UNDP Jobs - 58435- Project Officer, GoI- UNDP Project ‘Strengthening

Project Officer, GoI- UNDP Project ‘Strengthening Natural Resource Management’ (Open to Indian Nationals Only)

Location :

National Biodiversity Authority, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, INDIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

02-Aug-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year (Renewable on the basis of performance and availability of funds)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Human survival and well-being depends upon biodiversity and healthy ecosystems and the goods and services they provide. The conservation of the rich biological diversity is facing new challenges such as multiple-use landscapes, climate change, increased commitment to local communities’ access to resources etc. In India, the key institutions and relevant line departments working on forest, biodiversity and wildlife governance in India have limited capacities to deal with these emerging challenges related to conservation. There is need for diverse biodiversity governance approaches, each specifically suited to local conditions.

UNDP is implementing a GoI-UNDP Project ‘Strengthening Natural Resource Management’ along with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change since 2013 with the following components:

Strengthened capacity of key biodiversity governance institutions to respond to emerging challenges;
Government supported changes in forest and sectoral policy and guidelines;
Support the Government of India on south-south cooperation to implement select decisions and priorities under the Convention on Biological Diversity;
Support models of governance for sustainable and equitable access.

UNDP has recently introduced a new initiative, namely the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), in India under the GoI- UNDP Project ‘Strengthening Natural Resource Management’.

BIOFIN is managed by the UNDP Ecosystems and Biodiversity Programme globally, in partnership with the European Union, the Governments of Germany, Switzerland, Norway and Flanders, who support the initiative with a contribution of US$28 million. BIOFIN is currently being piloted in 19 countries, to be scaled up to 29 soon.

Conservation of biodiversity requires huge investments. This has been confirmed by the study conducted by the High Level Panel on Global Assessment of Resources. The findings indicate that the global investment required to implement the Global Aichi Targets ranges between US $ 150 and 440 billion annually.

With this background, UNDP, at the Eleventh meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Hyderabad, launched the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), as a new global partnership, seeking to address the biodiversity finance challenge in a comprehensive manner-building a sound case for increased investment in the management for ecosystems and biodiversity.

As an obligation under CBD, India prepared the National Biodiversity Action Plan (NBAP) in 2008. Thereafter, India has developed 12 National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs) in consultation with concerned ministries/departments, using the Strategic Plan and its 20 Aichi targets as the framework, and has included these in NBAP Addendum 2014 to NBAP 2008.

BIOFIN provides a systematic and flexible approach to identify and mobilize the financial resources needed for implementing the NBAP and making progress towards achieving the NBTs. Through implementation of BIOFIN, it is expected to further enhance awareness and sensitization about significance of biodiversity in development sectors, thereby, inter alia leveraging existing resources to contribute more towards biodiversity, and reducing the financial gap in achieving the NBTs. Implementation of BIOFIN in India would be country driven and would build on the activities already undertaken for assessing funding for biodiversity as a part of preparing NBAP Addendum 2014.

UNDP is looking for a dynamic individual to support the National Biodiversity Authority in implementing the BIOFIN Programme. The selected candidate will be placed in the NBA, Chennai, under the supervision of the Secretary, NBA and will undertake all tasks entrusted by the Secretary. The Project Officer will, also, collaborate with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Officer (PO) will support the Secretary (nodal officer for BIOFIN) and Chairman, NBA, Chennai; and the Programme Analyst, UNDP in the following:

Planning, Implementing and monitoring the programme and its various components in close collaboration with UNDP and MOEFCC;
Coordinating the work of technical agencies (NIPFP and WII) to ensure that outputs are delivered on time, within the approved budget and with high quality standards.
Ensuring collaboration of various institutions engaged under the programme on data and information sharing, expert review and verification;
Fostering partnerships with national and international counterparts, NGOs and other groups to ensure effective coordination and communication of various activities under BIOFIN;
Editing, printing and publishing ‘Summary for Policymakers to effectively communicate and publicize the results of BIOFIN at the national level;
Providing technical inputs to achieve an overall transformational process of Biodiversity Finance (including outreach to the government)
Establishing linkages with other related and relevant programmes and projects of NBA and liaise with other relevant ministries on behalf of the Ministry.
Assisting in various programme related activities which may include (but not limited to) planning for meetings, local and national consultations, trips and other project related activities, as assigned by the authorities;
Ensuring 100% delivery against planned project results and financial delivery targets in annual work plan. Closely tracking slippage against work plan and recommending corrective actions;
Drafting Annual Work Plans, Critical Results Path, Progress Implementation Reports (PIRs), Quarterly Progress Reports (QPRs)- both, physical and financial- as per the format provided by UNDP;
Drafting communications, letters, concept notes, Terms of Reference etc. to support the authorities;
Developing a communication strategy to reach out to various stakeholders;
Contributing to the development of knowledge products and communication-outreach material to facilitate knowledge sharing on BIOFIN;
Supervising the work of team members or consultants, as may be recruited under the BIOFIN;
Ensuring quality and consistency of reports and deliverables by partner institutions/ individuals;
Apart from the above, the Project Officer will also be required to execute duties assigned under the GoI-UNDP Strengthening Natural Resource Management Project, other donor funded projects and any other tasks assigned by the Chairman and Secretary, NBA, and Programme Analyst, UNDP.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies:

Technical Knowledge:

Sound understanding of the technical aspects of the functioning of the National Biodiversity Authority especially in the area of Conservation, sustainable use of biological resource and fair equitable sharing of benefits of use;
Excellent knowledge and understanding of various technical and expert committees formed under NBA to support the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002;

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in the area of professional discipline and job knowledge, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
Demonstrates competent analytical and presentation skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to facilitate strategic planning and reporting;
Excellent working knowledge of MS Office-Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Intra-Internet, e-mail applications etc.;
Knowledge of other applications such as Front Page, Publisher and some multimedia tools would be useful.

Management and Leadership:

Focuses on expected impact and results and responds positively to feedback;
Promotes teamwork and shows conflict resolution skills;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Builds strong relationships with stakeholders and external actors;
High interpersonal skills, and ability to remain calm, in control and good humored under pressure;
Ability to prioritize assignments and requirements, and multitask as needed;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Demonstrates skills to liaise with varied government stakeholders and report to senior government officials.

Communication Skills:

Excellent oral and writing and communication skills;
Sound analytical and presentation skills;
Good interpersonal and presentation skills, with an ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in the field of Biology/ Natural Sciences / Forestry or related field; Masters is desirable.

Experience:

At least 3 years of work experience in relevant field;
Minimum two years of experience of working with an institution preferably in Central Government would be an advantage;
Experience of providing inputs to the preparation of reports preferably of various Central &/ or State Government committees would be an advantage;
Experience of engaging with a range of stakeholders such as government agencies, donors, industry and scientist;
Proven experience of good research writing on the subject of trade related aspects of bio-resources;
Experience in organizing workshops and conferences will be desirable.

Language:

Proficiency in English;
Good Writing Skills.

Remuneration package is Rs. 905,482/- p.a (all inclusive and taxable). UNDP offers additional benefits which include medical insurance coverage for the service contract holder and limited pension reimbursement for contract holder and encourages work life balance.

UNDP strives to have a workforce which reflects diversity and gender balance, and applies an equal opportunities approach. UNDP does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS status. All selection is on merit.