The Democratic Republic Congo (DRC) is engaged in a process of preparation for the future international mechanism for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). This process, launched in January 2009, is headed by the Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Tourism (MECNT), in partnership with the United Nations Collaborative Program on REDD (UN-REDD) and the World Bank (FCPF program).
In 2013 the DRC is entering a new phase in the REDD+ process, the gradual transition from the REDD-Readiness phase to that of Investment. The DRC has made remarkable progress in its Readiness phase, where one of the most important achievements where that of a national consensus on the causes of deforestation. This consensus paved the way to a participatory development of a National REDD+ Framework-Strategy, endorsed in the Council of Ministers in November 2012. This strategy aims to contribute to a sustainable green growth based on human development and it sets out an inclusive implementation framework guided by relevant safeguards.
The implementation of this Framework-Strategy is based on a specific financial mechanism (the National REDD+ Fund), a governance mechanism based on the principle of compensation of ”active contributions” to REDD+ objectives, using innovative tools to ensure a robust, transparent and responsive monitoring system adapted to the context of the country. It is now necessary to implement this strategy and enter fully the Investment phase of REDD+ through the definition and implementation of reforms and national policies, as well direct investments. In order to achieve this, a concrete investment program linked to the Framework-Strategy is required, defining clearly sectorial and geographic priorities, implementation terms and associated costs.
The Technical Specialist for the REDD+ Investment Program in the DRC is part of the actual launch of the investment phase of REDD+ through the definition of an ambitious investment program aiming at effectively mobilizing DRC financial & technical partners.
The Technical Specialist will work closely with the various bodies of the national REDD+ process, especially the National REDD+ Coordination and the Forest Investment Program (FIP) team, with which strong synergies and complementaries are essential.
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Duties and Responsibilities
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Under the responsibility of the Team Leader of the Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development Unit, and under the general supervision of the Director of Sustainable Development of the MECNT as well as under the operational supervision of the National REDD+ Coordinator, the Technical Specialist for the REDD+ Investment Program will be responsible for: (i) the supervision and the technical guidance of the Investment Program team, (ii) the follow-up and coordination of activities related to the Investment program and (iii) communication and the development of partnerships with partners and donors/ investors around the activities of the Investment Program.
Specifically this includes (but not exclusively) the following tasks:
TECHNIQUAL SUPERVISION AND TEAM COACHING
- Supervise a team of consultants working on the REDD+ Investment Program. This includes the general supervision and support on aspects related to the REDD+ process and the implementation tools;
- Ensure the linkage between the national REDD+ Readiness process (phase 1) and the REDD+ Investment process (phase 2), especially regarding the design of the Investment Program and the implementation tools (e.g. national REDD+ registry, REDD+ social and environmental safeguards, etc.);
- Finalize, in collaboration with the investment team, the Investment Program, through two investment packages, including one or more projects of institutional support as well as one or more investment projects. It also includes clearly defined sectorial investments.
COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE INVESTMENT PROGRAMME
- Ensure close synergies with the work and the process of the operationalization of the National REDD+ Fund, as there are important linkages between the Investment Program and the Fund.
- Ensure synergies with other UNDP projects in the DRC relevant for the REDD+ process (adaptation, micro finance, community rehabilitation, energy for all, etc.).
- Ensure the necessary synergies with the projects implemented under the FIP, as well as pilot projects funded by the Congo Basin Forest Fund.
COMMUNICATION AND PARTNERSHIP
- Ensure regular contact with donors and in particular the Norwegian Forest and Climate Change Counselor regarding their priorities and funding opportunities;
- Identify technical partners, in the DRC and abroad, able to actively contribute to the design and implementation of projects defined in the Investment Program;
- Support the National REDD+ Coordination (CN-REDD) regarding communication on the Investment Program and facilitate communication with the various stakeholders;
- Support the National Coordinator (CN-REDD) in presenting the investment projects to the National REDD+ Committee and the Inter-Ministerial REDD+ Committee for validation, as well as to the various stakeholders, including civil society and the private sector in order to create a national consensus around the different projects.
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Competencies
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Technical
- Proven ability to plan, organize and implement activities effectively;
- Great capacity to coordinate and to work in a team in a complex environment;
- Proven experience in participatory processes, and in the facilitation of the dialogue between the Government, the private sector and civil society;
- A good knowledge of the technical aspects of REDD +;
- A good understanding of issues, and challenges of REDD + at the international, national and local level;
- A good understanding of the issues and processes related to climate change and challenges related to the forest sector in the tropics;
- Understanding of the way of working of the public sector in the DRC;
- Leadership and proactivity;
- Good ability to communicate;
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
Corporate:
- Demonstrate integrity and promote UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Demonstrate capacities to adapt to a multi-cultural context, and tolerance and respect to issues related to gender, religion, race and nationality;
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional:
- Ability to lead a strategic planning, consistent with results-based management, and to write reports;
- Ability to promote and ensure capacity building;
- Capacity to organize and establish strong relationships with stakeholders;
- Ability to approach the work with enthusiasm and in a constructive and positive way;
- Openness to change and ability to manage complex situations;
- Ability to develop, lead and manage effectively a team;
- Ability to work alone and in a team even under high pressure.
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Required Skills and Experience
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Education:
- Master degree in the field of development, environment, agriculture, nature sciences, project management or equivalent areas.
Experience:
- At least 5 years of professional experience in international development, including at least 2 years of experience in managing projects and programs, if possible in Central Africa or in the DRC;
- At least 2 years of experience in policy support and/or implementation of projects in developing countries. Experience in Central Africa, and if possible in the DRC is an important asset;
- Proven ability to develop and maintain strategic partnerships, particularly with government institutions;
- Skills and proven experience in coordinating a technical team;
- Standard software (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Internet);
- Work experience in international organizations and in the United Nations Development Program in particular.
Language requirement:
- Fluency in French and working knowledge of English.
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