UNDP Environment and Energy Group (EEG) is based in UNDP’s Bureau of Development Policy and is responsible for providing leadership and technical support to delivery of the Environment and Sustainable Development pillar of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. Its main focus is on helping countries develop the capacity to manage and mainstream environment into national and local, but also global and regional, policy and practice such that development can become sustainable. The principal areas of work are in policy development and support, market mechanisms, adaptation to climate change, and local governance of resources, including energy. The Environment and Energy Group’s interventions at the regional level are undertaken through increasingly integrated practice teams, led by Practice Team Leaders. . Regional Technical Advisors and Specialists (RTAs/RTSs) form part of the regional team responsible for resource mobilization and mainstreaming policy advice. Decisions on how best to meet regional resource mobilization targets and regional objectives are taken by the regional team and reflected in annual business plans that are discussed with the Principal Technical Advisors (PTAs). Each PTA supports RTAs and RTSs within areas of technical focus. The role of a Regional Technical Advisor (RTA) is to provide high quality technical guidance and support to policy and project development and implementation partners, primarily UNDP country offices but also other UN agencies, governments and inter-governmental organizations, NGO’s, donors, etc. The PTAs and RTAs are also responsible for providing detailed knowledge related to sources of funds for environment work, and assisting partners to obtain, use, and report on, such funding. Currently the main sources of funds include: the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund and Adaptation Funds (LDCF, SCCF), the UNDP-Spain MDG Fund, and the CDM carbon market. Additional funds brokered include a number of other multilateral and bilateral agencies and institutions, country governments, NGOs, and the private sector. EEG is in the process of expanding its capacities to assist countries access the voluntary carbon markets, the private sector, the UNFCCC Adaptation fund, and, if they become available, mechanisms associated with REDD. UNDP/GEF is seeking a part-time Technical Advisor for Waters and Oceans to work under the overall guidance and supervision of the UNDP-GEF Principal Technical Advisor for Waters and Oceans to oversee the Water and Oceans portfolio primarily focused on Africa, through its project identification, development, formulation and implementation. The portfolio emphasis will be on aquatic systems including rivers, lakes, LMEs and aquifers. |
Duties and Responsibilities |
Strategic Planning, Management, Innovation and Partnerships - Establishing and maintaining a strategic understanding of, and engagement with, the substantive technical issues, institutions, and processes within the region, including establishing contact with and developing strategic partnerships with other agencies, donors, NGO’s, the private sector, scientific institutions and the like;
- Contributing to the development and implementation of UNDP’s global and regional strategies on environment and sustainable development;
- Participating in pipeline management exercises, etc.;
- Participating in cross-substantive area technical dialogue, common strategic visioning, mainstreaming, programming, and other collaboration within the regional team;
- Keeping the Regional Team informed of trends and issues with respect to the substantive technical area;
- Keeping the Principal Technical Advisor informed of trends and issues in the region.
Policy Dialogue, Advocacy, Mainstreaming - Providing strategic policy development support and guidance;
- Contributing to strategic UNDP policy position papers and internal briefing notes, as required;
- Contributing to and advocating for specific policy analysis and development tools and guidance;
- Establishing a trusted leadership role within the region;
- Identifying, and sourcing of technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports.
Programme and Project implementation oversight and support - Assisting with inception, contracting and start up of projects including establishment of indicators, benchmarks and work plans;
- Supporting UNDP country offices in the supervision, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, troubleshooting and adaptive management of approved projects;
- Maintaining project and portfolio information and corporate information systems;
- Reviewing and commenting on relevant projects and project proposals from other agencies.
Programming & Resource Mobilization - Programme and project identification and development
- Providing timely quality information and technical advice on source of funds policies, priorities and activities;
- Identifying priorities and entry-points for UNDP assistance;
- Assisting with the coordination of design, preparation, submission and approval of project proposals and requests for project development financing;
- Identification and sourcing of technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports;
- Under the guidance of the PTA, liaising with potential financing agencies and institutions.
Learning and Knowledge Management - Evaluating, capturing, codifying, synthesizing lessons and stimulating the uptake of best practices and knowledge, including the development of resource kits and other knowledge materials;
- Peer reviewing, commenting on, and seeking to improve, the technical quality of projects, policies, practices, guidelines, advisory notes, publications and the like;
- Assisting with preparation of regional Community of Practice meetings;
- Preparing and delivering training courses;
- Responding to queries on project progress, impacts and lessons;
Implementation arrangements:
The consultancy will be performed in collaboration with the existing Water and Oceans team members working on UNDP’s portfolio regarding Water and Oceans. The consultant will report to the PTA - Water and Oceans.
The consultancy will likely involve a few missions in East and Southern Africa region to participate in project steering committee of projects currently under implementation. All mission requests must be cleared by PTA. Need for missions will be determined in consultation with PTA. Travel costs associated with approved missions will be provided separately and not included under this consultant contract. A mission report summarizing key decisions, action points and any follow up actions must be submitted after each mission. |
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: Development and Operational Effectiveness - Ability to contribute to 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
Knowledge Management and Learning - In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
- Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP
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
- 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
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Required Skills and Experience |
| Education Qualifications: - Masters degree in geography, water resources, environmental sciences, agricultural sciences, natural resource management, or a closely related field; Ph.D. highly desirable
Experience: - Minimum of 10 years professional experience in natural resources and ecosystems, mainly in developing countries;
- Extensive experience with project development, implementation and management (direct project management experience is preferable);
- Experience in the policy development processes associated with environment and sustainable development issues;
- Experience in facilitating multi-country negotiations, in particular in the context of E&S Africa; proven ability to deal with politically sensitive situations with competent diplomatic skills.
- Skills in leadership, facilitation and coordination, entrepreneurial spirit, and demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner;
- Full computer literacy;
- Experience working in Africa, preferably Southern and Eastern Africa; Experience in working in aquatic ecosystems (transboundary rivers, lakes, and/or large marine ecosystems) in the region would be regarded as a strong asset.
- Experience with and knowledge of GEF policies, procedures and programmes, especially in the International Waters focal area
- Working experience in an international organization is an advantage as is knowledge of UNDP policies, procedures and practices.
- Working knowledge of ATLAS (ERP) and basic understanding of IPSAS pertaining to the development of work plan and budget will be an advantage.
Language Requirements: - Excellent writing, presentation and communication skills in the English language
- Competency in other UN languages is an asset
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| 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. |
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