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Adaptation Economics Expert- Retainer

Home Based - May require travel

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Home Based - May require travel
  • Grade: Mid level - IICA-3, International Individual Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Economics
    • Environment
    • Climate Change
    • Climate
    • Documentation and Information Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Job-specific

The risks and impacts associated with long-term climate change poses significant challenges to the people and economy of Sudan. Already burdened with recurrent droughts, food insecurity, water problems, malaria outbreaks and high poverty levels, Sudan's development efforts have struggled even with current climatic change and variability. Moreover, predicted climate change shows an amplification and increase in the frequency of many of the climate related hazards affecting the country and especially the livelihoods of more than 60% of the population that is dependent on traditional, rain-fed agriculture and pastoral practices. Climate change is therefore threatening to reverse progress towards development through negatively impacting lives and livelihoods, either directly or as a compounding factor towards existing vulnerabilities.

One of Sudan’s most vulnerable region that is severely impacted by climate change induced hazards (droughts and floods) is the White Nile State especially the western region of the state. As indicated in Sudan’s National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA-2007) and National Adaptation Plan (NAP-2016), small holder rainfed farmers and pastoralists in the White Nile State are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to inappropriate and unsustainable agricultural practices, insufficient water and land management and lack of alternative non-agricultural and non-pastoral income generating activities. Most notably, increasing temperatures, decreasing trends of annual precipitation as well as increased variability, are causing a gradual shift of arid ecological zones from north to south. As a result, climate change impacts in White Nile State have already been manifested in declining crop and animal productivity, loss of grazing resources and rangeland valuable species, land degradation, increased frequency of human, animal and crop diseases, loss of livelihoods and human migration in search for jobs and alternative livelihoods.

In response to this, the project “Enhancing the resilience of communities living in climate change vulnerable areas of Sudan using Ecosystem-Based approaches to Adaptation (EbA)” (also known as Sudan ecosystem-based adaptation project) was developed with the overall aim of increasing the resilience of livelihoods and integrated productive agricultural systems in the White Nile State through ecosystem-based adaptation approaches. This will be achieved through mainstreaming of ecosystem-based adaptation approaches at both national, state and local (community) levels by strengthening government awareness and capacity for implementation of ecosystem-based adaptation at all levels. The project will build the climate resilience of ecosystems and local communities in the White Nile State by improving their access to ecosystem services, such as agriculture, food and water. It will also support communities to manage agro-ecological systems in a sustainable manner while at the same time increasing rangeland productivity. Climate-resilient ecosystems will therefore be expected to increase the adaptive capacity of local communities by providing an important buffer against extreme weather events. Simultaneously, the project will also facilitate the upscaling of such benefits to the national level by mainstreaming ecosystem-based adaptation and climate change adaptation into policies. Furthermore, cost-benefit analyses of ecosystem-based adaptation interventions will be conducted and successful cost-effective ecosystem-based adaptation measures will be codified and disseminated across sectors. The project is expected to achieve the following outcomes:

Outcome 1:       Improved and strengthened technical capacity of local, state and national                                     institutions to plan, implement and upscale ecosystem-based adaptation.

Outcome 2:       Reduced vulnerability of local communities to climate change impacts in the                                 White Nile State.

Outcome 3:       Strengthened information base and knowledge on ecosystem-based adaptation                           and its cost-effectiveness are readily available for various uses.

Implementation of the Sudan ecosystem-based adaptation project will therefore support restoration and conservation of ecological structure and functioning in order to ensure sustainable supply of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall adaptation strategy to help human and natural systems in White Nile State to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change. In turn, this will result to multiple environmental, social, economic, and cultural co-benefits for local communities and therefore enhance their resilience to climate change impacts, protection of their livelihoods, poverty alleviation and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions among other benefits.

The Sudan ecosystem-based adaptation project is in the 2nd year of implementation and is financed by Global Environment Facility (GEF)/Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) through UN Environment (UNEP) with the Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources (HCENR) as the executing partner.




Functional Responsibilities

The Adaptation Economics Expert will be responsible for designing and leading the process of conducting a cost-benefit assessment for ecosystem-based adaptation measures implemented under Sudan ecosystem-based adaptation project and other related projects. However, given that there are no ecosystem-based adaptation measures in place yet and it will take some time (approximately 1 year) for them to be established, the  expert will utilize the first year of this assignment to develop a methodology (including data collection protocols) for conducting the cost-benefit assessment. At the same time, the expert will also facilitate training on the application of the methodology and the data collection protocols targeting a team from an organization/institution contracted by Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources that will support in data collection and entry during the process of undertaking the cost-benefit assessment for ecosystem-based adaptation measures. Once ecosystem-based adaptation measures are established and data is collected, the expert will lead in data processing, analysis and preparation of the cost-benefit assessment report. Based on the results of the cost-benefit assessment, the expert will develop an upscaling plan for ecosystem-based adaptation measures across Sudan in collaboration with a national/local organization that will be contracted by Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources. The expert will thereafter lead in the dissemination of the results of the cost-benefit assessment and the upscaling plan. Additionally, the expert will facilitate trainings on the economics of adaptation targeting stakeholders drawn from the public and private sectors as well as Non-Governmental Organizations in the natural resource, agriculture and pastoral sectors.

