ThaiNGO

National expert Adaptation Programme

UNFCCC Secretariat

Background

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the focus of the political process to address Climate Change. The UNFCCC secretariat supports the Convention, its Kyoto Protocol and the historic Paris Agreement by a range of activities, including substantive and organizational support to meetings of the Parties and the implementation of commitments. It is a dynamic organization working in a politically challenging environment to help resolve one of the defining environmental issues of our time.

The Adaptation programme of the UNFCCC secretariat supports the intergovernmental process. This process includes activities relating to national adaptation plans (NAPs), national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs), the Nairobi work programme (NWP), the work programme on loss and damage, the Adaptation Committee (AC), research and systematic observation under the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), and support for the implementation of adaptation action under the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement (APA). The Adaptation programme also engages Parties and stakeholders including national, regional, multilateral and international organizations, across public and private sectors, civil society and other relevant stakeholders. The programme addresses the process of reviewing the adequacy of the long-term global goal under the Convention and the global stocktake under the Paris Agreement and the consideration of various matters related to climate science.

Purpose

The incumbent will undertake analytical work on climate change adaptation for selected countries in the region of recruitment, in line with the functions of the Adaptation Programme referred to above.

Tasks

Under the overall supervision of Manager of the Impacts, Vulnerabilities and Risks Subprogramme, the incumbent will undertake the following activities:

• Undertake activities related to prioritizing and closing knowledge gaps at the sub-regional and thematic levels, including through the Lima Adaptation Knowledge Initiative (LAKI). Tasks under this include:
  1. Sharing the outcomes with key actors in these subregions;
  2. Developing strategic partnerships and relationships with institutions that can provide knowledge, financial and technical support to close knowledge gaps in alignment with the priority knowledge gaps identified under the LAKI.
• Package, translate and disseminate selected outcomes related to adaptation under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement for various target audiences, including through the Adaptation Knowledge Portal with a view to raising the visibility of such outcomes;
• Supporting the communication and outreach work of the Adaptation Programme, including managing the twitter account of the Nairobi work programme;
• Assess and inform the Adaptation Programme of progress of climate action at the national and regional levels, so as to potentially better support stocktaking processes;
• Perform any other job related activity required to achieve the goals and objectives of the Adaptation Programme and the Secretariat.

Timeframe

The assignment will be for the duration of one year from the commencement of the contract.

Duty station and places of travel

The national expert will work from home and periodically report to local partner offices.

Requirements

The national expert shall have the following competencies and qualifications:

Educational background

• First level university degree in environmental science, climate change, natural sciences, public policy, international relations or a related field.

Experience

• At least three years of relevant professional experience on climate change at the national or regional level;
• In depth knowledge of climate change adaptation and broader understanding of global environmental policy issues, of their challenges and implications and of the latest developments in these fields;
• Demonstrable experience in compiling, synthesizing large amounts of information, and the ability to autonomously write policy papers or reports;
• Strong competence and autonomy in the use of standard software programmes and applications.

Specific professional knowledge

• A sound grasp of climate science with good knowledge of adaptation related actions at individual country level and at the regional level;
• Familiarity with UNFCCC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and other relevant processes.

Language skills

• Required: Proficiency in English language and one of the other UN languages applicable to the country/region of recruitment, both oral and written.