In Country Facilitator

UNOPS; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 750 000; Full time

Job summary

A global project management organization is seeking an In-Country Facilitator to support South Africa's Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment in implementing the NDC and associated national legislation. This role involves coordinating the development and implementation of NDC investment plans, facilitating communication among stakeholders, and mobilizing resources for effective execution. The ideal candidate should have significant experience in climate policy, project management, and effectively engaging diverse stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in public policy, climate change, or related field required.
• 5+ years of experience in governance and climate change processes.
• Familiarity with UNFCCC processes is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support implementation of South Africa's NDC and national legislation.
• Coordinate development of NDC investment plans.
• Facilitate communication among stakeholders.

Skills

Coordination

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Climate policy knowledge

Education

Master's degree in relevant field

Bachelor's degree with additional experience

Job description

Job Highlight

In-Country Facilitators work as a neutral broker in the country, facilitating coordination among government agencies, partners, and other key stakeholders in a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

About The Project Office

WEC Background: The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and with offices based globally is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. The Portfolio has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over 500 million USD over the last 15 years to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support.

WEC effectively operationalizes partners' agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WEC’s ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

About The Group

The NDC Partnership: The NDC Partnership is a global coalition, bringing together more than 250 members, including more than 130 countries, developed and developing, and more than 110 institutions to deliver on ambitious climate action that helps achieve the Paris Agreement and drive sustainable development. Governments identify their NDC implementation priorities and the type of support that is needed to translate them into actionable policies and programs. Based on these requests, the membership offers a tailored package of expertise, technical assistance and funding. This collaborative response provides developing countries with efficient access to a wide range of resources to adapt to and mitigate climate change and foster more equitable and sustainable development. The NDC Partnership Support Unit is jointly hosted by the World Resources Institute (WRI), the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC). For this project, the Consultant will be contracted through UNOPS.

Role Purpose

The incumbent will support South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) in the implementation of the NDC and associated national legislation. The post will be located under the branch, headed by the Deputy Director General (DDG) of Climate Change and Air Quality who has delegated this responsibility under the Chief Directorate, International Climate Change Relations and Reporting. Accordingly, the incumbent will report to the Directorate Climate Change Developments and International Mechanisms, and work in close coordination with the NDC Partnership’s Country Engagement Specialist managing engagement with South Africa.

The incumbent will coordinate the development of the recently-completed second NDC investment plan and its subsequent implementation, while preparing for the formulation of the next NDC and promoting coordination across government in connection with NDC development and implementation.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Coordination and communication with key stakeholders
• Stakeholder ecosystem mapping
• Facilitate periodic coordination and information exchange among partners in the country in relation to the implementation of the NDC and Climate Change Act.
• Organize meetings to monitor and coordinate the implementation of the NDC and Climate Change Act as directed by the DDG, including within the DFFE, across government, and with stakeholders more broadly.
• Develop and implement, as applicable, a project plan for implementing South Africa’s 2nd NDC, including identifying key funding sources and technical resources.
• Develop, as applicable, a project plan for developing South Africa’s 3rd NDC, including identifying key funding sources and technical resources.
• Tracking of Investment Plan implementation progress
• Monitor, assess and report on implementation of the Investment Plan, as required by the DDG.
• Mobilization of resources for implementation
• Support the government in following up on and mobilizing partner financing to close its support gaps to allow for NDC implementation, working through and strengthening existing coordination mechanisms and working groups
• Work with the Support Unit to produce an overview of support gaps to make available to partners.
• Organize and support NDC-related meetings as needed
• If requested, facilitate national country specific multi-stakeholder NDC dialogues.
• Support the government in preparing for NDC-related events such as COPs, regional climate weeks, national events, and other convenings relevant to showcase NDC progress and generate support for implementation of the NDC.
• Organize coordination meetings between the Support Unit and the government as needed.
• Facilitation of NDC implementation
• Create an Annual Work Plan that sets out specific goals for the facilitator role in collaboration with the Country Engagement Specialist and Focal Point.
• Collaborate with the Support Unit and DFFE to document changes in the operating context and provide support to the government and stakeholders in decision-making processes.

Education Requirements

• An advanced degree (master's or higher) in public policy, development, climate change, natural resource management, environmental management, economics and development or any other relevant field of study OR
• Bachelor's degree in related discipline with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience (7 total) may be accepted instead of an advanced university degree.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in multilateral, national and grassroots governance and processes related to climate change, policy, and/or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
• Knowledge of the country’s context of policy frameworks, national plans and strategies related to climate change.

Desired

• Familiarity with UNFCCC processes, including Subsidiary Body and Conference of Parties (CoP), NDC, and past experience on government climate change process.
• Experience in fostering formal and informal networks to strengthen cooperation between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders.
• Direct experience in climate policy, NDC revision and update processes, NDC implementation and investment planning.
• Experience managing national NDC processes.