National Adaptation Planning(NAP) Technical Expert- Iraq

Result of Service

The NAP Technical Expert (Expert henceforth) of the Iraqi National Adaptation Plan (NAP) project will support the Government of Iraq (NAP team at the Iraqi Ministry of Environment (MOE), the National Designated Authority (NDA)) and UNEP in the implementation of activities, particularly the achievement of specific deliverables stated under Project Components 1, 3 and 4 as detailed in the GCF Readiness Proposal.

Work Location

Iraq

Expected duration

14 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Organisational Setting The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP's Climate Change Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at its COP 16 held in Cancun in 2011 approved a process to enable member states to formulate and implement National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) as a means of identifying medium- and long-term adaptation needs and developing and implementing strategies and programmes to address those needs. The Paris Agreement (2015) in its global goal on adaptation (Article 7) brought new elements and dimension to the climate change adaptation. Namely, enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change, with a view to contributing to sustainable development and ensuring an adequate adaptation response in the context of the global temperature limit of less than 2°C. The UNFCCC’s Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) on adaptation released Guidelines for National Adaptation Plans (December 2012). Furthermore, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has issued guidance on adaptation planning approaches. The Republic of Iraq is considered one of the most vulnerable countries in the Arab region to the impacts of climate change. In particular, a higher frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as drought, sand and dust storms are being experienced in recent years. These events are leading to rising environmental degradation throughout the country, threatening Iraq’s progress towards sustainable development. Iraq is committed to reducing its vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. In 2009, Iraq ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Kyoto Protocol as a Non-Annex I country. Since then, Iraq has worked to establish the national entities and units necessary to facilitate the implementation of the provisions of the UNFCCC, such as the Permanent National Committee for Climate Change, which was established in 2011. Duties and Responsibilities In order to achieve the expected Outcomes, Outputs and Deliverables (see Deliverables section) the Expert will perform the following tasks, in close collaboration with the UNEP Regional office in West Asia and Climate Change Adaptation Unit (CCAU) at the UNEP office in Nairobi and under the overall supervision of the UNEP Task Manager based in Bangkok, Thailand. A. Provide technical inputs to NAP Process: 1) Lead the organization of, participate as a resource person, and represent the project in national and subnational workshops and meetings, in close coordination with the NAP team at the MoE and key NAP institutional stakeholders; 2) Provide background information and inputs to studies, reports, policy briefs and other project outputs, and review draft deliverables; 3) Facilitate institutional capacity building in gender-sensitive climate change adaptation planning, multi-sectoral and integrated planning approaches, climate change information and knowledge (modelling, projections and risk assessments), and climate finance; 4) Ensure that Project Components and Deliverables are closely aligned to supporting the integration of climate change adaptation into national, sectoral and provincial strategies, plans and budgets. 5) Ensure that the UNFCCC’s Guiding Principles for NAPs are applied in the Iraq NAP elaboration, implementation and monitoring and the processes are participatory, consultative and inclusive. B. Guide and supervise project technical outputs: 1) Ensure that project activities and results are delivered in accordance with the required quality standards and specified time and cost constraints; 2) Develop TORs and assist Government and UNEP in the identification, selection and recruitment/ procurement of consultants or other service providers, and ensure timely and efficient administration of contracts and/or purchase orders; 3) Supervise and coordinate the work and deliverables of national and international consultants, as well as other service providers and partners; 4) Undertake other tasks relevant to the achievement of objectives of the NAP Project

Qualifications/special skills

A master's degree in natural sciences (environment, forestry, agriculture, biology or climate change) or development studies/ management sciences (with combination of relevant thematic experience) is required. A first level university degree (bachelor or equivalent) with two (2) additional years of professional experience will be accepted in lieu of a Master's degree. At least five (5) years of experience in areas of work related to national and sector gender-sensitive policy development and analysis and institutional assessment and capacity building in relation to environment and natural resources and sustainable development, preferably in areas related to climate change adaptation is required. At least one previous professional positions/ assignments related to government planning processes is required. Experience working with the Government of Iraq in climate change/ environment is essential, experience with the United Nations system, familiarity with financial, administrative systems and reporting requirements of UN is required. Experience of leading an intersectoral and integrated development planning process in Iraq, including integration of cross-cutting thematic issues (e.g. environment, climate change, gender) is desired. Iraqi National residing in Iraq is desired

Languages

For the position advertised, fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic is required.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.