Programme Specialist, Climate Adaptation and Innovation, Johannesburg, ESARO, P-3

The Position:

Under the supervision of the Regional Advisor on Population Dynamics at the East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO), the Programme Specialist Climate Adaptation & Innovation will coordinate the implementation of the Africa Adaptation Climate Change project and will contribute to the climate change adaptation-related activities of the East and Southern Africa Regional Office. The specialist will also contribute to the tasks of the corporate Climate Change Technical Working Group. S/he will also support the policy advocacy activities in a wide range of areas related to climate change at global, regional, and country levels. 
 

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2026), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices in East and Southern Africa an additional priority of ending HIV has been added. 

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates who are committed to the UN Reform Agenda and the principle of delivering as one. Candidates who are responsive and flexible, using MEL approaches to ensure that the programme strives to reach those furthest behind, committed to promoting gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, are transparent, and are exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and their commitment to delivering excellence in programme results.
 

Job Purpose:

The Programme Specialist Climate Adaptation & Innovation will work closely with national focal points on climate change in ESAR and coordinate the activities outlined in the “Resilient Futures: Empowering National Climate Actors for Gender- Transformative Adaptation.
 

The Programme Specialist Climate Adaptation & Innovation will: 

• Coordinate and lead the training activities to strengthen the capacity of national government officials and key stakeholders on the linkages between SRHR, gender, and climate change.
• Coordinate the rollout of a national assessment on the link between SRHR and climate change with the involvement of national, regional, and various stakeholders.
• Lead the youth empowerment activities concerning climate change adaptation 
• Lead on adaptation and innovative climate initiatives implemented as part of the project.
• Support with building partnerships with key stakeholders including donors to promote the UNFPA work on Climate change adaptation support the agency's mandate and events, and arrange media contacts, briefings, and interviews.
• Support with the advocacy activities linked to the UNFPA Climate Strategy.
• Support the delivery of climate change outcomes in the UNFPA's current Strategic Plan through planning, implementation, and monitoring of robust programmatic interventions at the country level.
   

You would be responsible for: 

Programme Management and Coordination 

• Coordinating and leading the training activities to strengthen the capacity of national government officials and key stakeholders concerning the linkages between SRHR, gender, and climate change.
• Coordinate the development of the annual work plans and budgets, monitor programme implementation, support the annual reporting. 
• Coordinating the rollout of a national assessment on the link between SRHR and climate change with the involvement of national, regional and various stakeholders.
• Support in the development of  proposals to identify additional funding to scale up project interventions in the ESAR region.
• Support in the development of a Resource Mobilisation Strategy/plan for the project.

Technical Assistance and Capacity development

• Lead the youth empowerment activities concerning climate change adaptation and related areas of work
• Provide strategic guidance and support to the country offices, implementing partners, and providers on climate change adaptation with linkages with SRHR and Gender.
• Identify opportunities to build country teams' capacity, governments, and regional partners.

Knowledge Management

• Commission and oversee the undertaking of regional assessments and studies on SRHR to strengthen evidence based on the impact of climate change and SRHR as an input into advocacy efforts in the region and at the country level. 
• Identify, document, and disseminate guidelines, case studies, promising practices, and human-interest stories in consultation with regional technical advisers to strengthen programming on SRHR and Climate. 
• Convene and/or participate in global and regional forums to strengthen the capacity of governments and key stakeholders on critical areas of SRHR and climate and to exchange promising and emerging best practices on programme implementation with country offices and stakeholders on SRHR. 
• Ensure that knowledge products produced are disseminated.   

Advocacy, Communication, and Partnerships

• Coordinate strategic input by technical experts on SRHR and Climate into the convening and participating in regional forums with key stakeholders
• Collaborate with the communications adviser to provide input into the unit newsletter, social media products, and other communication materials to amplify the region's work.
• Develop talking points, key messages, and other relevant information materials for senior policy and decision-makers. 
• Ensure there is adherence to the donor guidelines on visibility and communication.

Innovation Solutions 

• Explore and design innovation solutions for climate change adaptation
• Business support for implementation of tailored innovation solutions that enable countries reach scale of climate adaptation efforts
• Ensure inclusion of resilience building for households, communities and systems/institutions in the solutions

Undertake any other responsibilities that may be assigned by the Regional Director

Qualifications and Experience 

Education:  

• Advanced university degree (Masters Level) in Social Sciences, International Development, Innovation, International Relations, Innovation and Sustainability or a related field.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive professional work experience in programme/project management and coordination, especially in the area of SRHR and Climate and involvement of youth in climate change advocacy.
• Experience in delivering training on climate change and SRHR.
• Experience in involving young people in Climate and SRHR Advocacy
• Experience in working with national stakeholders on climate change and SRHR.
• Knowledge in policy formulation, research, and advocacy with previous experience working on SRHR and climate.
• Experience in supporting strategic information activities and peer accountability mechanisms for results. 
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling web-based management systems

Languages: 

Fluency in English; knowledge of other official UN languages is desirable. 

Required Competencies

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact 

Functional Competencies:

• Generating, managing and promoting the use of knowledge and information 
• Provide a technical support system. 
• Generate, manage, and promote the use of knowledge and information. 
• Strengthen programming capacity. 
• Facilitate programmatic quality results

Compensation and Benefits 

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus cost of living adjustment, rental subsidy, education grant, home leave, health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

Disclaimer 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm

In accordance with the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations, persons applying to posts in the international Professional category, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.