Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy and programmatic work spans from country offices to global initiatives, helping countries to accelerate climate-resilient development pathways.

Working in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of its key priorities for the next 10 years is to support countries to accelerate ambitious action on climate change. Climate change is the single greatest challenge humanity has ever faced, threatening water and food security, health, livelihoods, and the safety of billions of people together with drastic negative impact on global ecosystem balance. UNDP ambitious “Climate Promise” supports over 120 countries to enhance their climate ambitions under the Paris Agreement, with focus on greater emissions reduction and resilience building. The next phase of the Climate Promise will focus on Nationally Determined Contribution ( NDC) implementation, climate advocacy, and long-term planning to ensure inclusive climate action at the speed and scale required to keep global temperature below 1.5°C. Achieving carbon neutrality in the second half of the century by all countries is a crucial requirement set by the Paris Agreement to avoid the irreversible global climate change.

Realization of this goal involves work on global, national, and local levels, as well as participation of all relevant stakeholders – governments, business, MDBs, international organizations, NSOs. The path to carbon neutrality should be just and leaving no one behind, while empowering women, youth, indigenous people, and vulnerable groups of population. UNDP is well positioned to enable such work through cooperation on HQ, Regional and Country Offices levels, forming an interconnected system of knowledge exchange and expertise delivery enabling the cutting-edge climate policy advocacy, development, and implementation.

Within the Bureau of Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), the Climate Hub is mandated to provide technical, policy, and programme support to strengthen countries’ capacity to plan for, finance, and implement climate action. UNDP is an accredited implementing entity of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and supports countries through a large and growing portfolio of Readiness and Preparatory Support (Readiness), including National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). The Readiness portfolio is central to UNDP’s support for building institutional capacity, integrating climate change into national development planning, and strengthening pipelines of investments.

At the same time, under Italy’s G7 Presidency, the Adaptation Accelerator Hub (AAH) has been launched as a global initiative implemented by UNDP with support from the Government of Italy. The Hub aims to bridge the gap between adaptation planning and investment in vulnerable countries, by fostering partnerships, supporting adaptation investment planning and pipeline development, and amplifying adaptation knowledge and visibility.

In alignment with the new GCF Readiness Strategy (2024–2027), the Climate Hub plays a central role in supporting countries to meet strengthened requirements under the NAP Readiness window, including investment-centric approaches, updated results frameworks, Pre-Investment Screening Criteria, expanded SES/SESP integration, MEL systems, and strengthened linkages between National Adaptation Plan (NAP), Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), and national development priorities.

The Technical Specialist will support this evolving mandate by providing technical support to National Adaptation Plan and Nationally Determined Contribution Integration, ensuring integration between NAP Readiness, AAH offerings, and UNDP’s broader adaptation architecture.

The Technical Specialist will perform a dual role (1)The Technical Specialist will contribute to the oversight of NAP country programmes especially on adaptation investment planning, risk assessments, budget integration and knowledge generation (2) provide technical advisory services to support global initiatives such as the Adaptation Accelerator Hub that are underway which focus on supporting developing countries for adaptation investment planning and financing, as well NAP-NDC integration and to identify integration opportunities and synergies across policy and programming.

Scope of Work

Under the overall guidance of the Senior Technical Advisor for Adaptation Plans and Policy focuses on the following areas

1. Provide policy analysis and technical advisory services related to formulation of National Adaptation Plans and adaptation investment planning and financing strategies.

• Provide direct technical assistance to Country Offices in support of their work-plans for translating NAPs and NDCs into Adaptation Investment Planning for at least five countries under the Adaptation Accelerator Hub initiative across Africa and Asia.
• Research and draft policy/technical notes on NAPs, NAP-NDC alignment and adaptation planning and adaptation financing supported by UNDP including for reporting to external bodies such as the UNFCCC linked adaptation entities.
• Provide policy advice on adaptation policy, planning and financing within project designs at global, regional and country level including on bilateral and VF funded initiatives. This includes practical advice to UNDP country offices and project teams on where and how to focus attention and resources to increase finance and investment in adaptation. This also includes practical application of the UNDP Adaptation Finance Strategy guideline.
• Provide technical input on other NAP-related activities, including climate negotiations and UNFCCC processes and outreach opportunities.
• Undertake policy analysis of appropriate climate and development frameworks of countries in order to identify entry points for the NAP Process.
• Provide technical input for the drafting and review of presentations, notes, publications and other related technical documents relevant to UNDP adaptation planning portfolio and results, knowledge and lessons learned on a regular basis for internal and external briefings.
• Contribute thought leadership on how developing countries can develop adaptation investments plans in support of both UNDP’s programming and the broader aims of the NCQG. This can include leading or making substantive contributions to publications on adaptation finance, investment, policy, and related topics.
• Review NAP/adaptation investment/financing strategies that are emerging from UNDP and partners portfolios and provide technical support to capacity building on adaptation investment planning and related topics.
• Convene strategic dialogues with Ministries including Climate Change Departments and Ministries of Environment, Finance and Planning, on NAPs, provide direct training, conduct stock-taking exercises and identify areas for resource mobilization to advance NAPs
• Find linkages between NAP technical support and climate finance readiness activities, to be reflected in the NAP proposals.
• Link with other, closely related portfolios and technical areas within UNDP, including the Climate Promise (support to NDCs), Climate and Disaster Risk Finance, Nature Finance and sustainable Finance.

