Portfolio Project Manager, Climate Change and DRR Resilience, UNDP

Nur-Sultan

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Nur-Sultan
Grade: Consultancy - SB-4 (SC8/SC9), Service Contract, Local Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
- Environment
- Meteorology, Geology and Geography
- Disaster Management (Preparedness, Resilience, Response and Recovery)
- Resilience and Climate Change
- Climate Change
- Project and Programme Management
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: Closed

Background

Kazakhstan ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in May 4, 1995. In March 26, 2009 Kazakhstan ratified the Kyoto Protocol (KP). Since 2008, Kazakhstan have been conducting annual GHG inventory. In November 4, 2016 Kazakhstan ratified the Paris Agreement (PA). December 6, 2016, Kazakhstan presented its NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) to be achieved by 2030: a 15% absolute reduction in GHG emissions across the economy by December 31, 2030 compared to the (baseline) 1990 as an unconditional goal and a 25% reduction if additional international assistance were provided to support Kazakhstan's efforts.

The UNDP Country Office (UNDP CO) is implementing a portfolio on climate change. The perspective pipeline consists of a growing number of projects on climate change and disaster risks reduction resilience. Within its mandate and the approved 2016-2020 Country Programme Document, the UNDP CO is making for the next 5 years the social aspects of climate change, DRR, water use, energy efficiency and sustainable economic development its priority within the EU, GCF and GEF-funded projects.

The UNDP CO in Kazakhstan is working within the context of the CPAP and PPF. The current UNDP portfolio of projects seeks to improve the resilience of the multilateral environmental sector, including the recommendation to the different legal and policy documents and the support to mainstream the concept of environmental sustainability into the legal normative and regulatory document.

The new UNDP programmatic cycle suggests that the cumulative impact of the Country Office’s portfolio on the host country needs to grow and to evolve and hence the level of expertise for further resource mobilization and priority response to the need of the country should become greater.

There are several projects on climate change within the project portfolio:

The first project: Development of the 8th Kazakhstan’s National Communication in UNFCCC and preparation of two (fourth and fifth) Biennial Reports

The project is being implemented jointly with the Global Environment Facility, the United Nations Development Programme and the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, that will enable Kazakhstan to develop and present the Eighth National Communication (8NC) of the Conference of the Parties (COP) and Biennial Reports (BR) in accordance with the obligations of the country provided for in the Article 12 of Convention and subsequent decisions of the COP.

The project will update information on national circumstances, greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories and measures taken to mitigate climate change, assessment of vulnerability to climate change and ongoing adaptation efforts, public awareness, education and training, systematic observation and research, attraction and provision of financial resources and technology transfer.

During the project implementation period, there will be also technical and institutional capacity improvement in the field of preparation of National Communications and assistance to the Government in integrating climate change issues into sectoral and national development priorities.

At the end of the project, Kazakhstan’s experts and organizations are expected to increase their capacity and the country's legislative and strategic initiatives in the field of combating climate change will be supported.

Within the newly launched Development of the 8th Kazakhstan’s National Communication in UNFCCC and preparation of two (fourth and fifth) Biennial Reports project, it is planned to deliver a huge amount of the resources and hence the utmost support from the administrative and finance assistant would be required to provide support to the projects manager in implementation broad array of tasks to perform day to day project activities as well as ensure all the financial transactions are processed in time with no delay and stipulation over the high pressure or workload.

The second project: Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

2015 was a historic year in which 196 Parties came together under the Paris Agreement to transform their development trajectories so that they set the world on a course towards sustainable development, aiming at limiting warming to 1.5 to 2 degrees C above pre-industrial levels. Through the Paris Agreement, Parties also agreed to a long-term goal for adaptation – to increase the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development, in a manner that does not threaten food production. Additionally, they agreed to work towards making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.

Nationally determined contributions (NDCs) are at the heart of the Paris Agreement and the achievement of these long-term goals. NDCs embody efforts by each country to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The Paris Agreement (Article 4, paragraph 2) requires each Party to prepare, communicate and maintain successive nationally determined contributions (NDCs) that it intends to achieve. Parties shall pursue domestic mitigation measures, with the aim of achieving the objectives of such contributions. The Paris Agreement requests each country to outline and communicate their post-2020 climate actions, known as their NDCs.

