UNDP Jobs - 1066- GEF Regional Technical Advisor for Biodiversity

GEF Regional Technical Advisor for Biodiversity

Location :

Bangkok, THAILAND

Type of Contract :

200 Series

Starting Date :

01-Apr-2007

Application Deadline :

22-Jan-07 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

L-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

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

As one of the three implementing agencies of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), UNDP oversees a portfolio of projects in the focal areas of biodiversity, climate change, international waters, Ozone depleting substance phase-out, land degradation, and persistent organic pollutants. The cumulative value of UNDP's GEF portfolio is valued at nearly US$5.0 billion. These projects are implemented through UNDP's network of more than 130 country offices located in developing countries as well as numerous UN and other agency partners. UNDP's GEF unit is based in UNDP's Bureau of Development Policy (BDP) and is a key part of the Energy and Environment Group (EEG). The GEF Executive Coordinator is also the Deputy Director of the EEG. Given the highly specialized nature of the GEF Program, UNDP's GEF unit is organized by focal area, with the Principal Technical Advisor being the team leader within each focal area. Each Principal Technical Advisor leads and supports a team of regionally based UNDP-GEF Regional Technical Advisors, who in turn support UNDP's country offices and partners in their focal area work in their respective countries. The role of a UNDP GEF Regional Technical Advisor is to support project implementation partners, primarily UNDP country offices but also other UN agencies, governments and inter-governmental organizations, NGO's, donors, etc. in the efficient, effective, and high quality delivery of project development and implementation services in one or more focal areas or sub-focal areas, drawing primarily on GEF funds, but also other sources of finance as appropriate. UNDP RTAs have specialized skills in a particular substantive area. While they are normally deployed in a specific region or sub-region, they are expected to apply these skills globally.

Duties and Responsibilities

Technical support to Country Offices and project proponents through all stages of the project and programming cycle, by responding to requests, including support to:

identification and development of biodiversity project ideas for admission to the UNDP and GEF pipelines within the overall strategic priorities for the region identified by UNDP and in line with the global strategic priorities articulated by GEF;
design, preparation, submission and approval of project proposals and requests for project development financing;
identification and sourcing of technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of terms of reference, identifying and evaluating experts, reviewing reports, etc.;
identification and liaison with potential and actual co-financing agencies and institutions;
advise to Country Offices on inception, contracting and start up of projects including establishment of indicators, benchmarks and work plans;
supervising implementation through technical advice, participation in Tripartite Project Reviews when needed and in drawing lessons learned for sharing on Knowledge Management (KM) networks;
poviding technical advice and KM on GEF policies and activities to UNDP Regional Service Centres, SURFS, Country Offices, etc.;
debriefing Resident Representatives’ offices of countries in the region of all project development, implementation and monitoring activities of countries in the region.

Participation in GEF technical team through:

providing technical support and peer review of project design, development, implementation, and evaluation to other RTAs globally - within the RTAs specialized field of technical expertise;
KM networks and regular cluster activities, including regional strategic planning, pipeline management exercises, technical debate within clusters, and development of resource kits and other KM materials;
participation in cross-Focal Area dialogue, common strategic visioning, mainstreaming, programming, and collaboration within the Regional Coordination Unit (RCU) coordinated by the Regional Team Leader (RTL);
keeping the RTL fully informed of all issues requiring operational support and help in collaborating with the Regional Service Centre;
standard reporting - including mission reports, Quarterly Operational Reports (QORs), Annual Project Reviews (APRs); Project Implementation Reports (PIRs);
providing support to evaluation, and capturing and synthesizing lessons and best practices;
maintaining project information in UNDP-GEF Project Information Management System (PIMS);
responding to queries regarding project progress, impacts and lessons;
keeping UNDP-GEF Headquarters informed of trends and issues within the region;
interacting with the Energy and Environment Group (EEG) of the UNDP Bureau for Development Policy (BDP) on lessons learned and KM related activities.

Liaison with other agencies and partners:

establishing and maintaining contact with other GEF Implementing Agencies and Executing Agencies, donors, NGOs, private sector, etc, to seek strategic partnerships, synergies, coordination and cooperation and to avoid overlap, duplication or conflict;
reviewing and commenting on proposals to GEF Secretariat from other Implementing and expanded Executing Agencies;
keeping SURFs, UNDP Country Offices, Executing Agencies, governments, and other partners informed of GEF policies and activities.

Competencies

Skills in facilitation and coordination, entrepreneurial spirit, and demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner;
Extensive skills in the policy development processes associated with environment and sustainable development issues;
Extensive skills with project development, implementation and management (direct project management experience is preferable);
Demonstrated leadership and management skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Post-graduate University degree in biodiversity sciences, environmental sciences, natural resource management, natural resource policy, environmental policy, environmental economics or a closely related field.

Experience/Skills:

10 years experience working on biodiversity issues in developing countries / countries in transition;
Excellent knowledge of the English language, with exceptional writing, presentation and communication skills;
Knowledge of other UN and regional languages would be an asset;
Full computer literacy;
Experience working in developing countries / countries in transition;
Working experience in an international organization is an advantage as is knowledge of UNDP and GEF policies and procedures.

QUALIFIED WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.