Programme Officer (Biodiversity)

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 Action for Climate and Environment Unit (ACE) at UNDP is organized around the thematic areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation; natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, disaster management and resilience, and access to clean and efficient energy. The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Restoration programme of UNDP supports the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India in achieving the country’s global commitments towards biodiversity conservation, species recovery and forest, land and other eco-restoration targets.

The Biodiversity programme supports the Government of India in meeting national development objectives along with commitments under important multilateral environment agreements especially the Convention on Biological Diversity. The technical and policy support provided by the programme focus on institutional strengthening and building capacities to utilize natural resources in a sustainable way, while increasing resilience to climate variability and associated risks and impacts. The programme is also currently working on innovative financing mechanisms for ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation. The portfolio supports India’s engagement with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and other donors; and works with Central Ministries and state governments to implement various projects on biodiversity and ecosystem restoration among others.

UNDP seeks to engage a Programme Officer (Biodiversity) to support and manage the implementation of activities under a number of projects in the portfolio. S/he will support the project team for ensuring effective planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of the programme and projects. S/he will be based at New Delhi, India reporting to the Programme Manager, UNDP India. The key functions will be:

• Contribute towards furthering the priorities of Government of India and UNDP with respect to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and other international conventions; • Provide support in the implementation of the decisions taken at the 15th Conference of Parties (CoP) to the CBD especially in updation of the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans NBSAP and preparing National Biodiversity Targets; • Support the preparation of the second version of the Biodiversity Finance Plan which will be aligned with the updated NBSAP; • Support UNDP, Ministry and the consultants in the regional and national consultations in the updation of the NBSAP; • Identifying and demonstrating 5 financial solutions in select states of India; • Leading the work on specific biodiversity targets such as 2,3, 5, 8, 10, 13, 19, 20, 21,etc. and linking with resource mobilisation; • Preparing strategies for implementation of some of these targets that are easily achievable; • Supporting resource mobilisation for target 2, 3 and 4 in particular; • Provide coordination, communication and technical support towards the various engagements with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to ensure smooth implementation of biodiversity related programming anchored in MoEFCC; • Support in developing background notes, concept notes, presentations, briefings and other documentation on the development and implementation of activities and initiatives; • Supporting conservation initiatives in North east India; • Provide support towards implementation of the tasks recommended under India’s G20 roadmap especially on GIR/GIP; • Leading communications and M&E work for the biodiversity, wildlife and restoration programme/ projects; • Updating and briefing the team on opportunities of resource mobilisation for the programme; • Reviewing progress and reporting results in a concise and clear manner for all projects and ensuring timely reporting from project teams to the PSU; • Support in organising, managing and coordinating meetings, consultations, training programmes, social media campaigns, and other events with various stakeholders; • Support in policy formulation and advocacy pertaining to Biodiversity Conservation; • Support in doing necessary research, analysis, documentation and consultations required for meeting the priorities of Kunming- Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework implementation in India; • Support in identification and documentation of best practices and outcomes across thematic areas relevant to the projects and prepare concept notes, proposals and research papers for the same. • Lead the work on Other Effective Area-based Conservation Neasures (OECM) policy and practice in India • Support preparation of concept notes, proposals and project documents for mobilising resources for biodiversity conservation, wildlife protection and restoration in India.

• Achieve Results: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline; • Think Innovatively: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements; • Learn Continuously: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback; • Adapt with Agility: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible; • Act with Determination: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident; • Engage and Partner: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships; • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination; Business Direction and Strategy: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions • Business Direction and Strategy: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions |Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP | Ability to represent UNDP and productively share UNDP knowledge and activities; advocate for UNDP, its values, mission and work with various constituencies; • Business Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals; Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.

programmes and projects related to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, natural resource management and environment management; • Good understanding of environmental issues such as landscape approach, wildlife conservation, natural resource management and sustainable livelihoods is an asset; • Good communication (written and oral), interpersonal and presentation skills, with an ability to work in a multi-cultural environment; • Proficiency in MS-Office, especially PowerPoint, Excel and Word; Advanced knowledge of spread sheet, database management and research skills will be an asset; • Ability to work independently and deliver time sensitive tasks assigned; • Understanding of practical experiences in the domain of conservation and development at the grassroots level will be an asset; • Demonstrated experience of working with government departments at central and state level is desirable; • Experience of working with international organizations and bilateral will be an asset; • Willingness to travel extensively within the country is desirable.

New Delhi, as a duty station, presents a dynamic and diverse environment. The living conditions in this vibrant metropolis offer a mix of cultural richness, historical significance, and modern amenities. The city provides various housing options, catering to different preferences and needs. New Delhi's cosmopolitan atmosphere allows for easy integration into its multicultural society. While the city boasts a range of international schools, medical facilities, and recreational opportunities, it is essential to be mindful of factors such as air quality and traffic congestion. Flexibility is crucial, along with the ability and willingness to navigate challenging conditions, potentially involving physical hardships and limited comfort. Additionally, due diligence is essential, especially when it comes to being cautious with street food and water.

As this is a National UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in New Delhi. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

This assignment is part of the special programme initiative. As per the UN Volunteer Conditions of Service, Section XVIII, the Conditions for this assignment are amended as follows:

• The Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) will be INR 90,000/- per month • The UN Volunteer is not eligible for entry lumpsum or travel costs • Health insurance will not be provided to dependents of the UN Volunteer • Access to UNV learning will be restricted to mandatory courses and free-of-charge learning resources provided by UNV.

Leave entitlements: • Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month • Certified sick leave: 30 days • Uncertified sick leave: 7 days • Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months • Maternity leave: 16 weeks • Paternity leaves: 10 days

The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.