Local government planning and climate change adaptation specialist (up to 5 positions)

Background

UNCDF is supporting an expanding portfolio of programmes in Asia that provide capital resources to local governance processes to enable them to meet the challenges of poverty reduction, the Millennium Development Goals, and Climate Change. These programmes promote local level public financial management and decentralized governance responses to these challenges. The programmes and the in country programme teams all require regular technical guidance and support from the UNCDF regional team.

Through this contract UNCDF will supplement the capacity of the its regional office by engaging a specialist in one of the key technical areas: Local government planning and climate change adaptation. Support in these areas is required for a number of programmes in the region and for regional and thematic activities related to these.

Strengthening and reform of local governance institutions and systems in developing countries may need to consider multiple goals and policy objectives that include the role of local government in political representation, infrastructure and service delivery and other development and governance functions. UNCDF works with local and central government institutions to improve the capacity of local governance institutions in planning, public expenditure management, procurement and delivery management and other areas related to the application of development capital and other resources. A new and growing area is the role of local governance in climate change adaptation. This can include a regulatory role (such as in building standards and regulations, early warning systems and disaster risk reduction), an expenditure role (such as in climate proofing public infrastructure and re-routing roads), and a revenue role (including creating financial incentives for climate sensitive activities).

Duties and responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment

The objective of this consultancy is to support the UNCDF regional portfolio of projects and provide assistance to beneficiary countries in the following areas:

• Support the strengthening and reform of appropriate institutional and governance systems that enable both best practice and best value in climate change adaptation to be applied at local level and mainstreamed into the local development plans in a sustainable fashion within the local capacity constraints.
• Support governments in the development of alternative local governance arrangements for climate change adaptation that follow best practice but that allow local (or community) level planning, budgeting and ownership whilst financial management, procurement and contract management services may be carried out by a different level of government.
• Support UNCDF with substantive technical input to its knowledge products and with input to its participation in discussions, conferences and meetings with development partners, private sector agencies and government on the issue of local development planning, climate change adaptation as well as corresponding strengthening and empowering of local level institutions.

Scope of work

Working under the direct supervision of the UNCDF regional Technical Advisor for local development and in close collaboration with the government and UNCDF country team the consultant will be responsible for:

• Assessing capacity and needs of key local and national stakeholders involved in the local development planning and climate change adaptation process in relation to the requirements of each UNCDF programme
• Providing technical support to these programmes as required including carrying out of scoping missions to selected countries in the Asia-Pacific region focused on assessment of climate change vulnerabilities as well as corresponding design of systems, tools and approaches best suited for effective application of UNCDF programmes methodology
• Preparation of proposed climate change adaptation projects implementation workplans and corresponding monitoring and evaluation systems
• Developing and / or contributing to climate changes adaptation awareness campaigns for local government officials, climate change vulnerabilities assessment manuals, climate change adaptation planning guidelines , manuals and best practice guides. Presenting material on local development planning and climate change adaptation at technical meetings and seminars
• Developing of cross country studies, indicators and systems that can monitor and compare the best practices and best value results from central and local level climate change adaptation.
• Carrying out other relevant tasks as assigned by the Regional Technical Advisor

Deliverables/output

A descriptive and analytical back to the office report following each assignment that provides full details of the mission schedule, copies of substantive inputs produced and recommendations for follow up action.

Substantive reports and other inputs as requested by the UNCDF Regional Technical Advisor

Provision of Monitoring and Progress Control

A schedule of days worked, outputs produced and costs incurred will be monitored by the Technical Advisor and Programme Officer in each country office and then reported to Regional Operation Analyst at UNCDF regional office. Payments within each mission ToR will be phased and payment will be made against key deliverables. Payments will be authorized by the Regional Technical Advisor following requests by the Programme Officer in the country office.


Competencies

Functional competencies:

• Experience of working with other development partners, especially in the area of local development, local institutions and public service provision.
• Strong analytical and writing skills and track record in producing relevant reports and other material
• High level of communication and interpersonal skills and experience in working effectively in a multi-cultural environment
• Ability to work in a tropical climate where appropriate infrastructure and systems are not well established
• Sensitivity to diverse opinions and difficulties arising from differing social and cultural perceptions
• Ability to contribute towards conflict resolution in the workplace
• Fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of one or more of the UNCDF programme countries would be an asset

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Postgraduate degree in Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Environmental Management, Public Management, or other related fields.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of professional experience working on issues related to local government/urban planning and/or sustainable development and disaster risk reduction with specific emphasis on public administration, decentralization and local governance systems strengthening in developing countries.

Language:

• Fluency in English is required

Note:

• Localisation in Asia would be an advantage