the development of reports, briefings and presentations to the steering committee, donors and relevant stakeholders. • Activity 1.3: Contribute to the preparation of comprehensive narrative and annual reports for donors, ensuring timely, technical consistent and accurate reporting. • Activity 1.4: Support project planning and implementation management, including the development and monitoring of annual work plans, procurement plans, and delivery schedules, ensuring alignment with project timelines, budgets, and expected results.. • Activity 1.5: Monitor project performance and financial execution, identifying risks, delays, and implementation gaps, and proactively recommending corrective actions to ensure timely delivery and efficient use of resources. Responsibility: The consultant, in collaboration with the Programme Management Officer of the Climate Change Unit in UNEP LACO and the National Project Coordinators, will collaborate with the coordination of technical aspects of National Adaptation Plan (NAP) projects and produce clear, accurate monitoring reports to ensure effective communication with donors and stakeholders. The consultant will also provide technical inputs to ensure that analyses and recommendations are tailored to country needs and contribute to the identification and analysis of project management issues, supporting timely coordination and follow-up with Headquarters in Nairobi. Outcome 3.1 - Output 3.1.3 Country ownership and technical capacities strengthened to lead the NAP process. (Communications and Outreach 20%) Associated project activities: • Activity 2.1: Provide technical inputs to the design and implementation of the communication strategy for the NAP portfolio, ensuring alignment with project objectives and country priorities. Support the development and dissemination of adaptation planning information through targeted communication products and outreach mechanisms, integrating gender-responsive approaches and tailoring messages to different stakeholder groups. • Activity 2.2: Conduct two knowledge exchanges to countries with advanced development of their NAPs to learn about good practices on adaptation planning and implementation. • Activity 2.3: Provide technical assistance in the development of robust adaptation proposals, reader-friendly and technically accurate Terms of References, communication materials tailored to different audiences, summarizing key findings of the NAP process review and facilitating effective uptake by policymakers, technical staff, and other stakeholders. • Activity 2.4: Support the design, organization, and maintenance of a regional repository of communication, technical documents and outreach materials, ensuring accessibility, quality control, and alignment across NAP countries. This includes tracking available products, facilitating timely updates, and supporting coordination among country teams to enhance visibility and coherence of adaptation efforts both, for the regional portfolio, as well as for the NAPs knowledge management process in the MTS and the PoW. Responsibility: The consultant, in coordination with the Programme Management Officer of the Climate Change Unit in UNEP LACO and the National Project Coordinators, will provide technical inputs and collaborate with the communications team to develop high-quality communication materials (including infographics, policy briefs, notes, presentations, speaking points, webinars, workshops, Terms of Reference, and outreach strategies) to effectively disseminate adaptation work. The consultant will also support the planning, organization, and dissemination of these products, ensuring consistency and alignment across countries, and will maintain and expand networks with national and international partners, proactively identifying opportunities to strengthen collaboration, visibility, and outreach, in line with UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) and Programme of Work (PoW). Outcome 3.1 - Output 3.2.2 Set of nationally agreed adaptation strategies to reach adaptation objectives. (Research and analysis 20%) Associated project activities: • Activity 3.1: Provide technical expertise for the development of existing national, sub- national and sectoral monitoring and reporting systems. • Activity 3.2: Provide guidance to organize workshops for relevant members of the NAP Portfolio stakeholders and memberships and other key actors to identify points of interaction with the monitoring and reporting system planned for the NAPs and thematic adaptation plans, as well as with the systems of the Climate Change National Plan (PNCC given its Spanish acronym), the NDCs (CBIT project), and the transparency portal and the Voluntary National Review to track progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda and particularly the SDG 13 Climate Action. • Activity 3.3: Review, analyze and synthetize available data and information on (i) the causes of observed impact events; ii) climate change projections and climate risk and vulnerability assessments, and the methodologies used; and (iii) current adaptation status (strategies, initiatives, etc). The consulted information should be relevant to the different NDC thematic areas and regions of the country. For this, sources such as the National Communications will be used. This analysis on current adaptation status will be an element to guide the NAP process and ensure policy coherence/ alignment in terms of adaptation priorities. • Activity 3.4: Scope alternative adaptation strategies to reach adaptation objectives, with emphasis on EbA whenever possible and considering gender-responsive criteria. • Activity 3.5: Screen needs and opportunities for mainstreaming adaptation in the countries involved by reviewing planning instruments and budgets at the national, sub-national, sectoral and intersectoral, levels against information about climate change risks and vulnerabilities to incorporate adaptation criteria and practices in the NAPs. • Activity 3.6: Provide technical inputs for the identification of financing options, sources and mechanisms for the implementation of the NAP and the sectoral plans, including the barriers and opportunities associated to the options. • Activity 3.7: Contribute in compiling and visualizing