Programme Assistant

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

• Provides reliable assistance in the coordination of programme/project planning and implementation activities and basic research support. • Demonstrates understanding of the context of programmes/projects and issues in assigned areas and uses increasing independence in the processing of work and follow-up actions. • Demonstrates initiative in the identification and resolution of issues/problems. • Effectively, and in a timely manner, liaises and interacts with colleagues and concerned parties internally and externally. • Is well organized, produces accurate reports, records, and/or data, put together with only general guidance. • Consistently applies appropriate policies, guidelines, and procedures.

Work Location

Cote d'Ivoire

Expected duration

12

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority. It sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. This consultancy is in UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division, Energy and Climate Branch, Climate Change Mitigation Unit (CCMU), Africa team.

UNEP’s Industry and Economy Division works with a portfolio of Global Environment Facility (GEF) medium-size and full-size climate change mitigation projects in Africa. The projects, which are in different stages of development (concept design, detailed development, implementation, evaluation/review, closure), are executed by different partners (Ministries, national agencies, NGOs, etc.). The Industry and Economy Division, in its role as Implementing Agency, provides oversight and ensures adherence to GEF guidelines.

The Task Manager (TM) for Africa needs a Programme Assistant to support with the development, implementation and terminal reviews of GEF MSP/FSP African country projects. In particular, the support will be required for both English and French-speaking countries located in the Northern, Western and Central African regions.

Under the supervision of the UNEP Climate Change Mitigation Unit (CCMU) Task Manager (TM) for Africa, the Programme Assistant will be responsible for the following:

Project Design: • Verify PIFs/concept notes: grammar, spelling, presentation, etc. • Assist the TM in undertaking desk research to inform the preparation of PIFs/concept notes. • Upload PIFs/concept notes and responses to GEF Sec reviews on the GEF Portal.

Project Development: • Assist the TM and Administrative Officer (AO) in preparing SSFAs / ToRs for Project Preparation Grants (PPGs). • Ensure project developers have latest templates to prepare CEO Endorsement Requests (CEO ER). • Assist the TM in undertaking desk research to inform the preparation of CEO ER. • Verify CEO ER and annexes: grammar, spelling, presentation, etc. • Upload CEO ER and responses to GEF Sec reviews on the GEF Portal. • Review PPG expenditure reports.

Project Implementation: • Assist the TM and AO in preparing PCAs / ICAs and appendices for recently CEO endorsed projects. • Create project structures in IPMR and populate with project information. • Track circulation of project internalizations and projects revisions through UNEP approval process. • Assist the TM in reviewing agendas, ToRs, presentations, etc., prepared by the Executing Agencies (EAs) for project inception workshops and steering committee meetings. • Assist the TM in project inception workshops and steering committee meetings. • Assist the TM in coordinating EAs on submission of reports as per requirements of the PCA / ICA. • Ensure the EAs use right templates to meet reporting requirements and all sections are completed. • Support the TM in reviewing the required GEF/UNEP reports submitted by the EAs. • Support the TM in uploading the annual PIRs on the GEF Portal. • Support the TM in reviewing budget and workplan revisions. • Support the TM in coordinating with other UNEP units / teams. • File and archive project files / reports issued by the EAs into the CCMU database. • Support the TM with the WeWork system to ensure timely circulation of reports, revisions and other documents. • Upload project progress information in IPMR. • Track project risks and keep Risk Log updated.

General: • Provide general administrative and coordination support to the TM and AO. • Maintain and keep up-to-date projects on IPMR and WeWork. • File and archive documentation and reports in the CCMU database. • Perform other related duties as assigned by the TM.

Qualifications/special skills

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, environmental policy, environmental engineering, project management, natural sciences, physical sciences, economics or a related field is required. • At least 7 years of relevant professional work experience at the national level is required. • Experience working with national governments in project implementation is required; • Experience in assisting with project administration / coordination in the UN or other international development organization is desirable; • Experience working on Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects is desirable;

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written English and French are required.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.