NDC Programme Coordinator – UNDP Rwanda

II. Job Purpose and Organizational Context

Rwanda is a country highly vulnerable to climate change because of high dependence on rainfed agriculture. Extreme weather events have increased in frequency and impact, leading to significant loss of life and property. The highlands in the western and northern provinces are prone to floods, while droughts are threatening the eastern regions. Since 1970, the country has experienced a temperature increase of 1.4°C. This trend is expected to continue, leading to adverse consequences for agriculture, health and livelihoods. Annual losses from natural disasters can reach up to 23.9% of GDP. Rainfall variability in Rwanda is expected to increase by 5 to 10% until 2030. Higher rainfall variability is connected to increased rainfall intensity and related disasters such as landslides, crop losses, destruction of infrastructure and health problems. At the same time higher rainfall variability leads to longer periods without rain, translating to proliferation of diseases, reduced land availability, crop yield decline, reduced food security and lower export earnings.

The country ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1995 and submitted the first and second national communications in 2005 and 2012, respectively. During the run-up to UNFCCC COP21 in Paris 2015, Rwanda submitted its intended Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and ratified the Paris Agreement in 2016. The development of Rwanda’s NDC was guided by national policies, including the national climate agenda that is consolidated in the Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy (GGCRS). NDC is also in alignment with the medium-term National Strategy for Transformation (NST-1) for the period of 2017-2024 and the long-term vision 2050 which are both in alignment with the global Sustainable Development Goals agenda for 2030.  The Rwanda long-term vision expressed in GGCRS is to transform the country into a climate resilient economy with secure low-carbon energy supply, green services and industry. The Rwanda NDC envisages to reduce emissions and the country vulnerability to climate change by 2030. It covers a broad range of sectors including agriculture, forestry, water resources, land-use, disaster management, renewable energy, off-grid electrification, transport, industry and waste. For each sector, NDC provides a list of suggested measures to achieve adaptation and mitigation targets.

To implement NDC, Rwanda joined the NDC Partnership in mid-2018 and submitted to the NDC Partnership Secretariat the country NDC partnership Plan for 2018-2020. The Rwanda NDC Partnership Plan focuses on strengthening the national capacity for coordination and resource mobilization as well as at providing a mechanism for tracking progress and enhancing transparency of NDC implementation across the 10 sectors of NDC focus. For this, the government of Rwanda appointed the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning as focal points respectively for sector coordination and monitoring of NDC implementation and, resource mobilization.

In a bid to support these two ministries to implement the Rwanda NDC Partnership Plan, UNDP is committed to enhance coordination capacities of NDC Sectors; strengthen transparency systems to track NDC implementation and; accelerate inclusive sectoral transformation through resource mobilization and deep diving into agriculture sector to ensure climate resilience, reduced vulnerability and improved agricultural productivity.

It is against this background that UNDP Rwanda is recruiting a NDC Programme Coordinator. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Sustainable Growth Unit, the Programme Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing the implemention of the NDC Support Programme, engaging Private Sector, Civil Society and academia in NDC related.

work; mobilizing resources for NDC implementation (in collaboration with a Technical Assistant); reviewing national policies, programmes and plans with a view to align UNDP climate change programmes with the national development agenda. The Programme Coordinator will formulate strategies for implementing UNDP’ programmes, support the evaluation of programme activities within the portfolio, and provide policy advisory services. She/he will also provide support in mainstreaming climate change into programme activities. Furthermore, the Programme Coordinator will coordinate activities of the programme teams and other Programme Units, and work in collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in other UN agencies, UNDP HQ staff and government officials, technical advisors and experts and, multi-lateral and bilateral donors ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation.

III. Functions/Key Results Expected

Summary of key functions:

1. Ensure effective management of the NDC programme
2. Provide top quality policy advisory services
3. Create strategic partnerships and provide support in resource mobilization
4. Contribute effectively to the Delivery as One (DaO) Initiative

