Background
UNDP development efforts are defined by the Strategic Plan: 2008-2011, which has established four development focus areas: (i) poverty reduction and the achievement of the MDGs, (ii) democratic governance, (iii) crisis prevention and post-conflict recovery, and (iv) environment and sustainable development. The “Environment and Sustainable Development” focus area consists of four key result areas, which are (i) mainstreaming environment and energy, (ii) catalyzing environmental finance, (iii) adaptation to climate change, and (iv) expanding access to environmental and energy services for the poor.
UNDP seeks to develop country capacity to manage the environment and natural resources; integrate environmental and energy dimensions into poverty reduction strategies and national development frameworks. Energy and environment are essential for sustainable development. The poor are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and lack of access to clean, affordable energy services. UNDP helps countries strengthen their capacity to address these challenges at global, national and community levels, seeking out and sharing best practices, providing innovative policy advice and linking partners through pilot projects that help poor people build sustainable livelihoods.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Director of the Environment and Energy Group (EEG) within the Bureau for Development Policy (BDP), the incumbent will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:
- Helps to ensure the quality and consistency of BDP’s advice and input – researching, drafting and/or editing speeches, briefings, talking points for the Director, websites, communication material etc., as needed;
- Researches, synthesizes, and drafts briefs, background documents and provides programmatic support for the Director particularly in areas pertaining to environmental finance and climate change, including:
- UNDP’s collaboration with the World Bank
- Global Environment Facility
- International Financial Institutions
- UNDP’s partnership with the Club of Madrid
- Development of guidelines and methodologies for sustainable environmental finance systems including a Guidebook on Financial Tools;
- Ensures that relevant background materials and briefing notes are provided to the Director in a well-organized and timely manner for appointments, meetings, teleconferences, etc;
- Substantively reviews and critically analyzes key documents for the Director to ensure all briefs and presentations are complete and accurate;
- Plans and prepares for missions including the preparation of background material, briefing notes, presentations, backstops the Director during the mission (liaising with staff, preparing and sending materials, managing updates to the schedule), keeps track of action items for the Director’s return and ensures follow-up;
- Provides the Director with other support as needed in carrying out the day-to-day activities of the Group, including providing briefings on critical issues, participating in substantive meetings, and following up on research issues as needed; and
- Undertakes specific (ad-hoc) assignments for the Director of a substantive nature.
Competencies
Communication: Communicates effectively with staff at all levels of the organization and is comfortable in handling external relations at all levels; Demonstrates sensitivity, tact and diplomacy in internal as well as external relations in his/her role as Special Assistant to the Director.
Professionalism: Capable of working in a highly pressured environment with extreme deadlines, managing many tasks simultaneously; Able to handle a large volume of logistical details, accurately and thoroughly, with great attention to detail; Exercises the highest level of responsibility and is able to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner.
Teamwork: Works well in a team to service all of EEG and BDP as a while; projects a positive image and is ready to take on a wide range of tasks to create an enabling environment for the meetings of the Director; Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
Technical Skills: Able to draft well with the ability to edit and clear correspondence, speeches, briefings, etc. in English, French and or Spanish is an asset. Be able to concisely draft talking points for the Director as required; Excellent computer skills.
Knowledge Management and Learning: Willingly shares knowledge and experience and makes contributions to UNDP practice area s (e.g., documented knowledge, community of practice building initiatives); Actively develops deep understanding and experience in one or more knowledge areas, including process and/or substantive knowledge.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master’s degree in Public Administration, International Relations, Environmental Management or a related field.
Experience:
- Minimum 2 years of work experience, with increasing independence, preferably in an environmental field in an international organization.
- Substantive programme experience related to the Millennium Development Goals, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change preferred.
- Knowledge of UNDP programming arrangements and administrative procedures preferred.
Language:
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
- Good working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.