Consultant in Climate Adaptation Mainstreaming at Territorial Level

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the designated entity within the United Nations system that addresses environmental issues at both global and regional levels. Established to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus, UNEP plays a crucial role in keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, Panama, collaborates closely with 33 countries in the region, integrating its activities into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). UNEP's mission includes supporting countries in achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement and prioritizing actions defined in their Nationally Determined Contributions. The organization is committed to strengthening the ability of countries to adopt climate-resilient and low-emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being, with a focus on integrating crosscutting issues such as gender equity and women's empowerment into its tasks.

Job Overview:
The Consultant in Climate Adaptation Mainstreaming at Territorial Level will play a pivotal role in the implementation of the project titled 'Agreements, processes, and tools to move towards a climate-resilient society in El Salvador.' This project is framed within the Readiness program of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and aims to enhance institutional engagement and capacities for planning, financing, implementing, monitoring, and reporting on strategic adaptation processes. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Deputy Regional Director of UNEP LACO and in coordination with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) in El Salvador. The position requires a commitment of 28 hours per week, from Monday to Friday, and will be based in San Salvador. The consultant will collaborate closely with UNEP’s Adaptation team, national consultants, and various stakeholders, including government and non-governmental organizations. The role involves providing technical assistance to ensure that adaptation strategies are effectively integrated into national frameworks and that local realities and stakeholder perspectives are considered in decision-making processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Consultant will be responsible for a range of tasks aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of the project. Key responsibilities include:

• Strengthening adaptation planning, governance, and institutional coordination by enhancing country ownership and technical capacities to lead the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process, establishing monitoring and reporting systems for national priorities, and ensuring that learnings from the NAP process are collected and shared.
• Providing evidence-based information for strategic planning and coordination of various activities, including meetings, workshops, and consultations at the subnational level.
• Developing a monitoring and reporting system for NAP activities that includes relevant indicators and reporting tools.
• Conducting analyses to identify lessons learned at the subnational level and providing guidance on communication mechanisms to disseminate information to local stakeholders.
• Engaging with local stakeholders, particularly vulnerable groups and private sector representatives, to ensure their involvement in the adaptation planning process.
• Producing a set of nationally agreed adaptation strategies and mainstreaming adaptation at sectoral and subnational levels.
• Collaborating with the private sector to foster climate-resilient decisions and identifying financial resources for adaptation priorities.
• Conducting data synthesis and analysis to estimate the costs of implementing the NAP and thematic plans, ensuring that stakeholder perspectives are integrated into national frameworks.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in environmental management, environmental sciences, social sciences, political sciences, engineering, development, law, international relations, or a closely related field. A Master's degree in climate change, geography, natural resources management, development studies, environmental economics, social sciences, or a related field is desirable. Additionally, candidates should have at least two years of relevant working experience in development, natural resource management, or climate change adaptation. Knowledge and experience in designing or implementing national policies related to climate change and engaging with stakeholders in policy analysis are also desirable. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills, as well as the ability to work effectively in multicultural settings.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as environmental management, environmental sciences, social sciences, political sciences, engineering, development, law, or international relations. A Master's degree in a related field is considered an asset and is desirable for candidates seeking to enhance their qualifications for this role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant working experience in areas such as development, natural resource management, or climate change adaptation. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in engaging with key stakeholders, including government agencies and civil society, in policy analysis and development. Experience in working with national institutions and local governments in climate change planning and coordination is also desired, along with a proven track record in capacity-building strategies and the development of reports from technical meetings.

Languages:
Fluency in Spanish is mandatory for this position, as it is essential for effective communication with local stakeholders and government entities. A confident level of English is desirable, as it may facilitate communication with international partners and enhance the consultant's ability to engage in broader discussions related to climate adaptation.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for a duration of four months, with a commitment of 28 hours per week. The consultant will be based in San Salvador, El Salvador, and may be required to travel for consultation processes. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring that applicants are not subjected to any financial burdens during their application.