Nature4cities Specialist

Result of Service
The main objective of the position is to provide technical support to the National Coordinator of Nature4Cities in Panama and to ensure operational effectiveness during the planning and implementation of the project.

The Specialist will report directly to the Adaptation to Climate Change Programme Officer of UNEP and will work in closed collaboration with the National Coordinator for the project in Panama and the Ministry of Environment.

The Specialist´s main duties and responsibilities will include:
a. Participate in regular meetings with the project coordinator in the adaptation department.

b. Ensure constant dialogue with the Ministry of Environment, obtaining its approval for project reports and products, and collaborating on its requirements in accordance with project implementation.

c. Support a city-level stakeholder analysis and identify key actors to be integrated in the NbS task group focused on Bocas del Toro and Chiriquí (Boquete, Dolega, Gualaca). Support the national coordinators in all activities related to day-to-day activities of the project (such as organization of workshops, stakeholders' engagement, etc.) to ensure a timely and efficient implementation of project outputs.

d. Collect data and review local policy, regulatory framework, key planning processes for urban development with local authorities and all relevant documentation for the elaboration of local assessments.

e. Collect data and systematize information about climate finance with local authorities and opportunities to engage with private sector and to support investment on nature-based adaptation and mitigation initiatives at national and local levels.

f. Identify existing local authorities’ regulations for public and private infrastructure, national and local policies related to the land use and planning, and identification of gaps to better guide regional approach.

g. Within the field of his/her knowledge, propose opportunities of regulations, policies and standards most suitable for the city beneficiaries, including the local adaptation and nature compatible building and infrastructure.

h. Provide input for the baseline assessment on the state of NbS integration into urban planning in each participant city, including an estimation of the feasibility of NbS integration into urban planning and development processes.

i. Validate the activities according the environmental and social safeguards.

j. Provide definition of potential contribution to national adaptation objectives through NDCs and NAPs.

k. Collaborate to develop the baseline of vulnerability and climate risk assessment of the selected cities.

l. Provide input to develop the Nature Based Urban adaptation and mitigation Plan, in the selected cities.

m. Participate proactively in key events for the dissemination of the project.

n. Participate in training activities, report writing and facilitation of expert activities.

o. Promote the participation of local communities in project activities, especially those located in Bocas del Toro and Boquete region and when necessary, support in other cities part of the project.

p. Support the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) expert in developing and implementing a comprehensive monitoring and reporting system.

q. Provide on-the-ground information for progress reports.

r. Provide input to technical reports and other documents as described in the project document.

s. Inform the National Coordinator immediately of any issue or risk which might jeopardise the success of the project.

t. Support to the National Coordinator regarding outputs progress, and information for progress reports.

u. Perform other duties is a request.

Ultimate result of service

I. Support the baseline analysis for the city-level vulnerability and in the processes for data collection on relevant national initiatives such as carbon footprint and water footprint.

II. Support the elaboration of the city-level NbS adaptation and mitigation plan, providing guidelines and recommendations on its structure.

III. Support the elaboration of the city-level private sector engagement plan, in the strategies and commitments of actors.

IV. Support the elaboration of the city-level climate finance assessment report, gathering information and case studies.

V. Support the validation of the city
- level financial guidelines to support investment in climate action.

VI. Validation workshop reports including participants list disaggregated by gender and validation of deliverables.

VII. Report outlining potential opportunities for investments on NbS for urban areas.

VIII. Systematization of lessons learned and project achievements.

Outputs/Work Assignment¿

I. Drafting and provide technical inputs to technical reports.

II. Liaise different experts, consultants and allied entities involved in the project and local stakeholders.

III. Support in drafting of communication material.

IV. Support to the National Coordinator in the coordin