Senior Programme Management Officer, P5 – Temporary at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Temporary

Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator, Biodiversity and Land Branch, and within delegated authority, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other project identification and development:
• Liaise with internal and external partners to identify relevant and eligible project concepts.
• Consult and advise on project proponents on how to revise concepts to respond to issues raised by the peer reviewer or other reviews.
• Present and defend concepts in the review process clear such concepts with the Senior Programme Officer.
• Advise proponents preparing the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) request for submission to GEF.
• Monitor GEF project milestones to avoid delays and potential project cancellation.
• Address GEF Secretariat and Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) reviews and ensures that review recommendations are considered in further project development by the executing agency.
• Ensure that a PPG completion report and financial reports is available upon completion of activities.
• Verify project proposal meets GEF quality-at-entry standards before submission for Project Review Committee (PRC) review.
• Follow up with GEFSec during the project review process and addresses in consultation with project partners.
• Work with the Fund Management Officer to internalize the project document.
• Supervision of project implementation:
• Prepare project supervision plans for all projects under his/her portfolio for their entire duration and periodically update, assess project assumptions and monitors risk, support the project terminal evaluation.
• Organize and manage project execution ensure UNEP and GEF criteria, rules and regulations are adhered to by project partners.
• Participate in Steering Committee meetings and ensure that Steering Committees fulfill their functions.
• Regularly monitor project progress and performance and rate progress towards meeting project objectives, project execution progress, quality of project monitoring and evaluation and risk.
• Monitor reporting by project executing partners and provides prompt feedback on the contents of the report.
• Apply adaptive management principles to the supervision of the project.
• Assist with the preparation of project revisions, ensuring that project revision documentation is complete and in accordance with UNEP requirements.
• Ensure that project is financially closed in a prompt manner after completion of project activities.
• Mobilize financial resources to help meeting the resource mobilization targets of the Division.
• Contribute to the development of UNEP’s biodiversity strategy, including on partnership engagement, and participation in GEF.
• Contribute to meeting knowledge management objectives by codifying and summarizing lessons derived from the projects for which s/he provides oversight.
• Identify, develop and implement biodiversity projects of Ecosystems, including those funded by GEF and implemented by UNEP.
• Ecosystems knowledge management and data management:
• Identify and codify lessons emerging from project implementation.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of project data in the project information system for all projects under his/her supervision.
• Contribute to project data reconciliation exercises within Ecosystems and with the GEF Secretariat.
• Identify media and other outreach opportunities and materials and contributes project information and written materials to be used by the communications and outreach Programme Officer, disseminate information on project results and lessons.
• UNEP and GEF corporate tasks:
• Contribute to GEF Council document reviews as needed.
• Represent Ecosystes biodiversity portfolio in UNEP and GEF-related meetings.
• Provide input to UNEP and GEF policy, corporate evaluations, including country portfolio evaluations, thematic evaluations and impact evaluations and to the preparation of the Management Action Record as necessary.
• Provide input to UNEP and GEF.
• Staff supervision and mentoring:
• Contribute to briefing new staff on UNEP and GEF policies, strategies and procedures.
• Discuss and agrees on the work plans for staff under his/her management as first reporting officer or as additional reporting officer.
• Provide on-going feedback on performance and appraisal of the staff under his/her management.
• Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Gender Mainstreaming:

• Ensures implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of planned actions on ecosystems management. This includes legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels.

Data:

• Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of Land Degradation/Biodiversity/ Biosafety issues and discussions, knowledge and understanding of environmental and resource status of various Land Degradation/Biodiversity; practical experience in programme/project management and oversight; ability to identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems; ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: Empowers others to translate vision into results; Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; Drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; Demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
• MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in natural resources management, environmental sciences, environmental economics or closely related field. A doctorate degree is a desirable.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years working experience in integrated natural resources management, sustainable agriculture and rural development in developing countries is required.
• A proven track record of resource mobilization for sustainable natural resources management initiatives is desirable.
• At least 5 years managing diverse and multi-cultural teams is desirable.
• Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable

Closing: 30 January 2023