UNDP Jobs - 55715- Programme Manager (Promoting Sustainable Bio-Energ

Programme Manager (Promoting Sustainable Bio-Energy Production from Biomass - SBEPB)

Location :

Dili, Timor Leste

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

01-Jun-2015

Application Deadline :

30-Apr-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1 year with posible extension subject to funding available

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The UNDP GEF-funded project ‘Promoting Sustainable Bio-energy Production from Biomass’ project, will work in close collaboration with the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL) through the State Secretariat for Energy, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (National Directorate for Forestry, National Directorate for Livestock); Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment; Ministry of Public Works and; Ministry of Finance, as well as working with international and national NGOs and private enterprise, to break down the barriers to sustainable production of bio-energy in Timor Leste. The project supports the GoTL’s overall policy to scale up alternative clean energy and reduce reliance on unsustainable firewood by promoting bioenergy standards and best practices. The Project is designed to integrate a top-down approach of providing support through policy measures and demand side management, and bottom-up approach of promoting market mechanisms to create demand for energy efficient stoves. Building biomass resources for energy generation, the project utilises biomass-energy technologies in order to support localised economic, social and environmentally sustainable development and facilitate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Timor Leste, while promoting resilience of local communities and energy security. The project is expected to have a reduction in the total annual biomass/fuel wood consumption of Timor-Leste through the use of biomass-based energy technologies, by improving the efficiency of fuel types used, as well as conversion to more sustainably-sourced fuel types throughout the geographic areas targeted in the project. The project is focused on developing policy and institutional support for bio-energy technologies, promoting bio-energy investments and sustainable bio-energy technology market development, as well as capacity development and market transformation.

In parallel, A National Directorate for Environmental Services (NDES) has been established with a mission to conserve and protect the country’s national resources and environment through a sustainable manner. The NDES, as part of its mandate, since 2003, has been conducting environmental activities that include the implementation of the Rio Conventions (UNFCCC, UNCBD and UNCCD). Timor-Leste ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in October 2006, the Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC in October 2008, the Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in August 2003, and in January 2007, became a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD). The country started its Initial National Communication (INC) to the UNFCCC with the support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Australian Aid and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2010, with the finalized Initial National Communication to the UNFCCC in 2014. In order to meet Timor-Leste’s obligation to the Convention for conveying it’s national communication on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission status, mitigation and adaptation actions (including constraints, barriers and needs relating to financing, technology and capacity building issues); the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL) assigned the Directorate for International Environmental Affairs and Climate Change (DIEACC) to develop the Initial National Communication. The Directorate sits under the State Secretariat for the Environment, one of the State Secretaries under the prerogative of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Environment (MCIE). UNDP also assisted the GoTL to fulfil its commitments and obligations under the UNFCCC, by preparing and reporting its Initial National Communication (INC) based on the recommended guidelines. The project generated analysis and communicated information relevant for the preparation and submission of the INC, including: 1) the development of a comprehensive inventory of national GHGs; 2) the development of Vulnerability Assessment(s) and adaptation and mitigation analysis; 3) the development and transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies (ESTs) in the country; 3) the gradual development of research programme and systematic observations on climate change, including early warning systems (EWS) for climate-related hazards; 4) the strengthening of national education curricula and enhancement of public awareness of climate change; 5) increased networking among project team members and other experts in the region and other regions; 6) integration of climate change concerns into the future National Development Plan; and 7) the strengthening of country capacity on climate change issues at all levels. The Initial National Communication project enhanced the technical and institutional capacity of the GoTL via the mainstreaming of climate change concerns into its sectoral and national development planning priorities. Initial communication work was conducted by the Initial National Communication Team, in collaboration with Thematic Working Group, which worked across the crosscutting issues involved in the INC’s mainstreaming of climate change concerns into its sectoral and national development planning priorities. The State Secretary for the Environment (SoSE), through the DIEACC, will continue to play the role of the coordinating body for the Central Agency, wherever data and calculation/modelling results are compiled and presented publicly.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Program Manager will report directly to the Head of Sustainable Development and Resilience Unit of UNDP, and be responsible for technical oversight of project activities, working together with both Projects’ Team/Project Board on all project management related responsibilities and reporting. S/he will act as the Team Leader of the National and international consultants, will provide guidance, support and capacity development to team members and PSU staff, to ensure achievement of the outputs of the project. S/he will be responsible especially for oversight and delivery of Outcomes of Biomass and Second National Communicatio Projects. Under the overall supervision of and reporting to the ACD/Head of Sustainable Development and Resilience Unit – UNDP and guidance from the Regional Technical Advisor, in consultation with the both project team / Project Board (PB), the Program Manager is responsible for day-to-day management, co-ordination and supervision of the implementation of the Biomass and SNC Projects.

Summary of Key Functions

Provisions of project management and operational support services;
Implementation and reporting of project monitoring and evaluation strategy;
Communicating Project results with National Partners, Donors and Stakeholders.

Provisions of project management and operational support services

To supervise and ensure the timely implementation of the both projects relevant activities as scheduled in the work plan;
Develop and implement both projects Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan in collaboration with the independent evaluator;
Prepare quarterly progress reports to the UNDP, and Project Board;
To coordinate stakeholders to develop and implement project activities as required;
To engage widely with all project stakeholders identified, to develop the project with each project stakeholders on-board.