key adaptation indicators and trends identified through the Regional Observatory of Adaptation, facilitating their presentation in internal and external knowledge products and in alignment with National priorities such as Nationally Determined Contributions, Long Term Climate Strategies, NBSAPS, or other relevant national initiatives for this output. Responsibility: The consultant, in collaboration with the Programme Management Officer in charge of the Climate Change Unit in UNEP LACO and the National Project Coordinators, will provide technical expertise to the development of analytical reports, knowledge products, concept notes and science-based recommendations to strengthen adaptation policy processes and planning instruments. Furthermore, the consultant will lead the development and operationalization of a Regional Observatory of Adaptation (ROA) as a strategic tool to inform and facilitate the implementation of the Global Goal on Adaptation framework. This includes contributing to the analysis of progress, gaps, and barriers to adaptation in line with medium- and long-term national priorities, and supporting evidence-based decision-making to inform regional adaptation strategies and identify priority areas for UNEP’s engagement in the region. Outcome 3.1 – Output 3.1.5: Learnings from the NAP process adequately collected, stored and shared. (Strategy and lessons learned 20%) Associated project activities: • Activity 4.1: Identifying challenges, emerging issues, and solutions in strengthening adaptation planning and policy processes in the LAC region. • Activity 4.2: Contribute to the development and growth of new work related to adaptation policy, expressed through the following types of interventions: - Generation and dissemination of science-policy knowledge - Technical input, capacity building and advisory services - Regional Advocacy and outreach - Intergovernmental and interagency process • Activity 4.3: Bolster fundraising efforts, co-creation strategies and internal financing arrangements based on existing work or new ideas. • Activity 4.4: Support the coordination and periodic update of a regional lessons-learned tracker, consolidating insights from country projects and regional initiatives. This includes ensuring systematic input from country teams, tracking key implementation challenges and solutions, and facilitating the integration of lessons learned into project planning, adaptive management, and decision-making processes. • Activity 4.5: Support the coordination and quality assurance of documentation and archiving processes for closure packages and knowledge products from completed NAP projects. This includes organizing key deliverables, ensuring consistency and accessibility of information, and facilitating the transfer of best practices and evidence to ongoing and upcoming initiatives across the region. Focus areas may include: - Alignment and coherence of policy instruments across sectors and scales. - Integration of Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). - Unlocking NbS: Integration of the biodiversity and climate change agendas. - Financing mechanisms for adaptation - Development of effective Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems. Responsibility: The consultant, in coordination with the Programme Management Officer in charge of the Climate Change Unit in UNEP LACO and the National Project Coordinators, will contribute to identify challenges and solutions in adaptation planning in the LAC region, while contributing to the development of adaptation policy through knowledge generation, technical guidance, and advocacy, and streamline fundraising and co-creation strategies, all of it, based on lessons learned from the NAP portfolio. Additionally, the consultant will collaborate in the organization and maintenance of a regional knowledge base, including databases of consultants, technical products, Terms of Reference, and key documentation. This will ensure systematic capture, harmonization, and transfer of knowledge across projects, enhancing consistency, efficiency, and learning within the regional adaptation portfolio. Outcome 3.2 - Set of nationally agreed adaptation strategies to reach adaptation objectives (Climate Advocacy 10%). Associated project activities: • Activity 5.1: Support the design and implementation of advocacy strategies to strengthen political and institutional commitment for the development and implementation of National and Regional Adaptation Strategies, ensuring alignment with the Paris Agreement and the Global Goal on Adaptation. • Activity 5.2: Provide technical and coordination support to organize events, high-level dialogues, and inter-institutional meetings that promote the inclusion of adaptation in national and regional agendas, fostering multi-stakeholder participation, including youth, private sector, and civil society. • Activity 5.3: Contribute to the development of policy briefs, position papers, and advocacy materials highlighting the importance of adaptation and resilience in sustainable development, with special attention to gender equality, ecosystem integrity, and social inclusion. • Activity 5.4: Support the mapping and engagement of strategic partners to advance advocacy efforts on climate adaptation across the LAC region, identifying synergies with existing regional initiatives, frameworks, and interagency platforms. • Activity 5.5: Contribute to communication and visibility efforts showcasing regional leadership and progress in adaptation, including participation in global advocacy processes such as the Global Goal on Adaptation, COP events, and regional climate fora. Responsibility: The consultant, under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer in charge of the Climate Change Unit in UNEP LACO and in coordination with the National Project Coordinators, will contribute to the design and implementation of advocacy strategies that enhance political commitment and regional collaboration on climate change adaptation. The consultant will provide technical inputs, coordinate outreach activities, and support the preparation of advocacy materials and events aimed at positioning adaptation as a key pillar of sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Panama City, Panama

