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 fully incorporate environmental sustainability into development at national and local, but also global and regional, levels. The principal areas of work are in environmental mainstreaming, environmental finance, adaptation to climate change, and local governance of resources, including energy.
With its technical focus, the Environment and Energy Group (EEG) is organized into substantive technical teams with a Principal or Senior Technical Advisor (PTA/STA) being the team leader within each area. Each team leader supports and guides a team of Regional Technical Advisors (RTAs) and Regional Technical Specialists (RTSs). As well as being a member of a technical team, each RTA/RTS is also a member of a regional team, which consists of RTAs/RTSs from all technical teams working together under the leadership of a Regional Practice or Team Leader. The regional teams are based in regional service centres from where they primarily support UNDP’s country offices and partners in the region, but are also called upon to provide support globally as necessary.
In this context, UNDP is looking for a Project Manager who will be responsible for the implementation, management and quality assurance of the regional component of the of the Weather and Climate Observation Networks (WCON) and Early Warning Systems (EWS) for Development (WCON-EWS) Project in Africa (and other regions), ensuring solid technical quality of deliverables as well as financial and operational management. The Project Manager will report to the Principal Technical Advisor of the Green, Low Emission and Climate Resilient Development Strategies (Green LECRDS) team, and will oversee the work of international and national consultants. The Project Manager will also work closely with EEG colleagues in the country offices and other project staff.
The Project Manager will be based in New York and is expected to have extensive and sound management and experience in climate early warning systems and/or related programmes at the global level. S/he will advise the Principal Technical Advisor of Green LECRDS on ways the programme can be integrated into national planning and management of climate risk systems, and linking the project to other key initiatives in Africa and other regions.
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The Project Manager will provide highly specialized technical leadership and administrative supervision in the management of the $44m portfolio of UNDP-GEF EWS projects funded by the LDCF and approved in 2012.
Within the framework of the UNDP-GEF Weather and Climate Observation Networks (WCON) and Early Warning Systems (EWS) for Development (WCON-EWS) Project Document and the overall guidance of PTA for Green LECRDS, the Project Manager is responsible for the overall management, planning, and implementation of the regional component of the Project. S/he will:
- Provide strategic and high level technical and policy guidance on establishing national systems for integrating climate information generated from WCON-EWS to create sustainable weather and climate information services and manage risks from extreme weather events
- Ensure strategic coordination of the national WCON-EWS projects with other ongoing/planned LDCF, SCCF, AF projects at the regional and national level Ensure high profile is maintained for the UNDP-GEF supported projects on WCON-EWS, especially through international forums such as the UNFCCC COPs, in consultation with and coordination with UNDP-GEF management
- Define a detailed work plan for the regional Project components, prepare and keep track of deliverables, timelines and budgets, and oversee the administrative and operational components of the project to ensure the effective use of all project resources (assets, people, funds) in line with UNDP regulations and rules
- In coordination with STA-Adaptation the context of the regional component of the EWS project, implement and leverage partnerships with relevant agencies, donors, IGOs, NGOs, in-house groups, the private sector, and other relevant parties to maximise UNDP-GEF Programme impacts
- Ensure Programme linkages with key regional initiatives, e.g., the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), NEPAD
- In coordination with STA-Adaptation and in the context of the regional component of the EWS project, pro-actively liaise with bilateral donors and UN Partner agencies to identify and secure co-financing for the Project.
Project Management:
- Project accountability through the preparation of detailed monitoring and evaluation reports which include regular performance monitoring and evaluation of the project using a participatory approach with partners/participants and are robust enough to meet demanding standards of quality set by government and donors. Regularly share information on progress of implementation and any challenges and emerging issues with the UNDP-GEF PTA and STA and development partners, to support rapid resolution of any such challenges. Meet the administrative, managerial and financial reporting requirements of UNDP and development partners, as stipulated in the project documents.
- In the context of the regional component of the EWS project, provide strategic advice and direct input to facilitate successful project implementation through the establishment of productive working relationships with key partners and stakeholders, articulation of detailed work plans, formulation of operational procedures, and development and implementation of a strategy to mobilize funding for needed additional human resources to complement the $44 million in resources currently available for EWS in Africa, and mobilize an additional $12 million of resources for complimentary EWS projects to ensure the effective use of all project resources (assets, people, funds) in line with UNDP regulations and rules.
- Responsible for the supervision of the project staff in the regional component
Overall Project Guidance:
Provide leadership and specialized technical direction to the Projects including:
- Provide technical and policy guidance on establishing national systems for integrating climate information generated from WCON-EWS to create sustainable weather and climate information services and manage risks from extreme weather events;
- Ensure coordination of the above mentioned national WCON-EWS projects with other ongoing/planned LDCF, SCCF, AF projects at the regional and national level by coordinating closely with UNDP-GEF staff supporting oversight of adaptation programmes
International Leadership and Coordination:
- Expand the profile for the UNDP-GEF supported projects on WCON-EWS including, e.g., through their promotion to strengthen the implementation of the UNFCCC during high level events.
- In the context of the regional component of the EWS project, cultivate strong cooperative partnerships with relevant agencies, donors, IGOs, NGOs, in-house groups, the private sector, and other relevant parties to maximise UNDP-GEF Programme impacts.
- Expand programme linkages with key regional initiatives, e.g., the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), NEPAD
- In the context of the regional component of the EWS project, pro-actively liaise with donors and UN Partner agencies to identify and pursue new opportunities for the Project.
- Provide strategic guidance to the PTA to support and facilitate new strategic partnerships, and help initiate new areas of collaboration
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Corporate
- Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the UN/UNDP’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
Functional/Technical:
- Demonstrates familiarity with national and international programs for WCON-EWS and requirements for their successful operation and financial sustainability
- Familiarity with evolving technologies and services for support of WCON-EWS in developing countries
- Proven ability to translate practice principles into effective policy and programme interventions in the field
- Proven ability to link knowledge to UN/UNDP global policies, treaties, processes and development assistance frameworks
- Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to communicate with high level decision makers, to produce high quality advisory reports and knowledge products, and to effectively represent the organization
Leadership and Management Skills:
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically and to provide credible leadership
- Innovative approaches/experience on global development issues
- Strong managerial/leadership experience and decision-making skills with proven track record of mature judgments
- Ability to conceptualize and convey strategic vision from the spectrum of development experience; Knowledge and expertise/recognized expert in practice area
- Demonstrated well developed people management and organizational management skills including ability to hire, train and manage teams
- Strong resource mobilization and partnering skills and ability to accept accountability for management of large volume of financial resources
- Substantive knowledge and understanding of development cooperation with the ability to support the practice architecture of UNDP and inter-disciplinary issues
- Demonstrated strong networking skills
- Promotes knowledge management and a learning environment through leadership and personal example
- Seeks and applies knowledge, information and best practices from within and outside of UNDP.
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Education:
- Masters degree or higher in science, environment, energy, economics, or other closely related field.
Experience:
- A minimum of 15 years relevant work experience including climate change related projects
- Extensive experience in Africa and/or Asia; work with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is desirable
- Experience and knowledge of climate change finance and adaptation project development and implementation with professional credibility
- Demonstrated leadership and management experience, including ability to oversee international staff and organise the work of a large, high-profile project
- Extensive experience in working and collaborating with governments on policy issues.
- Knowledge of UNDP administration and financial procedures an advantage
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; commitment to team work and to working across disciplines
Language Requirements:
- Excellent knowledge of English, including writing, presentation, and communication skills.
- Fluency in French is an asset.
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