Environmental Officer (NPSA8)

Dili

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Dili
Grade: Junior level - NPSA-8, National Personnel Services Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Environment
Closing Date: Closed

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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 Environmental Officer will report to the Programmme Associate under the overall supervision of the Project Manager for GCF Safeguard Project in UNDP Timor-Leste. The Environmental Officer will work closely with all Project Team especially Climate change and Environmental officers based at cluster level, GIS and DRM 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.
Environmental Officer will perform duties according to this TOR, facilitate consultation and discussion with key counterparts, partners and community including relevant organizations in Timor-Leste.

The Environmental Officer will provide technical support for ensuring that all project interventions are eco-friendly through development of relevant strategies, guidelines and policies for planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting. S/he will input 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 environmental issues/risks and climate change on rural infrastructure and the adaptation measures to be considered in the planning and prioritization processes.

Summary of Key Functions:

Integration of climate risk mitigation measures through project cycle
Monitoring, evaluation and reporting
Knowledge management and capacity building

Integration of climate risk mitigation measures throughout the project cycle

Ensure that climate risk reduction measures for small-scale rural infrastructure are fully integrated into the planning cycles of Community Development Plans at all levels including municipal and suco/village development plans.
Lead on the preparation of EIAs and ESMPs for all types of rural infrastructure as per UNDP’s and donor standards in close collaboration with all stakeholders including data collection and provide support for the write up.
Develop/ refine guidelines and manuals for implementation of EIAs and ESMPs
Support in refining ordinances, regulations and associated codes and standards to enable climate proofing small-scale rural infrastructure.
Facilitate awareness raising activities related to climate change and the environment with relevant government technical staff at national and municipality levels.
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.
Ensure the integration of infrastructure projects with other components of the project (DRM and catchment management) for greater impact.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

In close coordination with Project M&E officer, develop and implement monitoring framework including methodology, tools and indicators for data collection on environmental aspects of the project with a special focus ESMPs.
Lead on environmental data collection, compilation, analysis and presentation
Conduct research on topics related to environment and climate change adaptation.
Compile case studies/success stories highlighting the main achievements on environmental issues.

Knowledge management and capacity building

Based on capacity need assessment, plan and implement capacity-building and awareness-raising activities for local authorities, suco council members and representatives, community groups on planning, implementation and monitoring of climate resilient topics covering infrastructure planning, climate change, disaster risk management and environment issues
Lead on facilitating of the environmental and climate change trainings proposed under the project.
Develop relevant communication materials, presentations, and awareness-raising materials.
Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Competencies

Core competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy

Negotiation and Influence: Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates “win-win” situations.
Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources.

Business Development

Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need.

Business Management

Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
Communication: Ability to 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.
Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelors or Master's degree in climate change, environment, natural resource/water/environmental management or relatedfield.

Experience:

At least two years for bachelor’s degree of working experience in the fields of environment and climate change preferably with community development projects with focus on infrastructure, forestry and Disaster Risk Management and demonstrated experience working directly with national and sub-national stakeholders.
Experience in integration of climate risk mitigation measureExperience in Monitoring, evaluation, data collection methods and tools and providing analysis and reporting.
Experience in Environmental safeguarding such as EIAs and Environment Management Plans.
Experience of the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Planning and implementation.
Experience in developing and delivering relevant trainings on Environment 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.

Language Requirement:

Tetum and English Language – excellent written and oral communication skills. In addition to excellent command of Tetum and English

NOTE: This position is open for Timor-Leste nationals only

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

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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