NDC Partnership In-Country Facilitator – St. Lucia (Partnerships Specialist) – Retainer Homebased

The incumbent will support the Ministry of Education, Sustainable Development, Innovation, Science, Technology and Vocational Training. He/she will be responsible for strengthening national coordination in terms of resource mobilization and monitoring the implementation of the NDC. He/she will support the focal point of the Partnership in his daily tasks of implementing the NDC and other forms of support for the NDC implementation.

The embedded facilitator will implement all tasks under the direct supervision of the NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist and will work in close collaboration with the different ministerial offices. He/she will need to use his/her own laptop and software. This is a retainer national vacancy / position for twelve 12 months, maximum of 220 working days, with the possibility of an extension for two additional years depending on performance and the availability of funds.

The following responsibilities are part of the embedded incumbent role:

Coordination and communication with key stakeholders

1. Lead the monthly (as needed) and quarterly update and circulation of the NDC Partnership Plan, in consultation with sectoral agencies, to reflect new and ongoing actions across the country that contribute to the achievement of the NDC.
2. Support the Department of Sustainable Development (DSD) with coordination across key stakeholders to maximize synergies, minimize duplication, and mobilize support for identified needs and gaps for successful NDC implementation. This task should include tools/tracking instruments, stakeholder role definition and multi-stakeholder dialogues, including the NDC Support Team, private sector and civil society organizations within specific sectors or on a particular topic and with implementing and development partners.
3. Support the drafting and review of concept notes, proposals and request for support letters, in consultation with the DSD and sectoral agencies, as aligned to the commitments of the NDC.
4. Organize meetings to monitor and coordinate the implementation of the Partnership Plan, or equivalent instrument, with stakeholders. 
5. Support the integration of the NDC Partnership support leveraging process into the existing climate change, climate finance and/or NDC coordination mechanisms identified by the Government and provide services to strengthen coordination as needed.
6. Provide a supporting role for the DSD in its efforts towards the development of a low carbon, climate-resilient Long-Term Strategy.
7. Provide a supporting role for the DSD in its efforts towards the revision of its NDC, as appropriate.

Operationalization of NDC Partnership Plan

1. Collaborate with the NDC Partnership Support Unit and the Focal Points to manage and update the Plan in the Online Partnership Plan Tool, ensuring information remains up to date and accessible for key stakeholders. 
2. Assist the NDC Focal Point with implementation of the NDC Financing and Implementation Strategies, paying attention to the “Indicative Sequencing of Implementation Actions and Targets” of the Strategy.
3. 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 partnership plan or equivalent instrument.
4. Assess major projects under implementation across Government of St. Lucia (GOSL) agencies and other stakeholders to ensure NDC alignment (factoring in gender, youth and children); and provide an assessment report to reflect gaps, needs and recommendations.
5. When applicable, contribute to the development of the Partnership Plan Narrative and its validation by the government.

Facilitation of NDC Partnership Plan implementation 

1. 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 Partnership Plan, equivalent instrument and its enabling environment.

Mobilization of resources for implementation 

1. Support the government in following up on and mobilizing partner financing to close its support gaps to allow for NDC implementation as per the Partnership Plan or an equivalent instrument.
2. Update government needs and priorities for NDC implementation. When Partnership Plans are available, these should be regularly updated.
3. Follow the NDC Partnership process to remain abreast of opportunities to mobilize partner support for the needs and priorities reflected in the NDC Partnership Plan, in collaboration with the Climate Finance Access Network Manager and the National Designated Authority (NDA).
4. Lead the engagement of, and interaction with development and funding partners, from the NDC Partnership, towards the identification of partnership opportunities in priority NDC areas, as identified by the DSD and the NDC Partnership Plan. Assist and provide guidance to International and Development Partners to align climate projects and programmatic objectives with the Partnership Plan or other support planning / coordination instruments as applicable.
5. Design and implement a capacity building plan, for identified stakeholders, aimed at providing training for the identification, understanding and participation in key calls for project submissions and funding opportunities from a minimum of three (3) international, regional and local funding sources, per year to support NDC implementation.

Tracking of Partnership Plan and Investment Plan implementation progress 

1. Monitor and assess the implementation of Saint Lucia’s NDC Partnership Plan, its contribution and impacts to NDC implementation and enhancement, and coordinate periodic reporting to the NDC Partnership.
2. Prepare quarterly country update reports summarizing key insights and progress updates, challenges, and recommendations for the way forward.
3. Assess progress outcomes of the NDC Partnership in-country engagement and make recommendations for adjustments.
4. Ensure that NDC related actions are reflected in the MRV Portal of the DSD.
5. Support the DSD in coordination of stakeholders for the meetings and other engagements of the National Climate Change Committee (NCCC) to review and track progress of NDC Implementation.
6. Organize and support NDC-related meetings as needed 
7.  Participate and represent the DSD at national, regional and international meetings or provide technical support to senior personnel in attendance on issues related to the NDC in relevant meetings as indicated by the DSD, including, but not limited to those organized within the OECS-C, NDC Partnership, NDA to the GCF, CARICOM and the UNFCCC. 
8. Assist the NDC Focal Point in the drafting of technical background briefs and national statements, on issues related to the NDC and Climate Change, for high-level addresses and meetings. Organize coordination meetings between the Support Unit and the government as needed.

Knowledge and Learning

1. Collaborate with the NDC Partnership Support Unit (Knowledge and Learning team) and other partners’ knowledge learning platforms to document success stories and organize learning events as appropriate, including both contributing to and accessing knowledge products.
2. Assist DSD in the design of contents for the Saint Lucia Biannual NDC Newsletter.

• A master’s degree preferably in public policy, development, climate change, natural resource management, environmental management, business administration, social sciences, and any other relevant field of study. 

• Bachelor’s degree in related discipline with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience (7 total) may be accepted instead of an advanced university degree.

Experience

Required

• At least 5 years’ experience in 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/or grassroot governance and processes related to climate change, policy and/or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) is required. 

• Knowledge of the country’s context of policy frameworks, national plans and strategies related to climate change is required.

Asset 

• Familiarity with UNFCCC processes including Subsidiary Body and Conference of Parties (CoP), NDC and past experience on government climate change process. 

• Experience in facilitating the implementation of NDCs is an asset.

• Experience of other national contexts that indirectly contribute to climate change is desirable.

• Ability to foster formal and informal networks to strengthen cooperation between agencies, including Government, private sector participants, NGOs and other stakeholders.

Language
Proficiency in English is required.

* This is a Homebased position, meaning that the incumbent will not work from a UNOPS office but from the government facilities. Therefore, the incumbent will need to use his/her own laptop and software.
** As this is a Local Position, in order to be eligible, the incumbent should be a national of St. Lucia or have a valid residence permit in the Country.  

*** Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.