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Project Coordination Specialist (Environment-SAISEM)

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

UNDP Afghanistan Mission Statement:

UNDP Afghanistan is supporting the Government to find innovative solutions to its development challenges based on the on-going Country Programme Document approved by the Executive Board for the period 2006 – 2009. A new Country Programme Document was approved by the Executive Board during September 2009 for the period 2010-2013. Key priority areas for UNDP assistance are in strengthening democratic governance, crisis prevention and recovery, and reducing poverty. UNDP is strengthening the institutional capacities of key national government and sub-national authorities which aim to enhance human security, human development, peace and stability in Afghanistan.

Organizational Context:

The UNDP-FAO-UNEP Joint Program, supported by the UNDP-Spain MDG Achievement Fund (MDG-F), aims to promote a strengthened approach for the integration of sustainable environmental management into the implementation of Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) and relevant sectorial strategies. As such it directly contributes to the achievement of Environment and Natural Resource goals included in the 2006-2008 UNDAF. It also directly responds to the environment and natural resources benchmarks as articulated in the Afghanistan Compact.

The Program will promote formulation of suitable policy frame-works; ensure institutional capacity building to lead the effective implementation of the policies, directly mainstream environmental considerations with due awareness raising on environment-poverty linkage in national and sub-national planning and development frameworks, which is currently being initiated across the country. UNDP and FAO will jointly implement this Joint Program in close cooperation with UNEP. UNEP will not implement directly but will through the management arrangement have a significant advisory and coordination role, given their ongoing policy and institutional support work in the area.

The UNDP component of the Joint Program will focus on institutional / capacity development in the environmental sector to lead to environmental mainstreaming in relevant national sectorial strategies and sub-national development planning as well as implementation. The main government counterparts for UNDP’s intervention within this Program framework are the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) and the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD). All activities will be planned and carried out also in close consultation and collaboration with the Joint Program partners FAO and UNEP, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MoAIL), which will comprise the Program Management Committee (PMC).

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will report to UNDP Afghanistan Senior Deputy Country Director for Programme.

Summary of Key Functions:

  • Ensuring the strategic direction of UNDP program;

  • Management of the CO program and supervision of the Program team;

  • Strategic partnerships and support to resource mobilization;

  • Provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management.

Lead the SAISEM team and ensure the strategic direction of the project to produce the project outputs:

  • Lead and facilitate development of national guidelines and sector-specific environmental guidelines (including EIA guidelines) intended to other ministries, particularly but not limited to MRRD; Plan and execute poverty-environment awareness raising activities targeted to the national (ministerial), sub-national and community-level audiences;

  • Coordination of Program implementation with the main partners and other executing stakeholders and relevant counterparts NEPA, UNEP. Lead the development of appropriate development objectives, strategies and work plans including performance targets and budgets, based on the final National Environment Strategy (or NEPA strategy);

  • Coordinate the Identification of key areas of UNDP’s institutional development support for NEPA in consultation with UNEP and/or other external agencies to harmonize institutional development activities provided for NEPA based on the final National Environment Strategy (or NEPA strategy);

  • Lead the preparation and implementation of the annual results based work plans and result frameworks as endorsed by the management and identification of possibilities for joint programming with Government entities, NEPA, MRRD and UNEP;

  • lead the development of appropriate institutional development objectives, strategies and work plans including performance targets and budgets.

