Afghanistan: International Environmental Negotiations Specialist

Aug 30, 2015 | UNEP
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Afghanistan is vulnerable to climate change, particularly extreme weather events, including floods and droughts, which adversely affect natural ecosystems, agriculture and community livelihoods. Unfortunately, governing structures – including community councils, district units, research institutions and government agencies – currently have limited capacity to plan for, overcome and withstand the current as well as anticipated climate change-related threats. Accordingly – and in line with Afghanistan’s National Adaptation Plan of Action process – the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) is implementing the project “Building adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change in Afghanistan”. This project will increase the climate resilience of vulnerable communities and build capacity of governing structures to address climate change impacts. It consists of four main components:

-Component 1: Climate change risk assessment, monitoring and forecasting information.

-Component 2: Climate change adaptation and response strategies.

-Component 3: Practices for water resources and watershed management piloted and tested in selected project sites.

-Component 4: Adaptive learning and dissemination of lessons learned and best practices.

The project budget is 5,390,000 USD and the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) of Afghanistan is executing project activities, with support from UNEP’s Post Conflict and Disaster Management Branch (PCDMB), in close cooperation with other stakeholders.

Summary of key functions:

The project is recruiting an International Negotiations Specialist (INS) to provide training for government officials to ensure that they understand their obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) and are able to prepare funding applications and negotiate under MEAs to access further finance. The INS will require knowledge of MEAs.

The INS will be recruited based on an open and competitive process. He/she will develop training materials, arrange training and train government officials in MEAs. He/she will report to the National Project Coordinator (NPC) and Senior Advisor (SA).

Purpose and scope of assignment

a) Key Responsibilities:

General project activities

Supporting activities (to inform project management and other project outputs)

· Document lessons learned.

· Report writing on Biodiversity, climate national communication, and POPs.

Training activities

· Identify relevant government agencies that should receive training.

· Develop training material on Multilateral Environmental Agreements.

· Conduct training on MEAs and preparing funding applications.

Publications:

· Develop the MEA handbook for Climate change and Biodiversity

b) Duration and time commitment:

The consultant will be contracted to work up to 12 days.

c) Travel:

One trip will be made to Afghanistan. UNEP will assist with visas, travel authorization clearance, security training, and planning and make all local arrangements for the consultant. UNEP will enforce strict guidance and support on travel, accommodation, and in country movement for the consultant.

Expected deliverables

· A workplan detailing: i) tasks; ii) timeframes; and iii) outputs.

· MEA training material including MEA handbooks on Climate Change and Biodiversity

· Delivery of training.

· A comprehensive training report including Names, positions, agencies and contact details of officials trained.

Qualifications and Experience

a) Education

· An advanced post-graduate degree at or above Master level in economics, law, international relations, development or equivalent in the field of policy dialogue/international negotiations.

b) Experience

· At least 5 years of relevant work experience.

· Experience in multicultural and adult training.

· Experience in development cooperation and environmental issues in particular.

· Experience working in Asia and hardship countries in particular.

c) Competencies

· An ability to work independently and deliver outputs effectively.

· Excellent communication skills.

d) Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Excellent English writing skills are required. Knowledge of Dari and Pashto is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Submission Guidelines

International experts meeting the essential requirements of the position are invited to apply for this position by submitting the following two documents only:

· letter of interest with clearly indicated VA number (i.e. UNEP-2015-004); and

· updated and signed UN Personal History Form P.11 (available athttp://www.unep.org/vacancies/PDF/P11Form.pdf)

Electronic applications with the subject “VA#UNEP-2015-004” to be submitted to:administration.kabul@unep.org

Additional Considerations:

· Failure to comply with the above requirements (e.g. no indication of the VA number) will disqualify the application.

· Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

· Only short-listed candidates will be notified or contacted.

· Qualified and experienced female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.