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National Climate Change and Environment Officer (two posts) to Baucau and Ermera for Safeguarding rural communities and their physical assets from climate induced disasters in Timor-Leste project.

Dili

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Dili
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Environment
    • Meteorology, Geology and Geography
    • Civil Society and Local governance
    • Protection Officer (Refugee)
    • Climate Change
    • Project and Programme Management
    • Environment&Disaster Reduction
    • CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

Timor-Leste is a small half-island country, one of the top ten counties most vulnerable to climate change. Approximately 70% of Timor-Leste’s rural population (840,000 people) is highly vulnerable to climate changes, particularly increasing variability of rainfall and extreme weather events. Lives and livelihoods in the remote interior of the country and coastal regions are both highly exposed. Impacts of intensified extreme events include damage and degradation of decentralized small-scale critical infrastructure, particularly water supply and drainage structures, embankments, and feeder roads and bridges. Damages leave rural populations isolated, lacking basic services. In response to this challenge, in 2019, the government of Timor-Leste with the support of UNDP received funding from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to undertake the project. 

The project objective is to safeguard vulnerable communities and their physical assets from climate change-induced disasters. It aims to address existing institutional, financial and legislative barriers, increasing the climate resilience of vulnerable small-scale rural infrastructure. Six municipalities mainly Baucau, Ermera, Aileu, Viqueque Lautem and Liquica which were selected for the project interventions.  The project has the below two inter-related outputs that not only aim to achieve the impact potential, but also to create enabling environment/condition for scaling up/replicating the project impact beyond the immediate target areas.

• Output 1: Climate risk information is developed, monitored and integrated into policies, regulations and institutions to inform climate resilient small-scale rural infrastructure planning and management

• Output 2: Climate risk reduction and climate-proofing measures for small-scale rural infrastructure are implemented to build the resilience of vulnerable communities in six priority municipalities.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Climate Change and Environment Officer will provide necessary inputs during the project implementation to ensure all key stakeholders involved in the project (Governments at all levels, civil society, local leaders and community groups, contractors and other interested parties) have enhanced their understanding and awareness impacts of climate change on rural infrastructure and the adaptation measures to be considered in the planning and prioritization processes. The main line ministries and Government counterparts include Secretary of State for the Environment (SEA), Ministry of State Administration (MSA), Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), Secretary of State for Civil Protection (SSCP), and Ministry of Public Works (MoPW) and local authorities and counterparts at the municipality levels.

Summary of Key Functions:

  1. Technical support, planning and implementation of the project activities
  2. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting
  3. Build partnership with key stakeholders
  4. Knowledge management and capacity building

1. Technical support, planning and implementation of the project activities

  • Organize and implement the climate change adaptation planning activities in the targeted municipalities and selected sucos
  • Draft and submit concept notes including the methodology for Climate Change Adaptation Planning and physical asset and infrastructure mapping in the targeted sucos including practical demonstration of climate proofing measures for infrastructure.
  • Spearhead the data collection at sub national and suco levels including develop, test and use appropriate methodology, tools and templates for conducting surveys and data collection, data inputs into the project GIS (SDI system) to be established with SSCP.
  • Promote overall integration of the project and mainstreaming of climate change adaptation into the municipal and suco/village development planning processes and related activities, including suco/village development plans, municipal investment plans    
  • Work closely with local authorities and communities including local leaders, suco council members and other key stakeholders at the municipal levels.
  • Facilitate awareness raising activities related to climate change and the environment with relevant government technical staff at national and municipality levels.
  • Close collaboration with the GIS Specialist and Field Coordinators in the respective Municipalities.
  • Provide backstopping support for sub-national level coordination in the target municipality.

2. Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

  • Monitor and report on the activities in the target municipalities related to climate change adaptation planning in selected villages/sucos, and in accordance with the work plans and concept notes established/approved by the project.
  • Timely preparation and submission of required reports, including technical and financial reports to PMU and presentation to national and municipal stakeholders
  • Regular follow-up and monitoring of activities implemented and reporting on risks and mitigation measures

3. Build partnership with key stakeholders

  • Engage and maintain direct dialogue with national and local authorities, local community leaders and stakeholders to support the implementation of the project activities, including the respective government departments
  • Contribute to maintaining and strengthening effective coordination and collaboration with key national and local counterparts (government and civil society), and other involved international entities, to explore synergies, complementarity and avoid duplication of activities

4. Knowledge management and capacity building

  • Plan and implement capacity-building and awareness-raising activities for local authorities, suco council members and representatives, community groups, local NGOs and social organizations, and other actors, on topics covering infrastructure planning, climate change, disaster risk management and environment issues
  • Organize and facilitate key events and communications related activities, including preparation of presentations related to the project interventions at the sub-national levels
  • Collaborate closely with the project team to identify communication and capacity-building needs on topics related to climate change adaptation and environmental issues at the local levels.
  • Facilitate events such as the consultations and climate change training topics, and mainstreaming climate change adaptation in suco development plans and proposal development.
  • Develop relevant communication materials, presentations, and awareness-raising materials, increasing the capacity of suco development planning processes
  • Perform such other duties as may be assigned

4. Institutional Arrangement

  • The Climate Change and Environment Officer will report to the Project Manager under the overall supervision of the CTA for GCF Safeguard Project in UNDP Timor-Leste. The Climate Change and Environment Officer is expected to work closely with the GIS Specialist, Engineering Team and with close coordination with the Field Coordinators in the respective Municipalities. Extensive field visit, consultation and travel will be required to the target municipalities.
  • The assignment requires collaboration with the project team in UNDP Timor-Leste Country Office (CO), counterparts in the respective line ministries such as the Ministry of State Administration (MSA), Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), Secretary of State for the Environment (SEA), Ministry of Public Works (MoPW), Secretary of State of Civil Protection (SSCP), local authorities, community leaders and civil society.
  • Frequent communication and collaboration with project team and relevant national counterpart staff is required.
  • Climate Change and Environment Officer will perform duties according to this TOR, facilitate consultation and discussion with key counterparts, partners and community including relevant organizations in Timor-Leste.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

  • Experience in developing and delivering relevant trainings to diverse groups, especially in the rural areas.  Experience in organizing/leading discussions, facilitating a variety of events, workshops, working with government, local authorities, community groups as well as reporting.
  • Previous expertise with the UN system, International development partner or Government in Timor-Leste is an advantage.
  • Experience using data collection methods and tools and providing analysis and reporting

Knowledge Management and Learning

  • Demonstrated capacity in knowledge sharing and knowledge management and ability to generate innovative and new ideas and promote learning through leadership and personal example
  • In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
  • Ability to conduct research and analysis and strong synthesis skills

Management and Leadership

  • Highly developed inter-personal, negotiation and teamwork skills, networking aptitude, ability to work in multi-cultural environment
  • Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, including the ability to liaise effectively at corporate and project management levels.

Corporate/Functional

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Academic Education:

  • Bachelors degree or a Masters degree, in development, climate change, environment, natural resource/water/environmental management or related field

Min. years of relevant Work experience :

  • At least zero (0) year experience for master’s degree and two (2) years for bachelor degrees’ in the fields of environment and climate change, disaster management, and/or agroforestry with demonstrated experience working directly with sub-national level counterparts and local communities
  • Experience in developing and delivering training or in related field.
  • Experience in organizing/leading and facilitating events, workships, ect.
  • Experience in data collection, analysis, reporting and monitoring and evaluation.
  • Experience in providing technical support, planning and implementation of the project activities
  • Experience with UN system, international development partner or Government in Timor-Leste as advantage. 

Disclaimer

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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