Technical Expert – Timor Leste Project at United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

The Technical Expert will provide technical guidance and support to the implementation of the project,  working in close collaboration with the National Project Director/DNCC, Project Manager and the UNEP Task  Manager. S/he will be responsible for ensuring the availability of information on progress and performance to  provide quality assurance of the project outputs and deliverables.  

Key functions:  

• Lead and provide technical supervision and advice and quality assurance  
• Strategic policy advises and knowledge management  
• Programme planning, implementation, M&E and reporting  
• Technical capacity building and knowledge management  
• Monitoring and promoting adaptation learning  

Technical Backstopping

• Provide overall technical backstopping for the project to ensure the project outputs and deliverables  are of good quality and in line with the project objectives.  
•  Provide advice on best suitable approaches and methodologies for the timely achievement of project  targets and deliverables  
•  Assist the PC / PM in planning the implementation of project activities and adjusting the project  results framework, work plan and budget as required and in line with the corporate requirement   Draft or review as requested, ToRs, for technical consultancies and subcontracts and assist in the  selection and recruitment process  
•  Undertake technical review and provide quality assurance of the project outputs (training manual,  technical reports, studies, assessments, protocols, tools etc.) and field level interventions.   Oversee and provide technical guidance of the work of National Consultants, District Project  Coordinators in their respective domains in ensuring the quality and delivery of the tasks undertaken.   Provide strategic guidance in the establishment of a technical working group on EbA including  selection of research grants and topics for long term monitoring on EbA  
•  Assist in monitoring the technical quality of project M&E systems (including Multiyear plans, AWPs  and targets)  
• Assist staff and national consultants in the conduct of project reviews and evaluations and in  revisions of the implementation strategy and work plan, based on review and evaluation results   Make recommendations to PSC for more effective implementation and coordination of project activities 

Monitoring & Learning support

• Help develop monitoring framework to measure progress against each of the targets and indicators  in the RRF including change and adjustment in the baseline assessment study being undertaken   Develop learning strategy for the project based on the current levels of awareness and  
• understanding of EbA measures and approaches among stakeholder groups, interest areas and  adaptation learning that the project could generate  
• Team up with the PM in preparing the APR and PIR for submission to UNEP/GEF   Provide inputs in knowledge management, training, communication and awareness raising of EbA  issues at national and sub national level. Enable and support the appropriate dissemination of results  and findings to policy makers at various levels.  
• Support and facilitate for the development of strategic regional and international partnerships for the  exchange of knowledge, skills and information related to climate change adaptation.   Provide technical support in reviewing the existing policies and strategies to embrace EbA measures  through the development of policy brief  
• Develop an EbA up scaling strategy and financing plan based on the lessons learnt from this project. 
• Although this is a home-based position, the Technical Expert will allocate a certain amount of time within PMU  including undertaking a certain number of field visits during the early stages of project implementation and  monitoring. A total of 305 working days has been allocated for the entire project duration; the indicative  allocated days will be split into yearly and quarterly plans.
• The following outputs are anticipated during the tenure:  
• Annual Programme review and work planning (preparation of MYP, AWPs and budgets)   Refined project monitoring framework including changes and adjustments in the RRF targets and  indicators based on the baseline assessment study.  
• A policy brief on EbA including a project learning and knowledge management strategy   An EbA up scaling strategy and financing plan based on the lessons learnt from the project   Contributions for the write-up of the Project Implementation Report  
• Selection of research topics and grants for long term monitoring  
• Contributions to mid-term review, final evaluation missions including drafting of PCR   Written reviews of the technical reports, tools and knowledge products developed by the project  culminating to at least ten products  
• Guidance, technical oversight towards the production of knowledge products such as policy briefs,  training manuals, tools and protocols on EbA  

Education:

• An advanced University Degree (Master’s or equivalent) or higher degree, preferably in natural resource management, biodiversity, climate change adaptation, ecosystem management, disaster risk reduction, environmental science, agriculture and water resources management, or related discipline.
• First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the above-mentioned fields with an additional two (2) years of relevant experience can be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of five (5)years of experience in a senior technical and/or leadership position with planning and management of environmental/or natural resources management programmes, institutional strengthening, capacity building, providing technical support to climate change adaptation projects or related areas is required with a Master’s or higher degree. 
• International working experience in the above field preferably from the South Asian region in the capacity of Technical Expert or Team Leader is a must. 
• S/he must possess good analytical and report-writing skills in English.