Together, these climate actions determine whether the world achieves the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement and to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as soon as possible and to undertake rapid reductions thereafter in accordance with best available science, so as to achieve a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of GHGs in the second half of this century. It is understood that the peaking of emissions will take longer for developing country Parties, and that emission reductions are undertaken on the basis of equity, and in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty, which are critical development priorities for many developing countries.

Each climate plan reflects the country’s ambition for reducing emissions, taking into account its domestic circumstances and capabilities. Guidance on NDCs are currently being negotiated under the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA), agenda item 3.

The project will take on hire National coordinator for GHG emissions inventory and monitoring system from among residents through open contest, whose main responsibility shall be leading the part of the project related to MRV and adaptation NDCs in order to reach objectives within designated timeframe and budget.

The third project: National Adaptation Plan (NAP)

The Republic of Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan) is already experiencing the effects of climate change. Impacts include increasing salinization of inland soils, shoaling in Lake Balkhash, degradation of glaciers, increased water scarcity, and flooding in the coastal regions of the Caspian Sea that threatens burgeoning industries and power supplies. Also evident are increased frequencies of extreme weather events (heavy rain, heavy snow, gale and hail), and an increase in the frequency of hydrological extremes in rivers. This results in an increase in the number of mountain floods, ice jams, mudflows and water shortages. Notably, severe water shortages occurred in 2012 and 2014 due to water level reductions of the Irtysh River and Ile River, respectively.

To address these vulnerabilities, the Government initiated a review for its national adaptation plan (NAP) process in October 2016 through consultations with national stakeholders. A rapid stocktaking exercise was conducted in late 2016 and its recommendations validated by the representatives of key sectors and the Ministry of Energy. The Government sees the NAP process as key to achieving the adaptation objectives outlined in its 2015 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), as well as mainstreaming climate change into its policies.

III. Organizational Context

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Officer, The Portfolio Project Manager (PM) will provide technical and expert support to the UNDP CO to establish the cohesive impact of the current UNDP CO’s portfolio and to ensure the achievement of the goals set in the UNDP Kazakhstan programmatic 2016-2020 and 2021-2025 cycles, addressing among others the sustainable economic growth, climate change and DRR resilience, green jobs, and entrepreneurship opportunities for vulnerable people.

PM in close collaboration with the programme and projects staff of Sustainable development and urbanization unit develop new conceptions and analytical materials for the purposes of the development of new initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions/Key Results expected:

Effective planning and project implementation with the participation of all stakeholders in accordance with the Project Document;
Preparation, monitoring and implementation of annual project work plans;
Organization and management of the project implementation team;
Development of terms of reference and contracts for national and international experts;
Ensuring effective interaction with relevant government authorities, academic institutions, NGOs and other stakeholders;
Relations development with other relevant GEF projects or other regional projects;
Dissemination of project activities and outcomes information to project partners and the general public;
Supervision of internal quality control processes, including the creation of risks logs, problems and indicators of the project activities quality, monitoring and maintaining these logs, as well as making the necessary changes;
Reporting on the project’s progress in accordance with the Project Document.
Providing the necessary information to independent third-party appraisers of the project;
Regular reporting and communication with the Project Board and UNDP on the status of the project, including information on emerging issues;
Monitor the project’s expenditure by appointment in accordance with the approved budget of each Outcome of the project;
Monitoring and coordination of the co-financing provision as provided for in the Project Document;
Secure development of all outcomes of the projects in consistent with available methodologies and guidebooks;
Final expert review of developed analytical and technical reports;
Deliver expert information to the decisionmakers and counterparts;
Develop final versions of the analytical reports on GHG inventory, vulnerability and assessment, national circumstances NC and BR etc;
Methodological and expert support of all involved experts and project staff;
Mainstreaming Gender issues to the project realization;
Mainstreaming climate change in the national priorities and national projects.
Ensure that the risks of their reduction are monitored as effectively as possible;
Inform the Project Board (PMC) and relevant stakeholders on the progress of the project;
PMC’s meetings organization;
Plan project activities and monitor progress according to quality criteria;
Mobilize the procurement of goods and services for the project activities, including the development of terms of reference and work specifications;
Manage requests for the UNDP financial resources provision using advances, direct payments, or reimbursements;
Manage and control the project’s risks, as originally defined in the Project Document, to present new risks to the PMC for consideration and decision making on possible actions, if necessary; update the status of these risks by maintaining a project risk log;
Provide project problem management and project change requests by logging requests;
As required, prepare a quarterly report on the project (progress compared to planned activities, updated information on risks and problems, expenditures in the UNDP format) and a quarterly operational report and submit reports to the PIT;
Prepare an Annual Overview Report (UNDP format) and submit reports to the PMC and GEF; prepare an Annual Work Plan (AWP) and an Annual Procurement Plan during the project;
Monitor the implementation of project components, analyze problems impeding their implementation and take appropriate measures to ensure timely provision of required resources and outcomes achievement throughout the project;
Monitoring of financial resources and accounting to ensure the accuracy and reliability of financial statements, including a proper use of funds and delivery, budget review, funds availability, accounts reconciliation and establishment of internal controls. Serves as a focal point for communication with auditors and ensures follow-up actions. Provides accuracy and reliability of financial information and statements;
Prepare the final CDR for signing by UNDP and the Implementing Partner;
Monitoring and promotion of advocacy in the media, writing success stories, coverage in Newspapers, PR campaigns;
Organize work meetings, workshops and round tables to present the project’s outcomes to all interested parties. Facilitate relevant UNDP thematic events such as publications, knowledge exchange and panel discussions;
Liaise with other UNDP and UNDP-GEF funded projects to implement possible synergies and report to UNDP and the national partner on the activities undertaken;
Carrying out the mobilization activities, that will be based on the project achievements that contribute to the expansion of the project’s scope and its replication;
Ensure proper operational, financial and programme closure of the project;
Prepare final project reports for submission to the PMC;
Determine follow-up actions and submit them to the PMC for consideration;
Manage the transfer of project outcomes, documents, files, equipment and materials to national beneficiaries;
Insure the resource mobilization for this portfolio.