Ensures effective management of the project team focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation including preparing rresults based work plans and progress reports, high performing organizational set-up and management, ensuring delivery of planned results and resources and achieving the following results:

  • Coordinate the regular assessment of the available capacity, development requirements, objective, and plan and manage the distribution of responsibilities amongst team members and organize monitoring and tracking system of all project services and relevant resources of stakeholders;

  • Ensure establishment and development of project staffing plan in consultation with the main stakeholders and counterparts, oversee the recruitment, performance management and capacity development of personnel;

  • Develop and maintain an effective team of staff, Help establish and manage the team within NEPA and MRRD as appropriate for achieving program outcomes , ensure timely flow of information and adequate reporting and monitoring of Progress. Lead the development and establishment of Unit’s objectives and work plans;

  • Guide and set performance and development objectives and targets to the staff, arrange training programs and other development/learning opportunities;

  • Ensuring effective Management of the governance plan, reporting, monitoring & evaluation and measuring the impact of the CO Program. Constant monitoring and analysis of the Program environment, timely readjustment of Program. Follow up on audit recommendations;

  • Ensure close coordination and work closely with stake holders to provide advice to the NEPA leadership, UNEP and selected NEPA provincial offices to ensure effective planning and implementation of institutional development initiative for NEPA offices, staff and partners in the center as well as the provinces;

  • Leading effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results. Undertake periodic review of the NEPA institutional development activities in consultation with all key stakeholders and produce recommendations and proposals as required;

  • Coordinate Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the Program, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Monitor the progress against agreed plans and milestones, initiate corrective actions and produce regular reports to NEPA leadership and UNDP;

  • Ensuring regular reporting and preparation of achievements on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of reports for donor and partners In consultation with the relevant counterparts of NEPA, UNEP;

  • Providing advice and consultancy on environmental mainstreaming / guidelines / tools including mentoring, to NEPA and MRRD counterpart staff, departments, and other stakeholders Plan and conduct regular field visits In close collaboration with NEPA, MRRD and UNEP.

Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and supports the resource mobilization in cooperation with the Management Support and Business Development Team focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Leading the implementation of the CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve program outcomes. Ensure the establishment of a close working relationship and cooperation with the NEPA leadership, NABDP and other relevant departments within MRRD, MoAIL, FAO and UNEP, as the key implementing counterparts of the MDG-F Joint Program;

  • Coordination and creation of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society etc. Build relationship with donors and other stakeholders for resource mobilization, increased program linkages with on-going activities as part of program sustainability measures. Participate in relevant meetings, workshops, seminars, as appropriate.

  • Ensure the development and establishment of effective consultation processes and coordination and communication mechanisms with NEPA, MRRD departments and other key stakeholders; Lead the organization of MDG-F JP Technical Working Group meetings on a regular basis;

  • Lead the organization of the MDG-F JP Program Management Committee (Project Board) meetings on a regularly basis; Develop joint work plans and implement joint monitoring as appropriate; lead liaise with counterpart of the MDG-F Joint Program and ensure effective joint reporting (technical and financial) to the Program Management Committee, National Steering Committee and MDG-F Secretariat as required by MDG-F guidelines;

  • Coordinate and liaise with UNDP Country Office and e

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity and adherence to 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

  • Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;

  • Demonstrates in-depth knowledge on development and sustainable livelihood issues;

  • Advocates and provides high-caliber policy advice to clients and ensure strong representation.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

  • Ability to lead strategic planning, ensure results-based management and reporting;

  • Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programs and projects, ensure effective coordination as well as mobilize resources;

  • Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership

  • Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;

  • Ability to think and communicate clearly with others, motivate and lead people;

  • Demonstrated abilities to take initiative, build consensus and make things happen;
  • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s Degree equivalent to Master and/or higher Degree in Environmental Science and/or other relevant field.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 7 years of experience with at least 5 years of direct project development and management experience in the environment sector (including international experience);

  • Proven team leadership experience (as a team leader) and management skills;

  • Extensive knowledge of institutional/organizational development including working with national institutions and counterparts;

  • Professional experience in post-conflict or transitional countries preferred;

  • Computer skills, including extensive experience using MS Office, Project Management Tools and other applicable computer applications.

Language Requirements:

  • Excellent communication skills: speaking, writing, and listening, and effective report writing skills;
  • Willingness to travel extensively within the country (a significant percentage of the work will be conducted in the field).

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.



Project Coordination Specialist (Environment-SAISEM)