1.  Ensure effective management of the NDC programme·

• Coordinate the NDC programme activities including project consultancies;
• Organize and facilitate the programme Steering Committee meetings and Technical Working Group meetings and any other meetings with Government counterparts, donor agencies, private sector, NGOs and other stakeholders;
• Ensure a close working relationship between UNDP, the Ministry of Environment (MoE) and other parties involved in programme implementation;
• Foster and establish links with related national, regional and international programmes;
• Ensure the publication and dissemination of the reports identified as programme outputs;
• Ensure that the programme is implemented with the full participation of relevant national and local institutions;
• Organize national workshops under the project, including agendas, resource persons and participants;
• Prepare a detailed annual work plan for the programme activities to be carried out, in close consultation with UNDP, MoE and other actors with planned interventions in NDC Plan implementation;
• Coordinate project M&E and reporting, including progress reports, project accounts and budgets, Project Annual Work Plans (AWP), Terms of Reference (TORs), etc. as required by the PSC in accordance with UNDP guidelines;
• Provide support to MoE SPIU in selection and supervision of relevant consultants to carry out planned activities in a timely manner;
• Ensure achievement of the overall objectives and specific outputs of the programme, by utilizing the programme financial resources in an efficient, effective and transparent manner;
• Keep regular monitoring of the progress of the programme and take corrective actions to ensure that the programme is achieving expected outputs within the given timeframe and budget;
• Provide quarterly and annual reports to the NDC Support Programme Global Unit
• Coordinate the programme team in conducting administrative and logistical functions and ensure timely and effective implementation of programme activities.

2. Provide top quality policy advisory services to the government and UNDP Country Office management in the areas of NDC and climate change

• Support the implementation of the Rwanda NDC Partnership Plan through analysis and research on environment, climate change, and development issues;
• Identify sources of information related to NDC and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned and advise the government and UNDP on their use to accelerate NDC implementation;
• Identify areas for support and ongoing interventions within the NDC priority sectors. This includes identifying pathways for engaging the Private Sector, Civil Society and Academia;
• Scan the policy and enabling environment to identify opportunities for strategic engagement on issues relating to climate change;
• Ensure that the programme complies with the policies of the United Nations, in terms of regulations, procedures, reporting requirements and ethical standards.

3. Create strategic partnerships and support in the resource mobilization to support implementation of the Country NDC Plan

• Develop partnerships with other UN agencies, FI’s, government institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector and civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities;
• Engage national and international development actors in Rwanda, facilitating as appropriate their involvement in country-level processes relating to effective NDC implementation;
• Search for and analyze information on donors and prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identify opportunities for initiation of new components/projects related to climate change mitigation and adaptation or other designated programmes;
• Actively contribute to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.

4. Contribute effectively to the Delivery as One (DaO) Initiative and provide substantive inputs to the UN Result Groups 1

• Effectively participate to the UN Economic Transformation Results Group (RG1) and provide substantive inputs to the work of the group;
• Identify opportunities for joint programming or interventions in the areas of Green Growth and climate resilience;
• Support to ongoing M&E processes within the framework of DaO;
• Participate in preparation and/or revision of UNDAP, CDP and other documents.

IV. Impact of Results

• Coordination capacities of NDC Sectors enhanced;
• Rwanda transparency systems to track NDC implementation strengthened;
• Strategies and actions to accelerate NDC implementation formulated;
• Rwanda inclusive transformation for low carbon and climate resilient agriculture accelerated;
• Resources for NDC financing mobilized;
• Reports on climate change trend produced and shared;
• Policy documents and reports and low carbon and climate resilient agriculture in Rwanda produced;
• UNDP NDC support programme aligned with the national and global NDC agenda.

Competencies

Corporate competencies

• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Maintain effective work relationships in a multi- cultural environment;
• Promote the vision, mission and strategic goal of UNDP and partners.

Functional competencies

• Demonstrates strong technical knowledge in field of climate change;
• Proven practical knowledge of climate change mitigation and adaptation;
• Familiarity with Government of Rwanda systems and functions;
• Familiarity with UNDP and UN system and role of key institutions in the field of climate change;
• Knowledge of programming frameworks related to UNDP is an advantage
• Ability to multi-task
• Attention to detail

Leadership

• Takes initiative and calculated risks;
• Focuses on impact and results for client;
• Builds trust in interactions with others;
• Displays positive attitude;
• Makes decisions;
• Manages relationships;
• Builds strong client relationships;
• Builds strong relationships with partners;
• Communicates clearly and convincingly.

VI. Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in environmental management, climate change, sustainable development, sustainable agriculture, natural resources management or any other climate change-related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7years of relevant professional experience at national or international level in providing strategic advisory services in the fields of Climate Change, Environment and Natural Resources Management, Low Carbon and Climate Smart Agriculture.
• Hands-on experience in Project Management;
• Familiarity with the Paris Agreement and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC);
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages and handling of web-based management systems essential.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent written and spoken English is required;
• A working knowledge of French is an added advantage.