UNDP Jobs - 73119- Environmental Planning Specialist

Environmental Planning Specialist

Location :

Kuwait, KUWAIT

Type of Contract :

Other

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

08-Jul-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Other

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months

Languages Required :

Arabic 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

UNDP and the State of Kuwait, represented by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Planning and Development (GSSCPD), strive to enhance institutional capacities at various government agencies by providing them with necessary technical support to strengthen their capacities and skills to perform their expected duties.

Under the framework of the Institutional Capacity Development for Implementation of the Kuwait National Development Plan (ICDI/KNDP) project, UNDP and GSSCPD attempt to improve human capacity and organizational effectiveness of the GSSCPD for development planning. The aim is to support GSSCPD attain the ability to deliver effectively according to its mandates.

GSSCPD is responsible for elaborating, coordinating and overseeing the Kuwait National Development Plan (KNDP) which addresses the challenges of economic development, human and social development, the efficiency of the state institutions and administration and combating corruption, in accordance with H.H. the Amir’s State Vision “Kuwait 2035”.

Within this context, GSSCPD is seeking to recruit an Environmental Planning Specialist to support the GSSCPD in setting and implementing environmental projects in line with the KNDP. The Specialist will focus on capacity building and transfer of know-how specifically to GSSCPD Human Development Department. The consultancy will also contribute to the following:

KNDP objectives:

Develop a plan to address and improve environmental conditions;
Draft and execute, in collaboration with the private sector and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), an environmental strategy comprising specific procedures and projects to address all current and future imbalances;
Ensure the commitment of all relevant stakeholders to meet environmental indicators for the improvement of environmental conditions, in line with international standards and conventions; and;
Ensure (that action is taken to) proceed with the implementation of the State of Kuwait’s obligations under regional and international treaties and agreements for the protection of the environment.

The assignment will also contribute to the following ICDI/KNDP project outputs:

Output: Improved human capacity and organizational effectiveness of the GSSCPD for development planning;
Activity Result: Improve GSSCPD policy advisory services to support decision making;
Indicator: Increased efficient and effective policy advisory services delivery with GSSCPD;

Purpose and Objective:

The main purpose of the assignment is to improve the environment condition according to international and global standards to support the implementation of KNDP, particularly the pillar related to Sustainable Environment Life. The specific objectives are to:

Assess and evaluate the current developmental projects related to environment;
Devise clear methodology on how to measure developmental impact from the implementation of projects related to environmental sustainability.

To develop capacity and transfer knowledge, guide, orient and train staff at the Human Development Department at the GSSCPD on analyzing and assessing environment situation in Kuwait.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Secretary General, the direct supervision of the Head of Human Development Department and with close coordination with the GSSCPD Project Manager, the Environment Planning Specialist will assume the following tasks:

In collaboration with the Human Development Department, assist in planning environmental projects and activities in line with the KNDP:

In line with the KNDP, devise a detailed work plan to implement different developmental projects to improve the environment system in Kuwait;
Provide technical advice and recommendations on how to align the UNDP’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the goals and policies of the KNDP that are related to the Environment;
After going through other countries’ practices, present lessons learned from global and international experiences on environmental projects and accordingly inform the department and SCPD on the best implementation of environmental projects;
Assist SCPD in the development of policies, targets, indicators and projects that are related to environment pillar in the KNDP with the purpose of improving the rank of Kuwait in the local, regional and international standards as well as help in achieving the 2035 Kuwait vision;
Study and assess the current environmental situation in Kuwait and evaluate the current projects related to that;
Ensure that environmental projects are in accordance with Kuwait’s obligations under regional, international treaties and agreements for the protection of the environment;
Propose new projects and set the roadmap for the long-term strategies to address the environmental challenges;
Present technical advice and proposals to support the department in the implementation of the KNDP objectives related to sustainable environment life;
Prepare policy papers, reports and studies related to environment in Kuwait on a timely manner.

Capacity building, training and Ongoing support for Human Development Department at GSSCPD

Based on thorough assessment, identify the coaching and training needs related to environmental planning of the human development department at GSSCPD and develop a training plan to address them;
Provide coaching and on-the-job-training for staff at the human development department at GSSCPD to enable them to implement their role in relation to environmental pillar in the KNDP;
Provide methodological and continuous support to various departments and public entities on the selection of environmental projects and objectives in relation to KNDP implementation;
Present monthly reports to the GSSCPD and Project Manager highlighting key deliverables and achievements with recommendations for the way forward.

Indicative approaches:

As indicated above, a key objective and approach in this assignment is to develop national capacities through facilitating learning from other countries experiences, training and knowledge and skills transfer to the staff of the Human Development Department at GSSCPD. The specialist would thus be required to submit a capacity development/expertise and knowledge transfer plan based on an understanding of the needs of the Department.

Outputs and Deliverables:

A Work Plan at the outset of the assignment including- 2 weeks;
A training plan for the Human Development Department staff- End of Month 3;
Assessment and evaluation of the results of the training workshops conducted -ongoing
A report on the challenges and gap analysis of the current environmental condition in Kuwait on the local, regional and international levels– (to be specified after starting the assignment);
A report addressing and prioritizing the environmental issues identified under the local/regional plans to set a practical approach for responding to environmental management (to be specified after starting the assignment);
List of proposed development projects in the field of environment to be suggested and discussed with relevant public entities to achieve the objectives of the national plan (to be specified after starting the assignment);
Monthly and quarterly progress reports as per standard templates- Ongoing.
Roles and Coordination Requirements
The Specialist will work under the direct management of the Head of the Human Development Department at the GSSCPD. The Specialist will also report to the Project Manager of the ICDI/KNDP project based with the Technical Cooperation and Development Support Department at the GSSCPD by submitting regular reports on progress and impact of the assignment.

Competencies

The Environmental Planning Specialist should be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

Functional competencies:

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms;
Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies.

Core Competencies:

Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
Building support and political acumen;
Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective teams;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Minimum Master Degree in, environmental management, environment sciences, policy or other closely related fields.
PhD is preferable.

Experience

Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in the area of environmental planning;
Knowledge and familiarity with international environment standards and conventions;
Experience in working with participatory approaches;
Excellent communication and writing skills is required;
Familiarity with Kuwait governmental institutions is an added advantage;
Excellent computer skills, with MS. Office (Word, Excel, Power Point).

Language requirement

Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is a must.

Note:

This position will be on governmental contract administered by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development.
As part of the application, the applicant must attach a CV.