Consultant Specialist in Adaptation

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations 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. UNEP's mission 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. Established in 1972, UNEP operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of approximately 1,000 employees. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama, works closely with the 33 countries of the region, integrating its activities into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

Job Overview:
The Consultant Specialist in Adaptation will play a crucial role in aligning the National Determined Contributions (NDC) with the ongoing National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process and other relevant government documents submitted by the Government of El Salvador to the UNFCCC. The position involves conducting assessments and analyses of climate change adaptation components in national documents, developing communication mechanisms within the NAP Coordination Platform, and creating strategic documents that outline national, subnational, and sectoral goals for adaptation. The consultant will also be responsible for producing a roadmap for the NAP preparation process, ensuring that adaptation commitments established in the NDC are operationalized effectively. This role requires a deep understanding of climate change adaptation policies and the ability to provide technical expertise to the Project Management Unit of the NAP project and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN).

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Consultant Specialist in Adaptation will be responsible for a comprehensive set of tasks, including:

• Developing a methodology for collecting information on climate change adaptation from national documents.
• Conducting a state of the art analysis of adaptation planning and implementation in El Salvador, including vulnerability assessments and identifying adaptation goals and priorities.
• Analyzing developed climate change adaptation measures and their interconnections with mitigation efforts.
• Establishing communication and coordination mechanisms within the NAP Coordination Platform to enhance stakeholder collaboration.
• Creating strategic documents that outline goals for adaptation in NDC 3.0, including organizing and attending validation workshops.
• Developing a chapter on adaptation for Biennial Transparency Reports (BTR) and National Communications (NC).
• Preparing a roadmap for the NAP preparation process and identifying training needs for capacity-building programs.
• Collaborating with various stakeholders, including government agencies and civil society, to ensure effective implementation of adaptation strategies.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in environmental management, environmental sciences, social sciences, economics, natural sciences, political sciences, engineering, development, law, international relations, or a closely related field. A Master's degree in project management, climate change, natural resource management, conservation, environment, international cooperation, sustainable development, or a closely related field is desirable. Additionally, candidates should have at least three years of relevant working experience in development, natural resource management, or climate change, with experience in engaging with stakeholders in policy analysis and development being highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as environmental management or sciences, with a preference for candidates holding a Master's degree in a related area. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of climate change adaptation and the necessary policy frameworks.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant working experience in fields related to development, natural resource management, or climate change. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in engaging with key stakeholders, including government agencies and civil society, in policy analysis and inter-institutional dialogue. Experience in multilevel coordination and the elaboration of reports from technical meetings is also desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory for this position, as it is essential for communication with local stakeholders and the government. A confident level of English is desirable, as it may be necessary for engaging with international partners and understanding global frameworks related to climate change adaptation.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and is expected to last for 11 months. The Consultant Specialist in Adaptation will work under the supervision of the UNEP Sub Coordinator of Climate Change at LACO and will collaborate closely with the MARN and other stakeholders. Travel may be required for consultation processes. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.