Senior Climate Change Advisor (International)

Under the overall strategic guidance of the UNDP Deputy Country Director/Programme and in close guidance from and consultation with the Country Director, the Senior Climate Change Advisor is responsible to provide strategic advice and guidance on key issues related to climate change policy and programming in India, with a specific focus on mitigation, and Adaptation. The expert analyzes the international and multilateral context, the political, social, economic and environmental trends related to climate change matters and leads policy advice, partnership building and knowledge management services related to UNDP programmes in India.
 
The Sr. Climate Change Advisor will responsible for giving overall advice and direction for key issues related to climate change policy and programming in India. The Advisor works in close collaboration with the Energy and Environment team, programme staff in other programme Units, other UN Agencies, Government officials, other technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Policy and Technical advice for UNDP CC programme strategies, with a specific focus on Mitigation and Adaptation
• Leads strategic partnerships and resource mobilization in area of climate change and energy
• Leads UNDP knowledge management activities in area of climate change and energy
• Guide and advice UNDP India Environment and Energy projects and programmes, including the GEF portfolio, and ensure stronger policy leverage from these.

Ensures high level policy advice for effective development and implementation of strategiesfocusing on achievement of the following results:

• Thorough analysis and research of the international & multilateral negotiations framework in relevant fora (mostly within UNFCCC, Kyoto and post-Kyoto negotiations), political, social, economic (including carbon markets) and environmental aspects of the climate change.
• Support to improved communication, awareness and knowledge products on climate change and energy.
• Identification of areas for further support and interventions within the area of climate change mitigation and energy.
• Keeping abreast of policy changes regarding climate change and energy related issues, including CDM and Climate Change financing, and inform senior management and Environment team.
• Participate in UN related activities such as UN Cluster on Climate Change and UN Solution Exchange Community on Climate Change. 
• Advice at high level on climate change considerations, and specifically on mitigation matters models, included their integration with the Indian development policies and strategies and/or on financing opportunities and fund-raising.
• Overviews on the best solutions related to mitigation and/or analysis and research on international Carbon markets and financial aspects of Carbon markets and Carbon exchange framework schemes.

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Undertaking advocacy to keep abreast of government of India evolving climate change and energy polices and legislation.
• Development of partnerships with key government institutions related to climate change and energy, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector, civil society based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.
• Development of regular UNDP climate change and energy briefs, statements and activity information for bilateral donors, academia, private sector and other UNDP field offices to support UNDP’s climate change and energy public awareness activities.

Ensures provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to country policy goals.
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in energy efficiency.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.

Guide and advice UNDP India Environment and Energy projects and programmes including the GEF portfolio, and ensure stronger policy leverage from these, focusing on achievement of the following results: 

• Analysis of lessons for policy and advisory from ongoing UNDP supported programmes and projects
• Analysis of ongoing and pipeline projects and identify new areas for UNDP support in Environment and Energy
• Undertake regular field visits and monitoring trips
• Strengthening UNDP programmatic approach in Environment and Energy.

Corporate Responsibility & Direction:

• Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of UNDP
  People Skills:
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others; gives credit to the contributions of others

Managing for Results:

• Plans and prioritizes work activities to meet organizational goals

Partnering & Networking:

• Builds and sustains relationships with key constituents (internal/external/ bilateral/ multilateral/public/private; civil society)

Innovation & Judgment:

• Conceptualizes and analyzes problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate
• Generates creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations
• Devises new systems and processes, and modifies existing ones, to support innovative behaviors

Communication:

• Demonstrates excellent and effective written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrates effective communication skills in a multidisciplinary working environment
• Demonstrate respect to knowledge and culture and religion in a multidisciplinary working environment

Job Knowledge & Expertise:

• Applies the required depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise to meet job demands
  Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource

• Masters Degree or higher in economics or environmental sciences or other relevant academic fields.
• At least seven (7) years of professional experience in climate change issues
• Experience in working with government, donors or UN previously is an asset
• Proven track record in policy analysis, development work in the area of climate change and related issues.
• Ability to engage in and contribute to high-level policy dialogues and advisory functions involving high level government counterparts and other stake-holders.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the global debate on climate change and experience in multilateral environmental debates and dialogues and processes.
• Experience in advising climate change and energy policy development a major asset
• Proven experience and knowledge of the Indian institutional framework and the policies of Climate Change in India is an asset
• Knowledge and experience with GEF is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English