PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 135,454 USD and 174,640 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting

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 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. The overall objective of the UNEP's Ecosystems Division is to support countries in conserving, restoring and sustainably managing their terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, the biodiversity they contain and the products and services they provide for human well-being and prosperity. Ecosystems Division’s Marine and Freshwater Branch delivers science, governance, and strategic communications expertise to catalyse action across the marine, coastal and freshwater continuum and respond to the triple planetary crisis of - climate, biodiversity and pollution.

This post's location is in UNEP's Ecosystems Division, Marine and Freshwater Branch, at the Nairobi duty station. Under the general guidance of the Director or Deputy Director of UNEP's Ecosystem Division and under the direct supervision of the Chief of the GEF International Waters Unit, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

1. Contribute to International Water (IW) corporate strategy development and programme coordination by: a. Drafting UNEP/GEF IW focal area strategy and business plan and conducting relevant consultations (internal and external) on it in the context of UNEP’s approaches, strategies and priorities for the GEF. b. Providing input into the UNEP/GEF Fee model as needed and reporting progress against agreed targets on a quarterly basis. c. Coordinating UNEP/GEF IW team meetings periodically and maintaining a record of its deliberations and conclusions. d. Representing UNEP in the GEF Focal Area Task Force meetings. e. Contributing to UNEP’s programming and ensuring that the UNEP/GEF IW portfolio is reflected in the PoW.

2. Contributes to UNEP & GEF corporate knowledge management, data management, communications, and outreach by: a. Identifying and codifying lessons emerging from the IW portfolio and project implementation (over and above individual project knowledge management). b. Overseeing portfolio data entry into the project information system and monitoring team compliance with data entry and quality of entry. c. Contributing to project data reconciliation exercises within/for both UNEP and GEF. d.Identifying media and other outreach opportunities and contributing portfolio and project information and written materials to be used by communications and outreach officers.

3. Supervises portfolio development and implementation by: a. Providing technical guidance to IW focal area Task Managers concerning project design and implementation and coordinating project concept peer reviews as needed. b. Coordinating responses to GEF Secretariat project review sheets and STAP comments and monitoring quality of project supervision by individual Task Managers in the focal area. c. Reviewing quality of the yearly Project Implementation Reviews (PIR) prepared by Task Managers and Preparing focal area reports. d. Identifying projects-at-risk and monitoring implementation of remedial actions.

4. Develops projects and supervises project implementation of selected projects by: a. Liaising with national organizations and international partners for identifying GEF-eligible project ideas within UNEP’s comparative advantage. b. Overseeing project concept development and project preparation, providing technical advice to the executing agencies and translating GEF guidance and policies. c. Liaising with GEF Secretariat focal area staff to ensure projects meet GEF requirements. d. Support in responding to Council, STAP and GEF Secretariat project reviews. e. Assisting in mobilizing co-financing for the projects and obtaining letters of endorsement from GEF National Focal Points. f. Being a member of the project steering committees, reviewing technical and financial reports, assessing quality of outputs, providing relevant technical advice to project partners, assessing progress towards outcomes, preparing reports and documentation for project revisions, coordinating mid-term management project reviews and related management responses, providing input to project terminal evaluations, and other tasks associated with project implementation supervision in accordance with UNEP/GEF’s Project Operations Manual.

5. Manages the Focal Area team and supervises and mentors staff a. Briefing new staff on UNEP and GEF policies, strategies and procedures. b. Harmonizing workloads within the team and assigning project portfolios. c. Providing on-going feedback on performance and guidance on workplan implementation. d. Conducting the e-PAS mid-term review. e. Mentoring the Focal Area team staff for career development and capacity development.

6. Performs corporate tasks in the following areas: a) Council document review and preparation of comments and briefings for management. b) Participating in the UNEP Project Review Committee (PRC) and providing input to UNEP and GEF policy and information documents and providing input to GEF corporate evaluations.

7. Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or another specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

PLANNING & ORGANIZING: 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 completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Marine or Fresh Water biology, Ecology, Oceanography, Hydrology or Chemistry, Coastal zone and river basin management or environmental engineering.

A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

Relevant training in the protection and management of international waters issues is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required.

A minimum of five (5) years’ experience in GEF project management and project development is required.

A minimum of three (3) years within UN or at the international level with key international organizations related to International Waters or other relevant GEF Focal Areas or GEF Integrated Programmes is required.

Work experience in programmes or projects management in developing countries in the fields related to transboundary waters is required.

Demonstrated successful experience in large-scale project design, management, supervision, monitoring, and evaluation is desirable.

Demonstrated experience of working with different climate and environment funds such as such as GEF, GCF in a multicounty context is desirable.

Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in English is required

NOTE: ''Fluency'' equals a rating of ''fluent'' in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ''Knowledge of'' equals a rating of ''confident'' in two of the four area.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension.

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.

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Candidate Profile (CP) and motivation statement.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Internal Applicants – When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira" Contact Us" link.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.