1. Provide oversight into projects in the adaptation planning/ NAP support project portfolio under Vertical Funds

• Provide technical oversight of GCF readiness and other vertically funded projects for NAPs/adaptation planning including overseeing the start-up, inception and implementation and all milestones as per Standard procedures as well as Adaptive management and amendment requests where appropriate.
• Provide technical guidance for the launch of NAP-support projects in countries under GCF readiness.
• Provide GCF readiness NAP projects’ supervision and oversight, ensure quality of annual progress reports for up to 10 country projects: Guide country office on reporting under the new GCF Readiness NAP results framework. Guide countries on reporting under the new GCF Readiness NAP results framework.
• Monitor the timely and quality delivery of all deliverables under the various programmes on adaptation planning under UNDPs portfolio.
• Support the identification of technical expertise and resources to support countries.
• Facilitate and provide training sessions in NAP support missions in cooperation with UNDP COs
• Support countries to apply updated GCF SOPs, including risk screening, implementation roadmaps, investment-centric planning elements, and SES/SESP updates.
• Monitor and update risk logs, assessments, and SESP-related commitments; ensure alignment between risk management and investment prioritization

1. Advise on project development and support resource mobilization

• Support programme and project identification and development for NAPs and adaptation investment planning.
• Identify entry points and opportunities for UNDP assistance particularly in LDCs and pipeline development in LDCs
• Facilitate the process of preparation, design, submission and approval of programme/project concepts and full-fledged proposals for financing.
• Conduct background research and provide technical input into project concept notes and documents.

1. Facilitate learning, knowledge management and communication

• Coordinate the preparation of knowledge products, briefs, and project implementation reports across the NAP portfolio.
• Support the evaluation, the capturing and the synthesis of lessons learnt and best practice and knowledge, including the development of toolkits and other knowledge material.
• Prepare case studies to inform outreach for the NAP and associated projects based on country missions.
• Identify potential areas of regional cooperation between the NAPs portfolio and regional scientific and training institutions and networks with a focus on supporting countries with relevant NAP components such as forging cross-border collaboration, using climate information, use of cost-benefit analysis for adaptation analysis, monitoring and evaluation, improving vulnerability assessments.
• Support the organization of side events and other related outreach events in the frame of the UNFCCC and other related processes.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation 

Institutional Arrangement

The Technical Specialist on Adaptation Planning reports directly to the Senior Technical Advisor Adaptation Planning and Policy]. S/he will be part of the larger Climate Hub.

• The incumbent will be home based and will be expected to undertake mission travel.
• The incumbent will be given access to relevant information necessary for the execution of the tasks under this assignment.
• The incumbent is responsible for providing her/his own workstation (i.e. laptop, phone) and must have access to reliable internet connection.
• The incumbent will engage regularly with the supervisor by email and Teams/Zoom on a weekly and/or as needed daily basis.

Core competencies:

Core
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

BUSINESS DIRECTION AND STRATEGY
System Thinking

Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated
elements coexist within an overall process or
system, and to consider how to alter one element
can impact on other parts of the system

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Results Based Management

Ability to manage the implementation of strategies,
programmes, and projects with a focus at improved
performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge
and understanding relevant theories, concepts,
methodologies, instruments, and tools.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Communication

Communicate in a clear, concise and
unambiguous manner both through written and
verbal communication; to tailor messages and
choose communication methods depending on the
audience. Ability to manage communications
internally and externally, through media, social
media and other appropriate channels

2030 AGENDA: PLANET — CLIMATE
Climate Strategies and Policy: NDC enhancement

Climate Strategies and Policy: NDC enhancement

2030 AGENDA: PLANET — CLIMATE
Climate change adaptation policy and planning: National Adaptation Plans

Climate change adaptation policy and planning: National Adaptation Plans

PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT
Resource mobilization

Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs
(programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding
requirements

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Min. Academic Education
Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Management or Policy, Climate Change Adaptation, Economics, Climate Change Finance, International Development, or another closely related field is required. Or

A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant Work experience
A minimum of 5 years’ (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant work experience in vertical funds, designing climate change adaptation-related projects and programmes, policy-related work on (inter alia), NAPs, NDCs, work on climate adaptation finance, policy or planning in academia.

Required skills and competencies

• Demonstrated experience and working knowledge of government planning, budgeting and finance processes is required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of National Adaptation Plans, climate risk analytics – including vulnerability assessments is required.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of support for adaptation financing. In particular, this includes:
  • Risk and vulnerability assessments and other risk analytics
  • Vertical funds, especially GCF readiness and Adaptation Fund
  • Other sources of international public climate finance
  • Domestic public finance and government guaranteed financial instruments

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Experience working in at least three regions globally is an asset.
• Experience with programmes in Asia, Africa and Central Europe as an asset
• Experience with both oversight as well as execution of programmes within UNDP and UN system is an asset.
• Experience with project design is an asset.

Required Language(s) (at working level)
Fluency in English is required.

Travel:

• Potential travel to participating programme countries and participation in regional and/or global meetings might be expected should the COVID 19 situation allow;
• Expected mission travel would be discussed upon commencement of assignment and updated quarterly;
• Any necessary mission travel must be approved in writing and advance by the Head of Climate Change Adaptation;
• The BSAFE course must be successfully completed prior to commencement of travel;
• The Technical Specialist is responsible for obtaining any visas needed in connection with travel with the necessary support from UNDP;
• The Technical Specialist is responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director;
• The Technical Specialist is required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under https://dss.un.org/dssweb/;
• The Technical Specialist will be responsible for making his/her own mission travel arrangements in line with UNDP travel policies