Background

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UNDP Environment and Energy Group (EEG) is based in UNDP’s Bureau of Development Policy and is responsible for providing leadership and technical support to delivery of the Environment and Sustainable Development pillar of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. It’s main focus is on helping countries develop the capacity to fully incorporate environmental sustainability into development at national and local, but also global and regional, levels. The principal areas of work are in environmental mainstreaming, environmental finance, adaptation to climate change, and local governance of resources, including energy.
With its technical focus, the Environment and Energy Group (EEG) is organized into substantive technical teams with a Principal Technical Advisor (PTA) being the team leader within each area. Each team leader supports and guides a team, including Regional Technical Advisors (RTAs) based in regional centres from where they support UNDP’s country offices and partners in their region. Support to UNDP country offices is coordinated closely with the Regional Bureaux.

EEG REDD+ and the UN-REDD Programme

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, as defined by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is referred to as “REDD+”. The work is primarily concentrated in the UN-REDD Programme, a collaborative partnership with FAO and UNEP. In addition, the team is responsible for other REDD+ initiatives and ensuring overall quality assurance. The team especially works closely with the UNDP-GEF team and the Low Emissions, Climate Resilient Development (LECRD) team to ensure UNDP’s efforts on REDD+ contribute to broader transformational change.
The EGG REDD+ team is a multi-practice initiative, working closely with the Democratic Governance Group (DGG), the Poverty Group, the Capacity Development Group, the Gender Unit and the Civil Society Unit. A team member is currently based in the UNDP Oslo Governance Centre and the team collaborates closely with the DGG Anti-Corruption Programme.
The UN-REDD Programme consists of two sets of activities: i) National Programmes which are UN joint programmes between the three agencies to assist developing countries prepare and implement national REDD+ strategies and mechanisms; ii) Global Programme to support country actions (the regional team is part of the Global Programme). A UN-REDD Strategy 2011-2015 has recently been approved by the Policy Board, the governing body of the Programme. UNDP leads three of the six work areas set out in the UN-REDD Strategy: (i) National Governance; (ii) Stakeholder Engagement; and (iii) Transparent, Equitable and Accountable Management of REDD+ Funds.

EEG is accountable to the MDTF Office for all UN-REDD funds allocated through UNDP. For National Programme funds, EEG delegates authority to the UNDP country office, while ensuring overall quality through the RTAs and the REDD+ team. UNDP coordinates UN-REDD activities at the national level, working closely with the UN Resident Coordinators, and UNEP and FAO counterparts.

The UN-REDD Programme and the EEG REDD+ team collaborate closely with the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF); the Forest Investment Programme (FIP) of the Carbon Investment Funds (CIF) of the World Bank; and other multilateral, bilateral and private sector REDD+ initiatives.

UNDP-GEF Ecosystems and Biodiversity

The Ecosystems and Biodiversity cluster has the following Strategic Objective: Natural goods and services provided by land based ecosystems and biodiversity are maintained and enhanced through measures that increase carbon storage, reduce GHG emissions, increase ecosystem resilience and enhance livelihoods and reduce poverty.

There are two outcomes: [1] Policies, strategies and plans to maintain and enhance the natural goods and services provided by land based ecosystems and biodiversity are developed; and [2] Markets support and drive the sustainable management of natural goods and services provided by land based ecosystems and biodiversity. These outcomes are delivered through Signature Programmes, including a programme on Protected Areas; and a Programme on Mainstreaming Ecosystem Management into Economic Sector Activities.

Asia-Pacific Regional Centre

Under the UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia-Pacific and the Bureau of Development Policy, the Environment & Energy (E&E) team at the Asia-Pacific Centre in Bangkok works to ensure that global environment concerns are mainstreamed in UNDP’s overall portfolio of activities through country-based and transboundary projects funded through the UN collaborative programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing countries (UN-REDD), Global Environment Facility (GEF) and others.

75% of the time of the incumbent will be devoted to EEG REDD+/UN-REDD Programme and 25% devoted to ecosystem and biodiversity activities. S/he will work under the primary supervision of the senior RTA for REDD+, Asia-Pacific and the secondary supervision of the PTA for EBD. The RTA will also be expected to interact with the Environment and Energy Team Leader in the Asia-Pacific Regional Centre and the Principal Policy and Technical Advisor for REDD+.

Duties and Responsibilities

With the recent expansion of the UN-REDD Programme in Asia and the Pacific, a wide range of services and a higher degree of technical assistance are being requested from the participating countries. There is an increasing need to support new partner countries in developing national REDD+ readiness programmes, and to provide systematic and in depth technical support on key issues affecting REDD+, particularly the UN-REDD work areas led by UNDP.

With regards to the Ecosystems and Biodiversity activities, the Regional Technical Advisor will be expected to contribute towards the delivery of both Signature Programmes. The RTA will provide detailed knowledge related to sources of funds for environment work, and assisting partners to obtain, use, and report on, funding under the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and various bilateral, multilateral, and sub-national donors and partners including country governments and the private sector.

