Senior Officer, MRV & NDC Enhancement

Purpose

The purpose of this position is to support implementation of GGGI’s program in integrated planning for low emission climate resilient green growth to support development and implementation of MRV, LT‑LEDS, and NDCs in GGGI member and partner countries. The initial focus of the position will be on supporting development and establishment of MRV systems for the ETF of Pairs Agreement in the Pacific countries and the support countries in their NDC revisions and submissions.

The successful candidate is expected to work c. 50% of their time on an NDC Partnership’s Climate Action Enhancement Package (CAEP) project in PNG; and c. 50% on projects with the Pacific NDC Hub. The allocation to these projects may be subject to change based on business needs.

Pacific NDC Hub:GGGI is an implementing partner of the Pacific NDC Hub (called “NDC Hub” in this job description). The NDC Hub aims to address identified needs and priorities of PICs to enhance and successfully implement their NDCs. It is owned by its 15 Pacific Country Members. The NDC Hub is implemented through a partnership between GIZ, GGGI, SPC and SPREP in contribution to NDC Partnership, with financial support from Germany, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australian Governments.

The NDC Hub is also supporting the development of national/sub-national and sectoral level green growth strategies, implementation roadmaps and extending technical support for preparation and submission of NDCs. A primary and critical step in this direction is the development of effective MRV and transparency systems for tracking the progress and effectiveness of climate change actions taken by these countries, and identifying areas of support needed. Embedding effective and accurate GHGs MRV system is an essential part of the climate actions to measure GHG emissions and implement and update NDCs.

CAEP:The Climate Action Enhancement Package (CAEP) assists developing countries who are members of the NDC Partnership, in achieving two overarching objectives:

• Objective 1: Enhance NDCs, including by raising ambition, as part of the Paris Agreement’s NDC update process;
• Objective 2: Fast-track implementation of NDCs, including by providing in-country technical expertise and capacity building.

Through the CAEP support and the Pacific NDC Hub, GGGI as a delivery partner will be working in the Pacific Island countries to enhance their capacities on Transparency and NDC revision and submission – hence the hiring of a Senior Officer for MRV & NDC Enhancement. The initial focus of this position will be in PNG in 2020 and there will also be missions to other Pacific island countries (as part of the Pacific NDC Hub).

The person in this position will play a key role in the following:

• Develop GHG inventories guidelines for selected sectors, sub-sectors and technologies at national and sub-national scales;
• Carry out gap analyses on existing data and information collection mechanisms for multiple sectors, sub‑sectors and technologies;
• Assess and analyze national GHG data management systems, policy frameworks, governance frameworks, and other foundational considerations;
• Develop procedures to monitor and report adaptation measures;
• Review existing and develop required mitigation plans and corresponding implementation regulations
• Develop sectorial baselines to update NDC;
• Identify and prioritize the sub-sectors, activities, measures and policies, and highlight the key components, actors and their roles and responsibilities
• Asses long term low GHG emission development strategies;
• Collect primary and secondary data and conduct data analysis, planning, and modeling related to MRV, LT-LEDS, and NDC support activities in country, and/or coordinate activities of GGGI consultants doing so;
• Develop MRV, LT-LEDS, and NDC systems, tools, strategies, and relevant policy documents in support of country objectives to meet Paris Agreement commitments;
• Support GHG accounting for MRV, LT-LEDS, and NDC-related activities as well as development of emissions scenarios and pathways (modeling) for LT-LEDS and NDCs; and
• Develop relevant MRV, LT-LEDS, and NDC training materials and organize capacity building programs, workshops, seminars, and other activities to improve the knowledge of stakeholders in selected countries;

Engagement

The Senior Officer, MRV & NDC Enhancement shall proactively engage in collaboration, knowledge-sharing, communications, and advocacy for advancing country efforts to meet Paris Agreement commitments by:

