During the past few years, the awareness of the Ghanaian stakeholders on the impact of climate change has increased considerably, against the backdrop of recent natural disasters and changing climate pattern, especially in the three northern regions of Ghana. The Government of Ghana has stepped up its effort to raise awareness, strengthen coordination and promote mainstreaming of the Climate Change into development, e.g. through establishment of multiple coordination forum.

In addition to increase of domestic demands for strategic, technical and operational support, Ghana is increasingly called upon to contribute to and lead international discussion and negotiation on Climate Change issues, building on past achievements.

Currently, Ghana also stands on the threshold of joining other oil producing countries in the production of Oil and Gas by December, 2010. In this regard, it is timely to complement the effort of Government by ensuring that the requisite environmental policies are adequately in place to safeguard the impact of climate change from the oil and Gas sector. Additionally, UNDP has taken on the leadership role to serve as Co-Lead in the Environment and Natural Resource Sector Group. Against this backdrop, and in light of the increasing demand for strategic, technical and operational support to enable Ghana to fully position itself to face new development challenges, UNDP Ghana is strengthening its capacity to support the Government to strengthen their capacities to mainstream Climate Change and closely related issues such as Disaster Risk Reduction into sustainable and inclusive development.

The Climate Change Specialist will contribute substantively to the work of Environment and Energy unit on climate change, and the development of partnerships and initiatives that advance the strategic needs of the government and strengthen positioning of UNDP Ghana in rapidly evolving situation. The incumbent is responsible for providing strategic and technical advisory services and support to UNDP on Climate Change.

The Climate Change Technical Specialist will seek to strengthen the CO’s climate change policy capacity, improve coherence within UNDP and the wider UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, civil society as well as private sector partners ensuring the coordination of climate change-related activities in the context of UNDP supported programmes. S/he will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Environment and Energy Unit in the UNDP Country Office.

Duties and Responsibilities

•   1. Ensures provision of top quality advisory and technical services focusing on achievement of the following results (50%):
•   Provide technical assistance to UNDP for assessing the impact of climate change on development including the attainment of the MDGs, and for integrating climate change adaptation and mitigation measures into MDG-based development plans and sustainable development strategies
•   Screening of UNDP project portfolio for climate risks and opportunities with the aim of reducing maladaptation • Effective and efficient delivery of UNDP Climate Change portfolio
•   Identification and sourcing of technical expertise and support including the preparation of Terms of Reference, identifying and evaluating experts, reviewing policy papers and reports. Enhance UNDP’s visibility and profile in climate change work
•   2. Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and support resource mobilization focusing on achieving the following results (30%):
•   Develop partnership with and promote networking with donors in the area of climate change adaptation, mitigation and capacity development
•   Assist with the formulation of new initiatives on adaptation and mitigation proposals to be funded by adaptation funds, GEF and bilateral funds
•   Support resource mobilization efforts of UNDP with respect to carbon/environmental financing mechanism such as CDM, Adaptation fund, MDG Carbon Facility, etc.
•   Explore new areas of cooperation and identify opportunities for initiation of new initiatives in climate change
•   Advise UNDP and UNCT on national and international developments relevant to UNDP policy, programmes and operational interests on climate change, and assist in identifying coordinated approaches
•   3. Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achieving the following results (20%):
•   Provide support to UNDP to improve communication platform of best practice on climate change adaptation and mitigation
•   Contribute to global learning by documenting and disseminating capacity development lessons learned from activities of climate change programme and disseminate widely through on line platforms
•   Assist in developing internal UNDP and external stakeholders capacity in the area of climate change adaptation and mitigation, by preparing training packages and specific presentations, organizing trainings and conferences

Competencies

Core competencies:

•   Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modelling the UN/UNDP’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

Functional competencies:
Development and Operational Effectiveness

•   Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of programme, managing data, reporting.
•   Good knowledge of UNDP’s Programming and Operations Policies and Procedures Management and Leadership Demonstrated experience in dealing with partnership building Builds strong relations with clients, focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback
•   Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills
•   Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
•   Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities Knowledge Management and Learning
•   Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
•   Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
•   Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Masters degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Engineering related to Energy and Climate Change or closely related field.

Experience:

•   At last 5 years of relevant experience in the field, possibly in developing countries.
•   Experience in climate change policy development, good knowledge of climate change negotiation process.
•   Demonstrated skills in drafting reports, knowledge and competencies/experience in policy analysis and capacity development
•   Experience in working and collaboration with Government donors, NGOs and Research Institutions.

Language:

•   Fluent in English

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Click Here To Apply Online

Closing Date: 27 May, 2013