Programme Management Officer

Senior Programme & Policy

Overview

Lead and manage biodiversity programs and projects for UNEP.

You have:

• Advanced University Degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in biodiversity sciences, environmental sciences, natural resource management, natural resource policy, environmental policy, environmental economics or a closely related field with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience is required.
• A first level University degree (Bachelor's Degree or equivalent) in combination with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant progressive experience working on biodiversity issues in developing countries/countries in transition is required.
• Working experience in an international organization and in the Pacific region is desired.
• Experience with conceptualizing and developing projects and programmes in the ecosystems and biodiversity field is desired.
• Experience working with the Global Environment Facility is desired.
• Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that 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.

UNEP's Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition.

This post is located in UNEP’s Ecosystems Division and it will be based in Incheon, Republic of Korea.

Functional Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for: Project Identification and Development:

• Collaborates with internal and external partners to identify relevant and eligible project concepts.
• Discusses and clears such concepts with the Senior Programme Officer.
• Contributes to the office’s resource mobilisation efforts.
• Designs, develops, and evaluates assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions.
• Collaborates with UNEP's Divisions and regional offices as necessary.
• Advises project proponents on how to revise concepts to respond to issues raised by the peer reviewer and other reviews.
• Monitors Global Environment Facility project milestones to avoid delays and potential project cancellations.
• Addresses Global Environment Facility Secretariat and Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel reviews and ensures that Project Review Committee recommendations are considered in further project development by the executing agency.
• Works with the Fund Management Officer to internalise the Project Preparation Grant upon approval.
• Supervises Project Preparation Grant execution in accordance with UNEP and Global Environment Facility policies and procedures.
• Leads Project Preparation Grant execution in accordance with UNEP and Global Environment Facility policies and procedures.
• Coordinates policy and programmatic development, including the review and analysis of existing and planned programmes and projects, issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
• Verifies that the project proposals meet Global Environment Facility quality-at-entry standards before submission to Senior Programme Officer and Global Environment Facility Coordination Office for Project Review Committee review.
• Leads the executing partners in mobilising Co-financing for the project.
• Upon Global Environment Facility Chief Executive Officer approval, works with the Fund Management Officer to internalise the project document.
• Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change.

Supervision Of Project Implementation: - Prepares project supervision plans under his/her portfolio for their entire duration and applies adaptive management principles to the supervision of the projects. - Organises and manages the project inception meeting. - Provides oversight of project execution and prepares reports in accordance with UNEP and Global Environment Facility criteria, rules, and regulations. - Participates in Project Steering Committees and ensures that Project Steering Committee fulfils its function. - Regularly monitors project progress and performance and rates progress towards meeting project objectives, project execution progress, quality of project monitoring and evaluation, and risk. - Monitors reporting by project executing partners. - Promptly informs management of any significant risks or project problems and acts and follows up on decisions made. - Generates survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyses and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions. - Prepares reports in accordance with Global Environment Facility and UNEP requirements. - Organises and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. - Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. - Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; participates at workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities. - Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc. - Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). - Applies adaptive management principles to the supervision of the project. - Initiates the preparation of project revisions. - Reviews project outputs, provides technical input, and ensures quality standards are met. - Manages any mandatory project(s) mid-term review. - Initiates the project terminal evaluation. - Facilitates the financial closure of projects to ensure that projects are financially closed in a prompt manner after completion of project activities.

Ecosystems Division Knowledge And Data Management: - Identifies and codifies lessons emerging from project implementation. - Ensures accuracy and completeness of project data in the project information system for all projects under his/her supervision. - Contributes to project data reconciliation exercises within the Division and with the Global Environment Facility Secretariat. - Identifies media and other outreach opportunities and materials and provides project information and materials. - Participates in events organised by Global Environment Facility and UNEP to disseminate information on project results and lessons.

UNEP and Global Environment Facility Corporate Tasks: - Contributes to the Council document reviews as needed. - Represents Ecosystem Division in UNEP and Global Environment Facility–related meetings. - Participates in the UN Environment Project Review Committees. - Provides input to UNEP and Global Environment Facility policy and information documents as necessary. - Provides input to Global Environment Facility corporate evaluations, country portfolio evaluations, thematic evaluations and impact evaluations and to the preparation of the Management Action Record. - Keeps abreast of developments in his/her technical field and further develops competencies and skills. - Undertakes at least one relevant learning activity each year. - Prepares his/her annual work plan for result-based management with clear goals and indicators.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: - Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in biodiversity sciences, environmental sciences, natural resource management, natural resource policy, environmental policy, environmental economics or a closely related field with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience is required; - A first level University degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in combination with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant progressive experience working on biodiversity issues in developing countries / countries in transition is required.
• Working experience in an international organization and in the Pacific region is desired.
• Experience with conceptualizing and developing projects and programmes in the ecosystems and biodiversity field is desired.
• Experience working with the Global Environment Facility is desired.
• Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Language - Fluency in oral and written English is required. - Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) Contract level: IICA -3 Duty station: Incheon,South Korea Contract duration: 12 Months

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.unops.org