UNDP Jobs - 62746- Programme Specialist-Environmental Sustainability

Programme Specialist-Environmental Sustainability & Energy, Country Office-UNDP Bangladesh (Only Bangladeshi nationals are eligible to apply)

Location :

Dhaka, BANGLADESH

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Mar-2016

Application Deadline :

21-Jan-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

Initially 01 (One) year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Renewable upon satisfactory performance and availability of funds

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

Commencing in 2015, Bangladesh’s seventh five year plan (7FYP) is built around three pillars: (i) GDP growth acceleration, employment generation and rapid poverty reduction; ? (ii) a broad-based strategy of inclusiveness with a view to empowering every citizen to participate in and benefit from the development process; and (iii) a sustainable development pathway that is resilient to disaster and climate change, entails sustainable use of natural resources, and successfully manages urbanization. The 7FYP will be implemented in a new development context shaped by the country’s middle income country status and adoption of new global drivers i.e. SDGs, Sendai Framework and Paris Agreement on climate change. UNDP’s Country Programme Document for 2016-2020 is under formulation which will be aligned to this new context.

UNDP has been a long-standing and strong partner of GoB in the area of envirmnetal sustinability, climate change adpatation and mitigation. In the next five years, UNDP will further intensify its efforts with GoB and stakeholders in innovating sustainable solution and scaling up its efforts in environmental governance, climate change mitigation and adaptation and energy efficiency and access.

UNDP’s current and prospective work with GoB would include sustainable and adaptive management of ecosystem including ECAs, carbon sequestration through coastal afforestation; expanding access to low carbon energy services for the poor; and pollution control and biodiversity conservation. UNDP will work on these areas, as prioritized by the government, through high quality policy advice, resource mobilization, capacity building, programme management, knowledge management and innovation, consistent with UNDP’s mandate.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Assistant Country Director, the incumbent is responsible for management of UNDP programmes within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned. S/he analyzes the political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio, & provides policy advisory services.

The Programme Analyst supervises leads and coordinates activities of the projects’ staff. S/he works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Areas of Responsibility:

(i) Biodiversity and natural resource conservation: forestry, REDD initiative, environmental governance, pollution control and waste management;

(ii) sustainable production and responsive consumption: green growth, energy efficiency and access to energy.

Summary of Key Functions:

Implementation of programme strategies
Management of the CO programme
Creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy
Provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and managemen.

1. Ensures policy analysis, advice and implementation of programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:

Thoroughly analyse and conduct research on the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to CCA, UNDAF, CPD, CPAP and other documents.
Identify of areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas within the assigned areas of responsibility and the project portfolio. Formulate UNDP positions and strategies and assuring alignment between UNDP position and its projects, constant garnering of implications of analysis for UNDP’s programmes.
Map CO business processes and prepare content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management.
Be accountable for results, avoid duplications and reduce transaction costs by proper planning and coordination.

2. Ensures effective management of the CO programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the country programme achieving the following results:

Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results.
Design and formulation of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones.
Initiation of a project, presentation of the project to PAC, entering project into Atlas, finalization of contribution agreement; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review. Programme Analyst can perform functions of Manager Level 1 in Atlas for POs and vouchers approval, participates in recruitment processes for projects and Country Office.
Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions. Participation in audit of DEX / NEX projects.
Follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported.
Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports.
Evaluation of the programme impact. Monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustments in portfolio.

3. Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in cooperation with the Management Support and Business Development Team focusing on achievement of the following results:

Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.
Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.
Supporting ACD to report effectively and timely to donors on achievement of results, use of funds constraints and recommendations to be followed up.

4. Ensures provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals.
Development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.

Impact of Results:

The key results have an impact on the success of country programme within specific areas of cooperation. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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 favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
In-depth knowledge on national and global trends and policies on DRM and resilience.
Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit
Strong IT skills
Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership:

Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Leads teams effectively 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 government, stakeholders and development partners.
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
Creating synergies through self-control
Excellent communication skills (written and oral): Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners, Respectful and helpful relations with all UN/UNDP staff,

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree in environment, energy, Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in following areas:

Providing management and policy advisory services;
hands-on experience in designating, monitoring and evaluation of donor funded projects;
Knowledge and experience about polices of vertical funds such as GEF and GCF.
Establishing and management of inter-relationships among international organization and national governments;
Understanding and knowledge about local, national and global good practices and policy trends on environment and energy;
Proven resource mobilisation skills;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Bangla.