In Country Facilitator (Home based Retainer) - St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

As part of the Global Portfolios Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of eight global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), humanitarian leadership (GELI), urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR. The EU-UNOPS Lives in Dignity (LiD) Grant Facility is also based here.

WEC Background

The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and with offices based globally is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. The Portfolio has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over 500 million USD over the last 15 years to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support.  

 WEC effectively operationalizes partners' agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WEC’s ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. 

The NDC Partnership

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition, bringing together more than 250 members, including more than 130 countries, developed and developing, and more than 110 institutions to deliver on ambitious climate action that helps achieve the Paris Agreement and drive sustainable development. Governments identify their NDC implementation priorities and the type of support that is needed to translate them into actionable policies and programs. Based on these requests, the membership offers a tailored package of expertise, technical assistance and funding. This collaborative response provides developing countries with efficient access to a wide range of resources to adapt to and mitigate climate change and foster more equitable and sustainable development. The NDC Partnership Support Unit is jointly hosted by the World Resources Institute (WRI), the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC). For this project, the Consultant will be contracted through UNOPS.

The facilitator will be embedded in the Department of the Environment of Antigua and Barbuda. He/she will be responsible for further strengthening the capacity of the DOE to implement projects in its new accreditation scope and size, develop projects for the implementation of the NDC, complete the NDC 3.0, support the DOE in project implementation and further develop and enhance the just transition of the workforce in the areas of infrastructure, renewable energy and resilient housing.  The facilitator will also support the DOE in terms of resource mobilization and monitoring the implementation of the Partnership Plan.  He/she will support the focal points of the Partnership in their daily tasks of implementing the Partnership Plan, NDC 3.0, LT-LEDS and other forms of support to the NDC implementation. Quarterly country updates will be produced by the NDC Coordinator and Government will share quarterly updates to wider stakeholders. 

The embedded facilitator will serve as the NDC Partnership’s interface in the country and operate as a liaison between the country and other NDC Partnership members. The role is one of coordination and supportive facilitation. They play a key role in ensuring the smooth implementation of the NDC Country Engagement Process, by supporting ongoing coordination efforts between the Support Unit of the NDC Partnership, the various partners of the Partnership, and the Government. 

The incumbent will be responsible for strengthening national coordination in terms of resource mobilization and monitoring the implementation of the NDC. The Facilitator will support the focal point of the Partnership in their daily tasks of implementing the NDC and other forms of support for the NDC implementation.  

The embedded facilitator will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist and will work in close collaboration with the different ministerial offices. 

• This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve 12 months, maximum of 220 working days, with possibility of an extension depending on satisfactory performance and on availability of funds. 

• This is a Homebased position, meaning that the incumbent will not work from a UNOPS office but from the government facilities. Therefore, the incumbent will need to use his/her own laptop and software. 

• As this is a Local Position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent should be a national of Antigua and Barbuda or have a valid residence permit in the country.

• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

The In-Country Facilitator will serve as the NDC Partnership’s interface in Antigua and Barbuda, operating as a liaison between the country and other NDC Partnership members. The role is one of coordination and supportive facilitation, ensuring the smooth implementation of the NDC Country Engagement Process by supporting ongoing coordination efforts between the Support Unit of the NDC Partnership, the various partners of the Partnership, and the Government. The incumbent will be responsible for strengthening national coordination in terms of resource mobilization and monitoring the implementation of the NDC.

1. Coordination and communication with key stakeholders

• Ensure that communications relevant to NDC Partnership engagement are shared with relevant national, international, and local level stakeholders.
• Facilitate periodic coordination and information exchange among partners in the country, with the aim of leveraging and mobilizing their respective advantages in support of the Partnership Plan, request for support letters or equivalent instrument. To this end, usage of existing government coordination mechanisms shall be prioritized.
• Organize meetings to monitor and coordinate the implementation of the Partnership Plan, or equivalent instrument, with stakeholders.

