Junior Professional Officer Program (JPO)

Transcription

1 Junior Professional Officer Program (JPO) General Information Title: Agency: Unit: Country and Duty Station: Duration: Junior Professional Officer, Climate Adaptation Analyst WORLD BANK GROUP Adaptation Fund Board Secretariat Washington, D.C. 1 year with possibility of extension for another Please note that for participants of the JPO-Programme two years work experience are mandatory! Relevant internships may be counted after the Bachelor s Degree. Background information on the Adaptation Fund Board and its secretariat The Adaptation Fund is an innovative financing mechanism set up by the Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), with the purpose of financing concrete climate change adaptation projects and programmes in developing country Parties. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Secretariat, construed for administrative purposes as a Vice Presidential Unit (VPU) within the World Bank (the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development), has approximately 100 professional and administrative and client support staff. At the request of the COP, the GEF is providing secretariat services to the Adaptation Fund Board (the Board) on an interim basis, through a dedicated team. Since becoming fully operational in 2010, the Board has approved 66 concrete climate change adaptation projects/programmes in both individual countries and regionally, for a total funding amount of US $437 million. Recently, this figure has been increasing rapidly. Among international climate funds, the Adaptation Fund was the first to enable direct access by developing country national organizations to its resources. In order to gain direct access, the organization has to go through a rigorous accreditation process in which its fiduciary practices, project supervision capacity, transparency-related policies and safeguards arrangements are 1

2 assessed by an independent expert team. Since operationalized by the Adaptation Fund in 2010, direct access has been adopted by also other funds like the Green Climate Fund. At the 22nd COP of the UNFCCC in Marrakech, Morocco, in 2016, Parties decided that the Adaptation Fund should serve the landmark Paris Agreement reached a year earlier, subject to finalization of a process that is currently underway. During 2016 and 2017, the Adaptation Fund Board has elaborated a draft medium term strategy that is expected to continue the Fund s focus on concrete adaptation action implemented through high-quality projects but with added emphasis on innovation and learning/knowledge management. The Adaptation Fund Board Secretariat is based in Washington, D.C., the United States. Its many roles include, in particular: As a dedicated team of officials, provide secretariat services to the Board in a functionally independent and effective manner; Manage the daily operations of the Fund and report to the Board; Assist the Board in developing strategies, policies and guidelines for the Fund; Ensure timely implementation of the decisions of the Board; With respect to the day to day functioning of the Fund, act as liaison between the Board and Parties and implementing and executing entities; Make arrangements for the meetings of the Board, including issuance of invitations and preparation of documents and reports of meetings, and provide a secretary of the Board meeting; Develop the work programme and annual administrative budget of the Fund and submit them for approval by the Board; Ensure the implementation of the operational policies and guidelines of the Fund developed by the Board through, inter alia, the development of a project cycle based on criteria to be adopted by the Board; Operationalize the project cycle by: o Undertaking initial review and screening of project proposals to assess conformity with guidelines approved by the Board; o Presenting project proposals for Board approval; o Monitoring implementation of progress; o Periodically reporting to the Board on portfolio performance; Coordinate the formulation and monitor the implementation of projects, ensuring liaison with other bodies as required; Liaise, as appropriate, with the secretariats of other relevant international bodies; Provide the trustee with all relevant information to enable it to carry out its responsibilities; Provide services to ensure and facilitate proper communication with Parties; Perform any other functions assigned to it by the Board. 2

