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.
The NDC Partnership:
The NDC Partnership is a global coalition of countries and institutions collaborating to drive transformational climate action through sustainable development. In 2015, the world endorsed the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Nations signal their commitments to the Paris Agreement through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) – each country’s strategy to cut its own greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience against the negative effects of a changing climate. The Partnership advances the goals of the Paris Agreement by bringing together nearly 200 countries and institutions in new ways to accelerate NDC implementation and enhance ambition over time. The Partnership’s work through 120 partners supporting almost 80 countries produces many examples of impact, lessons learned and ideas for the future. The Partnership is governed by a Steering Committee, co-chaired by two country representatives. The Partnership’s work is facilitated by a Support Unit based at World Resources Institute in Washington DC and the UNFCCC Secretariat in Bonn, Germany. UNOPS supports the NDC Partnership and its Support Unit through the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC).
Country Context:
The Government of Belize joined the NDC Partnership in 2018 and has received support from the NDC Partnership in several areas including the update of its first NDC. Belize’s updated NDC focuses on reducing emissions from the forestry, transport, energy, and waste sectors and strengthening the resilience of coastal and marine resources, agriculture, water resources, tourism, fisheries and aquaculture, human health, infrastructure, and forestry.
Belize and the NDC Partnership recognize the importance of having an in-country expert to serve as a Facilitator, to help coordinate and mobilize actors and resources to implement the NDC Implementation Plan and regularly update on progress. The Facilitator will be supporting the National Climate Change Office (NCCO) in matters related to climate change and NDC implementation.
The Facilitator will be embedded in the National Climate Change Office (NCCO) at the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, to assist coordination and resource mobilization for the implementation of the NDC Implementation Plan and to promote a whole-of-government and coordinated approach to adaptation and mitigation actions.
The incumbent will serve as the NDC Partnership’s interface in the country and operate as a liaison between the country and other NDC Partnership members. The role is one of coordination and supportive facilitation. They play a key role in ensuring the smooth implementation of the Country Engagement Process, by supporting ongoing coordination efforts between the Support Unit of the NDC Partnership, the various partners of the Partnership, and the government of Belize.
The incumbent will support the National Climate Change Office (NCCO) at the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change. The incumbent will be responsible for strengthening national coordination in terms of resource mobilization and monitoring the implementation of the NDC. The Facilitator will support the focal point of the Partnership in their daily tasks of implementing the NDC and other forms of support for the NDC implementation.
The embedded facilitator will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist and will work in close collaboration with the different ministerial offices. This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve 12 months, maximum of 220 working days, with the possibility of an extension.
* This is a Homebased position, meaning that the incumbent will not work from a UNOPS office but from the government facilities. Therefore, the incumbent will need to use his/her own laptop and software.
** As this is a Local Position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent should be a national of Belize or have a valid residence permit in the country.
*** Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Functional Responsibilities
The following responsibilities are part of the embedded incumbent role:
Support in the coordination and communication with key stakeholders
Ensure that communications relevant to NDC Partnership engagement are shared with relevant national, international, and local level stakeholders.
Facilitate periodic coordination and information exchange among partners in the country, with the aim of leveraging and mobilizing their respective advantages in support of the Implementation Plan, request for support letters or equivalent instrument. To this end, usage of existing government coordination mechanisms shall be prioritized.
Support with the organization of meetings to monitor and coordinate the implementation of the Implementation Plan, with stakeholders.
Support in the operationalization of the NDC Implementation Plan
Collaborate with the NDC Partnership Support Unit and the Focal Points to manage and update the Plan in the Online Partnership Plan Tool, ensuring information remains up to date and accessible for key stakeholders. When an Online Partnership Plan does not exist yet, support the transition to the online tool.
Help identify implementing and development partners, compile and periodically update their contact details (name of focal point, email address, telephone number) and follow up with them regarding their contribution to the Implementation Plan or equivalent instrument.
When applicable, contribute to the development of the Implementation Plan Narrative and its validation by the government.
Facilitation of NDC Implementation Plan implementation
Collaborate with the Support Unit to document changes in the operating context and provide support to the government and stakeholders in processes and new developments with respect to the Implementation Plan, equivalent instrument and its enabling environment.
Support in the 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 as per the Implementation Plan or an equivalent instrument.
Update information on government needs and priorities for NDC implementation. When Implementation Plans are available, these should be regularly updated.
Help produce an overview of support gaps to make available to partners.
Engage with partners, including at the local/subnational level, to link needs to services and resources in accordance with the Implementation Plan.
Assist the government in coordinating with key donors, partners, and funding mechanisms on aligning country programs and projects with the needs and gaps identified in the Implementation Plan, other planning / coordination instruments, as applicable, and requests for support.
Assist International and Development Partners to align climate projects and programmatic objectives with the Implementation Plan or other support planning / coordination instruments as applicable.
Tracking of Implementation Plan and Investment Plan implementation progress
Monitor and assess implementation of the Implementation Plan and coordinate periodic reporting of partners to the NDC Partnership.
Prepare quarterly country update reports summarizing key insights and progress updates, challenges, and recommendations for the way forward.
Assess progress outcomes of the NDC Partnership in-country engagement and make recommendations for adjustments.
Help organize NDC-related meetings as needed
If requested, help organize 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.
Help organize coordination meetings between the Support Unit and the government as needed.