Support to integrate the outcomes of the Child Projects under GEF/UNEP MedProgramme (Level C)

Consultant Environment Finance & Economy

Overview

Support integration of child project outcomes for environmental sustainability

You have:

• Advanced university degree in a relevant field, such as in water resources or environmental management or other related field is required.
• Demonstrable experience in international environmental sustainable development and UN Agency/GEF project management and evaluation is required.
• Demonstrated experience in GEF IW project development, evaluation and supervision is required.
• A track record of experience and leadership in the evaluation of large multifocal environmental programs is desirable.
• Working experience within the Mediterranean region/Barcelona Convention UNEP/MAP system is desirable.
• Excellent writing skills is required.
• Fluency (both oral and written) and excellent writing skills in English are required.
• Working knowledge of French is desirable.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

The ultimate goal of this service is to support the MedProgramme in optimizing the integration of outcomes of different child projects within the programme. This is aimed at ensuring a cumulative impact in implementing its various components. Emphasis will be placed on achieving synergies during the current implementation period, including its agreed extension, and ensuring the sustainability of the programme.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

General Information The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional levels. 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. United Nation’s Environment 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 consultancy assignment is for the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) – MedProgramme Coordinating Unit (MedPCU), Athens, Greece in the framework of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded Mediterranean Sea Programme (MedProgramme): “Enhancing Environmental Security” (GEF ID 9607). The MedProgramme represents the first GEF programmatic multi-focal area initiative in the Mediterranean Sea aiming to operationalize priority actions to reduce major transboundary environmental stresses in its coastal areas while strengthening climate resilience and water security and improving the health and livelihoods of coastal populations. The MedProgramme is implemented in nine beneficiary countries sharing the Mediterranean basin: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Lebanon, Libya, Montenegro, Morocco and Tunisia. It involves a wide spectrum of developmental and societal sectors, ranging from banking institutions, the private sector, governmental and non-governmental bodies, industry, research, media, and various other organizations. It builds on the work of UNEP/MAP and previous GEF investments in the region which have enriched the knowledge on the Mediterranean environment and unravelled the implications of climate change and variability; strengthened countries’ mutual trust, cooperation and common purpose; consolidated the partnership among countries, UN bodies, civil society organizations, bilateral donors and the European Union (EU); and tested on the ground the feasibility and effectiveness of technical and policy instruments aimed at addressing major present and future threats to environmental sustainability and climate related impacts. The GEF-UNEP Mediterranean Sea Programme (MedProgramme) addresses critical environmental challenges in the Mediterranean region. It supports the UNEP/MAP Medium-term Strategy 2022-2027 by implementing priority actions to reduce transboundary stresses in coastal areas, strengthen climate resilience, and improve water security and livelihoods. The multisector Programme focuses on four main objectives: (i) reducing land-based coastal and marine pollution from harmful chemicals and wastes, and nutrients; (ii) restoring and stabilizing coastal zone freshwater resources, habitats and ecosystem functions; (iii) building coastal resilience to the expected impacts climate change and variability with focus on key strategic resources (coastal aquifers, wetlands); and (iv) consolidating biodiversity protection frameworks. The program is driven by a portfolio of eight Child Projects. At the regional level, the MedProgramme supports updating the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA), harmonizing monitoring through the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP), fostering regional cooperation, and adopting Mediterranean-wide environmental standards. National-level interventions include hotspot pollution reduction, integrated marine protected area systems, and climate-resilient policies enhancing water security and coastal sustainability. Key outcomes include expanded marine and coastal areas under effective management, measurable reductions in harmful pollutants (POPs, Mercury), and strengthened collective management of transboundary aquifers. The program also aims to reduce habitat loss, improve water security, and foster public-private investments in modern wastewater and pollution control technologies. Enhanced monitoring systems will help littoral states track progress and environmental trends effectively. 1. Purpose 1.1 The requirement for a consultant: This consultancy has four principal aims: (1) provide concrete recommendations to address challenges related to the limited coordination between the various components of the MedProgramme to achieve the intended integrated programmatic approach; (2) propose actionable measures for fostering synergies and integration between the outcomes of the child projects and partners for the remainder of the ongoing project; (3) offer suggestions to enhance the effectiveness and integrative nature of the Knowledge Management Platform, while also proposing elements for resource mobilization and sustainability of the MedProgramme; and (4) provide actionable proposals to improve collaboration and impact reporting within the MedProgramme including support to the preparation and organization of the 3rd Annual Stocktaking meeting in April 2025. 