Desk Officer for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Santiago network

Job Posting Organization:
The Santiago network was established in December 2019 during COP25/CMA2 as part of the Warsaw International Mechanism. Its mission is to avert, minimize, and address loss and damage associated with climate change, particularly in developing countries vulnerable to its adverse effects. The network aims to catalyze technical assistance from various organizations and experts to implement relevant approaches at local, national, and regional levels. The operational structure includes a Secretariat, an Advisory Board, and a network of organizations and experts. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) were selected as co-hosts of the Santiago network Secretariat at COP28 in 2023, with an initial term of five years. UNOPS provides administrative support while UNDRR offers technical expertise in loss and damage.

Job Overview:
The Desk Officer for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) plays a crucial role in facilitating technical assistance and membership matters for SIDS globally. This position operates under the guidance of the Director of the Santiago network Secretariat and the Senior Programme Manager. The Desk Officer is responsible for ensuring effective, timely, and context-specific support tailored to the needs of small island developing states. This includes implementing guidelines for technical assistance requests that acknowledge the capacity constraints faced by SIDS. The role also involves creating an enabling environment for demand-driven technical assistance requests, thereby contributing to the overall mission of the Santiago network.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supporting technical assistance processes and systems by contributing ideas for enabling access to technical assistance and collaborating with Regional Coordinators.
• Facilitating technical assistance and membership by providing expertise to SIDS, guiding them in preparing requests, and liaising with in-country focal points.
• Monitoring programme implementation and assessing the effectiveness of assistance provided to SIDS.
• Engaging with partners and stakeholders by organizing workshops and maintaining partnerships in SIDS.
• Managing knowledge and innovation by collecting data on loss and damage priorities and disseminating relevant information.
• Upholding corporate functions and team building by fostering a collaborative work environment and representing the Santiago network in international forums.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in fields such as development studies, international relations, political science, environmental sciences, climate change, economics, or social sciences. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. A minimum of five years of relevant experience in programme management related to development, loss and damage, disaster risk reduction, or climate change adaptation is required, with at least three years of experience working with stakeholders in Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Familiarity with UNFCCC processes is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in development studies, international relations, political science, environmental sciences, climate change, economics, social sciences, or related areas is required. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in programme management, specifically in areas such as development, loss and damage, disaster risk reduction, and climate change adaptation. Within this timeframe, at least three years of experience working with stakeholders in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) is essential. Familiarity with UNFCCC processes and the loss and damage agenda is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory. Knowledge of another UN official language is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
The contract type is an International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) at the ICS-10, IICA-2 level, with an initial duration of one year, renewable based on performance and funding availability. UNOPS encourages applications from all nationalities, and may issue a Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) for successful applicants who are nationals or permanent residents of the duty station country. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified women and candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. The organization also commits to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates during the assessment process.