Impact of Results

The general objective of the PM is the successful project implementation in accordance with the objectives, work plans and budgets set out in the Project Documents, including the relevant specific objectives:

Two Biennial Reports (fourth and fifth) (BR) and the Eighth National Communication (8NC) for the implementation of reporting obligations under the UN Convention on Climate Change are developed and disseminated among national stakeholders;
Vulnerability assessment and adaptation measures to enhance climate-sensitive prioritization and development planning in Kazakhstan are developed and disseminated among national statehooders.

Competencies

Core values:

Demonstrates commitment to the UN values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religious, racial and ethnic sensitivity and adaptability;
Protection of all employees from all types of favoritism.

Functional competencies:

Communication and cooperation

Possesses excellent oral communication skills and the ability to resolve conflicts in order to manage conflicts and reduce the conflicts of various project participants;
Possesses excellent written communication skills, analytical capacity and the ability to summarize the project outcomes and relevant conclusions for the preparation of high-quality project reports; Demonstrates maturity and confidence in communication with high-ranking officials of national and international agencies, governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Knowledge management and training

Promotes knowledge exchange and team learning based on leadership and personal example;
Focuses on the outcome for the client and responds positively to the feedbacks;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Keeps calm, control and good mood even under pressure.

Development and operational efficiency

Ability to organize and perform several tasks, by setting priorities;
Ability to perform a large amount of work, possibly in conditions of lack of time.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Understands the basic processes and working methods of the current position;
Constantly maintains the relevance of work knowledge through self-study and other learning tools;
Demonstrates a good knowledge of information technology and applies them in job assignments.

Leadership and self-government

Builds strong customer relationships, focuses on the impact and outcome for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
ability to effectively coordinate a complex, multi-stakeholder project and to lead;
Competence in team leadership and building team spirit, encouraging team members to produce quality outcomes in a timely and transparent manner; Demonstrates leadership and self-governance.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent degree) in business or public administration, economics, information management, statistics, sustainable development, social sciences, education or related area;
A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

Min 7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organization and national governments;
experience and technical ability to manage a project and a good technical knowledge in the fields related to private sector development, energy and environment and institutional development and/or regulatory aspects;
Good capacities for strategic thinking, planning and management;
Sound experience in usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems;
Knowledge of UNDP project implementation procedures, including procurement, disbursements, and reporting and monitoring will be an added advantage.

Language requirements:

Fluent spoken and written Russian and English are essential;
Knowledge of Kazakh is preferred.

Disclaimer

Important applicant information

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