2. Tasks and responsibilities A. Assessment of the level of integration among different MedProgramme Child Projects. 1) Conduct a synergies analysis across MedProgramme Child Projects with a focus on areas such as potential aggregated impact, policymaking, decision-making, effective resource utilization, communication and knowledge management, collaboration, and monitoring and evaluation. a. Develop a detailed workplan for the overall contract and outputs b. Map the synergies and potential overlaps among the 8 Child Projects (and Fish EBM) of the MedProgramme to identify opportunities for deeper integration and coordination (desk research and interviews). c. Conduct a stakeholders' analysis of the implementation partners including identifying opportunities for enhanced engagement, synergies and integration across the MedProgramme. d. Develop a brief report summarizing findings, highlighting key areas of synergy, and recommending mechanisms for integration, resource optimization and increased impact. e. Propose actionable steps to align activities, minimize duplication, and foster integration and innovation across the MedProgramme. 2) In coordination with the Knowledge Management, data and gender experts, create targeted communication products to guide decision makers on how to strengthen alignment of actions across thematic areas, such as pollution, chemicals and waste, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation, promoting policy coherence among participating countries. a. Based on the outcomes of the Synergies Analysis, provide inputs to the development of communication products (including policy briefs, infographics, power point presentations, social media products, recommendations, etc.) ensuring alignment with the Programme’s Theory of Change (ToC) as well as with the UNEP/MAP Programme of work. b. In coordination with the Knowledge Management, gender and data experts, develop and disseminate policy papers as tools to guide cohesive actions, harmonize project objectives, and maximize the programme’s regional impact. c. In coordination with the Knowledge Management, gender and data experts, gather replicable best-case examples that promote integration and synergies across the MedProgramme. B. Enhancing Collaboration and Impact Reporting in MedProgramme. 3) In coordination with the Knowledge management, gender and data analyst experts, set-up Monthly Stakeholder Engagement, Annual Impact Report, and Annual Stocktaking meeting (2025) to align strategic goals and enhance the effectiveness of MedProgramme implementation through knowledge sharing and mutual support. a. In coordination with the Knowledge Management expert, organize and convene monthly virtual or in-person stakeholder meetings (taking the opportunity to hold back-to-back meetings where these are scheduled as part of the work plans), including representatives from child projects, government counterparts, and other relevant stakeholders. Share updates, challenges, success stories, and organize a dedicate discussion on coherence and alignment to identify and operationalize interlinkages. b. In coordination with the Knowledge Management expert, highlight and discuss case studies of synergies among child projects during meetings to provide practical examples and encourage replication. 4) Review output-based project indicators included in the project document, in order to strengthen evidence at the “outcome level” and the SMARTness of the defined indicators. C. Organization of visibility and advocacy events for the MedProgramme key meetings 5) Provide inputs to the design and delivery of the Annual Stocktaking meeting (ASM) 2025, LME24, and the 2025 UN Ocean Conference to highlight the integration and synergies and present the collective achievements of all MedProgramme Child Projects in line with GEF core indicators and the Programme’s Theory of Change (ToC). a. Prepare presentations and administer discussions to address the recommendations of the MTR of CP 4.1 on the need for integration across the MedProgramme. b. In coordination with the data analyst and knowledge management experts, gather and aggregate data on key achievements, lessons learned, and future directions from all Child Projects with emphasis on building an integrated narrative. c. In coordination with the Knowledge Management expert, engage stakeholders at the ASM to analyze and document the collective impact of Child Projects, focusing on progress toward implementation of the UNEP/MAP Programme of Work, the MTS, GEF core indicators and programmatic goals. d. In coordination with the Knowledge Management expert, present highlights of key outcomes, success stories, and case studies of synergies in practice at key MedProgramme events (ASM-2025, LME24, and 2025 UN Ocean Conference). 6) Report on the organization of visibility/advocacy events to MedProgramme stakeholders a. Prepare a comprehensive and visually engaging report that highlights key outcomes, success stories, and case studies of synergies in practice to be presented to MedProgramme stakeholders. b. Coordinate with stakeholders to validate the report and ensure alignment with programmatic objectives, followed by widespread dissemination to relevant parties.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree in a relevant field, such as in water resources or environmental management or other related field is required. Demonstrable experience in international environmental sustainable development and UN Agency/ GEF project management and evaluation is required. Demonstrated experience in GEF IW project development, evaluation and supervision is required. A track-record of experience and leadership in the evaluation of large multifocal environmental programs is desirable Working experience within the Mediterranean region/ Barcelona Convention UNEP/MAP system is desirable. Excellent writing skills is required

Languages

o Fluency (both oral and written) and excellent writing skills in English are required. o Working knowledge of French is desirable.

Additional Information

None

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org