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Wednesday 5 March 2014

Consultant/Programme Officer, Biodiversity , P4


Consultant/Programme Officer, Biodiversity , P4


DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:
03/12/2014
DATE OF ISSUACE:
02/26/2014
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT:
UNEP/GEF - DEPI
DUTY STATION:
Nairobi
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER:
NA-14-13
Remuneration:
Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. More Info...
United Nations Core Values : Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Responsibilities:
Background:

UNEP is one of three implementing agencies of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), alongside the World Bank and the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The GEF helps developing countries and those with economies in transition to meet the agreed incremental costs of measures designed to achieve global environmental benefits in six focal areas: biological diversity, climate change, international waters, ozone layer depletion, land degradation and persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
The position is located in the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), Division of Global Environment Facility (GEF) at the Nairobi duty station.

Responsibilities:

The Consultant, under the supervision of the Chief, GEF Biodiversity/Land Degradation/ Biosafety Unit & Portfolio Manager DEPI/GEF, will perform the following:

1. Assist with monitoring and reporting on performance of the DEPI-GEF portfolio of projects as well as perform other related corporate tasks:

• Provide inputs and prepares updates for DEPI Senior Management on the development and implementation of DEPI GEF portfolio including budget and finance;
• Prepare reports on DEPI GEF portfolio performance and identify new opportunities and/or areas that need strengthening;
• Undertake GEF Council document review and prepare comments and briefings for DEPI Senior management;
• Provide inputs on DEPI GEF in UNEP Programme of Work and other UNEP corporate activities;
• Participate in the UNEP Project Review Committee (PRC);
• Provide input to UNEP and GEF policy and information documents;
• Provide input to GEF corporate evaluations, including country portfolio evaluations, thematic evaluations and impact evaluations and contribute to the preparation of the Management Action Record.
• Identify and codify lessons emerging from DEPI GEF portfolio and project implementation (over and above individual project knowledge management);
• Oversee DEPI GEF portfolio data entry into the project information system and monitoring team compliance with data entry and quality of entry;
• Contribute to DEPI GEF project data reconciliation exercises within UNEP and with the GEF Secretariat;
• Identify media and other outreach opportunities and contribute portfolio and project information and written materials to be used in the communication and outreach work of UNEP.

2. Supervise the BD/LD Projects implementation:

• Prepare project supervision plans for all projects under his/her portfolio for their entire duration and periodically update them;
• Organize and manage project inception meetings with a view to ensure project implementation readiness;
• Provide oversight to project execution and in doing so ensure that all UNEP and GEF criteria, rules and regulations are adhered to by project partners;
• Participate in the Steering Committee meetings and ensure that the Steering Committee fulfills its function;
• Regularly monitor project progress and performance and rate progress towards meeting project objectives, project execution progress, quality of project monitoring and evaluation, and risk;
• Periodically assess project assumptions and monitor risk;
• Monitor reporting by project executing partners and provide prompt feedback on the contents of the report;
• Promptly inform management of any significant risks or project problems and take action and follow up on decisions made;
• Prepare reports in accordance with GEF and UNEP requirements;
• Maintain adequate project-related documentation;
• Cooperate in the “quality of project supervision assessment”;
• 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 DGEF requirements;
• Assess the need to conduct mid-term independent evaluation and if so, liaise with the Evaluation and Oversight Unit to ensure the evaluation is timely conducted;
• Review project outputs, provides technical input and ensures quality standards are met;
• Manage any mandatory project(s) mid-term review in accordance with DGEF guidance and prepare a management response with a plan for implementation of recommendations;
• Support the project terminal evaluation;
• Take responsibility to ensure that project is financially closed in a prompt manner after completion of project activities.

3. Identify and develop BD/LD Projects:
• Liaise with internal and external partners to identify relevant and eligible project concepts;
• Discuss and clear such concepts with the Senior Programme Officer;
• Consult with UNEP Divisions and regional offices as necessary;
• Advise project proponents on how to revise concepts to respond to issues raised by the peer reviewer or other reviews;
• Present and defend the concept at the PAG;
• 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 STAP reviews and ensure that PAG recommendations are considered in further project development by the executing agency;
• Work with the Fund Management Officer to internalize the PPG upon GEF approval;
• Supervise PPG execution in accordance with UNEP and GEF policies and procedures;
• Support the executing partner in mobilizing co-financing for the project;
• Ensure that a PPG completion report and financial reports is available upon completion of activities;
• Verify that project proposal meets GEF 'quality-at-entry' standards before submission to SPO and GEF management for PRC review;
• Follow up- with GEF Secretariat during the project review process and promptly address any comments in consultation with project partners;
• Upon GEF CEO approval, work with the Fund Management Officer to internalize the project document.

4. DEPI - GEF Knowledge and data management:
• Identify and codify lessons emerging from DEPI GEF project implementation;
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of DEPI GEF projects data in the project information system ;
• Contribute to project data reconciliation exercises within DEPI G, GEF Cordination Office and with the GEF Secretariat;
• Identify media and other outreach opportunities and materials and contribute project information and written material to be used by the communications and outreach Programme Officer.
• Participate and contribute to any events organized by DEPI and UNEP to disseminate information on the DEPI-GEF project results and lessons.
Core Competencies:
Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; 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.

Planning and Organization: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for cpmleting work; foresees risk and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time effectively.

Communication: Effective communication (spoken, written and presentational skills); 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Team Work: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits inputs 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 positions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in natural resources management or other environmental sciences, among others, rangeland management, ecology or geography. A first-level university degree with two years professional and academic qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
Work Experience:
At least seven (7) progressive work experience of which at least two (2) are at the international level. Knowledge of the GEF and its implementing Agencies including UNEP. Experience and strong publication record in the following areas:
- Formulating strategic approaches and plans in complex multilateral environments;
- Environmental and socio-economic issues associated with adaptation to climate change at the global, national and local levels;
- Interdisciplinary experience, including in integrated natural resources management approaches and practices;
- Strong networks in the biodiversity, biosafety and/or land degradation communities;
- Relevant MEA negotiating processes and decisions;
- Capacity development related to natural resources management.
Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in oral and written English and French is required. Knowledge of other UN languages, an asset.
Other Desirable Skills:
N/A
The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a Non-Smoking Environment. English and French are the two official working languages of the United Nations.

UNEP,UNHABITAT and UNON do not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee please contact Recruitment@unon.org


ONLY applications to specific VAs will be considered, general applications should not be sent.
How to apply:

1. All applicants must indicate the following on their applications;

Vacancy Notice Number
Functional title of the post
Attach an up-to-date CV, United Nations P-11 form or United Nations
Personal History Profile (PHP)

2. Due to the volume of applications received, receipt of offline paper applications cannot be acknowledged individually.


3. UN staff members must attach copies of their last two Performance Appraisal System (PAS) evaluation & Fact Sheets to their applications.

4. Applications received after the deadline [closing date] will not be considered.

5. There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the process.

All applications should be submitted either by post, e-mail or fax.

By Post


N/A

By Email


anne.ogoti@unep.org
michael.wamache@unep.org

By Fax
N/A

Special Notice

Special Notice:

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. This is a temporary Job Opening. Appointment against this post is for a limited duration and does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal.

Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

PLEASE QUOTE JOB OPENING ANNOUNCEMENT NO.: NA-14-13 ON THE SUBJECT OF YOUR E-MAIL APPLICATION. NA - 14 - 13 Consultant  PO P4 GEF - DEPI.pdfNA - 14 - 13 Consultant PO P4 GEF - DEPI.pdf

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

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