• building and leveraging collaboration with and resources from international organizations (including the UNFCCC), partnerships, and platforms as well as research institutions, academic institutions, and other organizations, where relevant, to support project implementation;
• engaging and collaborating with key staff in CAID, the Pacific country teams and other GGGI divisions, including other country teams, throughout the project design and implementation process and supporting in-country technical advisory services;
• Engaging and collaborating with the CAEP and with Pacific NDC Hub (in particular with GIZ – lead delivery partner of the NDC Hub);
• supporting and/or leading stakeholder engagement, visioning exercises, consultations, and other activities necessary to formulate systems, strategies, and relevant policy documents;
• engaging, where necessary, with government and non-government counterparts to support relevant project and policy implementation

Delivery

The Senior Officer, MRV & NDC Enhancement is responsible for supporting and, in some cases, leading technical assistance activities as part of GGGI’s efforts to promote integrated planning for low emission climate resilient green growth. Relevant tasks will include:

• conducting, supporting, and sharing research, analysis, and insights on relevant climate change issues;
• understanding GGGI’s project implementation cycle and organize work to ensure project outputs, activities, and deliverables and project reporting are completed and submitted on a timely basis;
• managing individual consultants and/or small consultancy projects;
• reviewing project outputs for quality control and addressing delivery issues with internal and external project collaborators;
• supporting and contributing to GGGI resource mobilization efforts related to MRV, LT-LEDS, and NDC development; and
• preparing relevant technical studies, guidelines, reports, and publications where applicable; and
• preparing relevant, high-quality communications materials (fact sheets, project brochures, media releases, website content, etc.).

Requirements

Qualifications

• Master’s or equivalent degree (or higher) in fields relevant to the described position (such as environmental policy, environmental economics, statistics, climate change or any related fields);
• At least eight (8) years of experience in climate change with at least three (3) years in GHGs measurement, accounting and analysis, and reporting systems at project, sectoral, or national levels. Experience in emissions trading schemes (carbon markets) is a plus.

Functional

• Strong understanding of the concepts of climate change and greenhouse gas mitigation, of green growth and/or sustainable development in the context of developing countries, of sectoral issues and policy and regulatory approaches in developing and emerging countries, and of recent developments and global trends in the area of specialization;
• Specialization in forestry, agriculture and related fields is a distinct advantage;
• excellent multi-cultural literacy and interest in being a part of an international team working in an evolving and entrepreneurial environment;
• experience working in developing countries is highly desirable, particularly including supporting technical advisory work with countries
• experience in international organizations working with developing countries is a plus;
• experience with designing and implementing capacity building activities aimed at enhancing country capacity to measure (monitor), report, verify and model future pathways for GHG emissions;
• exceptional analytical and quantitative skills, along with strong synthesis and strategic thinking skills;
• experience in quantitative data analysis, and the ability to produce compelling insights from the analysis of issues related to GHG emissions;
• experience with GHG emissions modeling and pathways/scenario development is a plus;
• experience with and understanding of the various concepts in adaptation is a distinct advantage;
• experience working on MRV systems and NDCs is a distinct advantage;
• proven experience leading or supporting project delivery, i.e. managing/supporting the delivery of results on time and on budget;
• strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills;
• ability to work effectively with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams;
• willingness to travel frequently as part of project implementation in the region and possibly elsewhere;
• fluency in written and spoken English; knowledge of other languages relevant to GGGI partner countries is an asset.

Corporate

GGGI needs a person who can bring more than knowledge and passion to the role: someone who has the grit and resilience to do this work. The successful candidate has the ability to diagnose challenges in an organization and a team and serves as an innovator, a powerful advocate, and a diplomatic change agent who understands the dynamics and tensions in this kind of diverse, global landscape. S/he should:

• understand and actively supports GGGI's mission, vision, and values;
• maintain a high degree of professional integrity with a stewardship of public resources;
• effectively communicate, listen to others, and create and promote an environment for open communication;
• work effectively with other teams of a high degree of cultural/professional diversity;
• be able to handle complex multi-stakeholder relationships;
• process and share information easily and be excellent at problem-solving;
• manage deadlines and stress positively, build rapport, and resolve conflict easily; and promote creativity and innovation among staff.

Child protection – GGGI is committed to child protection, irrespective of whether any specific area of work involves direct contact with children. GGGI’s Child Protection Policy is written in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.