3 Why is a JPO requested/needed? A Junior Professional Officer is needed to help turn the medium-term strategy into action. This would involve assisting in the development of the strategic action plan and in specific areas of its implementation, as well as other duties. - Assisting the Manager of the secretariat in developing and operationalizing the strategic action plan based on the medium-term strategy; - Working under the supervision of Manager to operationalize the strategic focus on innovation: how the Fund could best support rolling out and scaling up innovative approaches in climate change adaptation, and compiling evidence base; - Working closely with the recently hired Knowledge Management Officer to implement the knowledge management action plan and to turn the medium-term strategic focus on learning and sharing of knowledge into action, including through networking with other adaptation bodies to promote knowledge sharing in the evolving adaptation landscape and promoted the Adaptation Fund s visibility and impact in this landscape; - Together with the Manager of the secretariat, exploring partnerships and resource mobilization with the private sector as well as subnational entities; - Contributing to other duties of the secretariat, such as review of project proposals and project reports, implementing activities of the readiness programme for climate finance, and building partnerships with other funds; - Supporting the Manager in preparing operational guidelines and tools, documents and other assignments as requested by the Board at its meetings; and - Performing any other task as required by the Manager of the Secretariat. Direct supervision Title of supervisor: Unit of supervisor: Manager Adaptation Fund Board Secretariat Content and methodology of the supervision General objectives, desired results, timeframes, and anticipated opportunities and challenges are to be discussed in advance with the incumbent. An annual work programme will be developed in collaboration with the incumbent, which will be linked to and integrated within the annual AFB Secretariat work programme cycle. The JPO s work programme will identify a limited number of Goals, with for each key related Actions and success criteria. The progress with the implementation of this work programme will be monitored by the supervisor through the regular review of activities as well as the outputs and deliverables. The incumbent is expected to carry out the duties in an independent manner, and to consult with the supervisor on issues of policy or other sensitive matters. The final results of each set of activities are reviewed to determine whether objectives were attained and to ensure that the work is of an acceptable quality. Duties, Responsibilities and Output Expectations Under the supervision of the Manager of the Adaptation Fund Board Secretariat, the JPO will: Assist the Manager of the secretariat in developing and operationalizing the strategic action plan based on the medium-term strategy: 3

4 Work under the supervision of Manager to operationalize the strategic focus on innovation: how the Fund could best support rolling out and scaling up innovative approaches in climate change adaptation, and compiling evidence base; Work closely with the recently hired Knowledge Management Officer to implement the knowledge management action plan and to turn the medium-term strategic focus on learning and sharing of knowledge into action, including through networking with other adaptation bodies to promote knowledge sharing in the evolving adaptation landscape and promoted the Adaptation Fund s visibility and impact in this landscape; Together with the Manager of the secretariat, explore partnerships (e.g. OECD Research Collaborative, ) and resource mobilization with the private sector as well as subnational entities; Contribute to other duties of the secretariat, such as review of project proposals and project reports, implement activities of the readiness programme for climate finance, and build partnerships with other funds; Support the Manager in preparing operational guidelines and tools, documents and other assignments as requested by the Board at its meetings; and Perform any other task as required by the Manager of the Secretariat. Travel As opportunities arise and pending the availability of funding, the following travel is expected to take place: Supporting the meetings of the Board in Germany; Participating in meetings of the UNFCCC COP and/or its subsidiary bodies; Meetings of other climate funds; Attending technical and scientific meetings related to climate change adaptation; Portfolio monitoring missions; Meetings of the readiness programme. Training and Learning Elements This assignment would involve on-the-job learning related to the UNFCCC, the Adaptation Fund, other Multilateral Environmental Agreements and the World Bank. Working at the Adaptation Fund Board Secretariat, the incumbent would have an overall view to the operations of an international climate funds, including the groundbreaking direct access modality. There would be frequent contact with national, regional and multilateral implementing entities, and staff of the UNFCCC secretariat as well as other climate funds as well as representatives of donor and recipient governments. The JPO would work in a stimulating and multicultural environment. The JPO would be provided with on-the-job training on the UNFCCC and the Fund, climate change adaptation and related issues, both within the Secretariat and through various meetings. Her/his responsibilities and autonomy would be gradually increased as his/her understanding of the UNFCCC and the Fund, familiarity with the post, and insight of the needs of Fund and its partners grows. She/he would also be eligible for language training at the World Bank in Washington, D.C. 4

5 Qualifications: Master s degree or higher in natural resources management, environmental science, ecology, social policy, economics or other field relevant to adaptation to climate change. Experience with adaptation to climate change in developing country setting would be very advantageous; as well as experience or engagement with international organizations. Knowledge of the Adaptation Fund would be an asset. Skills: An excellent command of English is required, preferably coupled with a working knowledge of French and/or Spanish. The JPO should have technical skills related to adaptation to climate change or a related field and a good knowledge of basic office IT tools. Working in a small intercultural team, excellent inter-personal skills are essential. Working experience: Two to four years, preferably at the international level, in a post requiring expertise in climate change. Work experience outside the candidate s country of origin and in particular in developing countries would be a distinct advantage. Competencies Communication, teamwork, planning & organization, accountability, creativity, client orientation and commitment to continuous learning. Living conditions at duty station The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area provides excellent living conditions for those who come from abroad to work at the World Bank or other organizations. Bitte senden Sie Ihre Bewerbung direkt an das Büro Führungskräfte zu Internationalen Organisationen (BFIO). Bewerbungsformalitäten unter Stichwort: Junior Professional Officer (JPO) 5