Technical Specialist for the Department of Boquerón- Chaco, for the AbE Chaco Project – Paraguay

Result of Service

The technical Specialist will implement the agreed tasks in the PMU planning regarding the execution of the project workplan, preparation of technical documents, implementation of adaptation measures, relation with the stakeholders and beneficiaries, organization of events such as missions, workshops, and meetings, and coordination of fieldwork teams in the project intervention areas. The Specialist will also support the monitoring of the activities and the reporting of technical and budgetary execution according to the requirements of UNEP, the Adaptation Fund, and MADES. The Technical Specialist will perform the following tasks: 1. Execute the technical components of the project in coordination with the PMU and provide technical and logistical support to the PMU. 2. Execute and support the development of the activities proposed in the project document, logical framework, and planning for the fulfillment of the project objectives. 3. Strategically coordinate actions/results delivered by local technicians in the Boqueron Department. 4. Attend and coordinate actions for performing training workshops, meetings, presentations, and other events. 5. Maintain a close and continuous dialogue with the relevant stakeholders and beneficiaries of the project and communicate and monitor problems or conflicts within communities that could affect project implementation in progress reports or other documents requested by the project. 6. Collaborate with the documentation related to the project and its annexes and facilitate joint and integrated implementation and monitoring with other projects and initiatives with synergies with the project, and UNEP strategies in Paraguay in coordination with the UNEP Country Programme Officer, plan and draft reports accordingly. 7. Prepare notes, memoranda, and/or emails, communicating the status of the project to the stakeholders and beneficiaries participating in the project, in close consultation with the PMU and MADES. 8. Coordinate field trips. 9. Participate in the compliance of the agreements reached in the project agreement, the Steering Committee, and the recommendations of the Technical Support Mechanism and the Local Coordination Committees. 10. Promote and execute the project strategy, project work plan, annual and monthly plans, and activities proposed in the project document and logical framework. 11. Collaborate in the execution, mission, and procurement plans, in close consultation with the PMU towards the fulfillment of the objectives of the project. 12. Plan and prepare proposals for adaptation investment, ensuring they are cost-efficient and in line with the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Ecosystems-based Adaptation (EbA) approaches and adjust to community commitment and sustainability vision. 13. Prepare and consolidate the plans, progress reports, and results of the project, for the Steering Committee, the Technical Support Mechanism, and the Local Coordination Committee, in coordination with the Project PMU. 14. Register and systematize the agreements of the meetings and monitor them, especially the decisions related to his / her area of intervention, and keep records on shared platforms with PMU, UNEP, and MADES. 15. Provide technical insights for Terms of Reference drafting, coordinate procurement of consultants, services, and goods, and ensure compliance based on the requirements of UNEP and MADES, in close coordination with the administrative staff. 16. Keep a systematized record on shared platforms (hard and soft copies) of all the communications received from or sent to MADES, which are related to the project. 17. Prepare reports of missions and other technical activities of the project, collect the means of verification (forms, surveys, minutes, photos, videos, publication newsletter), and keep a systematized record on shared platforms. 18. Prepare training for beneficiaries on NbS and EbA and keep track of these trainings. 19. Draft the writing of reports and documents to actively communicate project progress. 20. Collaborate with the preparation or update of project manuals and guidelines. 21. Participate in the preparation of project execution and budget reports. 22. Collaborate in the data collection and systematization of products and lessons learned. 23. Provide continuous expertise to consultants hired by the project and to national and local partners in the execution of the project. 24. Provide technical feedback on technical documents, such as consultancies products. 25. Provide occasional technical expertise to DNCC in relation to the project. 26. Other activities relevant to the fulfillment of the position’s objectives.

