Consultant - Climate Change Mitigation (call of application for creation of roster)

The UNDP Regional Coordination Unit (RCU) for Africa, located in Pretoria, is linked to the UNDP Regional Service Centre located in Johannesburg. The RCU serves to assist countries in the Region (Africa) to mobilize resources to address their development needs in the fields of Biodiversity and Ecological Services (including Sustainable Land Management), International Waters, Climate Change Mitigation and Climate Change Adaptation and to meet their commitments under the various international environmental conventions that they are parties to. The RCU assists countries in Region to move towards a low carbon, climate change resilient and sustainable development path. Consultants may be utilized to undertake short-term assignments for the RCU in the preparation, management or evaluation of specific projects or programmes, in climate change mitigation, in countries in the African Region.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will be working with and reporting to the Climate Change Mitigation Regional Technical Advisors (RTAs) of UNDP/GEF in UNDP Regional Coordination Unit in Pretoria, South Africa, and will be expected to undertake specific tasks in order to fully develop the GEF Climate Change Mitigation projects, these tasks may include but not limited to the following: Assist the Regional Coordination Unit and the UNDP Country Offices in responding to the government requests for developing Project Identification Forms (PIF) for the nationally identified priorities in climate change mitigation; Based on desk review and mission travel to countries develop PIFs in collaboration with the government, the UNDP CO and the relevant Regional Technical Adviser; Based on the identified long-term solution to be sought by the project, identify the barriers hampering the achievement of this solution, the proposed outcomes and outputs, as well as accompanying impact indicators; Identify potential co-financing contributions from potential partners of the project and in particular, advise on steps required for securing such co-financing contributions during the project preparation period; Draft Project Preparation Grant (PPG) requests; Assist the relevant RTA in providing responses to the comments on the PIFs and PPGs received from the GEF secretariat, GEF agencies and STAP and incorporate issues raised in to the revised documents; Contribute to the project preparatory phase and work with the relevant governmental and non-governmental partners and UNDP in the development of the UNDP Project Document and other GEF required documentation, including Request for CEO Endorsement, letters of co-financing, project results framework, and others, based on the latest GEF requirements; Review all comments received on the draft Project Document from countries, GEF Secretariat and other agencies and finalize the Project Document and Request for CEO Endorsement for final approval; Assist UNDP-GEF CCM projects throughout project inception and implementation phases with organization of project inception workshops, Project Board and Steering Committee meeting, preparation of project inception reports and annual Project Implementation Reviews (PIRs), developing and implementing project monitoring plan, including to account for and track greenhouse gases emission reduction impact; Support UNDP-GEF Climate Change Mitigation project teams in designing and implementing knowledge management plans, including preparation of project-related publications, capturing and analysis of best practices and lessons learnt, substantive contribution to project public events and other PR and KM products and activities; Undertake mid-term and final independent evaluations of UNDP/GEF CCM projects.

Competencies

Proven ability to conduct detailed financial and technical analyses of project investments or activities, including calculation of estimated GHG reductions and cost-benefit analyses. Proven ability to prepare Log Frame Analyses (LFAs) and project budgets. Basic knowledge of carbon finance tools and markets. Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities. Proven communication and leadership skills. Excellent team player with good interpersonal skills. Ability to manage workload with minimum supervision. Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines. Ability to accommodate additional demands at short notice. Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment. Strong strategic planning, results-based management and reporting capabilities. Display cultural, gender, religion, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Minimum of an advanced university degree in energy, engineering, finance, economics, development or related field from a recognized university.Successful applicants are expected to possess more than one of the following areas of expertise and proven experience in the respective areas in addition to the minimum qualifications specified above: Policy or institutional development/implementation/reform related to climate change and climate change related fields like sustainable transport. Climate Change Mitigation project development, implementation, or demonstrations at local, national and/or international levels. Project formulation, development, implementation, management, based on Logical Framework of Analysis. Project or Programme level monitoring & evaluation for results-based management. Multi-donor funded programmatic approach, which requires complex political, administrative, and technical coordination. Development and/or implementation of strategic policy interventions with short-, medium-, and long-term objectives. Experience: Minimum 10 years of professional experience in the field of climate change mitigation, i.e. with projects and policies on energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainable transport, technology transfer, green infrastructure or carbon finance and other climate change mitigation. Proven and recent experience in the last 3 years with development and/or implementation and/or evaluation of international technical assistance projects. Proven and recent experience in the last 3 years with development and/or implementation and/or evaluation of international technical assistance projects. Knowledge of and experience with the GEF project development cycle, including the formulation of GEF Project Documents. Knowledge of the latest GEF Focal Area Strategies in general and Climate Change Mitigation focus areas in particular. Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa is an asset. Language: English is obligatory. French and/or Portuguese required for certain countries.

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.

Consultant - Climate Change Mitigation (call of application for creation of roster)