Programme Specialist, Environment
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| Location : |
Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA |
| Application Deadline : | 18-Aug-09 (Midnight New York, USA) |
| Additional Category : | Climate & Disaster Resilience |
| Type of Contract : | FTA International |
| Post Level : | P-3 (Fixed Term Appointment) |
Languages Required :
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English |
| Duration of Initial Contract : | 1 year (renewable) |
| Expected Duration of Assignment : | 2.5 years |
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.
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Background
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At the corporate level, the 2008-2011, UNDP Strategic Plan firmly establishes UNDP’s priorities in Environment and Sustainable Development. These include; i) assisting countries mainstream environment, energy and climate change concerns development plans and sector programs, ii) strengthening institutional capacities for the delivery and management of environmental services and iii) helping countries prepare for and mobilize related environmental finance including their effective participation in the Bali road map and the eventual post Kyoto climate regime.
UNDP Africa’s strategic vision places capacity development for pro-poor growth and accountability at the centre of all UNDP-supported activities in the region, given the fact that lack of capacity in these areas remains one of the key challenges faced by Africa today in its efforts to achieve the MDGs. To achieve this goal UNDP has set itself the tasks of strengthening African capacity in four broad based areas: i) poverty reduction and achievement of the MDGs; ii) consolidating democratic and participatory governance; iii) conflict prevention, peace building and recovery; and iv) energy, environment and sustainable development.
The regional project under which this post falls is in line with the fourth focus area mentioned above and its interventions have been designed to: a) promote African ownership and leadership; b) promote Africa’s development priorities; c) re-enforce partnership with Africa’s premier regional institution; d) strengthen knowledge management and sharing through policy research, advocacy and partnerships with African centres of excellence; e) enhanced utilization of UNDP’s capacity assessment and diagnostic tools; f) integrate a well thought-out exit strategy; and g) strengthen UN system-wide coordination for coherence and complementarity. The project will intensify the organization’s efforts of helping countries and regional institutions to integrate environmental management concerns in their development plans and strengthen their capacities to manage and deliver services in an environmentally sustainable manner
The Programme Specialist is responsible for support to the management, monitoring, evaluation and reporting on project implementation and results. The post will work under the direct supervision and guidance of the Project Manager (Environment). She/he will be an integral part of UNDP’s environment and sustainable development team in Africa and will work with EEG Policy Advisors located in Johannesburg and Dakar RSCs.
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Duties and Responsibilities
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Summary of Key Functions
1. Project planning, management and implementation
2. Project monitoring, evaluation and reporting
3. Partnership and resource mobilization
4. Capacity building and knowledge management
1. Project planning, management and implementation - Undertake an analysis of the political, social and economic trends in the Region and submit reports, analysis and/or conclusions for project management and implementation. Propose areas for support and intervention based on evolving regional priorities, strategic focus and comparative advantage.
- Contribute to the development and preparation of strategic and annual work plan by planning project activities/components, establishing budget, determining targets, timelines, objectives and standards in accordance with the principles of results based management (RBM) measuring results.
- Contribute to the preparation of materials and other requirements for Project Steering Committee and Project Management Meetings and follow-up on the decisions for timely action.
- Participate in the process to Identify, select and evaluate candidates. Supervise project staff through work planning, providing technical guidance and direction, coaching, feedback and periodic assessment, evaluation and performance appraisal.
- Apply UNDP programming and operational policies, procedures and mechanisms and utilize the Project Management Module in Atlas (Prince2, etc). Keep abreast of UNDP programming practices to ensure optimum project implementation and performance.
- Initiate and follow up on requests for financial resources and take action to process requests through advances, direct payments, or reimbursement using the FACE (Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures).
- Act as main focal point between GEF operational teams on both biodiversity and climate change adaptation, ensuring that countries get direct support.
- Identify opportunities and advise on joint UN action to support the development of CDM projects and PES schemes
2. Project monitoring, evaluation and reporting
- Visit projects, monitor implementation, review progress reports, follow-up on progress, determine approaches and modalities for implementation and evaluate results according to targets and objectives. Take action and/or refer issues for timely action and/or decision.
- Provide technical guidance and operational support to clients and stakeholders to enhance performance and quality assurance, share knowledge and build capacity.
- Exercise control and take decisions to ensure full compliance with UNDP programming, financial procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, application of internal control systems.
- Prepare required qualitative, substantive, financial and procurement/contracting progress reports to keep all relevant parties involved and to facilitate timely and appropriate action.
3. Partnership and resource mobilization
- Maintain effective partnership with Government and Regional Institutions, implementing partners and UNDP colleagues to exchange critical and technical information and resolve programme/project implementation issues to ensure results are achieved as planned.
- Map, advise and develop plan of action to be taken by UNDP in partnership with UNEP and other external partners to raise awareness and engage national and regional stakeholders and clients, including the public and private sectors, on the importance of managing sensitive ecosystems
- Submit recommendations for resource mobilization to encourage donor interests and increase funding. Establish dialogue with donors, partners and stakeholders to maintain effective working relationship, sustain interests and cooperation.
- Establish partnerships (internal and external) to document and develop a region-wide inventory of pro-poor and gender sensitive PES initiatives to inform policy dialogue and to transform pilots to programmes
- Contribute to advocacy efforts aimed at highlighting the economic and social development benefits of managing, regenerating and conserving ecosystems.
4. Capacity building and knowledge management
- Identify, codify and disseminate best practices and lessons learned to build capacity and knowledge, particularly with regard to pro-poor and gender sensitive PES and CDM, to ensure that countries have up to date information and benefit from the knowledge and products generated.
- Draft and/or develop policy, briefing papers and other position papers for the approval of the Project Manager and/or program/project.
- Organize and implement training activities and events for the operations/ projects staff.
Impact of Results
The key results impact on the overall successful achievement and sustainability of the Regional Programme. Accurate analysis and presentation of information enhances UNDP’s position as a strong and reliable development partner and facilitates decision-making of the Project Management Team, Steering Committee, UNDP management and RCF Advisory Board.
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Competencies
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Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
- Exerts strict adherence to corporate rules, regulations and procedures. Familiarity with the internal control framework and results-based management tools is a must.
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning
- Shares knowledge and experience
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
Development and Operational Effectiveness
- Ability to perform specialized tasks related to Results-Based Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of programme, managing data, reporting.
- Ability to provide inputs to business processes, re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems.
- Ability to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level officials of the host government required. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential part of the job.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is required to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents.
Leadership and Self-Management
- Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
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Required Skills and Experience
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Education:
- Masters in environmental sciences, environmental law, economics or closely related field.
Experience:
- At least five years of progressively responsible experience in development-related work, particularly in relation to environmental finance and climate change issues, at the project implementation level is required within a governmental, multilateral, bilateral or Civil Society Organizational-setting and within a multicultural environment at national or international level.
- Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, governmental institutions, NGO or private sector /consulting firm is a very strong advantage.
- Experience in the use of computers and office software packages and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), and experience in handling of web based management systems.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English. A good working knowledge of French is desirable.
Qualified women are encouraged to apply for this post.
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