Technical Assistant for Community Initiatives for Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and Adaptation to Climate Change

• Country: Bogota, Colombia
• No of vacancies: N/A
  
• Salary: N/A 
• Organization: UNDP
• Gender: Both
• Deadline: 2024-01-12

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work

In accordance with the rules and procedures, the Technical Assistant for community initiatives for the sustainable use of biodiversity and adaptation to climate change performs the following functions:

Generates technical and improvement support:

• Organize, under the direction of the Project Manager, the work plan under your responsibility and be responsible for its compliance.
• Compile and organize the information required for the formulation and implementation of strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and adaptation to climate change.
• Guide and support the technical group in the preparation of a proposal for Georeferencing and characterization and monitoring of the initiatives that are implemented and/or strengthened
• Manage and support the process of participation, consultation and capacity building with local communities and organizations.
• Participate in dialogues with national, regional and local actors involved in the project, in agreement with the project coordinator and prepare technical contributions for the development of these dialogues.
• Support local management and convening of activities programmed with local communities and organizations, to the NaturalPaz, Climate Promise and Restoring Hope projects, programmed in the area.
• Advance and monitor the processes of implementation of direct actions, with local communities and organizations (identification, negotiation, subscription and monitoring of ASVB)
• Manage and lead (in logistical, operational, administrative and technical terms), the spaces for consultation and negotiation of the actions to be implemented within the framework of the project.
• Support the preparation of results reports, presentations, progress reports of the project in the area, to document the progress and evolution of the activities of formulation and implementation of strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and strengthening the capacities of organizations. community based.
• Serve as a link for communication between the communities and the technical team of the project located in Bogotá
• Support capacity-building spaces in environmental compensation mechanisms.
• Identify opportunities for cooperation of the project with other initiatives that are implemented in the territory
• Carry out the procedures that guarantee the proper implementation of the project, the activities with the project team and the other UNDP territorial teams in the area, including all processes for contracting goods and services, contractual processes, payments and reports that arise from the execution of project activities.
• Accompany communities and UNDP in the analysis of potential green business opportunities with due compliance with environmental and social safeguards and a fair and equitable distribution of benefits.

Assists Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting actions:

• Support the execution of the Monitoring and Evaluation strategy, in coordination with national biodiversity conservation professionals, for the measurement of impacts and results, consolidating information to monitor the critical variables of the project.
• Guide the georeferencing activities of the initiatives that are implemented and/or strengthened, aiming to ensure compliance both in terms of timing and in the capture and registration of agreed aspects.
• Assist the coordination in the regular monitoring and monitoring of risks and mitigation measures, to achieve the expected results in accordance with the standards and procedures of the UNDP and the counterpart.
• Provide information and/or prepare required reports on agreed dates, including technical reports
• Support the process of analysis of lessons learned, good practices and knowledge management.

Accompanies and supports the functions of the coordination:

• Provides information to prepare management reports and technical documents in the periodicity and punctuality required by the national coordinator, providing truthful and quality information.
• Prepares and maintains an updated database with georeferenced and characterized reports of the initiatives that are implemented and/or strengthened, contributing to the analyzes and documents that are required.
• Participate in meetings and activities defined by the National Coordinator following the rules and procedures established by the UNDP office in Colombia.
• Carry out the administrative and operational activities required by UNDP and the project as part of the execution of the contract, taking into account UNDP procedures, guaranteeing efficient and effective management and execution in the implementation of contractual agreements.

The incumbent performs other duties within his or her functional profile that are deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Agreement

The Technical Assistant for community initiatives for the sustainable use of biodiversity and adaptation to climate change will report to the project coordinator.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Results Achievement:

LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, and delivers quality work on time

Innovative Thinking:

LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, pragmatic in problem solving, makes improvements

Continuous learning:

LEVEL 1: Open and curious mind, share knowledge, learn from mistakes, ask for feedback

Adapt with agility:

LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with determination:

LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, is able to act calmly in the face of adversity, has self-confidence

Commitment and partnership:

LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, establishes positive relationships

Promotes diversity and inclusion:

LEVEL 1: Appreciates/respects differences, is aware of unconscious biases, confronts discrimination

Multifunctional and technical skills

 Design of Collective Intelligence:

• Ability to bring together diverse groups of people, data, information or ideas, and technology to design services or solutions

Negotiation and influence:

• Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions through compromise, and create win-win situations

Association Management:

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with broad networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others, in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Integration within the UN:

• Ability to identify and integrate the capacity and assets of the UN system, and participate in joint work; knowledge of the UN system and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic or practical situations

Nature, Climate and Energy :

• Climate and forests: reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation 
• Ecosystems and biodiversity: access and participation in the benefits of biological diversity, land, forests and oceans

Communication:

• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and unambiguously through both written and verbal communication; to adapt messages and choose communication methods based on the audience
• Ability to manage internal and external communications, through the media, social networks and other appropriate channels

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum academic education required

• Secondary education (Bachelor’s Degree) is required.
• University degree (Bachelor’s Level) in environmental engineering, environmental administration, biological sciences, ecology, forestry, environmental, agricultural engineering. Social, political and human sciences will be considered favorably, but is not a requirement.

Minimum years of relevant work experience

Minimum 5 years (with Secondary Education) or 2 years (with Bachelor’s Degree) of relevant experience in biodiversity conservation issues with local communities, climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives, and sustainable forest management. 

Required skills

• Experience in work related to the institutional, political and social situation of Guaviare, and in general the regional dynamics of the Amazon in Colombia will be an advantage.
• Practical experience with training and capacity building activities will be an advantage.
• Collaborative work approach and strong teamwork skills;
• Experience working inclusively and collaboratively with a variety of partners, including grassroots community members, peasant, indigenous and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels will be an advantage.
• Experience working effectively in a multicultural team of international and national staff will be an advantage;
• Motivated, ability to work with minimal supervision; Ability to work to tight deadlines.

Desired skills

• Experience in environmental compensation projects, adaptation to climate change, conservation, ecological restoration and sustainable uses of biodiversity
• Experience in community work, preferably with indigenous, peasant and peace signatory communities
• Experience in work related to the institutional, political and social situation of Guaviare, and in general the regional dynamics of the Amazon in Colombia
• Experience working inclusively and collaboratively with a variety of partners, including grassroots community members, peasant, indigenous and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels
• Practical experience with training and capacity development activities

Required language(s)

• Fluency in Spanish is required.

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