Environment and Climate Action Sector Advisor

Caribbean

1. INTRODUCTION

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a leading Canadian international development organization whose mission is to foster human development and global understanding through education and training. WUSC recently signed a contract for the management and implementation of the Field Support Services Project (FSSP) in the Caribbean, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The FSSP will seek to ensure the quality and relevance of Canada’s support in responding to the Government of Canada’s Caribbean Regional Development Program (CRDP)^[1].

The FSSP Caribbean is contracting the services of an Environment and Climate Action Sector Advisor to provide Technical expertise over a one-year period, with the possibility of contract renewal or extension. The Advisor will provide support to analyze project and sector level performance, provide field level advice, and support on technical and policy matters relating to Canada’s environmental and climate action programming in the Caribbean.

2. BACKGROUND

To ensure the quality and relevance of Canada’s support in responding to the Caribbean’s development challenges, the CRDP requires access to technical expertise with local knowledge and experience, sector studies and strategies, program-level monitoring, and support to aid effectiveness activities. To this end the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) has designed the Field Support Services (FSSP) to provide the required technical, administrative, procurement, financial and logistical support services needed within countries where GAC operates.

Canada currently supports seven operational projects (see project list for details) in the Environment and Climate Action sector through its regional development assistance, with multi-year budgets totalling approximately CDN$72M; individual projects range in size from CDN$1M to CDN$20M.These projects focus on:

Building the capacity of the public sector, institutions, regional organizations and communities to develop and implement inclusive and gender-responsive frameworks, systems, protocols and guidelines for disaster management, and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Strengthening the enabling environment, undertaking the necessary research, and building capacity and knowledge to support Caribbean countries in their pursuit of energy independence through renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions.
Supporting public financial management for disaster response, access to diverse sources of climate finance, and the development of innovative, sustainable financing mechanisms for environment and climate resilience programming.

Canada’s support is delivered through a number of partners including UN organizations, development banks, regional organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Canada is considering up to $75M in new initiatives that would contribute to its CDN$5.3 billion international climate finance commitment, with an emphasis on supporting biodiversity protection and restoration, and nature-based approaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation, as well as innovative finance.

Canada’s regional development assistance under other action areas of the Feminist International Assistance Policy, specifically growth that works for everyone, is also contributing to strengthening the Caribbean’s climate resilience, by:

supporting local financial institutions across the region to develop green finance solutions for renewable energy and energy efficiency uptake in micro, small and medium size enterprises and low-income households;
increasing agricultural productivity while facilitating the adoption of climate-smart innovations, technologies, and best practices to mitigate the impact of climate change on crop production;
assisting small and medium-sized enterprises working in green economic growth, to grow innovate and enter new sectors and markets, and supporting the development of government policies to improve the business environment for the green economy; and
creating a better-qualified labour force through support for demand-driven technical and vocational education training in key economic sectors associated with climate change.

Given Canada’s significant support to environment and climate action programming in the Caribbean, the services of a Local Environment and Climate Action Sector Advisor are required in order to analyze performance of Canada’s investments, support analysis towards increased coordination and collaboration with other stakeholders in the sector, and provide technical advice to Global Affairs Canada, hereinafter referred to as DFATD.

3. OBJECTIVE

The Advisor will review and assess the performance of DFATD’s projects in the Environment and Climate Action Sector in the Caribbean, as well as related programming in other sectors, in order to support the development of a sector analysis and comprehensive results reporting that contributes to lessons learned, ensuring program coherence and appropriate linkages between projects, and analyzes the impact of Canada’s environment and climate action support to the region. The Advisor will also provide field level advice and expertise on technical and policy matters relating to the sector, and identify gaps and opportunities to guide DFATD programming and Canada’s regional development assistance program in the Caribbean. The Advisor will provide technical support at all stages of Canada’s environment and climate action programming, including advising on issues or situations that may arise throughout a project’s lifecycle.

The Advisor may also be called upon to provide technical support and environment and climate action subject-matter expertise for Canada’s programming in related sectors (e.g. Growth that Works for Everyone), in addition to other DFATD development programs, including regional, multilateral, and Partnerships for Development Innovations programs.

4. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED

The Environment and Climate Action Sector Advisor’s tasks will vary based on DFATD’s identified needs with specific deliverables and priorities determined through the development and approval of quarterly work plans, services to be provided may include:

