In Country Facilitator - Yemen

Job Highlight

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and climate action on a national level. The position offers a unique opportunity to work with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government officials, international partners, and local organizations, to mobilize resources and track progress towards climate 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 250 members, including more than 130 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 interface in the country and operate as a liaison between the country and other NDC Partnership members. The role is one of coordination and supportive facilitation. They play a key role in ensuring the smooth implementation of the Country Engagement Process, by supporting ongoing coordination efforts between the Support Unit of the NDC Partnership, the various partners of the Partnership, and the government of Yemen.

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 or equivalent instrument. To this end, usage of existing government coordination mechanisms shall be prioritized.
• Organize meetings to monitor and coordinate the implementation of the Implementation Plan, or equivalent instrument, with stakeholders.
• Coordinate NDC development with related processes, including LT-LEDs, NAP, the Fourth National Communication, Sendai Framework, and other ongoing initiatives such as vulnerability studies.
• Support the implementation of the private sector engagement strategy to foster public-private partnerships and catalyze private investment in climate-resilient infrastructure.
• Support the implementation plan through collection of qualitative and quantitative data from the various stakeholders to supplement the NDC related documents and studies.

Operationalization of NDC Implementation Plan

• Collaborate with the NDC Partnership Support Unit and Focal Points to manage and update the Plan in the Online Tool, ensuring information remains up to date and accessible.
• 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.

Operationalization of NDC Implementation Plan and Country Programming

• Collaborate with the NDC Partnership Support Unit and Focal Points to manage and update the Plan in the Online Tool, ensuring information remains up to date and accessible.
• Contribute to the Country Programming and the National Climate Platform, ensuring strategic alignment between national priorities (NDC 3.0) and international support frameworks.
• Under the supervision of CCU, Co-lead the climate readiness needs assessment and other baseline assessments required to inform country climate programming and institutional strengthening.
• Identify implementing and development partners, compile contact details, and follow up regarding their contribution to the Implementation Plan or equivalent instrument.

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.

Facilitation of NDC Implementation and Technical Advisory

• Provide technical knowledge and foundational expertise across climate change sub-sectors within the country (mitigation and adaptation) to ensure national plans are aligned with objectives of the national priorities.

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.
• Support the development of priority projects within the national pipeline, with a specific focus on accessing vertical funds (GCF, AF, GEF) through high-quality proposal design.

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.
• Support the Climate Change Unit (CCU) in monitoring and overseeing ongoing climate change projects, ensuring technical alignment with national goals and effective coordination between the CCU and external partners.
• Support the CCU in development, maintenance and operation of the MRV system.
• Support the CCU in development and improvement of the GHG National Inventory through coordinating better data collection, as well as strengthening the national capacity of different sectors to collect GHG data.

Organize and support NDC-related meetings as needed

• If requested, facilitate national country specific multi-stakeholder NDC dialogues and workshops with government, private sector, and civil society.
• 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.
• Contribute to other national and international meetings as a part of the national team as requested by the CCU.

Required Education Requirements

An advanced degree (master's or higher) or equivalent in public policy, development, climate change, natural resource management, environmental management, or any other relevant field of study with at least 5 years of relevant experience. Bachelor's degree in related discipline with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience (7 total) may be accepted in lieu an advanced university degree.

Desired Education Requirements

Specialized coursework or research focused on Climate Mitigation/Adaptation strategies or International Climate Negotiations is highly desirable. Experience or knowledge in climate finance public finance for climate action or development policy in fragile or conflict affected contexts is considered an advantage. Prior experience or applied research related to UNFCCC processes, Nationally Determined Contributions or national climate planning and implementation instruments is desirable.

Required Experience Requirements

A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in climate change policy programming project or programme coordination, stakeholder coordination, donor engagement or development of cross sectoral workplans and proposal development or any related field is required. Experience working with government institutions development partners or international and national climate or development programmes as well as proven ability to coordinate multi stakeholder processes across institutions. Experience in facilitating coordination across government and/or development partners related to climate policy and processes related to Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) or other climate planning instruments (e.g., NAP, LT-LEDS). Knowledge of the country’s context of policy frameworks, national plans and strategies related to climate change is required.

Desired Experience Requirements

Technical Command of Climate Fundamentals: Deep technical understanding of climate change pillars, including mitigation strategies, adaptation and resilience-building, and the Means of Implementation (climate finance and investment, technology transfer, and capacity building). Demonstrated technical experience applying climate change fundamentals across mitigation, adaptation, and Means of Implementation, evidenced through direct involvement in the design, implementation, or review of climate policies, programmes, or projects, including climate finance and investment initiatives, technology deployment, or capacity-building activities.

Key skills/competency

• Climate Change Policy
• Stakeholder Coordination
• Project Implementation
• Resource Mobilization
• NDC Partnership
• Government Liaison
• UNFCCC Processes
• Data Collection
• Reporting
• Environmental Management