NDC Partnership Economic Advisor – The Kingdom of Eswatini (Technical Specialist Environment) – Retainer Homebased

  • Contract
  • Mbabane
  • Posted 3 months ago

UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services

Job categories Climate, Environment
Vacancy code VA/2024/B5002/28675
Department/office GPO, GVA, Water, Environment & Climate (WEC)
Duty station Mbabane, Eswatini
Contract type Local ICA Specialist
Contract level LICA Specialist-10
Duration 12 months, 220 days, with possibility of extension depending on performance and on availability of funds.
Application period 08-Aug-2024 to 25-Aug-2024
Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Functional Responsibilities

The Economic Advisor will be working closely with the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development. He/she will strengthen climate finance resource mobilisation towards climate change interventions outlined in the NDC, national climate change documents, plans and strategies and sectoral level priorities. 

The economic advisor will report to the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist and Regional Manager and will work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs (MTEA) and the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development (MEPD). The incumbent is expect to work from the MEPD’s offices in Mbabane. He/she will need to use his/her own laptop. This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve months, up to a maximum of 220 working days.

Functional Responsibilities

  1. Enhanced coordination and dialogue 

  2. Mobilisation and Preparation of Climate Finance Projects/Programmes and policy advocacy

  3. Needs and Readiness Assessment for Implementing Article 6 in Eswatini

  4. Capacity building, Knowledge management, Communications and Reporting 

Enhanced coordination and dialogue 

  • Facilitate the revival of the National Climate Change Committee (NCCC) and its role in the critical area of coordination in the management of national climate issues and interface with the international conjuncture;

  • Contribute to the development of key national climate plans and strategies, including the NDC Implementation Plan, climate project investment plans across the different Ministries and relevant organisations, while ensuring their compatibility with the conditions of access to various sources of climate finance and ensuring the buy-in of key partners and stakeholders; 

  • Identify and map opportunities for collaboration and partnerships with implementing and development partners and curate information of current trends across the climate and finance ecosystem;

  • Contribute to the definition of agendas and preparation of concept notes for relevant high-level dialogues, panels and round tables on climate finance; 

  • Propose inter-ministerial coordination approaches to climate change, scientific committee on climate change among others from the central to the local level; 

  • Liaise with climate-related sectoral units to ensure coordination and integration of national climate policies

  • Promote bilateral and multilateral agreements between the MTEA, MEPD and new strategic cooperation partners such as the countries of South-South cooperation.

  • Coordinating the costing the NDC 3.0 and updating the NDC Implementation Plan costing

  • Contribute to the NDC Investment Plan development process 

  • Coordinate the LT-LEDS costing process

Mobilization and Preparation of Climate Finance Projects/Programmes and policy advocacy

  • Identify climate finance opportunities and mechanisms for the implementation of climate-resilient and low-carbon sectoral projects and programmes; 

  • Facilitate information sessions on climate finance opportunities and mechanisms with sectors, implementing and development partners and multilateral institutions; 

  • Develop five funding proposals, with a potential combined value of USD 75 million, are finalised and approved by Government for submission to Multilateral climate finance institutions by June 2025.

  • Advise the MTEA and MEPD on the best strategies for mobilizing climate resources and support national entities in project design

  • Undertake prioritisation exercises with relevant regional institutions and national governments for the identification of pipeline projects. 

  • Coordinate Government officials to develop concept notes and proposals through provision of technical inputs consulting with ministries and government agencies

  • Facilitate the potential use of debt for climate swaps as an innovative financing instrument to provide additional resources to vulnerable sectors and communities to take climate action and support a green recovery in Eswatini.

  • Coordinate the development of a study on use of debt for climate swaps as an innovative financing instrument

  • Facilitate the planning and hosting of a highly successful Donor and Investor Conference organised jointly with the ACMS  

  • Coordinate the updating of the Master (Investment) Plan which would contain a compendium of projects for presentation during the Donor and Investor Conference

  • Mapping and documenting financing pledges by donors and ensuring the information is captured in the relevant tools including the Online Partnership Plan Tool.

  • Ensure that relevant planning tools including that for proposing new capital project as well as reporting on progress include appropriate climate change questions and considerations.

Needs and Readiness Assessment for Implementing Article 6 in Eswatini

  • Lead the development of Terms of Reference for the readiness and needs assessment assignment and manage the consultants to ensure their deliver the scope of work 

  • Contribute to the development of the needs and readiness assessment report backed by information collected through survey and interviews/consultations.

  • Facilitate a Readiness and Needs Assessment Validation seek stakeholders’ feedback to the findings and recommendations 

  • Assess government stakeholders’ views on Article 6 Governance Framework

  • Facilitate technical consultations and support to the Government of Eswatini for establishing procedures, processes and institutional arrangements to identify, validate, manage, and supervise Article 6 transactions. 

Capacity building, Knowledge management, Communications and Reporting 

  • Coordinate capacity building of line ministries and sector representatives of climate finance

  • Produce and submit monthly and quarterly plan and progress reports and submit to the Ministry of Finance Focal Point for feedback and approval

  • Support the National delegations to climate change negotiations through preparatory meetings and capacity strengthening on climate finance

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

  • Master degree or PhD preferably in finance, economics, climate change, public policy, international development, business development, or other relevant field of study.  
  • Bachelor’s degree in related discipline in combination with an additional 2 years (7 total) of relevant work experience is required.

Experience

Required

  • 5 years relevant experience in environmental or climate change public policy fields with practical experience in climate change adaptation/adaptation/mitigation planning or implementation support. 

  • Demonstrated experience in the development of concept notes, funding proposals and/or project pipelines targeting different donors at either national, regional or international level.  

Asset 

  • Understanding of various financing instruments such as grants, blended finance, equity, impact investment, and familiarity with climate finance architecture at global level and in Eswatini.

  • Good understanding of Eswatini’s climate change and environment policies and strategies, development issues, as well as national obligations on climate change issues

  • Demonstrated ability to liaise and foster cooperation between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders

  • Strong networks with local, regional and/or international donors

  • Familiarity with the Paris Agreement and NDC process is an advantage. 

  • Experience in working with governments and national and international organizations in the Kingdom of Eswatini;

Language

  • Fluency in English is required.

  • Knowledge of a Siswati is advantageous

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