Developing and maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of all DFATD supported environment and climate action projects in the Caribbean, sharing lessons learned, recommending appropriate linkages and ensuring overall programming coherence across projects.
Establishing a tracking system to report against relevant DFATD corporate indicators, and retrieving and analyzing relevant data and impact stories from project beneficiaries and stakeholders to triangulate reported results.
Setting up and leading the development of a comprehensive results report that demonstrates the impact of Canada’s environment and climate action support to the region.
Developing and maintaining a mapping of CRDP environment and climate action related projects against Sustainable Development Goals and relevant CARICOM agencies’ frameworks.
Providing ongoing technical advice and analysis on environment and climate action thematic issues^[2], including sector analysis, advice and recommendations on best practices and approaches to achieving results in project-level interventions, program-based approaches, and interventions at the sector level, potential risks, issues, constraints, opportunities, lessons learned, and needs.
Identifying entry points for action on environment and climate action programming and potential areas for synergies and risks of duplication.
Participating in relevant sector meetings, including working groups and technical discussions, DFATD funded project-level meetings and donor coordination meetings (as required) to support DFATD staff, share and gather information on behalf of DFATD, and/or contribute to knowledge-building/sharing and policy dialogue.
Reviewing and providing written analysis on emerging sector issues and challenges in CRDP countries and the region, as well as on environment and climate action related policies, strategies and planning documents, surveys and technical reports, academic papers, and media reports, outlining linkages with DFATD’s operational and planned initiatives, policy framework and regional program priorities, and identifying best practices, new approaches and lessons learned, to achieve better results
Providing guidance to Global Affairs Canada field and headquarters staff/ Project Team Leads (PTLs) on relevant national^[3] environment and climate action policies, legal and administrative requirements as applicable, and advice to Global Affairs Canada regional program team on issues that need to be raised in policy dialogue and/or advocacy with government, other donors, civil society organizations and private sector, in such fora as donor group meetings, consultative meetings led by the Government, program and project reviews.
Providing input into regional and country-level situational monitoring and reporting, and the development or review of CRDP sector and program-level strategies, action plans, policies, evaluations, performance measurement frameworks, etc.
Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of emerging organizations, institutions and expertise related to environment and climate action, and collecting and analysing information to identify potential partners with appropriate programming capacity based on CRDP’s requirements.
Reviewing and commenting on technical aspects of proposals, project implementation plans, annual work plans, progress and evaluation reports for relevant operational initiatives, as needed.

5. ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE ACTION SECTOR ADVISOR PROFILE

The Environment and Climate Action Sector Advisor will have the following education, experience, abilities, knowledge and skills:

Education:

Master’s Degree or Ph.D. from an accredited, recognized institution in a relevant discipline such as Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Sustainability, Oceanography, Environmental Engineering, or other related fields.

Experience:

Minimum of ten (10) years professional experience working in climate change and natural resource programming in the Caribbean.
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in international development programs and policy, preferably for a bilateral or multilateral development institution.
Demonstrated experience providing technical advice and analysis to development organizations (i.e., bilateral donors, NGOs, multilateral organizations) on a variety of environment and climate action issues, with attention to results-based management, results reporting, needs assessments, program and project evaluation and stakeholder coordination.
Experience collecting environment and climate action data or reporting against environment and climate action indicators and analyzing project and program results.

Abilities:

Capacity to work both with others and independently with minimal supervision.
Capacity to proactively identify priority environment and climate action issues relevant to the Canadian development program.
Capacity to plan and deliver the required outputs.
Capacity to research, collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data.
Proven ability to analyze complex environment and climate action issues and results/performance frameworks.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing for a variety of audiences and purposes.
Ability to develop and maintain networks.
Ability to work in a CRDP country (valid work or permanent residence permit or citizenship certificate).

Knowledge and Skills:

Extensive knowledge of the Caribbean’s environment and climate change threats, risks and challenges, and opportunities for climate action.
Sound understanding of environment and climate action programming in the Caribbean, such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs).
Knowledge of, and extensive networks with key stakeholders in, the Caribbean’s environment and climate action international assistance sector, including local government(s).
Excellent writing skills, with the ability to analyse, compile and synthesize information in coherent and succinct formats and effectively communicate technical knowledge, advice, and results in a clear and concise manner for non-experts.
A drive for results, including a proven track record of high standards/accountability for work products, meeting tight deadlines, and ability to prioritize tasks within his/her work program and strategies for working collectively with others on the team to deliver products of the highest calibre;

6. LANGUAGE OF WORK

English is the working language for this mandate. The Advisor must possess the following levels in English^[4]:

Oral = 4 – Advanced Professional Proficiency

Reading = 4 – Advanced Professional Proficiency

Writing = 4 – Advanced Professional Proficiency

7. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Environment and Climate Action Sector Advisor reports directly to the Caribbean FSSP Project Manager, based in Kingston, Jamaica who has responsibility for administration of the contract. Technical oversight of activities under the contract will be provided by GAC, this includes approving work plans, deliverables, reports etc.

