Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities Lead at United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Strategic and Policy Leadership
• Provide policy guidance to support FCLP members’ ambitions and commitments related to IPLCs. 
• Provide technical input based on understanding of national and international policies to inform members’ decisions and prioritisation. 
• Develop high-quality technical documents, briefings, and analysis to be reviewed by the Deputy director - Policy, following specific requests from members to support informed action and policy coherence.
• Support coordination and liaison effort for the development, review, and delivery of annual workplans, ensuring alignment with FCLP priorities and governance principles.
• Coordination and Delivery
• Coordinate member engagement and collaboration across the FCLP membership at the workstream level, ensuring clarity of roles and effective delivery of collective priorities, by ensuring regular meetings are taking place as planned, members are participating and engaging, and by keeping records of actions implemented by members
• Facilitate and enable delivery of workplan activities in line with FCLP governance principles.
• Ensure alignment between IPLC work and other FCLP functions, including Communications, Engagement, and Governance, by proactively sharing information within the FCLP Secretariat and supporting implementation of the Secretariat’s strategy
• Partnerships and Inclusive Engagement
• Act as Secretariat to the IPLC Platform, coordinating collaboration among members, IPLC organizations, and partners to drive collective action.
• Foster and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders - including IPLC organisations, philanthropies and civil society - to advance shared objectives.
• Ensure equitable participation and engagement across the FCLP membership.
• Events and Representation
• Coordinate FCLP participation in major events and global convenings, ensuring meaningful representation of IPLC priorities and contributions (e.g. UNFCCC COPs, UNGA, and regional platforms).
• Support FCLP members and partners in developing joint messaging, materials, and communication opportunities related to IPLC-led initiatives.

Skills

• Analytical Skills, Environmental Policy, Forestry, Strategic Partnerships

Competencies

• Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.
• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
• Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
• Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Education

• Advanced degree in environment, policy, law, international relations, economics or related field OR first degree with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience.

Experience Requirements

Work Experience and skills

• A minimum of five, (5) years of relevant professional experience, including experience working on forests and land-use, climate change, Indigenous Peoples, and Local Communities rights, with advanced degree.
• The following skills are required: 
• Demonstrated policy expertise on IPLCs, forest and climate issues at international level
• Excellent written communication skills and experience drafting high-level documents such as declarations, commitments and negotiated outcomes.
• Experience working with a range of government systems across developed and developing countries.  
• Experience of managing complex projects/processes, demonstrating an ability to be agile and work with a number of different stakeholders. 
• Experience engaging with high-level actors, including Ministers and preferably Heads of Government, is required.
• Past experience working for COP Presidency teams on IPLCs or forest issues is required.
• Experience and understanding of all aspects of UNFCCC climate COPs is required.