Implementation and reporting of project monitoring and evaluation strategy

Prepare the project inception report and organize the inception workshop;
Prepare a detailed work plan for the project and draft terms of reference for the subcontracts (in consultation with the UNDP, the Project team and the Project board);
Draft the scope of the work (SoW), ToR and other procurement documentation required for the identification and the recruitment of experts and consultants contributing to the assessment processes;
Provide administrative support to national experts and institutions in the execution of required deliverables;
Liaise directly with the relevant ministries, national and international research institutes, NGOs, and other relevant institutions in order to ensure national involvement in project actions as well as to facilitate the gathering of information required for analysis;
Assess constraints, gaps, related financial and technical and capacity needs;
Assist in the mobilization of additional resources to the extent available;
Detail work plan and terms of reference for subcontracts;
Produce Inception Report;
Identify programs and activities for follow up;
Compile the various section reports and content of the overall Second National Communication Report document in consultation with Consultants;
Coordinate the work of the Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Consultants;
Organize the validation of project products through training workshops and sensitization sessions.

Communicating Project results with National Partners, Donors and Stakeholders

Summarize and synthesize the results of the project;
Prepare quarterly progress reports to the UNDP, and Project Board;
To engage widely with all project stakeholders identified, to develop the project with all stakeholders on-board;
Identify necessary follow-up activities to ensure synergies between the National Communication activities and other ongoing initiatives;
Ensure that the Second National Communication process is in the line with guidance provided by the Conference of Parties (CoP) to the UNFCCC.

Key results areas and Impact:

Sustainable Bio-Energy Production from Biomass (SBEPB) & Second National Communication to UNFCCC (SNC)

Detailed work-plan and Terms of Reference (ToR) for technical consultant and subcontracts;
Quarterly reports to UNDP, PEG/PB;
Identify programs and activities for follow up;
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan developed and implemented.

(SBEPB)

Favorable policy and regulatory environment created for RE investments;
Investment in RE technologies increased;
GHG emissions avoided;
Capacity and ownership of gender-sensitive climate change adaptation planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring at local level strengthened;
Individual and institutional capacities strengthened to deliver climate services for adaptation planning across sectors.

(SNC)

Update National Circumstances and Draft National Circumstances document;
National GHG Emissions Inventory Database Management System developed;
Inventory findings Summary Report produced;
Submission of programmes/measures for adaptation and mitigation formulated;
Submission of National Adaptation Plan (NAP);
Draft National Mitigation Plan (NMP);
Best Practice Climate Change Adaptation and Vulnerability reduction processes and options documented and disseminated;
Draft the Second National Communication and associated documents;
Second National Communication Report submitted to the UNFCCC satisfactorily and in line with the guidance provided by the Conference of Parties (CoP) and the UNFCCC;
Analysis of domestic contributions prepared and presented at the 21st Session of the CoP.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays strong cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability, and;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Management

Interacts, establishes and maintains effective working relations both as a team member and as a task manager, with people of different national and multi-cultural backgrounds;
Demonstrates integrity and commitment to UN principles and values and ethical standards;
Ability to work well as part of a multi-cultural team and displays gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Analytical and strategic thinking/results orientation;
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate to a broader audience, complex, technical information;
Demonstrates strong negotiating and interpersonal skills;
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
Is able to anticipate and resolve conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions, and;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Technical Expertise

Knowledge of the subject-matter and good practical experience in the relevant area, i.e., particularly biomass energy and renewable energy;
Knowledgeable in sustainable cooking stove design and emission standards;
Analytical and strategic thinking/results orientation;
Computer literacy (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Netscape Communicator, and other internet-based communication tools) is a prerequisite.

Knowledge Management and Learning

Knowledge of global environmental issues and understanding of core Multilateral Environmental Agreements;
Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
Demonstrates skills and ability to coordinate and manage the work of others, work to tight deadlines.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to conduct results-based management (RBM) and reporting, and;
Has analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive research on a range of issues including those of a complex and/or sensitive nature.

Building Strategic Partnerships

Identifying and building partnerships;
Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda;
Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners, and;
Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Developing tools and mechanisms;
Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches, and;
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms.

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking, and;
Initiative- taking, Self-development.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

An advanced degree (at least Master degree or equivalent) in sustainable energy, sustainable development, Climate Change and Environmental management, international project development and related fields.

Experience:

Minimum of 5 years working experience on energy and/or biomass technologies, climate change and environment;
Demonstrated experience in project/Program management;
Previous experience managing projects with a broad range of stakeholders engaged and coordination across a range of stakeholders including government, NGOs, academic/specialists, institutes, business and community;
Background in sustainable/renewable energy and livelihoods projects;
Demonstrated technical understanding of sustainable cooking-stove design and emission standards;
Technical Background in one or more of the following or related fields, green-house gas (GHG) inventories, climate change vulnerability assessment, adaptation analysis as well as holding common understanding of the IPCC guidelines;
Understanding of global development concerns, climate change discourse, and mitigation to climate change;
Demonstrated experience working with government structures at local levels, NGOs and private sector;
Demonstrated history of institutional capacity building and knowledge sharing;
Past involvement in National communication processes will be advantageous;
Extensive background of working on technical information sharing and promotion with national and international agencies;
Understanding of Timor-Leste’s environment/development issues context and of climate change activities in Timor-Leste would be advantageous;
Knowledge of Timor-Leste or other countries in Asia, demonstrated by previous experience and involvement in the country/region;
Previous experience working in Timor-Leste would be advantageous, and;
Background in livelihoods and agroforestry programs would be advantageous.

Language Requirements:

Proficiency in English is required, especially writing;
Tetun, Portugues and/or Indonesian language skills are also an asset.