Global Chief Technical Advisor, GCF EW4All Multi-Country Project [Open to all applicants]

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. The Crisis Bureau (CB) guides UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response and recovery. The Bureau has the responsibility for support to prevention, crisis response, resilience and recovery work under the auspices of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. As part of the Global Policy Network (GPN), the Crisis Bureau works in an integrated manner with UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) ensuring that issues are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes.

The UN Global Early Warnings for All Initiative spearheaded by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to ensure everyone on Earth is protected from hazardous weather, water, or climate events through life-saving early warning systems by the end of 2027 is co-led by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). UNDP is an implementing partner of the Initiative through its existing projects and programmes, particularly the GCF Multi-Country Project on Early Warnings for All (EW4All). The EW4All is to be implemented in 7 countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Cambodia, Chad, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Fiji, and Somalia in partnership with their respective governments and with WMO, UNDRR, International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the International Federation for Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The Early Warnings for All Initiative is structured into four pillars:

1. Pillar 1. Disaster risk knowledge and management: Ensuring all countries have access to reliable, understandable and relevant risk information, science and expertise (led by UNDRR).
2. Pillar 2. Detection, observation, monitoring, analysis, and forecasting: Ensuring all countries have robust forecast and monitoring systems (both soft and hardware infrastructure) and enabling policies to support optimization and sustainability of hazard monitoring and early warning systems (led by WMO).
3. Pillar 3. Warning dissemination and communication: Using a people-centered approach to ensure that early warnings are effectively and timely disseminated to reach everyone, especially those most at risk (led by ITU).
4. Pillar 4. Preparedness and response capabilities: Ensuring local governments, communities and individuals at risk have the knowledge and means to take pre-emptive early actions to prepare for and respond to incoming disasters upon receiving warnings (led by IFRC).

UNDP is playing the role of the Executing Agency for the project that will be delivered through its Two technical Outputs along with a Third Output focused on Project Management.

The project’s technical Outputs are the following:

Output 1: Enhancing enabling conditions globally and regionally to promote country-level actions towards the EW4All goals through the implementation of 3 activities:

• Activity 1.1: Enhanced Coordination and Technical Support for EW4All Implementation
• Activity 1.2: Strengthened M&E to support EW4All Implementation
• Activity 1.3: Strengthened knowledge management and lessons learned

Output 1 will be delivered in full coordination with the EW4ALL Pillar Leads who will act as Responsible Parties for the Project as per the project document . This work will be developed under the guidance of the Global Project Manager.

Output 2: Accelerating actions in the countries of Antigua and Barbuda, Ethiopia, Cambodia, Chad, Ecuador, Fiji and Somalia towards EW4All through the delivery of the following country level activities:

• Activity 2.1: Strengthened Governance and Coordination
• Activity 2.2: Disaster risk knowledge and observations
• Activity 2.3: Warning dissemination, preparedness and response

This Output will be delivered by UNDP through its respective country offices with the support of a national, subnational governments as well national and international agencies (including pillar leads). Action on the ground will be led by a national project management unit that will be coordinated under the guidance of the Global Project Manager.
Scope of Work:

The Chief Technical Advisor, together with the Global Project Manager is jointly responsible for the implementation of both the Outputs of the EW4All multi-country project. Output 1 activities with the Pillar Leads will include global and national level interventions; and Output 2 activities with the UNDP COs will be at the national level in the participating countries, Antigua and Barbuda, Cambodia, Chad, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Fiji, and Somalia.

The Chief Technical Advisor is expected to provide technical guidance and direct contribution, based on international best practices, to the implementation of the project and train the technical personnel in the Project Management Unit (PMU) and teams of technical experts in the seven participating countries, through the respective UNDP-COs.

S(he) will provide strategic direction in the implementation of project activities and their monitoring to ensure the achievement of project targets and results as per the Integrated Results Management Framework (IRMF). The CTA will contribute to planning project activities and provide technical support to the Global Project Manager in their implementation. The CTA will support the tracking and reporting on the project achievements as per the IRMF, including the consolidated reporting of the indicators on the country level and global project dashboard as well as the dashboards being maintained by the Pillar Leads. The CTA will work in close collaboration with the UNDP Lead for Climate Information and Early Warning Systems and will maintain effective working relationships with project donors, Pillar Leads and National Project Managers.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide strategic guidance and technical oversight to project activities:

• Support the Global Project Manager in establishing a Global Technical Support team for the project comprised of relevant subject experts across the four pillar of EWS, MEL, knowledge management and communications.
• Provide technical inputs across all project activities control and coordinate all technical inputs and their delivery in a timely manner in close collaboration with the Global Project Manager;
• Provide guidance and coordination of all technical inputs by the project consultants, including development of detailed Terms of References for national and international consultants and contractors in collaboration with the Global Project Manager.
• Review the implementation plans, procurement and human resources, communication and risk management plans for the Project;
• Review Terms of References and work specifications for all contractors’ work; monitor the work of consultants for local contractual management in coordination with the Procurement Officer and Admin/Finance Officer;
• Review concept notes and reports including back to office and field reports for all project personnel including PMU, support staff and experts on the advisory team; monitor the work of personnel in coordination with the Procurement Office and Admin/Finance Officer;
• Provide guidance to national and international consultants to undertake respective specialized studies and ensure timely sequencing of these deliverables to enable smooth implementation of the project activities and meeting the set targets;
• Review and provide feedback technical deliverables developed by Responsible Parties.
• Draft methodologies for technical activities of the project and prepare outline structure of technical reports;
• Review all technical reports produced by national and international consultants and ensure adequate consultations with Pillar Leads and other government and non-government stakeholders to maximize stakeholder buy-in and ownership of both process and deliverables;
• Collaborate with the national PMUs and Pillar Lead focal persons to continuously assess the technical, governance, operational and management situations on the ground in all seven participating countries that affect the project implementation. Use this information for adaptive project management and risk management, with the respective UNDP COs and UNDP Regional Bureaus;
• Support the Global Project Manager and the relevant Social and Environmental Safeguards (SES) experts in the implementation and monitoring of all risk mitigation measures for both SES as per the ESMP and for risks to the project identified in the proposal and during its implementation across all project phases such as inception, implementation / construction; and operation;
• Identify bottlenecks in project implementation and keep the UNDP abreast of the issues and develop solutions;
• Advise the Global Project Manager in reviewing and responding to issues with potential to impact UNDP´s effectiveness, financial soundness or reputation, and inform/engage the UNDP Global Advisor on CCA as required.

Policy guidance and technical capacity building of the project team:

• Contribute to annual work plan and budget revisions with the Pillar Leads, Global and National Project Managers and National CTAs to fully capture the sequencing of all technical deliverables during the project implementation;
• Identify strategic opportunities for the project to achieve greater development impact through partnerships building and adaptive management;
• Collaborate with the Pillar Leads and the Global Technical Team to strengthen capacities of the National PMUs and the Government partners to plan, budget and deliver all four pillars of an integrated, people centered multi-hazard early warning systems;
• Build technical and managerial capacities within the Global and National PMUs, including the introduction of management tools and templates that enable effective planning, implementation and monitoring;
• In line with project activities and targets, as outlined in project document, develop a comprehensive training and capacity development plan for the project in collaboration with and using inputs from the Pillar Leads and Global Technical Team.
• Provide guidance and support through technical assistance to the national counterparts in participating countries with the National PMUs, as required and relevant to the scope of the project;

Support to project management, specifically to monitoring, evaluation and learning:

• Support project implementation and management under the overall guidance of the GPM:
• Collaborate with UNDP-COs PMU Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) teams in participating countries to carry out baseline assessments and sample surveys, as described in the methodology for the project logical framework. Use this information to contribute to: The Integrated Results Management Framework (IRMF) as per the project log-frame and report on its indicators on the national and global dashboards. Provide data to relevant Pillar Leads so they may use it to populate the dashboards as per activities in Output 1.
• Support M&E of project activities by advising the Global Project Manager and M&E officers at the global and national PMUs in designing and conducting assessments and sample surveys as per the methods described in the project log-frame. Support the analysis of the information collected to identify and implement adaptive management decisions to ensure the project delivery is effective and on track;
• Establish adequate monitoring procedures and systems throughout project activities in close collaboration with the GPM and NPMs Pillar Leads and respective CO teams;
• Monitor project risks and implement risk mitigation measures, jointly with the Global Project Manager. Support the Global Project Manager in updating the risk and mitigation measures at the Project Board meetings;
• Support the GPM in ensuring Environmental and Social Management Plan, Stakeholder Engagement Plan and the Gender Action Plan are adhered to during the project implementation; If not, immediately inform the relevant UNDP CO and the Global Advisor CCA to jointly identify/discuss solutions;
• Support all independent project evaluations and audits by providing data, and information to the evaluators and contributing information as requested.
• Provide inputs to audit management responses; implement audit recommendations for the project;
• Provide strategic input to technical, financial and managerial aspects of the project to ensure that activities are in accordance with the Project Document;
• Provide input in joint collaboration with the Global Project Manager, Pillar Lead focal person(s) and other members of the Global PMU on the following elements of project management to ensure achievement of targets and results at both the global level and in the seven participating countries:
• Annual work planning and budgeting;
• Procurement of goods and services;
• Budget and expenditure analysis;
• Contractual management;
• Quarterly and annual progress reporting;
• Quarterly operational reporting;
• Monitoring of project risk log;
• Support the Global Project Manager in preparing/organizing the technical materials used in the Project Board Meeting;
• Provide technical and advisory support to ensure proper and timely implementation and reporting of activities implemented by the respective responsible parties, i.e. the Pillar Leads and the seven UNDP-COs;
• Assist Global Project Manager and other project staff in coordinated, streamlined and timely implementation of Project Work Plan, Gender Action Plan, Stakeholder engagement Plan and ESMP;
• Provide advice for the annual financial audit;
• Support the Global Project Manager in the preparation of the Annual Performance Report to the GCF as well as ad hoc thematic and substantive reports/analysis/briefs;
• Support implementation of project communications activities in collaboration with the Global Project Manager and Communications Specialist;
• Support project planning and providing strategic inputs into all aspects of project activities;
• Identify, analyze and communicate lessons learned that may be useful in design and implementation of similar projects on an ongoing basis;
• Share knowledge on the Project and its achievements. Promote identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from Project implementation, for organizational sharing and learning. Promote a knowledge sharing and learning culture;
• Produce materials with lessons learnt and best practices and participate in knowledge based tools;
• Contribute to the analytical work of UNDP and ensure high quality knowledge products. Promote the substantive quality of all knowledge products, reports and services, and ensures effective integration thereof with other pillars;

