TASK MANAGER: BIODIVERSITY (6 Posts)

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP's Division of Environmental Policy Implementation (DEPI) works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services and strengthen environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. These six positions are located in UNEP/DEPI in the following duties stations three posts in Nairobi, one post in Panama city, one post in Bangkok and one post in Apia. ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO SPECIFY IN THE COVER LETTER TO WHICH DUTY STATION THEY ARE APPLYING TO.
		Responsibilities
	Within delegated authority, each Task Manager will be responsible for the following duties: A. Project identification and development: a. Liaises with internal and external partners to identify relevant and eligible project concepts; b. Discusses and clears such concepts with the Senior Programme Officer (SPO); c. Consults with UNEP Divisions and regional offices as necessary; d. Advises project proponents on how to revise concepts to respond to issues raised by the peer reviewer or other reviews; e. Advises proponents preparing the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) request for submission to GEF; f. Monitors GEF project milestones to avoid delays and potential project cancellation; g. Addresses GEF Secretariat and STAP reviews and ensures that PAG recommendations are considered in further project development by the executing agency; h. Works with the Fund Management Officer to internalize the PPG upon GEF approval; i. Supervises PPG execution in accordance with UNEP and GEF policies and procedures; j. Supports the executing partner in mobilizing co-financing for the project; k. Ensures that a PPG completion report and financial reports is available upon completion of activities; l. Verifies that project proposal meets GEF quality-at-entry standards before submission to SPO and GEF management for PRC review; m. Follows up- with GEF Sec during the project review process and promptly addresses any comments in consultation with project partners; n. Upon GEF CEO Approval, works with the Fund Management Officer to internalize the project document. B. Supervision of project implementation: a. Prepares project supervision plans for all projects under his/her portfolio for their entire duration and periodically updates them; b. Organizes and manages the project inception meeting with a view to ensure project implementation readiness; c. Provides oversight to project execution and in doing so ensures that all UNEP and GEF criteria, rules and regulations are adhered to by project partners; d. Participates in the Steering Committee meetings and ensure that the Steering Committee fulfills its function; e. Regularly monitors project progress and performance and rates progress towards meeting project objectives, project execution progress, quality of project monitoring and evaluation, and risk; f. Periodically assesses project assumptions and monitors risk; g. Monitors reporting by project executing partners and provides prompt feedback on the contents of the report; h. Promptly informs management of any significant risks or project problems and takes action and follows up on decisions made; i. Prepares reports in accordance with GEF and UNEP requirements; j. Maintains adequate project-related documentation; k. Cooperates in the “quality of project supervision assessment”; l. Applies adaptive management principles to the supervision of the project; m. Assists with the preparation of project revisions, ensuring that project revision documentation is complete and in accordance with UNEP requirements; n. Assesses the need to conduct mid-term independent evaluation and if so, liaises with the Evaluation and Oversight Unit to ensure the evaluation is timely conducted; o. Reviews project outputs, provides technical input and ensures quality standards are met; p. Manages any mandatory project(s) mid-term review in accordance with UNEP guidance and prepares a management response with a plan for implementation of recommendations; q. Supports the project terminal evaluation; r. Takes responsibility to ensure that project is financially closed in a prompt manner after completion of project activities. C. DEPI knowledge management and data managemen: a. Identifies and codifies lessons emerging from project implementation; b. Ensures accuracy and completeness of project data in the project information system for all projects under his/her supervision; c. Contributes to project data reconciliation exercises within DEPI and with the GEF Secretariat; d. Identifies media and other outreach opportunities and materials and contributes project information and written materials to be used by the communications and outreach Programme Officer. e. Participates and contributes to any events organized by GEF and UNEP to disseminate information on project results and lessons. D. UNEP and GEF corporate tasks: a. Contributes to Council document reviews as needed; b. Represents DEPI in UNEP and GEF-related meetings; c. Participates in the UNEP Project Review Committee (PRC) attending at least 3 meetings per year; d. Provides input to UNEP and GEF policy and information documents as necessary; e. Provides input to GEF corporate evaluations, including country portfolio evaluations, thematic evaluations and impact evaluations and to the preparation of the Management Action Record. E. Keeps abreast of developments in his/her technical field and further develops competencies and skills: a. Undertakes at least one relevant learning activity each year. b. Prepares his/her annual work plan for result based management with clear goals and indicators;
		Competencies
	• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of biodiversity/land degradation/biosafety/climate change adaptation issues and discussions, knowledge and understanding of environmental and resource status of various biodiversity/land degradation/biosafety/climate change adaptation; practical experience in programme/project management and oversight; Good analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems; Ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given; Ability to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.  • Communication: Good communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to comments on a variety of project related documents, the ability to prepare technically sound and logical proposals for projects, and the ability to outline project concepts and project implementation direction.  • Technological Awareness: Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g., word processing, spreadsheet and other project management software. • Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relationship in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance.
		Education
	An advanced University degree (Master’s degree or higher) in natural resources management, environmental sciences, biological sciences, agriculture, environmental economics, Geography  or closely related field. A Doctorate degree would be an added advantage. A first university degree with a combination of two years professional and academic qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
		Work Experience
	At least seven years working in integrated natural resources management, biodiversity conservation, biosafety, land degradation, climate change adaptation and related fields. Work experience with project in developing countries desirable;  Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree recognised by the United Nations.
		Languages
	English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in oral and written English is required. A good working knowledge of French is desirable.
		Assessment Method
	Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position will include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

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