Chief Technical Advisor

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. Established in 1972, UNEP has been at the forefront of environmental governance and policy-making, working with various stakeholders to address pressing environmental challenges. With a workforce of over 1,000 employees, UNEP operates in more than 150 countries, collaborating with governments, civil society, and the private sector to foster sustainable development and environmental protection. The UNEP/Climate Change Division specifically focuses on providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policies, enhancing the capacity of developing countries and those with economies in transition to manage their environmental resources effectively.

Job Overview:
The Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) will play a pivotal role in the successful execution of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) projects in Malawi and Eswatini. This position requires a strategic leader who can provide overall technical backstopping, operational guidance, and support to the National Project teams to ensure that project objectives are met within the agreed deadlines and high technical standards. The CTA will assist in planning the implementation of project activities, making necessary adjustments to the project’s Results Framework, Work Plans, and Budgets in accordance with corporate requirements and Green Climate Fund (GCF) rules. The role also involves quality assurance and technical review of project outputs, including technical reports, studies, assessments, training materials, and knowledge products. The CTA will be responsible for drafting or reviewing Terms of Reference (ToRs) for technical consultancies and sub-contracts, as well as providing technical guidance and supervisory functions to national and international consultants hired for the projects. The position requires close collaboration with national and international consultants to ensure quality outputs and adherence to the guidelines set forth by the UNFCCC and GCF.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake the following duties:

• 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 deadlines and under high technical standards. Assist the Project Coordinator in planning the implementation of project activities, and in any adjustments to the projects 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, 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) and other 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), GCF’s guidance on adaptation planning approaches, and existing supplementary guidelines including UNEP Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) NAP guidelines. Ensure that climate science informs risk assessments and identification of adaptation options, appraisal of adaptation options is based on economic, social, and environmental costs and benefits to guide prioritization and trade-offs, and 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: Establish clear descriptions 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.

Required Qualifications:
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, 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. 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. Sound communication skills, both written and spoken, are desirable. Experience in teamwork and collaborating with different stakeholders is desirable. Experience managing for results and supporting the development of budgets, work plans, and procurement plans is desirable.

Educational Background:
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, 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. Additionally, 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.

Languages:
For this post, fluency in spoken and written English is required. Additional languages may be beneficial but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for 12 months. 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.