The role of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) is to provide overall technical backstopping, operational guidance, and support to the National Project team for the Malawi and Eswatini National Adaptation Plan (NAP) project. The CTA ensures project objectives are met and activities are carried out within agreed deadlines and under high technical standards. This position operates within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the UNEP Head, Climate Change Adaptation Unit, or his/her designated mandated representative(s), as well as the NAP project Coordinator within the EAD of Malawi and MTEA of Eswatini.
Duties and Responsibilities
Project Management
- Provide overall technical backstopping, operational guidance, and support to the National Project team to ensure that project objectives are being met and that activities are carried out within agreed deadline and under high technical standards.
- Assist the Project Coordinator in planning the implementation of project activities, and in any adjustment to the project's Results Framework, Work Plans, and Budgets that might be required and in line with corporate requirements and GCF rules.
- Provide quality assurance and technical review of project outputs such as technical reports, studies, assessments, training materials, and knowledge products.
- Draft or review, as requested, Terms of Reference (ToRs) for technical consultancies and sub-contracts, and assist in the selection and recruitment process.
- Provide technical guidance and supervisory function to the work carried out by national and international consultants hired by the projects.
- Assist the Project Manager and coordinate the preparation of the annual GCF Annual Progress Report (APR) other Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) reports and reviews required by UNEP, the GCF, and Government departments.
Adaptation Planning
- Provide lead technical support in guiding the Malawi National Adaptation Planning processes in accordance with the UNFCCC’s Least Developed Expert Group (LEG) on adaptation released guidelines for National Adaptation Plans (2012), Green Climate Fund (GCF)’s guidance on adaptation planning approaches, as well as existing supplementary guidelines including UNEP Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA) NAP guidelines with particular focus on ensuring that:
- Climate science informs risk assessments and identification of adaptation options.
- Appraisal of adaptation options are based on economic, social and environmental cost and benefits to guide prioritization and trade-offs.
- Priority adaptation strategies and measures are integrated into national, sub-national plans, sectoral strategies, public budget processes, and national and sectoral monitoring and reporting systems.
- Closely collaborate with and support the work of the national and international NAP project consultants to deliver quality outputs.
- Provide oversight and technical inputs toward the specialist consolidating and developing the NAP document.
- Perform any other tasks within the context of the NAP project as may be requested by the Project Team, the Project Steering Committee, and the UNEP Task Manager.
Monitoring and Progress Controls
Clear description of measurable outputs, milestones, key performance indicators and/or reporting requirements which will enable performance monitoring.
Reporting Lines
The Chief Technical Advisor will report to the UNEP Task manager under the Climate Change Adaptation Unit.
Qualifications/Special Skills
Education:
- An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in disaster risk reduction, environmental planning or management, natural resources management, public policy and management, international Development, adaptation planning, geography and urban and regional planning, public policy and management, international development or related fields is required.
- A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years’ work experience in a technical lead or planning position on development/climate/natural resources management programmes, preferably in a developing country context is required.
- A minimum of 2 years’ international work experience in either institutional strengthening, stakeholder engagement and capacity building or development/climate/natural resources management programmes is required.
Desired Skills/Experience:
- Sound Communication skills both written and spoken is desirable.
- Experience in teamworking and collaborating with different stakeholders is desirable.
- Experience managing for results and supporting development of budgets, work plans, and procurement plans is desirable.
