Job: Safeguards and Multiple Benefits Consultant

Location: Geneva 
Deadline: Thursday, 17 October 2013 

Description

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, our vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.

UNOPS provides services in sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement and sustainable project management, with projects ranging from building schools, roads, bridges and hospitals to procuring goods and services and training local personnel.

By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel annually and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of regional and country offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Background Information - Development Group Cluster

Development Group Cluster

The UNOPS Development Group Cluster is based in the North America Office and supports a diverse and complex portfolio including partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (the Bureau for Development Policy, the Human Development Report Office, and the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation), the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Capital Development Fund, the United Nations Secretariat and a broadening community of primarily New York-based UN partners in the delivery of project management, implementation and administration services.

Background Information - Job-specificIn response to the COP13 decision and requests from countries and donors, FAO, UNDP, and UNEP developed the UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (UN-REDD Programme). The UN-REDD Programme consists of two sets of activities: i) National Programmes which are UN joint programmes between the three agencies to assist developing countries prepare and implement national REDD+ strategies and mechanisms; ii) Global Programme to support country actions and provide the international community with confidence and understanding of the technical and social aspects of a post-2012 REDD+ mechanism. A Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) is administered by the UNDP MDTF Office. A UN-REDD Strategy 2011-2015 has been approved by the Policy Board, the governing body of the Programme. An inter-agency secretariat has been established in Geneva to enhance the coordination of the Programme's delivery by the three agencies. UNDP leads three of the six work areas set out in the UN-REDD Strategy: (i) National Governance; (ii) Stakeholder Engagement; and (iii) Transparent, Equitable and Accountable Management of REDD+ Funds. The UN-REDD Programme and the EEG REDD+ team collaborate closely with the World Bank's Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF); the Forest Investment Programme (FIP) of the Carbon Investment Funds (CIF) of the World Bank; and other multilateral, bilateral and private sector REDD+ initiatives The UN-REDD Programme is seeking a consultant to support its work under work area five on social benefits and safeguards.

Functional ResponsibilitiesScope of Work: Under the supervision of the Principal Policy and Technical Advisor (PPTA) in Geneva, and framed in the Inter-agency Safeguards Coordination Group's Workplan 2013, the consultant will carry out the following activities:

• Support the Programme Specialist in the Safeguards Coordination Group by following all communications, bringing matters to the Programme Specialist's attention as needed, participating in calls, preparing briefings, drafting notes of the calls, following-up on actions and next steps, and any other matters.
• Contribute to the preparation of guidance, notes, presentation materials, and tools, with a focus on safeguards and multiple benefits; some of these to be presented at the Information Session on Safeguards at the eleventh UN-REDD Programme Policy Board (8-11 December 2013).
• As directed, drawing from the existing BeRT, assist with the initial work on modifying/revising this tool.

Expected Deliverables:

• Co-development of a Decision-support tool intended to assist countries for developing a country approach to safeguards, mapping various tools and guidance relevant to safeguards.
• Development of a Safeguards tracking tool intended to reflect the progress/achievements of countries in terms of country-approaches to safeguards and safeguards information systems.
• Preparation of an improved (generic) set of Presentation slides on safeguards to target different audiences, levels and counterparts for upcoming meetings.
• Production of a Safeguards publication log to highlight areas of relevance to UN-REDD safeguards work as an internal source of planning and background information.

CompetenciesCore Values & Competencies: Integrity Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards. Professionalism Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Respect for Diversity Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. Communication: Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey concepts and approaches, both in writing and multi-media presentation forms, in a clear and persuasive style, tailored to match different audiences. Client Orientation: Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with UN-REDD Agencies, technical service providers and stakeholders.Proactive in identifying partners' needs and matching them to appropriate solutions. Team work: Ability to interact, establish and maintain effective working relations with a culturally diverse team. Education/Experience/Language requirementsEDUCATION Bachelor's degree in the areas of Social Science, Economics or Development Policy. EXPERIENCE At least 5 years of professional experience in an international organization in the field of the environment; proven professional experience in developing countries is essential. LANGUAGE Written and spoken fluency in English and Spanish are required; French is desirable. Contract type, level and durationContract type: International ICA Contract level: IICA-SP 1 Contract duration: 45 days (concluding by December 2013), expected start date: 21 October 2013 For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: http://www.unops.org/ENGLISH/WHOWENEED/CONTRACT-TYPES/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements-ICAs.aspx Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

More Info and Application