Vacancy announcement
Home Based (Lusaka, Zambia)
IC/2025/002

Facility for Action for Climate Empowerment to achieve Nationally Determined Contributions (FACE-NDC): National Skills Development Officer

Vacancy type Consultant/Individual Contractor
Duration of the contract
11 months annually (with possibility of extension)
Deadline for submission of applications
16 February 2025
Organizational Unit
Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit (GDCCPU)
Number of job positions
1
Overview (quick description of the funded project and its context):

UNITAR’s Green Development and Climate Change Programme Unit (GCP) develops the capacities of individuals and training institutions in developing countries to advance green and climate resilient development. Activities are carried out through partnerships with other UN organizations, bilateral development partners, as well as leading learning institutions and think tanks. The Programme is a consortium partner of the IKI-funded Facility for Action for Climate Empowerment to achieve Nationally Determined Contributions (FACE-NDC), a five-member consortium initiative on climate change education. 

The FACE-NDC project supports the National Climate Change Learning Strategy (NCCLS, 2019) implementation and strengthens individual and institutional capacities in Zambia to deliver on climate change, such as to develop integrated and cross-sectoral capacity-building and educational programmes that help actualize the NDC mitigation priorities with adaptation co-benefits; and general education and skills development. UNITAR is the lead agency for the green economy and transition of the project. It will conduct skills assessments for private and public professionals within the areas of forestry, agriculture and renewable energy; support assessments conducted for schools, teachers, technical and vocational trainings and others; and ensure that identified gaps are addressed through effective project activities, including strengthening learning materials and university degrees and through short courses (physical and virtual). UNITAR will act as a co-lead in terms of project communications and in the development of digital, co-created content incorporating behavioural science techniques. 

General objectives of the contract:

The main objective of this contract is to provide in-country support and support coordination of training and skills development of the project. The Individual Contractor will support the drafting of the skills development action plan for the public sector as well as support the organisation of  skills assessments in the private sector. The Individual Contractor will ensure technical quality of project skills assessments and development of training content and resources as well as provide support to consortium partners in that area. 

Responsibilities/description of professional services:

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Training Specialist, the Individual Contractor will be responsible for the following tasks:

  1. Support with the preparation and implementation of capacity development plans in the public sector according to the results of the skills assessment in the NDC priority sectors: Energy, Forestry and Agriculture to ensure necessary skills and capacities to support the green transition.
    • Support the contracting of a national consultant to conduct the assessment of the local learning institutions capacity to deliver learning on green economy and climate change from the identified gaps from the completed skills assessment. 
    • Liaise closely with different stakeholders to identify local institutions to support the process of capacity building for identified gaps needing to be filled. 
    • Support the development of the capacity development initiatives e.g. trainings and short courses to close the gaps identified through the skills assessment closely with UNZA and CBU and other consortium members.
    • Assist skills development (planning and implementation) in support of the green transition and climate resilience in the public sector. 
    • Support with advocating for utilizing the project for the government to understand skills needed to enable the development of a green economy and identify areas of intervention.
  2. Support with the preparation and implementation of competency assessments and capacity development plans for private sector
    • Provide in-country support to the international private sector consultant in mapping the private sector representative bodies and business associations to understand private sector competency and training needs for the green transition. 
    • Support with capacity building to innovation hubs and incubators to promote green entrepreneurship/businesses. 
    • Liaise with key project implementation partners and UNFCCC global process to understand private sector competency and training needs for the green transition, as well as policy and enabling environment provisions. 
  3. Support with capacity building for project communication and knowledge dissemination to support green transition and climate change awareness raising. 
    • Support assessment of skills and competencies of journalists on reporting on Green Economy and Climate Change topics in the country in close collaboration with the Project Communications Officer and Behavioral Science Expert. 
    • Assist the development and implementation of the training of journalists and multimedia houses on climate change and green communications. 
    • Support with the selection of media schools for long-term capacity building in the country to improve reporting on climate change and green economy issues in the country. 
    • Support the organization of annual green economy and climate change week to foster policy discussions between public officials and private sector and raise public awareness on green economy and climate change.
    • Lead the organization of Youth Climate Dialogues in Zambia under the FACE-NDC project. 
  4. Support the FACE-NDC Consortium members with training and capacity building as needed.
    • Provide technical support to the Project Management Unit (PMU) in the areas of skills development, content development, communications and eLearning.
    • Liaising with other consortium partners and PMU staff to coordinate technical knowledge and ensure proper targeting of the competency assessments. 
    • Participation in the selection of service providers and consultants. 
    • Interface between UNITAR and the project management unit procurement services, admin and financial focal points. 
Reporting structure:

The incumbent will report to the Training Specialist, Green Development and Climate Change Unit, Division for Planet. 

Minimum requirements

Education:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in a field relevant to capacity building in climate change and green economy in Zambia and/or Southern Africa.

Work experience:

  • Minimum 3 years of professional experience, including at the UN and/or Government or in Academia with proven experience in capacity building/training development in the area of climate change, green economy, and sustainable development.
  • Proven experience working with public officials and/or private sector. 
  • Good understanding and experience in managing and designing competency assessment programs and subsequent training programs.

Core competencies:

  • Good understanding of Green Economy and Climate Change.
  • Good understanding of capacity development of professionals both in public and private sector.
  • Competency in core project management skills such as reporting, monitor and tracking project activities.
  • Ability to build and maintain partnerships with key local implementation partners in government departments, project management structures and other institutions. 
  • Ability to coordinate work with multiple partners in a dynamic international environment. 
  • Ability to plan own work, observe deadlines and manage multiple communication workstreams. 
  • Very good inter-personal skills and demonstrated capacity to deal with colleagues and counterparts from different backgrounds.
  • Excellent communication skills. 
  • Integrity and commitment to the mandate and values of the United Nations.

Languages:

  • Fluency in English is required (oral and written).
  • Knowledge of another language is an added advantage.

Other skills:

  • Advanced drafting and analytical skills; the ability to work autonomously; sensitivity to ensuring training inclusion for all; gender and disability sensitivity. Desired technical understanding of capacity building in green economy and climate change. 
  • Expected to receive core training from UNITAR in adult learning tools and methodologies.
Remarks:

General conditions of contracts for the service of Individual Contractors apply. Incumbents are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local laws. UNITAR does not reimburse for any taxes, duty, or other contribution payable by Individual Contractors on payments made under the contract. The Institute does not provide or arrange life or health insurance coverage for Individual Contractors, and Individual Contractors are not eligible to participate in the life and health insurance schemes provided by the UN for its staff members. Travel for UNITAR will go through Mission Authorisation.

How to apply

Please submit your application along with a motivation letter as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Due to the high number of expected applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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