United Nations Jobs in Uganda (UNDP) based in Mbale

Job Title: International Consultancy: Senior Technical Advisor - Territorial Approach to Climate Change Project, Mbale, Uganda
Closing Date: Wednesday, 10 August 2011

Background

The Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Water and Environment, Ministry of Local Government, the districts in the region of Mbale, and UNDP developed a project titled “Territorial Approach to Climate Change in Mbale Region”. The project addresses the need for a holistic approach to climate change adaptation and mitigation and aims to support Mbale Region to realize low carbon and climate resilient development.

This project is in line with the UNDP/ Government of Uganda Country Programme Action Plan (2010-2014) that is guiding implementation of UNDP support to interventions geared towards achievement of the National Development Plan. Some of these interventions will address key challenges to growth and poverty reduction, such as environmental/ natural resources degradation and the negative impacts of climate change and disaster risks at both national and local levels.

In particular, the project aims to: a) develop an integrated territorial climate change plan for Mbale region; b) establish a coordination platform for climate change planning and programming; c) build local capacity to integrate climate change issues into regional development plans and actions; d) develop a climate change policy and investment package as well as; e) compile and disseminate best practices and lessons learnt. The project is being implemented by Mbale District Local Government in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Environment and the districts of Manafwa and Bududa. The project offices are located in Mbale town.

Duties and Responsibilities

The project is seeking the services of a Senior Technical Advisor who will undertake the following roles and responsibilities:-
Provide technical and strategic assistance to the Project Management Unit and the overall project throughout the duration of the project, in particular, the climate profiling exercise, quality assurance for feasibility studies, quality assurance for community-based projects supported by the small grants scheme, development of project concepts for potential carbon financing, e.t.c;
Liaise with international partners together with UNDP CO to be informed about their strategy for support to Uganda and keep them informed about the progress in Mbale Region;
Provide backstopping in developing the Integrated Territorial Climate Plan and its associated investment and policy packages;
Provide any other assistance / guidance to the Project Management Unit and Mbale Region during project implementation;The TA is expected to liaise directly with UNDP Technical Advisors – Climate Modeler, Mitigation Economist and Adaptation Economist - when advising the project.

Expected outputs

Development of Terms of Reference for consultants to undertake project activities including:

(i ) Capacity needs assessment towards low carbon and climate change resilient development in the region and development of a capacity development plan;

(ii) Development of a climate profile for Mbale region based on inventory of regional development priorities and initiatives, localized climate change forecasting, risk and vulnerability assessment and creation of vulnerability maps and low carbon budgeting based on GHG emissions and energy needs assessment;

(iii) Analysis of climate change mitigation and adaptation options based on identification of low carbon development and adaptation options and opportunities, economic analyses and comparison of options and opportunities, identification of priority adaptation and mitigation options and opportunities and analysis of potential synergies and trade-offs between priority adaptation and mitigation measures;

(iv) Development of an Integrated Territorial Climate Change Plan for Mbale region based on institutional governance and financial analysis to implement actions related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, prioritization of adaptation and mitigation options ( in the order of no regret, negative cost, no cost and low cost), capacity development action plan developed, policy and investment plan developed and identification of the implementation arrangements and development of the M & E framework;

(v) Development of a climate change policy and investment package for Mbale region based on pre feasibility studies for priority project ideas and generating a list of climate change project ideas including identification of project-level emissions mitigation and /or sequestration activities, identification of options for introduction of legal and financial instruments to address climate change, identification of potential sources of funding for project ideas , preparation of project proposals for carbon financing as well as undertaking project concept marketing and partnership building;

Assist Mbale region to develop climate change scenarios for impacts assessments, vulnerability assessments (Vas);
Provide guidance on the most appropriate methodological framework for the VA studies, including the modeling tools needed, consistent with the scope of work, the characteristics of project area, technical expertise required, resource constraints and data availability;
Provide technical guidance in the use of climate change related information for designing appropriate responses for low emission climate resilient development at regional and local government level;
Backstop Project Management Unit and Mbale regional authorities and technical staff, through on-line and on-site technical assistance, procurement of information, and learning and knowledge sharing management services;
Assist the project in addressing the key technical and policy issues of the VA studies, including the design of adaptation options and development of adaptation strategies at the local level;
Provide substantive guidance to the project and project beneficiaries in the identification and application of most appropriate climate change modeling tools and techniques available for developing climate scenarios to support physical and economic climate change impact assessments;
Assist the project to identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned from the project for organizational sharing and learning and promote project results and replications

Contractual and reporting arrangements

The consultant will provide a written report to the Project Manager upon the completion of each of his requested assignment. The report will highlight the status of each of the expected outputs as per the above.

Competencies

Competencies:

Demonstrated solid knowledge on climate change adaptation and development
Demonstrated solid knowledge and experience in various carbon financing mechanisms
Ability to deliver on time
Outstanding time management, organizational and interpersonal skills
Excellent negotiation and communication skills
Fluency in written and spoken English
Excellent drafting and reporting skills
Excellent computer literacy

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications and skills

Masters degree in environment, economics, development or any other closely related field
Technical knowledge of the implications of climate change on development, finance, environment and other relevant fields in critical
At least 10 years experience, preferably including support to governments through policy and strategic interventions
Experience in designing adaptation and /or mitigation projects
Experience in resource mobilization and partnership development
Experience in project management, preferably for UNDP, would be an asset
Excellent computer literacy

Application Procedure

The consultant is required to submit an application and a proposal, which include the following:

I. Job Proposal:

Letter of Interest.
Explanation as to why the consultant considers him/herself suitable for the assignment, with reference to the required competencies, tasks and expected deliverables.
Given the overall framework and its guide questions above, a brief methodology on the approach and implementation of the assignment, including a proposal of a timeline and sample tools

II. Personal CV of the Applicant:

Highlighting past experience in similar projects.
Work references - contact details (e-mail addresses) of referees.

III. Financial Proposal:

Please submit a financial proposal indicating consultancy fee, lump sum fee or unit price together with any other expenses related to the assignment.

Please note that the online system will only allow you to upload one document, therefore all the job and financial proposals are to be attached to the CV and uploaded together at once.

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.

To apply
http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=24826