Work Location

Asunción, Paraguay

Expected duration

12

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global Environment. UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (LACO), located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region -with a population of about 588 million people-and its activities are integrated into the Medium-Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). The office works towards the implementation of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the new Paris Agreement and the priority actions defined in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) and National Adaptation Plans (NAP) of the region. In terms of supporting countries in the region attain the global commitments signed within the framework of the Paris Agreement, the Latin America and the Caribbean UNEP Sub-programme on Climate Change aims at strengthening the ability of countries to move towards climate-resilient and low emission strategies for sustainable development and human well-being. In this framework, the UNEP Sub-programme on Climate Change, through its Climate Change Unit, leads and supports several initiatives oriented at designing, promoting and implementing innovative mitigation and adaptation solutions at the national and subnational level, and strengthening the transparency framework of the countries. The expected accomplishment regarding climate change adaptation is that adaptation approaches, including the Nature based Solutions with an ecosystem-based approach, are implemented and integrated into key sectoral and national development strategies to reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience to climate change impacts. Furthermore, the UNEP’s Sub-programme on Climate Change is also committed to ensure that cross-cutting issues such as gender equity and women empowerment are effectively integrated in the development of its tasks to guarantee an equitable development in line with its adaptation objectives. The adaptation team of the Climate Change Unit is implementing a portfolio of projects and continuously developing a pipeline of new projects, both for adaptation planning and for implementation of concrete measures, in the three subregions of the region: Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The adaptation team works in close coordination with the rest of the Climate Change Unit and regional office, UNEP regional, sub-regional and national offices in the region and worldwide, including Headquarters; other UN System Agencies, Programmes and Funds; Regional and Subregional Organizations, countries’ institutions, and national and local organizations; and donors and financing institutions such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Global Environment Facility (GEF) or the Adaptation Fund (AF). As part of this support to countries in the region, UNEP signed an agreement with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Paraguay (MADES) to implement the project “Ecosystem Based Approaches for reducing the vulnerability of food security to the impacts of climate change in the Chaco region of Paraguay” (AbE Chaco Project), with the financial contribution of the Adaptation Fund (AF). The Project started its activities in April 2019, and aims to contribute to the reduction of food security vulnerability to the effects of climate change in the following communities of the Paraguayan Chaco: i) General Díaz, ii) Cacique Sapo, iii) Pozo Hondo, iv) Jasyrendy and v) Campo Loa in the Department of Boquerón, and vi) Toro Pampa, vii) Colonia María Auxiliadora, viii) San Carlos, ix) 14 de mayo, and x) Sierra León in the Department of Alto Paraguay. The project has three components: Component 1: Knowledge management on vulnerability and resilience to climate change improved with tools and instruments to implement cost-effective adaptation measures. Component 2: Adaptive capacity in rural areas of greatest vulnerability strengthened through concrete adaptation measures favoring an ecosystem-based approach. Component 3: Capacity development and awareness to implement and upscale effective implementation of adaptation measures at national and local levels. Project´s implementation relies on a Project Management Unit (PMU), which is accountable for the technical, operative and administrative management of the project as well as for the development of activities in the field. To fulfill project´s objectives and results one (1) Technical Specialist for Chaco Department, Boquerónis required to support the PMU on the execution of the project and activities, to ensure proper implementation of the adaptation project with a focus on resilience and sustainability, considering safeguarding and gender equity, and according to UNEP, AF and MADES’s requirements. The incumbent will work within the PMU based in MADES, in close collaboration with UNEP’s Adaptation team, from Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week, full-time, and will be supervised by the Adaptation Programme Officer of UNEP’s Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Qualifications/special skills

ACADEMIC: - Bachelor´s degree in agricultural sciences (agronomy, forestry, human ecology), environmental sciences or related field is required. - Master´s degree in agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, adaptation to climate change, disaster risk management and reduction, sustainable development or related fields is desirable. PROFESSIONAL - At least 7 years of relevant work experience in Climate Change Adaptation, water management, livelihood enhancement through cattle, agroecology or apiculture programmes and projects is required. - At least 3 years of professional experience in the execution of cooperation projects in the Chaco Region of Paraguay is desirable. - Relevant experience in climate change adaptation of vulnerable communities is desirable. - Demonstrated experience in adaptation or resilience to climate change will be valued. - Demonstrated experience in agriculture, beekeeping, or livestock is an asset. - Relevant experience overseeing and monitoring social, environmental, gender and indigenous communities’ safeguards is an asset.

Languages

LANGUAGE - Fluency in Spanish is required. - Confident in Guaraní is desirable. - Confident level in English is desirable.

Additional Information

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS - Planning and organization skills - Excellent use of computer tools, Office suite and digital communication. - Sensitivity to work in situations of cultural diversity. - Negotiation skills and good interpersonal skills. - Knowledge of the integration of gender considerations in the formulation, planning, and implementation of projects. This includes designing gender-sensitive methodologies to collect and evaluate baseline data, evaluate results, and monitor project results when appropriate. - Experience facilitating/moderating community and national courses and workshops. - Ability to teamwork. - Analytical skills to understand complex situations and solve problems. - Innovation, creativity, and critical thinking. - Ability to pick up new terminology and concepts easily.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.