Field Associate – LoCAL

The Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) is a mechanism to integrate climate change into local authorities’ planning and budgeting through the regular intergovernmental fiscal transfer system using performance-based grants in a participatory and gender sensitive manner, increase awareness and capacities to respond to climate change at the local level including through ecosystem-based solutions, and increase the quality and number of local investments that address climate change. LoCAL combines performance-based climate resilience grants (PBCRGs), which ensure programming and verification of change expenditures at the local level, with technical and capacity-building support. It uses the grants and demonstration effect to trigger further flows for local climate action including global climate finance and national fiscal transfers. LoCAL also aims to support private finance for small and medium businesses and municipal finance and public-private partnerships. LoCAL is currently active in 17 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, with another 13 countries preparing to join (at the design stage).

In Lesotho, UNCDF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship (MoLGC) and the Ministry of Finance to deploy LoCAL in 4 community councils in the district of Mohale’s Hoek (i.e. Khoelenya, Lithipeng, Qhoasing and Senqunyane). The pilot phase will run for 3 fiscal years and will provide participating councils with annual PBCRGs so that they can finance investments that promote adaptation to climate change. Eligible investments may range from climate smart agriculture activities, sustainable livestock production, improved irrigation and water systems, flood control systems, to climate-proof infrastructure, sustainable land management, forestry, disaster risk reduction, climate information technologies, health, education, energy, and so forth.

Within this programme context, UNCDF is seeking a Local Field Associate, (NPSA) to contribute to the effective delivery of the Programme’s activities in Lesotho.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support the implementation and results-based monitoring of the LoCAL’s field activities

• Support implementation of LoCAL activities in the field in line with AWP and support the preparation of periodic technical and financial reports on the implementation of LoCAL activities and undertake regular monitoring of the activities, including through field visits;
• Assist target LGs to understand the LoCAL’s objectives and effectively support them in the management, implementation and monitoring of performance-based climate resilience grants and activities/interventions/investments and propose improvements through reviewed work plans;
• Support the preparation and participate and contribute to the annual performance assessment of pilot CCs;
• Regular monitoring of the progress of target LGs in implementation of the LoCAL and its PBCRGs, in line with Design Document and applicable government’s regulations and procedures.

Provide programme support to subnational government counterparts and key stakeholders

• Under the guidance of the Lesotho Meteorological Services (LMS), support target LGs to collect and interpret climate-related data and information, as well as undertake local climate risk assessments, and to mainstream climate change into local public planning and budgeting systems;
• Under the guidance of the National Coordinator and MoLGC, support capacity building (“learning by doing”) and preparation of local government development and investment plans and budgets that foster inclusive and climate resilient local economies and communities.

Administrative support to the implementation of project activities

• Participate in planning and organization of trainings/events facilitating the wide representation and full participation of local stakeholders by following UNCDF rules and regulations and ensuring gender equality;
• Assist in the organization of field visits, missions, conferences and other logistics arrangements;
• Support LGs to collect and compile expenditure reports and other related financial documents, as required;
• Arrange meetings and draft routine correspondence, minutes including preparing background materials for discussions and briefing sessions.

Support effective mainstreaming of gender equality and community participation

• Support LGs in ensuring gender equality and participation of communities throughout the PBCRG cycle, in particular during the local adaptation planning process;
• Ensure that all the data, when collecting and compiling inputs relating to programme, are gender disaggregated.

Support facilitating knowledge sharing and communication

• Support and facilitate consultation and exchange of information, synergies, learning and know-how at the local level, in particular in relation with partners and stakeholders involved with LoCAL expected results, especially Output 1 – “Awareness and capacities to respond to climate change adaptation are increased at central and subnational levels” and Output 2 – “Climate change adaptation is integrated into Community Council plans and budgets, and climate change adaptation interventions and investments are implemented in line with the PBCRG”;
• Support the knowledge and communication efforts of LoCAL in Lesotho (i.e. LoCAL stories, news articles, photos, videos, social media presence, country webpage and web presence, as appropriate) with support and guidance from Lead LoCAL communication expert;
• Perform any other related duties as required by supervisor/ management or guided by the LoCAL Steering Committee and other key stakeholders;
• Additional information on LoCAL can be found here https://www.uncdf.org/local/homepage.

Institutional Arrangement

The Field Associate will be based in Mohale’s Hoek, Lesotho and will support the District Technical Team and Community Councils with the overall implementation of PBCRG mechanism at the sub-national level.

The Field Associate will have direct report to the LoCAL-Lesotho National Coordinator, NOC based in Maseru, and works under the overall coordination of the LoCAL Global Programme Manager, P-5, based in Kampala, Uganda as well as works in close collaboration with other LTF and LoCAL colleagues in the regional office/HQ based and country and across the region.

The Field Associate will also will work under the overall coordination of the Programme Specialist and Programme Manager.

In carrying out his/her work, the Field Associate will work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship (MoLGC), the District Council Secretary, District Technical Team, Community Councils and other LoCAL stakeholders.

• Completion of secondary level education with specialized certification is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree in climate change, environment, development, international relations, geography, engineering, agronomy or a related field is desirable..

• Minimum six years (Secondary Education) or 3 years (Bachelor’s degree) of experience in climate change and/or environment related issues;
• At least two 2 years of work experience supporting local governments and/or communities in the area of climate change adaptation planning and mainstreaming; 
• Practical knowledge and experience in monitoring and evaluation; 
• Practical knowledge and experience with planning and budgeting processes, preferably with local government authorities and/or communities; 
• Practical experience with training and capacity building activities; 
• Collaborative work approach and strong teamwork skills; 
• Good negotiation and facilitation skills; 
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; 
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; 
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; 
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; 
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; 
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; 
• Experience with a UN organization/agency is desirable.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English is required.
• Proficiency in national languages is required especially Sesotho.