Training Assistant - Climate Change, Geneva

Closing date: Sunday, 15 February 2015

Unit/Department: Climate Change Programme, Training Department

Date of issuance: 16 January 2015

Deadline for applications: 15 February 2015

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Duration of Contract: 12 months

Remuneration

Depending on the professional background and experience the range of remuneration is CHF 4,305 to CHF 5,630 per month. The benefit package includes six weeks of annual leave and a limited health insurance plan. It does not include a pension contribution. Please note that this vacancy is located in Geneva and is a locally recruited position with no international benefits. This is not a regular post but a type of contract specific to UNITAR.

Background

UNITAR's Climate Change Programme develops methodologies, executes training, supports learning strategies, and facilitates knowledge-sharing to strengthen capacities in developing countries to implement the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and to advance a green, low emission and climate resilient transition.

The current cornerstone of the Programme comprises a multi UN agency global programme (UN CC:Learn) servicing a One UN approach to climate change learning and skills development which supports country-driven strategies to strengthen human resources, learning and skills. A number of complementary projects support the further implementation of UN CC:Learn with a focus on a series of thematic areas including: national adaptation planning; REDD+; aligning climate change policies with domestic budgets; and negotiations within the UNFCCC.

Accountabilities

The Training Assistant will support the activities of the Climate Change Programme as they relate to sustained implementation of UN CC:Learn within its partner countries, with a specific focus on Anglophone countries, as well as the development of One UN training materials and tools. The Training Assistant will also assist the programme manager with project development and resource mobilization activities, from multiple funding sources.

Under the supervision of the Manager of the Climate Change Programme, the incumbent will: 1. Design, implement and evaluate climate change training and capacity development activities, by:

• Conducting market analyses for climate change learning products;
• Designing training materials and learning packages that effectively achieve specific learning objectives;
• Adapting training materials and learning packages to international quality standards and certification criteria;
• Further developing UN CC:Learn knowledge-sharing platforms and e-learning tools;
• Designing, delivering and evaluating training courses for various delivery methods.

2. Support national capacity development for climate change learning in Anglophone countries by:

• Development of draft MoUs;
• Providing technical and methodological advice to partner countries for the development and implementation of 'National Climate Change Learning Strategies';
• Ensuring efficient coordination with national partners on a regularly basis, including country missions;
• Supporting countries in resource-mobilization for strategy implementation activities and facilitate collaborations with international partners;
• Researching and preparing background documentation;
• Performing project administration activities, including elaborating and monitoring of specific budgets;
• Guaranteeing overall management of national projects, including pro-active management of potential implementation challenges.

3. Support effective project planning, management and administration by:

• Supporting the organization of global and regional meetings and workshops;
• Supporting partnerships with international organizations and research and training institutions;
• Preparing communication and outreach materials for the Programme;
• Drafting consultant ToRs against work plan deliverables.
• Providing support to internal and external Programme reporting and evaluation; and
• Supporting the Programme with other tasks, as required by the Manager of the Climate Change Programme.

4. Support project development and resource mobilization by:

• Conducting research in support of the development of project concept notes and full project proposals;
• Preparation of briefing notes and background papers tailored to different stakeholder groups potentially including donor agencies, development partners, and the diplomatic community in Geneva;
• Drafting of detailed project proposals, under the supervision of the Manager of the Climate Change Programme, including logical frameworks, measurable indicators of success, outline workplans and financing plans.

Results expected

• at least 4 training materials prepared with adequate methodological approaches and in accordance with approved quality criteria;
• 8 high quality communication pieces developed and published online;
• national climate change learning strategies developed and/or sustained in 4 UN CC:Learn partner countries;
• at least six national strategy implementation activities designed and implemented;
• at least one high quality knowledge product developed;
• at least one donor technical and financial report compiled and submission ready;
• at least one fully developed project proposal for further funding compiled.

Competencies

• Professionalism – Sound knowledge in the field of climate change, including several of the following areas: climate change science, climate change adaptation, climate change mitigation, climate change planning and financing, training methodologies and the instructional design process; technology-enhanced learning solutions and the use of collaborative tools and techniques to support learning activities; understanding of the principles of knowledge management and knowledge-sharing processes, tools and methods; training and facilitation skills; practical experience in project management and project evaluation; research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Planning & organizing – Sound organizational skills and ability to prioritize own work programme, delivering results and quality work, including when working under pressure; efficient, reliable and conscientious.
• Commitment to continuous learning – Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the field of training and knowledge management in general and on issues related to the enhancement of capacity of local actors through training, and knowledge management activities.
• Communications – Good communication skills (spoken, written and presentational), including the ability to draft/edit a variety of written documents, such as training materials, reports, studies, strategies, and other communication materials; articulating ideas in a clear and concise style.
• Technology awareness – Proficient in computer skills with ability to use a variety of software and other applications. Knowledge of learning management systems or any type of technology-enhanced learning software is an advantage.
• Teamwork – Strong interpersonal skills; ability to deal effectively with multiple constituencies and to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Qualifications

Education/Experience: Master's degree in Environmental Science, Public Administration, Political Science, International Development, or related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and working experience in climate change related training, learning, and knowledge management. A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in the design and implementation of climate change learning development projects. Experience in developing training materials and website development is highly desirable. Experience of working with developing countries is an asset.

Other skills: Information technology skills; experience of managing a website or specific section of a website. Working experience in developing countries is highly desirable.

Language: Full proficiency in English and either Spanish or French required.

Remarks

UNITAR shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Priority will be given to the applicants from the under represented regions at UNITAR. There will be a probation period of 3 months.

How to apply

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. A letter of motivation as well as the P11 form/ Curriculum Vitae are to be sent at: estaffing@unitar.org. UN staff members must submit copies of their latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) report at the time of application.