9 MONTHS

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). In terms of addressing climate change, UNEP aims to support countries in compliance of the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the countries Nationally Determined Contributions. The overall objective of UNEP´s Sub-programme on Climate Change is to strengthen the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. The expected accomplishment regarding climate change adaptation is that adaptation approaches, including an ecosystem-based approach, are implemented, and integrated into key sectoral and national development strategies to reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience to climate change impacts. Furthermore, the UNEP´s Sub-programme on Climate Change is also committed to ensure that crosscutting issues such as gender equity and women empowerment are effectively undertaken in the development of its tasks to guarantee an equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives. To fulfill the objectives of the project, the UNEP LACO Office is recruiting a regional adaptation specialist to provide technical and strategical contributions to UNEP in structuring an integrated vision of the interventions and added value of UNEP’s work in adaptation in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region. The main objective of the position of Regional Adaptation Specialist is to structure and implement a comprehensive road map to bolster the development of a Regional Adaptation Strategy, within the framework of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) projects of El Salvador and Panama, as well as the Medium-Term Strategy and the Program of Work of the institution. This includes providing technical and analytical guidance to strengthen national and regional adaptation processes, ensuring coherence with global frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the Global Goal on Adaptation. The specialist will facilitate the integration of adaptation priorities into sectoral and subnational planning, promote knowledge exchange between countries, and identify synergies and opportunities for scaling up adaptation actions through innovative approaches, such as nature-based solutions, private sector engagement, and gender-responsive adaptation. The position will also contribute to the monitoring, evaluation, and communication of adaptation progress, generating evidence and lessons learned that inform the design of future regional and national strategies. The NAP projects aim to strengthen institutional engagement and capacities to plan, finance, implement, monitor, and report strategic adaptation processes, considering stakeholders at multiple levels. The NAP projects seek to achieve its objective through four components: • Adaptation planning, governance and institutional coordination strengthened. • Evidence basis produced to design adaptation solutions for maximum impact. • Private sector engagement in adaptation catalyzed. • Adaptation finance increased. Specifically, the Regional Adaptation Specialist is expected to guide the work related to: - Generation and dissemination of science-policy knowledge - Technical, capacity building and advisory services - Regional Advocacy and outreach - Intergovernmental and interagency process - Contributions to Project management The Regional adaptation specialist will operate under the overall supervision of The Regional Subprogramme Coordinator for the Climate Change Unit in UNEP LACO. The incumbent will work from Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week, full time basis and will be located at the UNEP LACO office in Panama City, Panama. Additionally, he/she will work in close collaboration with UNEP´s Climate Change team, the MARN in El Salvador, MiAmbiente in Panama, national consultants, government and non-governmental counterparts. Travel might be needed for the execution of the consultation processes.

ACADEMIC • Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, biology, engineering, economics, law, development studies, international relations, social or political sciences or any other related field is required. • Master’s degree in climate change, environmental economics, environmental law, environmental management, sustainable development, natural resources management, public policy, or a closely related field is desirable. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Two (2) years of relevant working experience in environmental management, biodiversity or climate change adaptation is required. ● Experience in planning, implementation or monitoring of national, sectorial plans, programs, and/or projects related to climate change and/or environment is desirable. ● Previous experience developing knowledge products on environment or climate change adaptation is desirable. ● Experience in analysis, advocacy, research or development of international and national climate policy is desirable. ● Familiarity with adaptation goals, indicators, metrics of adaptation at local, national or global level is desirable. ● Previous experience with innovative finance mechanisms for climate adaptation is desirable. SPECIAL SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE SKILLS • Knowledge of key topics related to climate change adaptation, the Paris Agreement, SDGs, the IUCN standard for Nature-based Solutions, is desirable. • Strong analytical skills to examine complex data, ability to write in an informative and appealing way and identify key messages is desirable. • Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills to facilitate complex reports for a target audience is desirable. • Facilitation of new approaches to decision making e.g., adaptation pathways is desirable. • Convening multiple actors across the relevant decisions is desirable. PROFESSIONALISM The professional possesses a strong sense of agency and take the initiative and assume responsibility for making changes which often requires building partnerships and alliances to achieve shared goals. They are strategic thinkers, able to see the bigger picture and plan for the future and able to make a compelling case when conveying their vision, inspiring others to act. They are adept at working with decision-makers, influencing strategic directions and aligning efforts with overarching goals and able to tie various elements and concepts together to provide a holistic understanding of complex situations. COMMUNICATION Capacity to convey ideas and information clearly and succinctly. Their critical thinking skills enable them to analyze information thoughtfully and with discernment. As facilitators, they are able to guide and streamline processes, foster a conducive environment for collaboration and effective teamwork. Importantly, their role as a listener signifies an openness to different perspectives and a genuine interest in understanding the perspectives of others. They are able to influence others through compelling arguments. The skill of compelling storytelling enhances their ability to engage and connect with audiences, making complex concepts more accessible. Rethinking is a key aspect of their approach, indicating a capacity for innovation and adaptability and quality control reflects a commitment to maintain high standards in their work. TEAMWORK The professional is able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team to achieve organizational goals and to take leadership when appropriate; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. WORKING WITH COMPLEXITY Capacity to identify influential points within a system that can be leveraged to achieve desired changes. This competence, aligned with the ability to connect from data to information to strategy/policy, suggests being able to shift between holistic approach, ‘whole system’ approach and specific opportunities to create practical change. Ability not only gather and analyze the relevant data but also translate this information into actionable strategies and policies. Willingness to adjust strategies based on evolving circumstances. Acknowledgment of the dynamic nature of climate issues and the need for continuous learning.

● Fluency in Spanish is required ● Fluency in English is required

Not available.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.