Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The overall objective of UNEP’s Climate Change Division is to deliver effective strategic guidance and high-impact action in support of the transition towards climate stability. Its work is guided by ambition, innovation, credible science, and alignment to global climate goals and needs of individual countries. The Climate Change Division works with Members States and Partners to accelerate and support a just transition by addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation through enhancing implementation capacity, provision of data information and knowledge, access to finance and technology, and building resilience. It promotes sustainable development and effective policies for climate stability; support action so that countries progress on decarbonization, dematerialization, and resilience pathways in line with their climate commitments, aspirations, and needs; and foster transparency in reporting. This position is located in UNEP’s Climate Change Division, Adaptation and Resilience Branch, in the Bangkok duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Head, Climate Early Warning and Capacity Building Unit, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Serve as Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) for the project Toward Risk-Aware and Climate-resilienT communities (TRACT) – Strengthening climate services and impact-based multi-hazard early warning in Maldives.
• Lead and provide embedded technical support, capacity, and knowledge transfer to the national Executing Entity, National Meteorological and Hydrological Service (NMHS), Disaster Management Authority, and Technical Partners to ensure high, coherent technical quality and timely achievement of project targets and objectives related to Climate Information and Early Warning Systems (CIEWS).
• Provide management oversight, and, as necessary directly engage with major projects and teams with focus on CIEWS; demonstrates timely delivery of outputs in accordance with overall objectives and policies.
• Play a lead role in identifying technical issues and opportunities related to climate information services, early warning systems, observation networks and disaster risk management issues and develops well-reasoned, innovative approaches to deal with these issues.
• Provide implementation start-up support, project cycle management oversight including compliance with reporting requirements and project closure; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions to keep all components of the project implemented in a timely and logical fashion;
• Provide strategic technical guidance for the coherent implementation of the project in relation to government policies, relevant substantive guidelines, institutions, with a view to facilitate uptake of project results in accordance with approved funding proposals and relevant agreements.
• Ensure coherence and quality control across country-level CIEWS activities, while building capacity of junior staff and national counterparts in project management, reporting, and risk mitigation.
• Coordinate the project work with other UN agencies, and other relevant organizations in the countries and region that relate to climate information and multi-hazard early warning services; observations, monitoring, analysis and forecasting of climate and its impacts; dissemination and communication of risk information and early warning and related activities with a view to facilitate synergy and to share project experiences and lessons learned.
• Ensure that project activities are fully aligned with the provisions of relevant gender policies,action plans, and Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) measures, with attention to compliance throughout implementation.
• Initiate and coordinate outreach activities (meetings, conferences) including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparing documents and presentations, and follow-up.
• Lead and/or participate in field missions, including the provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials, and other parties, and drafting mission summaries.
• Contribute to the oversight of lessons learned procedures, ensuring that lessons learned are shared in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision making, presentation and reporting.
• Perform other duties as required. Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to climate change adaptation, early warning systems, disaster risk reduction or a related field. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments, adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently. Education Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in environment, climate change, meteorology, climatology or a similar related field is required. A first-level degree (Bachelors degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two (2) additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable. Job – Specific Qualification Not available. Work Experience A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in project management related to climate information and/or early warning systems is required. Previous experience of working with government entities responsible for meteorology and disaster management, and other stakeholders in implementing…