Programme Officer

This opening expired 2 years ago. Do not try to apply for this job.

UNDP - United Nations Development Programme

Open positions at UNDP
Logo of UNDP

Application deadline 2 years ago: Thursday 28 Oct 2021 at 00:00 UTC

Open application form

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The Gambia has a small, undiversified economy heavily reliant on tourism, trade, remittances, and subsistence agriculture. Given that almost half of The Gambia’s 2 million population (48.6%) live below the poverty line, a large proportion of the population is vulnerable to shocks and crises. COVID-19 hit the country amidst an employment crisis of 57.1% and 41.5% for women and men respectively. Prior to the pandemic, tourism and agriculture together contributed 50% of the GDP and accounted for 90% of the labor force.

The pandemic magnified environmental challenges linked to climate change and disaster risks and threatens to reverse the gains made in the country’s strive for a green economy. Traditionally wildlife protected areas (PA) and other categories of conserved landscapes that underpin nature-based tourism are critically underfunded. This undermines their full economic value and tourism potential and reduces the significant opportunities to improve rural livelihoods and secure community land-rights. Out of the eight Protected Areas in The Gambia (covering 88,289.41 ha), six are open to ecotourism/nature-based tourism/tourist visitation as a source of revenue for peripheral communities. The income of communities within these 6 peripheral areas has been curtailed. These communities are now more susceptible to exploiting natural resources to supplement their livelihoods (IUCN, n.d.). The pandemic has provided cover (manifesting as reduced surveillance) for poor people to embark on illegal activities such as deforestation and other forms of ecosystem degradation, wildlife poaching and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities especially in trans-frontier/cross border marine and terrestrial PAs with shared resources. Interstate collaborative recovery efforts as well as deliberate positioning of communities on green economic development pathways can ensure sustainability of resources.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of or her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Programme Officer will:

• Support the Project Manager for the RRF project in the day-to-day management of the implementation of the project. This shall include: • Work closely with the relevant UNDP programme Units; Poverty, Environment and the Accelerator to ensure that project components that they are taking the lead on are bing implemented on time • Reach out and Liaison with partners engaged in implementation of project activities to assess progress, determine needs and provide technical support as needed • Monthly Field monitoring of projects being implemented • Preparation of regular quarterly reports (progress and financial) on the status of project implementation • Consistently assess progress of implementation and identify strategies and actions required to accelerate delivery • Prepare the M&E plan for monitoring Low Value Grantees • Undertake overall monitoring and evaluation of the project; ensuring that all project activities completed are evaluated as per the M &E plan of the project • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active UNDP team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNDP and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:

o Timely and efficient delivery of project activities o Production of high monitoring quality reports o Availability of data and evidence on project impact o Information on the project widely shared within UNDP • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Professionalism • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Communication: proven interpersonal skills • Flexibility • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance

At least 5 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in international development, or other relevant programmes; experience with government and NGOs is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization; Must be adept at problem-solving, including being able to identify issues and resolve programs in a timely manner • Familiarity with M & E, project report writing • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; (if not applicable, delete) • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in poverty, environment and human rights, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unv.org