Project Integration Specialist

Volunteering Admin Finance & Economy Interpretation & Translation

Overview

Ensure seamless coordination and integration of all project components and stakeholders.

You have:

• At least three 3 years of relevant work experience in project management and/or project management support and/or operational functions are required.
• Experience in budget management and financial reporting; experience with projects financed by international cooperation is an advantage, as is experience working with the United Nations system.
• Experience participating in community development projects and working with local stakeholders.
• Experience working with national or local government entities in Panama.
• Strong ability to analyze data and policies from a gender-intersecting perspective, including the integration of such an approach in climate change adaptation processes.
• Ability to communicate complex issues in language and formats tailored to specific audiences; excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, and reporting abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; experience engaging with key stakeholders, inter-institutional coordination, and public relations; cultural and social sensitivity.
• Solid general computer knowledge, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), email, and the Internet; familiarity with design and layout software is an asset.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

The Project Integration Specialist will ensure the seamless coordination and integration of all project components, stakeholders, and activities to achieve the project's strategic objectives within scope, time, and budget. The volunteer will deliver a comprehensive integration framework that enhances collaboration, minimizes risks, and ensures alignment across workstreams. By the end of the assignment, the project will have a clearly defined roadmap, improved stakeholder engagement mechanisms, and strengthened governance structures, contributing to the successful delivery and sustainability of project outcomes.

The main objective of the position of Project Integration Specialist is to contribute with the Ministry of the Environment and UNEP in the coordination and implementation of the Green Climate Fund funded project as set in the funding proposal document.

The Project Integration Specialist supports the effective implementation of the project by strengthening adaptation planning, governance, and institutional coordination in Panama. The role focuses on building institutional capacity, improving coordination across ministries, and supporting systems that guide, monitor, and evaluate the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process.

This includes contributions to: • Capacity-building efforts for policy and decision-makers from relevant ministries and departments to support leadership, coordination, and participation in the NAP process. • Advancing national research and development efforts to better understand cross thematic climate risks and identify innovative technologies and approaches. • Supporting national mechanisms that track adaptation progress, document advances, and inform future revisions of adaptation priorities under the NDC.

The specialist works closely with the National Project Coordinator to support project planning and delivery. This includes contributing to the development and refinement of work plans, monitoring and optimizing budget allocation, supporting procurement planning, and preparing progress analyses to ensure milestones are met efficiently.

Further responsibilities include monitoring project implementation to identify operational constraints and proposing corrective measures, as well as contributing to the preparation, monitoring, and compliance of procurement plans, operational plans, and project budgets. The role also provides technical inputs and review for communication materials related to the NAP portfolio, including the preparation and dissemination of policy and climate change adaptation documents.

The specialist supports financial management processes related to cooperation agreements and conducts analytical reviews—using a gender sensitive approach—to assess the institutional, technical, and coordination capacities of members of the NAP coordination platform and working group. This assessment helps identify capacity gaps and opportunities for strengthening cross thematic adaptation planning.

In fulfilling these responsibilities, the specialist: • Provides technical expertise to support evidence-based project implementation aligned with national adaptation priorities and international frameworks. • Works with government leadership and key stakeholders to integrate climate risk assessments, vulnerability analyses, and gender responsive approaches into project workflows and reporting. • Contributes to technical documents, adaptation plans, reports, and policy recommendations to strengthen institutional capacities. • Supports documentation management, monitoring and evaluation processes, and coordination efforts to ensure timely delivery of project milestones, with a strong focus on climate resilience. • Monitors the project execution plan and budget, identifies barriers and challenges to implementation, and communicates findings in a timely manner to enable informed decision-making and the adoption of appropriate corrective measures.

The Project Integration Specialist also supports the development of a strong evidence base to inform adaptation solutions across priority sectors, including water resources, health, infrastructure, and agriculture and food security.