Partnership development and advocacy:

• Participate and make substantive input to the various technical forums, working groups and processes at the global and in the seven participating countries to advocate for and foster inclusion of climate change considerations into global, regional, national, sub-national and local level planning and implementation of socioeconomic development initiatives;
• Participate in and provide progress and policy input to the Project Steering Committee meetings, and other technical working groups which are part of the larger Early Warnings for All initiative;
• Organize and facilitate south – south co-operation and exchange programmes aimed at enhancing lessons and sharing and transfer of skills and knowledge for enhancing the use of multi-hazard early warning systems;
• Build and maintain partnerships with technical partners and donors by fulfilling reporting obligations to the GCF Secretariat and partners;
• Ensure coordination between UNDP and all project stakeholders;
• Establish, maintain and facilitate strategic dialogue between participating UNDP-COs, Pillar Leads and Government officials among host countries at both national and local levels, in project´s areas of work;
• Participate and provide inputs to UN coordination platforms including the global dashboards being operated by the Pillar Leads and participate in meetings, as requested.
• Ensure that the Project systematically builds capacities of host country governments through introduction of innovation and best practices, access to knowledge and expertise and promote their application to project implementation;
• Ensure capturing and dissemination of lessons learnt during project implementation and coordinate with national partners for wider dissemination;
• Facilitate the Project’s participation in international knowledge networks to draw on and share best practice and lessons learned.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangements:

• The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Lead Climate Information and Early Warning Systems Advisor. He/she will collaborate in a responsive and pro-active manner with all technical specialists under the project team.
• S/he will work closely with UNDP Country Offices, Regional Hubs, HQ staff, and counterparts as appropriate (grantees, responsible parties and partners);
• The incumbent will work remotely from his/her home-base;
• The incumbent will be given access to relevant information necessary for the execution of the tasks under this assignment;
• The incumbent will be responsible for providing her/his own workstation (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to reliable internet connection;
• Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the incumbent is expected to be reasonably be flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones.

Competencies

Core:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3:

• Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3:

• Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3:

• Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3:

• Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3:

• Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3:

• Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3:

• Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management: UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical:

Business Direction & Strategy - Effective Decision Making:

• Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.

Business Direction & Strategy - System Thinking:

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Management - Results-based Management:

• Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

Business Management - Project Management:

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Partnership Management - Relationship management:

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understanding.

Business Management - Communication:

• Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

2030 Agenda: Planet - Climate:

• Climate change adaptation policy and planning: National Adaptation Plans

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Environment and Natural Resources Management, Water Management, Rural Resource Management, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or related fields is required, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above mentioned fields, in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years (with master´s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor´s degree) of experience within the disciplines of environmental management/engineering, water resources management, project management, natural resource management or related fields.

Required skills:

• Experience in team Leading and/or project management, in managing, overseeing, or being part of the management team of large-scale (over $20 million) projects.
• Experience providing expert advice and implementing climate change adaptation actions.
• Experience with community based early warning systems, disaster planning and response.
• Experience working with national governments.
• Experience in data analysis and visualization, including spatial data using GIS and remote sensing.

Desired skills:

• Global experience in the African, Asia, Asia Pacific and Caribbean region.
• Methodological experience in several of the following fields:
• Capacity building and awareness raising,
• Climate Risk, Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments or related approaches
• Socially-inclusive, gender sensitive participatory planning
• Participatory and conventional socioeconomic survey techniques

Language:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in French and/or Spanish is an advantage.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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