Iraq: Climate Change Specialist
Jun 7, 2018
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World Food Programme
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
Iraq is grappling with significant and interconnected environmental and economic challenges; with the effects of climate change likely increasing the extent of these challenges. Rising temperatures, intense droughts, declining precipitation, desertification, salinization, and the increasing prevalence of dust storms have undermined Iraq’s agricultural sector. Additionally, Iraq’s water security is based on two declining rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates. National and regional political uncertainty will make mitigating the effects of climate change and address transnational water management very difficult. Climatic changes such as increasing temperatures, reduced precipitation, and increasing water scarcity will likely have serious implications on the state of Iraq for years to come.
Within this context, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is seeking an experienced climate change expert to be based in Baghdad Iraq for at least 12 months to spearhead an application to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Environment and identify other opportunities for climate-change funding and the implementation of climate-specific mitigation projects.
The incumbent will report directly to the Head of Programme and will be responsible for leading discussions and full project writing and coherence with the GCF through regular and cohesive discussions with relevant government ministries and partners.
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- University degree in environmental fields, Climate Change, Environmental Economics, Natural Resources Management, Finance, Business Administration or similar field.
- At least 3-5 years of relevant experience in development work; project proposal writing; previous management experience; previous GCF experience (desirable).
Experience:
- Background in leading climate change dialogue and production analysis, report and proposal writing
- Experience of working in the United Nations or international organizations.
- Has engaged in policy discussions and formulation.
- High-level diplomacy skills and experience working with the government.
Knowledge & Skills:
Climate change, disaster risk reduction, adaptation, vulnerability mapping, environmental and development issues, excellent analytical and writing skills; excellent teamwork and management skills; excellent communication and interpersonal skills; and good negotiation and problem-solving skills.
Languages:
Advanced written and spoken English. Arabic is an asset for this assignment
JOB PURPOSE
To provide support to policy and programme activities that effectively meet food assistance needs.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)
Within the delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties;
- Research and write strategic, succinct, and forward-leaning position papers and proposals for funding WFP’s work in climate change, including taking the lead in coordinating and writing the Simplified Approval Process (SAP) of the Green Climate Fund.
- Support and provide policy advice to line agencies and the GCF Steering Committee on GCF and other climate finance-related issues, as required;
- Promote the participation of relevant government, civil society and private sector representatives in Iraq in climate finance activities;
- Coordinate with relevant ministries and appropriate WFP units to conduct appropriate evidence-based analysis to support WFP’s work;
- Represent WFP Iraq in high-level government and interagency fora; articulating the connection between climate change and food and nutrition security, thereby positioning WFP as a leading voice on these issues within Iraq, regionally and internationally as warranted;
- Position WFP Iraq within the climate change discourse in Iraq, regionally and internationally, as appropriate.
- Inform WFP’s programme implementation for mitigation efforts.
- Provide advice and support to the Country Office and Sub-Offices to clarify ambiguities and ensure that policy and programme operations are consistent with WFP policies, Executive Board decisions, and other relevant guidance;
- Coordinate with potential donors to bring value-added components and additional funding to WFP climate change activities.
- Take responsibility for all reporting, budgeting, and oversight for project development.
- Lead, motivate, train and develop a team of staff, as appropriate, to enable high performance;
- Perform other related functions as applicable and requested.
4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES
Purpose
- Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Understands WFP’s Strategic Objectives and the link to own work objectives.
- Be a force for positive change: Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from supervisors and internal/external changes (such as evolving needs of beneficiaries, new requirements of partners).
- Make the mission inspiring to our team: Recognizes and shares with team members the ways in which individual contributions relate to WFP’s mission.
- Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Sets own goals in alignment with WFP’s overall operations, and is able to communicate this link to others.
People
- Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to increase self-awareness, and includes these in conversations on own developmental needs.
- Create an inclusive culture: Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
- Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Proactively seeks feedback and coaching to build confidence, and develop and improve individual skills.
- Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Participates in accomplishing team activities and goals in the face of challenging circumstances.
Performance
- Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Shows willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
- Focus on getting results: Consistently delivers results within individual scope of work on time, on budget and without errors.
- Make commitments and make good on commitments: Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities.
- Be Decisive: Makes rational decisions about individual activities when faced with uncertain circumstances, including in times of ambiguity regarding information or manager direction.
Partnership
- Connect and share across WFP units: Seeks to understand and adapt to internal or cross-unit teams’ priorities and preferred working styles.
- Build strong external partnerships: Demonstrates ability to understand and appropriately respond to and/or escalate needs of external partners.
- Be politically agile & adaptable: Portrays an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
- Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Provides operational support on analyses and assessments that quantifies and demonstrates WFP’s unique value as a partner.
DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT
- SAP process finalised and submission of proposal to the GCF;
- WFP climate change evidence-base and knowledge archive established;
- Adaptation projects identified and designed;
- Donor-based expanded;
- Liaison with other Programme and Administrative units and external stakeholders ensured;
- Programme support staff trained, as appropriate;
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
08.June.2018
Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply.