In Country Facilitator - Climate Action

Job Highlight

This position presents an excellent opportunity to contribute to the implementation of Zimbabwe’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the advancement of national climate action priorities. The role offers a unique platform to work closely with government institutions, international development partners, and national organisations to strengthen coordination, mobilise resources, and track progress towards Zimbabwe’s climate and development goals.

About The Project Office

WEC Background

The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio, based in Vienna, and with offices based globally is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office. The Portfolio has built strong partnerships and is effectively managing a portfolio of over 500 million USD over the last 15 years to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support. WEC effectively operationalizes partners' agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WEC’s ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

About The Group

The NDC Partnership

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition, bringing together more than 260 members, including more than 140 countries, developed and developing, and more than 110 institutions to deliver on ambitious climate action that helps achieve the Paris Agreement and drive sustainable development. Governments identify their NDC implementation priorities and the type of support that is needed to translate them into actionable policies and programs. Based on these requests, the membership offers a tailored package of expertise, technical assistance and funding. This collaborative response provides developing countries with efficient access to a wide range of resources to adapt to and mitigate climate change and foster more equitable and sustainable development. The NDC Partnership Support Unit is jointly hosted by the World Resources Institute (WRI), the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC). For this project, the Consultant will be contracted through UNOPS.

Role Purpose

The incumbent will serve as the NDC Partnership’s primary interface in the country, acting as a liaison between the Government of Zimbabwe and other members of the NDC Partnership. The role is primarily one of coordination and supportive facilitation. The In-Country Facilitator plays a critical role in ensuring the effective implementation of the NDC Partnership Support Unit’s Country Engagement process by strengthening coordination among the Support Unit, Partnership members, and the Government of Zimbabwe. Furthermore, the role is designed to support the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, through the Climate Change Management Department, in coordinating the NDC Investment Framework and leveraging technical modelling tools, such as the NDC Implementation Plan Online, to promote data-driven climate action and informed decision-making.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Coordination and communication with key stakeholders

• Ensure that communications relevant to NDC Partnership engagement are shared with relevant national, international, and local level stakeholders.
• Facilitate periodic coordination and information exchange among partners in the country, with the aim of leveraging and mobilizing their respective advantages in support of the Implementation Plan, request for support letters or equivalent instruments. To this end, usage of existing government coordination mechanisms shall be prioritized.
• Organize meetings to monitor and coordinate full operationalization of the Implementation Plan, or equivalent instruments, with stakeholders.

Operationalization of NDC Implementation Plan

• Collaborate with the NDC Partnership Support Unit and the Focal Points to manage and update the Plan in the Online Tool, ensuring information remains up to date and accessible for key stakeholders. When an Online Tool does not exist yet, support the transition to the Online Tool if the government is seeking its use.
• Identify implementing and development partners, compile and periodically update their contact details (name of focal point, email address, telephone number) and follow up with them regarding their contribution to the Implementation Plan or equivalent instrument.
• When applicable, contribute to the development of the Implementation Plan Narrative and its validation by the government.

Facilitation of NDC Implementation Plan implementation

• Create an Annual Work Plan that sets out specific goals for the facilitator role in collaboration with the Country Engagement Specialist and Focal Point.
• Collaborate with the Support Unit to document changes in the operating context and provide support to the government and stakeholders in decision-making processes and new developments with respect to the Implementation Plan, equivalent instrument and its enabling environment.

Mobilization of resources for implementation

• Support the government in following up on and mobilizing partner financing to close its support gaps to allow for NDC implementation as per the Implementation Plan or an equivalent instrument.
• Update government needs and priorities for NDC implementation. When Implementation Plans are available, these should be regularly updated.
• Work with the Support Unit to produce an overview of support gaps to make available to partners.
• Engage with partners, including at the local/subnational level, to link needs to services and resources in accordance with the Implementation Plan.
• Assist the government in coordinating with key donors, partners, and funding mechanisms on aligning country programs and projects with the needs and gaps identified in the Implementation Plan, other planning / coordination instruments, as applicable, and requests for support.
• Assist and provide guidance to International and Development Partners to align climate projects and programmatic objectives with the Implementation Plan or other support planning / coordination instruments as applicable.

Tracking of Implementation Plan and Investment Plan implementation progress

• Monitor and assess implementation of the Implementation Plan and coordinate periodic reporting of partners to the NDC Partnership.
• Prepare quarterly country update reports summarizing key insights and progress updates, challenges, and recommendations for the way forward.
• Assess progress outcomes of the NDC Partnership in-country engagement and make recommendations for adjustments.

Organize and support NDC-related meetings as needed

• If requested, facilitate national country specific multi-stakeholder NDC dialogues.
• Support the government in preparing for NDC-related events such as COPs, regional climate weeks, national events, and other convenings relevant to showcase NDC progress and generate support for implementation of the NDC.
• Organize coordination meetings between the Support Unit and the government as needed.

Required Education Requirements

Master’s degree or equivalent in public policy, development, climate change, natural resource management, environmental management, or a related field with 5 years of relevant experience or; Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience (7 total) may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Required Experience Requirements

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in the public and/or private sector with a focus on climate change, project management, stakeholder and donor engagement and/or preparation of cross-cutting workplan/proposal development or any related field.
• Experience in multilateral, national and grassroot governance and processes related to climate change, policy and/or Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).
• Knowledge of Zimbabwe’s context of policy frameworks, national plans and strategies related to climate change.

Desired

• Familiarity with UNFCCC processes including Subsidiary Body and Conference of Parties (CoP), NDC and experience on government climate change process.
• Experience working closely with the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife as well as Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion.
• Experience of other national contexts that indirectly contribute to climate change.
• Ability to foster formal and informal networks to strengthen cooperation between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders.

Key skills/competency

• Climate Action
• Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Project Management
• Resource Mobilization
• Policy Analysis
• International Development
• Zimbabwe Context
• UNOPS
• Coordination