This work involves: • Contributing to the review and analysis of available climate data, existing adaptation efforts, and vulnerability assessment approaches, integrating gender-responsive considerations and drawing on national sources and stakeholder inputs. • Providing technical guidance during recruitment and procurement processes in line with UNEP procedures. • Supporting the organization and technical delivery of steering committee meetings, workshops, trainings, consultations, and communication efforts. • Contributing technical expertise to field missions aimed at disseminating information on climate change adaptation.

In close collaboration with UNEP regional leadership and national project coordinators, the specialist ensures that scientific evidence, sectoral insights, and stakeholder inputs are effectively integrated into project planning, reporting, and decision-making processes.

The role further contributes to strengthening adaptation finance and the integration of adaptation priorities into public planning and budgeting processes.

Key areas of support include: • Reviewing public and institutional expenditure related to climate change adaptation, including national estimates and spending patterns. • Assessing institutional coordination mechanisms for climate finance, budgeting, and planning. • Evaluating the capacity of local governments to mobilize and allocate resources for adaptation measures. • Coordinating project related meetings through agenda setting, documentation of discussions, and follow up on action points. • Working with the Project Management Unit to address operational needs and support effective resource management.

Through the synthesis and technical analysis of quantitative and qualitative data across project components, the Project Integration Specialist helps ensure that findings are well documented, aligned with project objectives, and translated into actionable adaptation strategies, financial analyses, and policy recommendations.

• Professionalism • Communication • Teamwork • Planning and organization • Accountability

At least three 3 years of relevant work experience in project management and/or project management support and/or operational functions are required. • Experience in budget management and financial reporting; experience with projects financed by international cooperation is an advantage, as is experience working with the United Nations system; • Experience participating in community development projects and working with local stakeholders; • Experience working with national or local government entities in Panama; • Experience working with international cooperation agencies or the United Nations system; • Strong ability to analyze data and policies from a gender‑intersecting perspective, including the integration of such an approach in climate change adaptation processes; • Ability to communicate complex issues in language and formats tailored to specific audiences; excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, and reporting abilities; • Excellent interpersonal skills; experience engaging with key stakeholders, inter‑institutional coordination, and public relations; cultural and social sensitivity; • Ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision and meet tight deadlines; ability to adapt professionally and effectively in dynamic environments and multidisciplinary teams; • Solid general computer knowledge, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), email, and the Internet; familiarity with design and layout software is an asset; • Availability and willingness to travel to urban and rural regions of the country; • Affinity and interest in climate change adaptation, National Adaptation Planning (NAP), and the work of the United Nations system in environmental and sustainable development matters.”

Panama is a family‑friendly duty station and is considered a safe place to live; however, as in any city in the world, it is always advisable to be aware of your surroundings and stay alert. Panama offers a wide variety of products and numerous modern shopping malls, as well as department stores, designer shops, and 24‑hour supermarkets. There are suitable residential areas, housing options, good hospitals, schools, universities, banks, and a wide selection of restaurants and entertainment venues. Panama offers many options for interesting weekend activities. There are beaches, mountains, and national parks in the tropical rainforest, which are said to host one of the world’s greatest varieties of flora and fauna. There are no major health concerns in Panama, although it is important to note that in some areas, such as the Darién province, precautions against malaria are recommended. The website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends the yellow fever vaccine for travel to the Darién province and the San Blas Islands.

BENEFITS: - (MLA) Estimated Monthly Living Allowance of USD 1,969.91 - A one‑time Entry Lump Sum of USD 350.00 (paid in the first payroll). - An Exit Allowance estimated at USD 120 for each month of service, paid at the end of the contract. - Medical, dental, and hospital insurance, as well as life and disability insurance. Medical insurance for eligible dependents. Refer to the Conditions of Service for eligibility details. - Annual leave accrued at a rate of 2.5 days per month.

You may consult all entitlements for the duty station at: https://app.unv.org/calculator

The full UN Volunteer Conditions of Service are available at: https://explore.unv.org/cos”

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 months ago - Updated 1 month ago - Source: unv.org