Individual Contract (MALDIVIAN National) Coordination and Implementation Support to the One UN Joint Programme on Low Emission and Climate Resilient Development (LECReD) for UNICEF

1.  Purpose of assignment

Background

The Republic of Maldives is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its low-lying geography that makes it susceptible to flooding and inundation, and its dependence on economic activities that are sensitive to climate change, such as fishing and tourism. It is also highly dependent on imported fossil fuels for its energy supply and this represents a major source of greenhouse gas emissions for the country. Consequently, the Maldives has made significant commitments to the pursuit of a low emission climate resilient development agenda. However, ongoing decentralization reforms, fiscal crisis and low capacity at the sub-national level, mean that local planning is not reflective of national level commitments.

The 3-year UN Joint Programme, "Low Emission and Climate Resilient Development" (LECReD), responds to the United Nations Development Assistance Framework Outcome 9: "Enhanced capacities at national and local levels to support low carbon life-styles, climate change adaptation, and disaster risk reduction" and builds on the comparative strengths of United Nations Organizations including UNDP, UNICEF, UNOPS, UNFPA, UN WOMEN, WHO and FAO. The programme is innovative and represents a pioneering initiative of bringing together the wealth of diverse development-oriented expertise from these United Nations Organizations with equally diverse national and local partners to address this multi-faceted development challenge. 

The programme will assist the Laamu Atoll and its islands to realize low emission and climate resilient development (LECReD). The programme seeks to mainstream LECReD issues into local level development planning and service delivery for greater community-level ownership and sustainability of programme benefits. The aim is that the local development plans will evolve from stand-alone action plans into more strategic and evidence-based instruments, which are climate smart and able to mobilize public and private investment. This programme will be closely linked to the existing national development planning cycle and will build capacity of local and national partners engaged in these local processes. The rationale being that lessons learned will be used to inform replication throughout the country and directly support the national agenda. Towards this objective, the programme will support local councils, civil society, private sector and other local stakeholders to establish platforms for stronger partnerships, improved coordination, and enhanced participation in local planning for LECReD; it will strengthen data and knowledge systems for LECReD; improve local level LECReD development planning and management of service delivery; and through a learning-by-doing approach establish early lessons and build demand for LECReD planning and management for replication and scaling-up.

2.  What is the basic project objective to which the consultancy is related

Management and implementation of UNICEF LECReD activities that include emergency preparedness, disaster risk reduction and management and building resilience in Laamu Atoll.

1. Duty station

Male', with frequent travel to L. Atoll islands.

1. Supervisor 

UNICEF Focal Point for LECReD / Comminication for Development Officer

5.  Major tasks to be accomplished (estimate the time required to complete each task)

Provide support to implement UNICEF LECReD activities with the other participating UN organizations and relevant stakeholders in the following areas:

·  Support the effective implementation of the UNICEF LECReD activities undertaken by partners to ensure timely delivery of resources and results

·  Knowledge management of all ouputs prepared under the activities including progress reports, images/videos, budgets, evaluations and so forth

·  Liaising and coordinating with the UN LECReD Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) on UNICEF's activities

·  Coordinating with relevant Government and non-governmental implementing partners to ensure that expected outputs are delivered in a timely manner

·  Assistance in preparations for the Programme Board, Programme Technical Committee, UN Technical Group, programme reviews at mid-year and year-end and evaluation meetings to ensure informed and supported decision making; including follow-up on the implementation of the PB decisions and recommendations into UNICEF activities

·  Under the guidance of the supervisor, contribute to the preparation of joint planning of activities and ensure timely allocation and utilization of resources through approved budgets and with observance of appropriate financial and budget controls and expenditure

·  Assistance in monitoring of activities being implemented with partners in liaison with UNICEF MCO, the PCU and Atoll/Island Councils and produce regular monitoring reports

Suppport to  NDMC

·  Prepare progress reports, support development of financial documents  and  other  support  documents for  the implementation  of  the  UNICEF  activities

·  Liase and  coordinate  with  government  stakeholders  and  local councils in  implementing  the  joint  workplan

·  Preparation  of  Technical  documents  ,  concept  notes  and  guidelines in  implementing  the  joint  workplan

·  Support in the planning and review of activities (including follow-up activities) to be implemented under NDMC-UNICEF work plan

6.  Key deliverables at the end of the contract

·  Strategic partnerships created and sustained

·  Set results and resource implementation targets reached

·  Set targets at national and community levels effectively and efficiently implemented

7.  Key results

The consultancy will contribute to achieve the following UNICEF results of the LECReD programme:

·  Strengthened participation, coordination and partnership for local planning and action on resilience

·  Improved local level management and implementation of disaster risk reduction and enhancing resilience

·  Practical local experience in LECReD's interventions leading to learning, skill building and promoting replication

1.  Estimated duration of contract and deadline for submission of end-product

Duration: 10 months

2.  Official travel involved (itinerary and duration)

Frequent travel to Laamu Atoll

3.  Qualifications or specialized knowledge and/or experience required

Qualifications:

·  Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in Science, Social Science with specialized fields in Environmental/Natural Resource Management, Climate Change, Disaster Reduction, International Studies and/or Development Studies

·  Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in relevant areas of work on environment and climate change would be an advantage

·  Hands-on experience in working with island communities would be an advantage

• Satisfactorily knowledge of environment, natural resource management and climate change issues globally, regionally and at the national level
• Good knowledge of development issues in Maldives
• Hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects
• Proven experience in doing analytical work, doing research and writing
• Ability to manage, inspire and effectively work within a team
• Candidates with previous work experience with UN agencies will be an added advantage
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages, experience in handling web based management systems

·  Good communication skills both oral and written