Climate change specialist (adaptation)

Background

"If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, he/she will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3 year renewable co terminous term appointment."

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a multilateral financial mechanism created in 1991 to forge international cooperation and to provide grant and concessional funds to recipient countries for projects and activities that address biodiversity loss, climate change, degradation of international waters, land degradation, ozone depletion and persistent organic pollutants within the framework of sustainable development. GEF is open to universal membership, and currently 178 countries are members.

GEF is the designated financial mechanism for three international conventions: the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). GEF financing also supports countries to meet the objectives of the Convention to Combat Desertification.

The GEF is administratively supported by, but is functionally independent of, the World Bank.

At the Seventh session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the GEF, as the financial mechanism of the Convention, was requested to operate two new funds related to the UNFCCC, the Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF) and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF).

In May 2002, the GEF Council approved the arrangements for the establishment of the New Climate Change funds. The World Bank acts as Trustee for the new funds. The LDCF/SCCF Council oversees the policies and the operations of the trust funds and approves the administrative budget of the funds.

The LDCF and the SCCF are kept separate from the GEF Trust Fund both for purposes of operations and charging administrative costs incurred in connection with managing the fund.

The GEF Secretariat is responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of the decisions of the Council and the Conference of the Parties regarding the funds; formulation of operational policies; review and processing of projects for CEO and Council approval; management of the portfolio of LDCF and SCCF projects; coordination with the Implementing Agencies, the Trustee and the Convention Secretariat; and reporting to the Council and the Convention.

This position is to directly assist the coordinator of the Adaptation program at the GEF in supervising the activities of the Least Developed Countries Fund.

Duties and Accountabilities

In addition to the general accountabilities listed above, the Climate Change Adaptation Specialist (LDCF) will have the following duties:

1. Prepare papers, documents and assist in other assignments as requested by the LDCF/SCCF Council in organizing LDCF/SCCF Council meetings;

2. Prepare operational guidelines and tools taking into account COP guidance to the GEF with respect to the National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) and their implementation under the LDCF;

3. Promote regular and informed communication between the Least Developed Countries (LDC) parties, the UNFCCC Secretariat, and the GEF Secretariat;

4. Participate in the review of project proposals according to the LDCF project review criteria, as defined by the COP and agreed by the LDCF/SCCF Council. This will include provision of guidance on the development of project proposals; assistance in the monitoring of project implementation performance; and maintaining overview of portfolio coverage;

5. Monitor status of a multi-agency portfolio of adaptation projects funded under the LDCF; support development of appropriate indicators for adaptation projects; and document best practices and lessons so as to contribute to the preparation of LDCF policies and guidelines for the implementation of adaptation measures under these fund;

6. Monitor the evolving guidance of the COP to GEF Secretariat with respect to the LDCF and prepare papers in response to that guidance to be submitted for approval to the LDCF/SCCF Council;

7. Assist with relations with organizations in new sectors to be addressed by the funds such as disaster management, health, agriculture, water resources and insurance, should it be requested by the COP and LDCF/SCCF Council;

8. Assist in preparing regular reports to the COP on the operations of the LDCF;

9. Undertake other duties as required.

Selection Criteria

1. Advanced degree with at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in natural resources management/environmental sciences, environmental and agronomist engineering or other relevant discipline;

2. Excellent oral and written communications skills in English; knowledge of other languages would be desirable;

3. Strong organization and presentation skills;

4. Knowledge of the technical, scientific and political aspects of climate change and adaptation;

5. High degree of motivation, initiative, flexibility, reliability, and responsiveness to changing demands;

6. Experience in operations in developing countries;

7. Experience in dealing with a range of stakeholders such as governments, international organizations, development agencies, scientific and technical bodies, developing country counterparts, NGOs, and indigenous people;

8. Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural team environment in a collaborative and constructive way;

9. An understanding of UNFCCC and GEF policies and operations, and in particular direct experience in preparing and implementing National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) would be a clear advantage.

The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.