2. Operationalization of NDC Partnership Plan

• Collaborate with the NDC Partnership Support Unit and the Focal Points to manage and update the Plan in the Online Partnership Plan Tool, ensuring information remains up to date and accessible for key stakeholders. When an Online Partnership Plan does not exist yet, support the transition to the online tool.
• Identify implementing and development partners, compile and periodically update their contact details (name of focal point, email address, telephone number) and follow up with them regarding their contribution to the partnership plan or equivalent instrument.
• When applicable, contribute to the development of the Partnership Plan Narrative and its validation by the government.

3. Facilitation of NDC Partnership Plan implementation

• Collaborate with the Support Unit to document changes in the operating context and provide support to the government and stakeholders in decision-making processes and new developments with respect to the Partnership Plan, equivalent instrument and its enabling environment.

4. Mobilization of resources for implementation

• Support the government in following up on and mobilizing partner financing to close its support gaps to allow for NDC implementation as per the Partnership Plan or an equivalent instrument.
• Update government needs and priorities for NDC implementation. When Partnership Plans are available, these should be regularly updated.
• Work with the Support Unit to produce an overview of support gaps to make available to partners.
• Engage with partners, including at the local/subnational level, to link needs to services and resources in accordance with the Partnership Plan.
• Assist the government in coordinating with key donors, partners, and funding mechanisms on aligning country programs and projects with the needs and gaps identified in the Partnership Plan, other planning / coordination instruments, as applicable, and requests for support.
• Assist and provide authoritative advice to International and Development Partners to align climate projects and programmatic objectives with the Partnership Plan or other support planning / coordination instruments as applicable.

5. Tracking of Partnership Plan and Investment Plan implementation progress

• Monitor and assess implementation of the Partnership Plan and coordinate periodic reporting of partners to the NDC Partnership.
• Prepare quarterly country update reports summarizing key insights and progress updates, challenges, and recommendations for the way forward.
• Assess progress outcomes of the NDC Partnership in-country engagement and make recommendations for adjustments.

6. Organize and support NDC-related meetings as needed

• If requested, facilitate national country specific multi-stakeholder NDC dialogues.
• Support the government in preparing for NDC-related events such as COPs, regional climate weeks, national events, and other convenings relevant to showcase NDC progress and generate support for implementation of the NDC.
• Organize coordination meetings between the Support Unit and the government as needed.

7. Deliverables

• Annual work plan, including a methodological description, schedule, activities and expected results.
• Quarterly Country Engagement Update Report, reflecting the progression of activities as per the implementation of the NDC Partnership Plan, RSLs, thematic call requests, and PAF implementation progress.
• Updated NDC Partnership Plan, reflected in the Online Partnership Plan Tool.
• Updated partner contact list
• Reports for coordination meetings facilitated periodically with partners supporting NDC Partnership Plan, RSLs, thematic call requests, and PAF, including inception, technical, validation and approval of workshops.

Required

• A master’s degree in public policy, development, climate change, natural resource management, environmental management, Marine management and any other relevant field of study with 5 years of relevant experience.
• Bachelor's degree in related discipline with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience (7 total) may be accepted instead of an advanced degree.

Required

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in public, private, UN Agencies or third sector institutions with a special focus on coordination and articulation of different actors and project management in climate change, environmental and natural resource management, development cooperation and related fields. 
• Experience in multilateral, national and grassroot governance and processes related to climate change, policy and/or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). 
• Knowledge of the country’s context of policy frameworks, national plans and strategies related to climate change is required.
• Experience working on climate change with a national government technical or policy department.

Desired

• Familiarity with UNFCCC processes including Subsidiary Body and Conference of Parties (CoP), NDC and past experience on government climate change process. 
• Ability to foster formal and informal networks to strengthen cooperation between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders
• Experience in facilitating the implementation of National Communications, Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs), NDCs is an asset.
• Experience of other national contexts that indirectly contribute to climate change and proven experience in project management, ideally in a developing country context is desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of governance, strategic planning, public policies, national plans, strategies, and policies related to environmental and climate change issues is desirable.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
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• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.