The role of a Regional Technical Advisor (RTA) is to:

1. Development and formulation of REDD+ initiatives;
2. Programme Assurance and oversight;
3. Support Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships
4. Provide technical and policy advisory support services
5. Development, Implementation and Monitoring of GEF-funded Projects

The key functions are:

1. Development and formulation of REDD+ initiatives (20% of total time)

• Leading joint missions (including UNEP and FAO colleagues, but potentially other REDD partners such as the World Bank and bilateral agencies) to UN-REDD Programme countries for the scoping and formulation of national programmes and targeted support
• Providing timely quality information and strategic advice to the Resident Coordinator, UNDP country office management, implementing partners, senior government officials and other partners to enable the identification and delivery of UN-REDD national programmes, targeted support and other REDD+ initiatives (other REDD+ Initiatives are supported on a full cost recovery basis);
• Providing technical guidance to countries in terms of REDD+ readiness framework design, implementation structure, and any other aspects required;
• Supporting COs in defining priorities and entry-points for UNDP assistance within the UN-REDD interventions;
• Assistance in the formulation of national programmes, targeted support, proposals for second phase funding and other REDD+ initiatives;
• Coordinating the submission and approval of national programmes within the UN-REDD Programme approval process, including the management of responses to technical review comments and other comments from the UN-REDD Policy Board members;
• Identification and sourcing of technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports;
• Liaising with other REDD initiatives and potential co-financing agencies and institutions to ensure UN-REDD national programmes contribute to the development of one nationally-owned REDD process
• Providing training and capacity development to UNDP country offices on REDD+ issues

2. Programme Assurance and Oversight and delivery of results (25% of total time).

• Providing guidance and technical leadership for the inception and start up of national programmes, targeted support and other UN-REDD interventions, including establishment of indicators, benchmarks and work plans;
• Providing guidance and quality assurance leadership to UNDP country offices in the supervision, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, troubleshooting and adaptive management of approved programmes and initiatives – in accordance with the duties and functions set out in the relevant Delegation of Authority;
• Technical and policy guidance to UNDP country offices and implementing partners for integrated work planning across all sources of funds to national initiatives;
• Regular monitoring of, and follow-up with UNDP country offices on, Annual Work Plans, Atlas-generated delivery reports, UNDP’s Enhanced Results Based Management System, and risks and issues logs;
• Reporting and updates as requested to the Principal Policy and Technical Advisor for REDD+;
• Other actions as required to ensure the successful and timely implementation of UN-REDD initiatives or other REDD+ initiatives on a full cost recovery basis;
• Analysis and synthesis of results and experience into lessons learned, guidelines, training and other knowledge products

3. Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships (10% of total time)

• Establishing and maintaining a strategic understanding of, and engagement with, the substantive technical issues, institutions, and processes within the region, including establishing contact with and developing strategic partnerships with other agencies, donors, NGO’s, the private sector, scientific institutions and the like;
• Providing strategic policy development support and guidance regarding the development of REDD+ and other ecosystem and natural resource management strategies;
• Providing oversight and ensure quality assurance for UNDP’s relevant “tier 2” initiatives under the UN-REDD Programme;
• Providing oversight and ensure quality assurance as needed for UNDP’s participation in the FCPF as a ‘multiple delivery partner’;
• Developing other strategic opportunities for UNDP to access REDD+ financing
• Developing strategic UNDP and UN-REDD policy position papers and internal briefing notes;
• Establishing a trusted leadership role on REDD+ within the region.

4. Technical and policy advisory support services (20% of total time).

• Providing in-depth support to countries in one or more of the substantive areas that UNDP leads on within the UN-REDD partnership: (i) democratic governance of REDD+ systems and processes (including participatory governance assessments and safeguards); (ii) accountability and equity of REDD+ systems and processes (including anti-corruption, benefit distribution, social principles and livelihood benefits); (iii) stakeholder engagement (with a focus on indigenous peoples and forest dependent communities)
• Contributing to the implementation within the region of UNDP’s work areas under the UN-REDD global programme;
• Evaluating, capturing, codifying, synthesizing relevant lessons and stimulating the uptake of best practices and knowledge;
• Developing and contributing to guidelines, advisory notes, publications and the like on substantive issues within UNDP’s work areas;
• Participating in cross-substantive area technical dialogue, common strategic visioning, mainstreaming, programming, and other collaboration within the regional team;
• Keeping the E& E Regional Team and EEG REDD+ Team informed of trends and issues in the region;
• Preparing and delivering REDD+ training courses on substantive issues within UNDP’s work areas;
• Responding to queries on UN-REDD progress, impacts and lessons and;
• Developing and carrying out a personal learning plan.

