UNDP Jobs - 51248- Technical Specialist

Technical Specialist - Environment

Location :

Antananarivo, MADAGASCAR

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

18-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

one 01) year

Languages Required :

English French

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

Madagascar is known for its richness in biodiversity with a high degree of diversity as well as endemic. The major challenge is to make these resources a real lever for sustainable development, combining in harmonized manner conservation concerns with those of development. Madagascar is the third country vulnerable to climate change in the world, the country most vulnerable to climate shock in Africa. The country is regularly affected by cyclones, floods and droughts.

UNDP in consultation with the government has focused its support in promoting New Protected Areas Categories V and VI, which allows the reconciliation of conservation and development. For the next years, it is planned to accompany the government to promote the protection of protected areas with the landscape approach and to integrate into development programs and initiatives the appropriate adaptation measures to climate change. Also, UNDP will support the government to develop its capacity building strategy to manage the three Rio conventions on biodiversity, desertification and climate change.

Face to these challenges, the CO recruit a Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) who will be responsible for providing technical support to interventions and projects on Environment component of UNDP support program. He / she will also provide expertise to support the government to benefit from funding opportunities and partnerships related to climate change and protection of biodiversity, both nationally and internationally. He / she will assist particularly the implementing agencies of the projects, Project Coordination Unit and other stakeholders. The CTA will coordinate the provision of technical inputs required, review the Terms of Reference and will review the expected results of consultants and subcontractors. The CTA will be an international expert. He / she will be under the supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative in charge of the program and works closely with the Team Leader Poverty and Environment and the UNDP Programme Officer.

The incumbent will work closely with the National Directors of projects and the various stakeholders, including government, national institutions, civil society, private sector, etc., to successfully perform the UNDP program at the local level.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions

Support to the projects’ implementation;
Monitoring and evaluation;
Communication and Knowledge Management;
Policies advisors and guidelines;
Development of partnerships, resource mobilization and donor relations.

Support to the projects’ implementation

Provide advice and support all projects within the Environment component for effective management including planning and timely delivery of results taking into consideration the work plans and consistency with the priorities of UNDAF / CPD country office;
Provide strategic support to project activities, including planning, monitoring and field operations, and assume the quality control of interventions;
Provide practical support to the National Project Coordinators (NPC), projects team and national partner in the project management and planning, management of field activities, monitoring and assessment of project impacts;
Provide technical guidance to implementing partners and understand the director line of the sector policy and terms of partnership for all technical aspects;
Assist NPCs and projects team in the preparation and revision of the management plan and the Annual Work Plan (AWP);
Assist implementing partners in the design of technical tools for the implementation of activities and provide technical advice on the biodiversity conservation, natural forest management, energy efficiency and climate change;
Oversee the implementation of projects through close monitoring results. Ensure the effective application of result based management (RBM);
Finalize the terms of reference for consultants and subcontractors, and assist in their recruitment process;
Provide technical contribution to the development of training programs for all targets, reviewing training programs and in some cases facilitate some training;
Provide oversight of work performed by experts and consultants hired by the project;
Advise on policy and legal issues concerning the project;
Coordinate the work of all consultants and subcontractors, ensuring timely delivery of the expected results and ensure effective synergies between different activities;
Ensure full compliance with audit requirements and timely follow-up to audit recommendations.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Assist NPCs and projects team in developing a strategy for monitoring and evaluation and a manual of procedures for monitoring and evaluation;
Assist NPCs and projects team in evaluating the technical quality of M & E tools project (including AWP, indicators and targets and determining the baseline in the project sites);
Assist NPCs and projects team to adjust the scope of the project results including activities as required in an adaptive management perspective;
Coordinate the preparation of periodic reports when requested by the NPC;
Assist NPCs and projects team in the preparation of PIR / APR (review of the implementation of the project / annual report, the initial report, technical reports, quarterly financial reports to the UNDP and GEF, other donors and government departments, as appropriate;
Provide technical assistance in filling indicators SRF projects including METT, AMAT scorecards UNDP Capacity Development Management of Protected Areas and the financial sustainability of protected areas;
Assist in the mobilization of the team and consultants to conduct the mid-term evaluation of the project and in the revisions of program implementation and strategy based on the results of the assessment;
Assist NPCs and projects team in liaison work with project partners, donor agencies, NGOs and others to ensure effective coordination of project activities;
Perform any task requested by the NPC, the national institution for implementing the project and the UNDP, the steering committee and other stakeholders.

Communication and Knowledge Management

Support NPCs and projects team in developing the communications plan and oversee its implementation;
Support in knowledge management, codification and dissemination of lessons learned from the implementation and make recommendations to Projects Steering Committee and the NPCs for adaptive management and implementation and more effective project coordination.

Policies advisor and guidelines

Support the development of policies and institutions that will address the problems and needs of the country in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
Conduct analysis of the situation and trends in the socio-economic and political and environmental issues and identify opportunities and entry points for UNDP;
Organize training for staff operations / projects on program issues;
Identify sources of information on questions of political inspiration. Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to program objectives of the country’s policy;
Contribute to networks and communities of practice knowledge.

Development of partnerships, resource mobilization and donor relations

Support projects in developing strategic partnerships with UN agencies, international financial institutions, government agencies, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector, civil society in the specific thematic areas based on UNDP’s strategic goals, country needs and donors' priorities;
Analyze and research of information on donors, preparation of background records on possible areas of cooperation, identify opportunities for new projects, actively contribute to the effort of office in mobilizing resources and co financing;
Support the National Coordinators of projects in relation to the project partners, donors, NGOs, the private sector, academia and other groups to ensure effective coordination of activities and project stakeholders.

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 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 skill;
Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP;
Assist peers to identify their strengths and weaknesses and think about the needs of training and development to adapt to their needs;
Ability to take appropriate risk in developing new methods and efficiently adapt existing approaches to more effectively.

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;
Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.

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;
Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Communication

Provide verbal information and / or written in a timely, clear, organized and easy to understand;
Listen carefully and share information in meetings and group discussions;
Respond positively to criticism;
Use tact and sensitivity in sharing sensitive information.

Resource mobilization

Identify the needs of the country and develop proposals for submission to donors and government;
Develop and implement a strategy for resource mobilization at the country level.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Social Sciences, Economics, Engineering or other relevant field.

Experience:

07 years of professional experience in natural resource and environment management; of which
03 years experience in managing projects funded by the GEF (Global Environment Facility);
Justifying proven international experience in the field of environment;
Demonstrating an understanding of the methods of development of economic activities related to the management of natural resources and the environment;
With experience on climate change (mitigation, adaptation and mitigation), on sustainable land management, on renewable energy;
Be an effective negotiator with excellent oral and presentation skills.

Language Requirements:

Strong written and spoken English;
A good knowledge of French as a working language is a requirement.

Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.