Specifically, the expert will undertake the following activities:

  • Develop a cost benefit assessment for ecosystem-based adaptation measures in Sudan through description and piloting of a suitable methodology and data collection protocols.
  • Facilitate training on the application of the methodology and data collection protocols for the cost benefit analysis of ecosystem-based adaptation measures. The training will target a team from a national organization/institution that will be contracted by Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources to support in undertaking data collection and entry for the cost benefit analysis for ecosystem-based adaptation measures.
  • Lead in data processing and analysis (data cleaning, statistical data analysis and interpretation of analysis results) as well as preparation of an economic cost-benefit assessment report for ecosystem-based adaptation measures.
  • Develop an upscaling plan for ecosystem-based adaptation measures across Sudan based on the results of the cost-benefit assessment in collaboration with a national/local organization that will be contracted by Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources.
  • Develop information materials and facilitate a workshop targeting private and public stakeholders to disseminate:

-       The results of the economic cost-benefit assessment for ecosystem-based adaptation measures;

-       Upscaling plan for ecosystem-based adaptation measures.

  • Develop training modules and facilitate a Training of Trainers (ToTs) drawn from Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources, relevant ministries, State Technical Committee, private sector and Non-Governmental Organizations in the natural resource, agriculture and pastoral sectors on the economics of adaptation specifically on the following topics:

-          Financing of  climate change adaptation;

Cost-effectiveness rationale for mainstreaming of adaptation in decision making process, relevant strategies, plans and budgets.

V. Conduct of work

The Adaptation Economics Expert will be invited periodically during the 2nd, 3rd and likely 4th project year (subject to project extension) to undertake field visits to project sites in White Nile State, work with the Project Management Unit and its consultants, and members of the project’s White Nile State Technical Committee to provide technical guidance and build the capacity of various stakeholders on the process of designing and conducting an economic cost-benefit assessment of ecosystem-based adaptation approaches and measures.

V. Deliverables, tentative timeframe and proposed payment schedule

The Adaptation Economics Expert will be responsible for ensuring a timely and satisfactory completion and submission of the deliverables listed below. The deliverables should be in English but will later be translated into Arabic version. Once deliverables are approved, payment will be made as indicated below.

No

Deliverables

Deliverables indicative due date

Percentage of total payment

1.

Inception report

September 2019

10%

2.

Description and piloting of a suitable methodology and data collection protocols for conducting a cost-benefit assessment for ecosystem-based adaptation measures

December 2019

30%

3.

Delivery of training on the application of the methodology and data collection protocols for ecosystem-based adaptation measures.

A training report should be submitted.

 March 2020

4.

Data analysis and development of an economic cost-benefit assessment report for ecosystem-based adaptation measures.

September 2020

30%

5.

Upscaling plan for ecosystem-based adaptation measures based on the cost-benefit assessment

December 2020

6.

Information materials and delivery of a workshop to disseminate:

-     The results of the economic cost-benefit assessment for ecosystem-based adaptation measures

-     Upscaling plan for ecosystem-based adaptation measures

Information materials & workshop report to be submitted

April 2021

30%

6.

Training modules and delivery of a Training of Trainers (ToTs) on the economics of adaptation specifically on the following topics:

-   Financing of  climate change adaptation

-   Cost-effectiveness rationale for mainstreaming of adaptation in decision making process, relevant strategies, plans and budgets

Training modules & training report to be submitted.

June 2021



VI. Management arrangements

The Adaptation Economics Expert will be contracted by UNOPS and will report administratively to the contracting authority and technically to the Secretary General of the Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources, who is the National Project Director of the Sudan ecosystem-based adaptation project, and to the UN Environment Task Manager responsible for the project. On a day-to-day basis the expert will be supervised by the National Project Coordinator of the project. The expert will also be expected to work closely with other project team members (Chief Technical Advisor, Monitoring & Reporting Expert and State Coordinator) as well as project consultants and White Nile State Technical Committee while undertaking this assignment.


Education

  • Advanced University Degree in Economics, Environmental Economics, Climate Change Finance or other relevant discipline is required.
  • University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) Degree in Economics, Environmental Economics, Climate Change Finance or other relevant discipline with 2 additional years of experience.    

Experience

  •  A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in the conduct of cost-benefit analysis specifically as it relates to adaptation options in the context of climate change is required;
  • Familiarity with economic methodologies for both market and non-market valuation of environmental/ecosystem services is required;
  • Experience in development of training materials and facilitation of training's for a variety of stakeholders is required;
  • Good analytical problem solving skills is an asset;
  • Proven writing, analysis and presentation skills is an advantage;
  • Flexibility and ability to operate in different cultural settings and with a variety of stakeholders an asset.
  • Previous experience of working in the Horn of Africa Region especially Sudan is desirable.
  • Demonstrated experience in working with the public and private sectors on climate change adaptation related interventions is desirable.

Languages

  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Working knowledge of Arabic will be considered an asset 

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contract Agreement Contract level: IICA 3
Contract duration: 2 years retainer position 



For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

Additional Considerations

  • Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
  • Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
  • Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
  • UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
  • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  
  • its a family duty station. 

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.


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