Climate, Environment and Sustainability Officer at UNDP

About The Job

Duties And Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Ensures provision of consistent and high quality analysis and strategic policy advice on Climate, Environment and Sustainability to the Smart SDGs Cities Programme and other relevant UN-Habitat projects & programmes in Ghana
• Provides effective programme development, oversee and support implementation on Climate, Environment and Sustainability programs in cities
• Ensures the provision of advocacy and strategic partnership building a favorable environment on Climate, Environment and Sustainability transformation in cities
• Facilitates knowledge building, management and sharing on Climate, Environment and Sustainability in cities
• Ensures provision of consistent and high-quality strategic policy advice on Climate, Environment and Sustainability to the Smart SDGs Cities Programme and relevant UN-Habitat projects & programmes in Ghana, focusing on the achievement of the following results:
• Coordinates and conducts climate and environment data analysis, especially in support to the Metropolitan, Municipalities and Districts Authorities (MMDAs) targeted by the Smart SDG Cities Programme in Ghana, including case evidence and research findings to inform data collection.
• Develops training materials and provides training to data collectors and analysts in MMDAs on climate and environment data collection and analysis
• Offers constructive solutions to climate adaptation issues faced by cities engaged in the Smart SDG Cities Programme through participatory planning processes, and supports their incorporation into cities’ strategic plans and investment pipelines.
• Supports mainstreaming climate and environment issues in capacity building of relevant institutions represented in the Smart SDG Cities including those responsible for planning, law enforcement and the delivery of basic urban services, by developing methodology to assess local institutions and analyse gaps, and developing and implementing training courses that helps build local capacity.
• Monitors the Smart SDG Cities Programme, in areas of climate and environmental sustainability; develops methodology to measure and report on change and impact; trains and supports local institutions in doing so
• Keeps abreast with national, regional and global climate, environment and sustainability issues, studies, findings/news, including by participating to policy-based and scientific networks, and contributes to planning and policy recommendations.
• Incorporates results of the government’s multi-sectoral climate and environment strategies, policy statements and pronouncements into programmes and projects

2 Provides Effective Programme Development And Management Advice On Climate, Environment And Sustainability In Cities, Focusing On The Achievement Of The Following Results

• Provides guidance to the Smart SDG Cities Programme and the UN-Habitat country programme in Ghana in general to ensure that sound climate and environment analysis informs programme design and implementation, identifying strategic actions to be undertaken to improve the quality of programme implementation and ensure achievement of related results.
• Ensures climate and environment focus within the Smart SDG Cities Programme and the UN-Habitat country programme in Ghana in general is well articulated, communicated, and supported by all spheres of operations and programming to enhance sustainability.
• Identify priority areas and projects with high impact for climate, environment and sustainability in cities or across cities in the program that can be proposed to local and national authorities for further development, financing and implementation.
• Monitors UN-Habitat country programme in Ghana in areas of climate and environmental sustainability to ensure alignment with UN-Habitat/UN global agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.
• Analyses and researches information on donors, prepares substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identifies opportunities for initiation of new projects, lead the conceptualisation of strategic programme interventions, and actively contributes to the overall office effort in resource mobilisation, including by reviewing concept notes and proposals to mainstream climate and environment aspects.
• Ensures progress reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes related to climate, environment and sustainability, including when reporting to donors.
• Provides leadership on climate, environment and sustainability issues within the context of UN thematic group activities, UN Joint Programmes and partnership with donors and other partners in this field.
• Organises and participates in technical reviews as well as programme evaluation exercises related to climate, environment and sustainability issues, and support in the follow-up of evaluations’ recommendations.
• Provides guidance and support for the conduct of climate, environment advocacy, awareness raising and educational interventions especially on humanitarian settings.
• Ensures the provision of advocacy and Strategic partnership building advice on Climate, Environment and Sustainability, focusing on the achievement of the following results:
• Develops and strengthens partnerships with UN Agencies, International Financing Institutions, government institutions, bilateral and multi-lateral partners, private sector, civil society on climate, environment and sustainability based on UN-Habitat’s strategic goals ,the Smart SDG Cities Programme, country’s needs and donors’ priorities; participates in UN-Inter Agency Groups for climate and environment.
• Identifies entry points for climate and environment innovations.
• Initiates and coordinates strategic advocacy activities to maximize support of the UN system, government and civil society partners on climate and environment issues in urban areas, in line with international commitments.
• Undertakes related tasks as directed by the UN-Habitat senior management in Ghana.
• Facilitate knowledge building, management and sharing on Climate, Environment and Sustainability, focusing on the achievement of the following results:
• Identifies and synthesises best practices and lessons learnt on climate, environment and sustainability directly linked to the Smart SDG Cities Programme and the UN-Habitat country programme in Ghana in general, and provides sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice in her/his field of specialization.
• Helps developing and reviewing learning, communication and advocacy materials, including reviewing them for climate and environment sensitivity and use of appropriate language reflecting UN-Habitat branding and visibility guidelines.
• Leads on gathering inputs and information on climate, environment and sustainability required for the production of relevant advocacy products, including online and digital products, and supports dissemination.
• Identifies storylines and drafting of substantive articles on climate and environment.
• Works closely with other staff to ensure effective communication of appropriate climate and environment to partners and public.
• Work in collaboration with relevant NGO´s public and private partners to maximize outcome.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UN-Habitat’s mission, vision and values.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies

• Management and Leadership
  • Good managerial and leading skills;
  • Demonstrates strong coordination and organizational skills;
  • Ability to work as a part of a team, sharing information and coordinating efforts within the team;
  • Consistently approaches to work with energy and a positive and constructive attitude;
  • Excellent analytical and writing skills.

Communication:

• Good communication skill both in writing and oral including networking and interpersonal skills;
• Proven ability to persuade and influence others to cooperate.

Client Orientation:

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organises and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients;
• Proven ability to build strong relations with partners, clients for positive feedback;
• Ability to undertake and apply gender analysis to ensure gender equitable solutions.

Partnership:

• Builds, coordinates and advises on strategic and programmatic partnership;
• Facilitates the engagement of major stakeholders or groups in environment and sustainable development decision making, their access to and sharing of information for effective compliance.

Communication and Outreach:

• Advises on the development and management of a communication strategy, outreach campaigns and activities under her/his field of specialization to raise the Agency’s profile at the national and international levels.

Professionalism

• Demonstrates professional
• Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively and demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
• Willing to undertake other assignments as provided by UN-Habitat senior management in Ghana.

Leadership

• Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives,
• Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support,
• Drives for change and improvements,
• Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Judgment/Decision-making:

• Identifies the key issues in a complex situation,
• Gathers relevant information before making a decision,
• Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them,
• Proposes a course of action based on all available information,
• Checks assumptions against facts

Education, Required Skills and Experience:

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Studies or engineering, Climate Change, International Development or a related field.

Experience

• A minimum six (7) years (with PhD degree) or, minimum twelve (12) years (with Masters’ degree) of extensive working experience in development cooperation, is required;
• Proven experience on developing systems, procedures, guidelines, manuals and templates for reporting and verification practices;
• Proven experience and knowledge in Development Effectiveness and cooperation, environment and climate change, gender and youth and related issues is an asset;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent knowledge of English, both spoken and written and national language of the duty station