National Specialist in Adaptation Planning

Contributing to the efficient implementation of the project “Agreements, processes, and tools to move towards a climate-resilient society in El Salvador”. The main objective is to support the efficient implementation of NAP project by ensuring that climate adaptation is effectively integrated into national and sectoral planning processes. The National Specialist in Adaptation Planning will contribute to the effective implementation of the project by guaranteeing the following tasks: Outcome 3.1: Adaptation planning, governance and institutional coordination strengthened: • Output 3.1.3. Country ownership and technical capacities strengthened to lead the NAP process. • Output 3.1.4. Monitoring and reporting systems are established for the adaptation of national priorities. • Output 3.1.5. Learnings from the NAP process adequately collected, stored and shared. Activity 1.1: Provide evidence-based information in the strategic and operative overview and coordination of meetings, workshops, training, events, trips, webinars, consultations and communications efforts at the subnational level. Activity 1.2: Develop the implementation of the system for monitoring and reporting of the NAP activities at the subnational level. This system must include quantitative and/or qualitative indicators aligned with NAP objectives (e.g. number of adaptation measures implemented, stakeholder participation, financial mobilization) and reporting tools for tracking progress. Activity 1.3: Conduct the identification of lessons learned at the subnational level. Activity 1.4: Provide guidance on the communication mechanisms and channels for dissemination of information to reach local stakeholders. Responsibility: The consultant, in close coordination with UNEP and the National Project Coordinator, will be responsible for collaborating with the design, development, and operationalization of a robust monitoring and reporting system for the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and its thematic plans. This includes reviewing existing systems, ensuring alignment with national and international reporting frameworks, and contributing to the establishment of protocols, indicators, baselines, and data management processes. The consultant will also contribute with the strengthening of institutional capacities through the design and delivery of training programmes (including Training of Trainers approaches) and will contribute to defining mechanisms for the periodic review of the NAP to assess the effectiveness of the process in El Salvador. Additionally, the consultant will facilitate coordination processes and stakeholder engagement to ensure effective data collection, knowledge sharing, and institutional ownership of adaptation monitoring and learning processes, incorporating gender-responsive approaches. Outcome 3.2 Evidence basis produced to design adaptation solutions for maximum impact: • Output 3.2.1. Understanding of risks and impacts related to climate change increased, both at the sectoral and subnational levels. • Output 3.2.2. Set of nationally agreed adaptation strategies to reach adaptation objectives. • Output 3.2.3. National Adaptation Plan and prioritized thematic adaptation plans produced. • Output 3.2.4 Mainstreaming adaptation at sectoral and subnational levels. Activity 2.1: Conduct the collection and analysis of information from subnational level, to be used for adaptation of local planning. Activity 2.2: Develop guidelines to encourage alignment of subnational-level priorities for climate change adaptation. Activity 2.3: Provide guidance to the preparation of inputs for the National Adaptation Plan (NAP), thematic adaptation plans and monitoring instruments. Activity 2.4: Conduct the incorporation of information on local adaptation planning activities into the development of the National Adaptation Plan and thematic adaptation plans. Activity 2.5: Advise new and innovative stakeholders to enhance technical, institutional, and managerial capacity for adaptation planning at the subnational levels. Activity 2.6: Design and monitor focus group discussions with relevant key stakeholders from subnational government, private sector, academia, civil society of the four zones of the country, to validate the adaptation measures to include in NAP and thematic adaptation plans. Activity 2.7: Implement with Consultants/Firms how to transfer know-how to governmental officials, technicians and other local stakeholders, through practical training sessions, capacity building workshops, tailored guidance materials with lessons learned and best practices. Responsibility: The consultant will collaborate with the generation and consolidation of the technical and participatory evidence base required for the formulation of the National Adaptation Plan and its thematic adaptation plans. This includes facilitating participatory processes to identify, assess, and prioritize adaptation strategies, supporting technical analyses such as multi-criteria and cost-benefit assessments, and ensuring integration of gender considerations. The consultant will also contribute to the development, validation, and dissemination of the NAP and thematic plans through stakeholder consultations at national and subnational levels. Furthermore, the consultant will lead and support processes to mainstream adaptation into sectoral and territorial planning instruments by identifying gaps, barriers, and entry points, and by contributing to the development of technical guidelines and capacity-building processes targeted at public institutions and local governments. Outcome 3.3 Private sector engagement in adaptation catalyzed: • Output 3.3.1 Tools created and capacities strengthened to foster climate-resilient decisions into private sector business models. • Output 3.3.2 An enabling environment for the participation of the private sector in the implementation, monitoring and financing of adaptation strategies is fostered. Activity 3.1: Provide guidance to the PMU in identifying opportunities for private sector stakeholders in each of the four zones of the country. Activity 3.2: Manage framework indicators and monitor risks for private sector. Responsibility: The consultant will contribute to strengthening the engagement of the private sector in climate change adaptation by supporting the analysis of investment patterns, risks, barriers, and opportunities for private sector participation. The role will include facilitating participatory processes with private and financial actors to collaborate with the development of guidelines, tools, and strategies that promote climate-resilient business practices. The consultant will also contribute the design and delivery of capacity-building activities for private sector stakeholders, as well as the development of strategic recommendations, policy inputs, and engagement mechanisms to foster an enabling environment for private sector participation in adaptation planning, implementation, and financing, including public-private partnerships. Outcome 3.4 Adaptation finance increased: • Output 3.4.1 Sources, mechanisms and operational steps are identified to mobilize financial resources for national adaptation priorities. Activity 4.1: Collaborate with the PMU in preparing the financial strategy of NAP and thematic plans. Activity 4.2: Identify opportunities for scaling up partnerships and stakeholder participation, in order to mainstream climate change adaptation considerations in investment planning processes. Responsibility: The consultant will follow up the analysis and development of financial strategies to mobilize resources for the implementation of the NAP and its thematic plans. This includes contributing to the estimation of adaptation costs, analysis of funding gaps, and identification of financing options, instruments, and mechanisms, including those involving private sector participation. The consultant will also collaborate with the preparation of action plans for climate finance mobilization, development of financial strategies, and strengthening of systems to track adaptation finance. Additionally, the consultant will contribute to the preparation of concept notes and pre-feasibility studies for priority adaptation investments, including coordination with stakeholders and potential financing entities, ensuring that financial planning processes are evidence-based, inclusive, and aligned with national priorities.

Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), San Salvador, El Salvador

1 Month

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 is effectively undertaken in the development of its tasks to guarantee an equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives. In this context, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) and UNEP have agreed on the implementation of the project “Agreements, processes, and tools to move towards a climate-resilient society in El Salvador – National Adaptation Plan project” (NAP project) framed within the Readiness program of the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The project aims to strengthen institutional engagement and capacities to plan, finance, implement, monitor, and report strategic adaptation processes, considering stakeholders at multiple levels. The project seeks to achieve its objective through 4 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. To fulfill the objectives of the project, UNEP LACO requires a National Specialist in Adaptation Planning to provide technical advice to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) and UNEP in advancing the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) project. This consultancy is necessary to ensure the effective integration of climate change adaptation into national, sectoral and subnational planning processes through the development of robust evidence bases, monitoring and reporting systems, and participatory mechanisms. The National Specialist in Adaptation Planning will contribute to the design and operationalization of adaptation planning instruments, including the NAP and thematic adaptation plans, contribute the development of guidelines and tools for mainstreaming adaptation at the national and sectorial level, and facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement processes across the four zones of the country. In addition, the role will strengthen institutional capacities through training, facilitate the development of frameworks for monitoring, evaluation, and learning, and contribute to identifying financial strategies and private sector engagement opportunities to scale up adaptation actions. This position is critical to ensure that adaptation planning is evidence-based, participatory, gender-responsive, and effectively aligned across governance levels. The National Specialist in Adaptation Planning will operate under the overall supervision of the Deputy Regional Director UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office and in coordination with MARN. The incumbent will work from Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week, full time basis and will be located at the Project Management Unit, NAP El Salvador, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), San Salvador, El Salvador. Additionally, he/she will work in close collaboration with the UNEP’s Adaptation team, the MARN in El Salvador, other national consultants and government and non-governmental counterparts. Travel might be needed for consultation processes.

ACADEMIC • Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, environmental management, economics, development studies, or a closely related field is required. • Master’s degree in environmental planning, natural resource management, economics, public policy, or a related field is desirable. PROFESSIONAL: • Three (3) years of relevant professional experience in climate change adaptation planning, environmental management, or development planning is required. • Demonstrated experience working on National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and National Determined Contribution (NDC) processes, climate policies, or sectoral/subnational planning instruments is desirable. • Proven experience in designing or implementing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks, including indicators, data protocols, and reporting systems, is highly desirable. • Experience in mainstreaming climate change adaptation into sectoral, planning processes is desirable. • Demonstrated experience in facilitating participatory processes, including workshops, consultations, and multi-stakeholder engagement with government, private sector, academia, and civil society is desirable. • Experience in capacity building, including development of training materials, delivery of workshops, and Training of Trainers approaches, is desirable. • Proven experience in data collection, analysis, and development of technical guidelines, reports, and knowledge products related to climate change is desirable. • Experience working on multistakeholder engagement, climate finance, or economic/financial analysis of adaptation strategies is an asset. • Experience working with national and subnational governments and coordinating across institutions is highly desirable. • Experience with international organizations or donor-funded projects is an asset. SKILLS: • Strong knowledge of climate change adaptation frameworks, including NAP and NDC processes, resilience planning, and nature-based solutions. • Familiarity with monitoring, reporting, and learning (MRL) systems, including indicator development and web-based platforms for tracking progress. • Ability to analyze complex datasets and translate technical information into actionable recommendations. • Strong facilitation and communication skills to engage diverse stakeholders and support participatory decision-making processes. • Ability to develop technical guidelines, policy briefs, and strategic documents. • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and coordination processes. • Ability to integrate gender considerations and inclusive approaches into technical work. COMPETENCIES: • Professionalism: Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. He/she shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Teamwork: 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. • Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

• Fluency in Spanish is required • Fluency in English is required.

Not available.

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