Skills development, training development, climate change, green economy

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 Facility for Action for Climate Empowerment to achieve Nationally Determined Contributions (FACE-NDC), a five-member consortium initiative on climate change education for seven years. 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 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.

The main objective of this contract is to provide in-country support and coordinate training and skills development of the project. The National Skills Development officer will support the organisation of and ensure technical quality of project skills assessments and development of training content and resources as well as provide support to all consortium partners in that area.   

1. Support with the preparation and implementation of the skills assessment to identify competency gaps in the public sector in the NDC priority sectors: Energy, Forestry and Agriculture.

• 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.
• Support the development of the competency frameworks for professionals of the key institutions per sector.
• Support with the detailed development of the skills assessment plan (e.g. questionnaires, interview protocols, list of interviews per sector and per institution, and development of a capacity building plan).
• Support skills assessment in priority sectors to identify competency gaps in the key sectors in achieving NDC targets and green transition, through:
  • Support the identification and selection of local service provider to support the skills assessment process.
  • Support and participate in the skills assessment process.
  • The design of skills assessment methodology including the design of questionnaires and assessment interview protocols.
  • Setting up of interviews with key professionals in the different ministries and departments as well as liaise with Ministerial focal points for the assessment.
  • Identifying key ministries / roles / departments to be assessed.
  • Support with the skills assessment interviews to identify individual skills acquired and those needing development per sector/role in the different sectors.
  • Support skills assessment data analysis and drafting of sector by sector skills assessment reports and skills development plans.
  • Support with circulating  of the skills assessment findings and skills development plans.
  • Liaise closely with different stakeholders to identify local institutions to support the process of capacity building for identified gaps needing to be filled.

2. 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 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.
• Assist with organizing of peer-to-peer learning through exchange with other initiatives such as through the One UN Climate Change Learning (UN CC:Learn) partnership and Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) countries.
• 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.

3. Support with the preparation and implementation of competency assessments and capacity development plans for private sector

• Support with competency assessments of private sector professionals via business associations and chambers of commerce in climate change and green economy.
• 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.
• Support with capacity building to innovation hubs and incubators to promote green businesses.

4. 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 Scientists.
• Assist the development and implementation of the training of journalists and multimedia houses on climate change and green communications.
• Select media schools for long-term capacity building in the country to improve reporting on climate change and green economy issues in the country.

5. 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.

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

Education:

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

Work experience:

• Minimum 5 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 assessing competency needs and 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.