UNDP Country Offices are receiving an increasing number of national requests for assistance with understanding the implications of climate change on national development and preparing integrated strategies and plans to manage anticipated challenges and opportunities. UNDP has played an important role assisting countries to access and deliver climate change financing, as implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), joint manager of the National Communications Support Programme and by delivering initiatives like MDG Carbon, Capacity Development for Policy Makers, the MDG Achievement Fund, Africa Adaptation Programme, CC-DARE, UN REDD, Carbon Neutral and Climate Resilient Territories, and the 2007 Human Development Report on climate change (activities totaling more than 220 million USD in catalytic funding). Yet at the same time, UNDP must further strengthen its climate change policy advisory capacity.
In light of the increasing urgency of climate change responses in every programme country, UNDP has invested in strengthening its climate change services to all countries, in particular to Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Up to 26 Policy Specialists (Climate Change) at the national level have been recruited so far to supplement existing Country Office staff capacity on climate change. The Policy Specialists seeks to strengthen UNDPs climate policy capacity, improve coherence within UNDP and the wider UNCT, and promote strategic engagement on key climate issues for UNDP. They also develop relevant Climate Change project proposals, documents and support programme delivery and resources mobilization. The Policy Specialists are fully integrated in the community of practice of climate change advisors and experts already working at national, regional and HQ levels. In addition to their integration into the respective CO structure, the Policy Specialists work under the technical guidance of the Regional Service Centre EE Practice Leader.
The work of UNDPs environment portfolio (mostly funded by GEF) in Timor-Leste is guided by three key strategic outputs, which in turn serve to guide its planning framework:
- (i) Supporting the Government of Timor-Leste in responding to obligations under the Multilateral Environmental agreements, particularly under the UN conventions to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), for Biological Diversity (UNCBD) and on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The development of action plans and strategies will support the Government in developing capacity and support strategic planning in the relevant sectors;
- (ii) Mainstreaming environment into policy development and national planning, ensuring that environmental considerations are reflected in relevant legislation and regulation thus supporting the government in its efforts towards sustainable development;
- (iii) Providing access to sustainable energy to vulnerable communities, improving the quality of life of Timor-Leste’s most isolated communities and allowing for the development of new income generating activities.
Location: Dili, Timor Leste
Application deadline: 23-May-14
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