5. Development, Implementation and Monitoring of GEF-funded Projects (25% of total time)

Portfolio Management

• Contributing to the maintenance of programme/project and portfolio information and corporate information systems;
• Facilitating the identification , and sourcing of technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports;

Resource Mobilization

• Providing technical guidance and leadership in the process of programme and project identification and development;
• Providing timely and quality information and technical advice on sources of funds, policies, priorities and activities;
• Identifying and suggesting to the PTA priorities and entry-points for UNDP assistance;
• Facilitating the process of preparation, design, submission and approval of programme/project concepts and full-fledged proposals for financing;
• Providing guidance and support in the identification and sourcing of technical expertise including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports;
• Facilitating liaisons with potential financing agencies and institutions.

Development Impact

• Providing guidance and quality assurance leadership for theinception, contracting and start up of programmes/projects including establishment of indicators, benchmarks and work plans;
• Supporting UNDP country offices and programme/project implementation partners in supervision, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, troubleshooting and adaptive management.

Other activities, as determined by the PTA for Ecosystems and Biodiversity. 

Impact of Results

The results of the work of the RTA impact directly on the standing and reputation of UNDP globally as an effective and trustworthy partner. These range from being a trusted partner in the UN-REDD Programme, to having a reputation for delivering expected results, through to demonstrating UNDP’s ability to meet the standards associated with delivering climate and ecosystems financing to developing countries. The RTA has regular contact with Country Offices and national counterparts in monitoring UNDP natural resources and ecosystem programmes and projects. In addition, for the UN-REDD Programme, the Regional Technical Advisor has regular contact with representatives of FAO and UNEP. The RTA makes recommendations to the UNDP Resident Representative or Country Director on necessary courses of action in response to changes in the country context and new programme and resource mobilization opportunities. When requested, the Regional Technical Advisor represents UNDP in international and national fora, liaises with external clients and a broad range of constituencies and UNDP counterparts in the Government, local and international media, civil society as well as counterparts from other international organizations. The RTA promotes good cooperation and coordination among programme and operations staff and between the Country Office and Government counterparts.

The Technical Specialist is expected to deliver the following specific outputs:

UN-REDD Programme:

• UN-REDD National Programme documents, Readiness proposals (R-PPs) and other relevant REDD+ proposals (subject to availability of funds)
• UNDP, UN-REDD and other (as relevant) monitoring and progress reports, including from UNDP’s Enhanced Results Based Management System
• Mission reports
• Knowledge products, guidelines, advisory notes, publications and the like concerning country REDD+ frameworks and substantive issues within UNDP’s UN-REDD work areas;
• Any other outputs as determined necessary to support the UN-REDD Programme in Asia and the Pacific

GEF-EBD:

• Project proposals, including PIFs, PPGs and full proposals
• Quarterly Operation Reports/quarterly updated progress tracking table
• Project Implementation Review (PIR) reports
• Annual donor expenditures report 

Competencies

Technical Competencies

• Ability to apply technical knowledge relating to GHG emissions reductions in forests, with a solid understanding of the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, the cost drivers of abatement actions, and the social fundamentals necessary for success;
• Ability to conceive, and support the implementation of innovative approaches to address the drivers of ecosystem degradation by reforming the production practices of economic sectors
• Ability to conceive, and support the implementation of innovative approaches to optimize the economic contributions of protected areas to countries in Asia-Pacific;
• Ability to conceive environmentally and economically sustainable and cost effective solutions;
• Ability to design and implement multi-sectoral and sectoral programmes and projects at different scales and;
• Capacity to work with multiple stakeholders and across a wide range of disciplines.

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 and;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and;
• Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills and;
• seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP

Management and Leadership

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure and;
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Masters degree in Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources Management, Physical Geography or a closely-related field

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years practical experience in developing countries with environment issues, with knowledge of the Asia-Pacific region;
• Extensive experience with project development, implementation and management;
• Experience in the policy development processes associated with forest carbon and sustainable dDvelopment issues in the natural resource sectors;
• An understanding of the REDD agenda in the context of UNFCCC negotiations, the challenges and opportunities;
• Thorough understanding of the forest and biodiversity conservation issues\environment policies and governance systems in the countries of the region;
• Demonstrated strategic technical and intellectual skills in substantive area;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strategic partnerships;
• Demonstrated leadership, facilitation and coordination skills;
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial abilities and demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner;
• IT literacy, familiarity with e-presentation techniques and ability to operate with on-line web-based applications; and
• Working experience in an international organization is an advantage as is in-depth knowledge of UNDP policies, procedures and practices.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent knowledge of the English language, with exceptional writing, presentation and communication skills;
• Competency in other UN languages would be an asset.

Submission of Applications

Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) (available on our website), to the following email address: dgvas@unops.org.  
Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED VIA THIS WEBSITE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Additional Considerations

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.
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