8. DELIVERABLES

Ref. no.	Description of output	Detailed description of the components to be delivered by the Advisor	When
1	Quarterly Work Plan	Quarterly work plan detailing deliverables expected for that period. The work plan will be based on needs identified by DFATD and the Advisor’s recommended priorities and will require approval by DFATD. The work plan will be reviewed and updated monthly, taking into account changing priorities in the Global Affairs Canada Program and/or the countries’ context.	within 30 days of contract signing then every 3 months on date agreed
2	Monthly progress report	Monthly reports (max 2 pages), consistent with the priorities established in the work plan, will: (i) highlight tasks and results achieved; problems encountered and how they were dealt with; (ii) identify key issues for Global Affairs Canada’s attention, and make recommendations for follow-up; (iii) outline innovative initiatives, work plan/activities/expected results for the following month; (iv) provide a summary of work plan tasks completed, results achieved, and progress towards achieving results; (v) highlight relevant information of use to CRDP and projects, such as: outstanding issues and constraints, innovative initiatives, best practices, and lessons learned; and (vi) identify new opportunities, and make recommendations for the next work plan period. Reports will be shared with the relevant High Commissions of Canada^[5] and Global Affairs Canada headquarters, and other Monitors, Advisors and Specialists in the region, as appropriate.	Monthly on agreed date
3	Corporate Indicator Tracking system	A tracking system to report against relevant DFATD corporate indicators using data from current reports to build the program baseline, and with space to add data from future reporting, measuring magnitude of change.	proposed submission to be stated in work plan
4	Comprehensive Sector Results Report	A narrative sector-level report, that will roll up results from all CRDP environment and climate action programming (list to be provided), to provide a comprehensive overview of Canada’s support to environment and climate action work in the Caribbean. The report will review relevant data, reports and impact stories from project beneficiaries and stakeholders to triangulate reported results and analyze the performance of CRDP’s environment and climate action portfolio.	proposed submission to be stated in work plan
5	Mapping of CRDP’s Environment and Climate Action projects	A document demonstrating what and how CRDP environment and climate action (and related) projects are contributing to specific Sustainable Development Goals, Country level NDCs and/or NAPs and relevant CARICOM agencies’ Frameworks.	proposed submission to be stated in work plan
6	Analysis of various Environment and Climate Action issues, programming opportunities, and opportunities for coordination or collaboration in the sector	Written report providing detailed analysis per country and as a collective regionally,	proposed submission to be stated in work plan
7	Analysis of various documents, as required (ie. proposals, technical analysis, etc)	Summary reports providing technical analysis of documents reviewed, identifying areas to strengthen and aid effectiveness	As Required
8	Meeting minutes and documentation	Attend Sector meetings, Working Groups, Technical discussions etc as required	As Required

8. ESTIMATED LEVEL OF EFFORT

This assignment is a part-time position from November 2022 to October 2023, with the possibility of extension. A level of effort of up to fifteen days per month is anticipated.

9. MEETINGS

An initial meeting will be held to discuss the Terms of Reference and to ensure a clear understanding of the expectations. Monthly check in meetings will be held subsequently, including quarterly reviews of work plans. The Advisor will participate in other DFATD and sector-relevant meetings as identified and approved through quarterly work plans, or periodic ad hoc requests as required.

It is anticipated that all meetings will be held virtually.

10. LOCATION OF WORK

The Environment and Climate Action Sector Advisor will work remotely from their own facilities in a CRDP country.

11. TRAVEL

No travel is anticipated for this assignment.

12. SUPPORT TO BE PROVIDED BY DFATD

The Consultant will be provided with the following:

Documents from CRDP’s Environment and Climate Action sector projects.
Documents from other CRDP programming that contribute to strengthening the Caribbean’s climate resilience.
Relevant Government of Canada, DFATD and CRDP plans, policies and strategies.
Other relevant documents as required.
Introductions to and suggested points of contact for consultation within various countries.

13. ENVIRONMENT

The Consultant shall notify the FSSP Project Manager if any project components are added that could have potential environmental effects. In this case, the necessary action will be taken to ensure that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

14. APPLICATIONS

WUSC’s activities seek to balance inequities and create sustainable development around the globe; the work ethic of our staff, volunteers, representatives and partners shall correspond to the values and mission of the organization. WUSC promotes responsibility, respect, honesty, and professional excellence and will not tolerate harassment, coercion, sexual exploitation or abuse of any form. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced criminal record check where appropriate.

WUSC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

This position is open to all suitably qualified CARICOM Nationals. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls please.

If you wish to apply for this position, please send an expression of interest and curriculum vitae by November 18, 2022 to [email protected]. Please indicate “FSSP Caribbean – Environment and Climate Action Advisor” as the subject line of your email.

[1] The Caribbean Regional Development Program includes the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

[2] Including but not limited to climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction, clean/ renewable energy, sustainable use and management of natural resources (including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, land and water), clean economic growth, pollution and waste management, biodiversity and nature-based solutions, and marine and coastal management.

[3] This refers to policies, legal and administrative requirements of CRDP countries.

[4] The definition associated with the language requirements can be found in Annex 1- Description of Language Scales/Levels.

[5] Bridgetown, Barbados, Guatemala City, Guatemala, Georgetown, Guyana, and Kingston, Jamaica

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