Technical Specialist

Drive development of innovative forestry projects and resource mobilization

This opening expired 1 year ago. Do not try to apply for this job.

UNDP - United Nations Development Programme

Open positions at UNDP
Logo of UNDP

Application deadline 1 year ago: Wednesday 26 Jun 2024 at 23:59 UTC

Open application form

Overview

Drive development of innovative forestry projects and resource mobilization

You have:

  • Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in forestry
  • Minimum of 7 years (with Master’s degree) and 9 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of experience in managing complex forestry and/or natural resource projects
  • Comprehensive computer knowledge
  • Sound technical and business development knowledge and experience.
  • Proven track record in designing and managing forestry projects.
  • Fluency in English (writing and speaking)

Contract

This is a IPSA-11 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Personnel Services Agreement. It is normally internationally recruited only. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IPSA-11 contracts.

Background

  1. Office/Unit/Project Description

As part of achieving the Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy’s goals for the forest sector, targets set in the NFSDP and REDD+ Implementation Plan, a Forest Sector Transformation Unit (FSTU) has been established. The FSTU is established to: Build and scale-up a pipeline of bankable, transformational, high-value and innovative forestry programs/projects; Support the implementation of initiatives through targeted, hands-on support to achieve large-scale success, maintain momentum and generate buy-in; Provide evidence-based policy analysis and recommendations to the Commission, partners and stakeholders.

The Technical Specialist is expected to work mainly with the Forest Sector Transformation Unit (FSTU) and with the REDD+ Investment Programme Team in general. The incumbent will primarily focus on driving the development of innovative forestry projects and resource mobilization and will focus mainly on private sector engagement in the forestry sector.

The Technical Specialist needs to be strong in program/project proposal development, strategy formulation and solving technical problems. The Advisor will provide support in designing and implementing programs; including innovations, introduction of best practices (incubation of new project ideas) and developing partnerships with the private sector and civil society. An important element of the role is to transfer knowledge and skills to the FSTU and other RIP staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

2. Scope of Work

Support forest sector resource mobilization:

  • Develop project concept notes and write proposals;
  • Identify international financing mechanisms for the forest sector;
  • Mobilize funds from development partners and the private sector;
  • Build a portfolio of new private-sector and civil-society partnerships.

Provide technical advice:

  • Ensure technical linkage with other initiatives related to forestry for consistent and coordinated REDD+ Investment Programme (RIP) implementation;
  • Identify forest management and restoration approaches, draw lessons learnt and share information and knowledge with members of the FSTU team;
  • Contribute to the development of tools, methods and approaches for the implementation of RIP;
  • Provide technical programming, implementation and monitoring support for the forest sector;
  • Provide technical guidance and direction delivery and business development team leaders in the FSTU to help them provide technical and implementation support to regional project offices.

Strtegic support for the functions of the FSTU:

  • Provide advice on piloting and scaling-up successful forestry practices implemented by the private-sector and civil-society organizations;
  • Challenge and motivate teams to create truly aspirational targets and provide the required support needed to achieve results;
  • Advise on the development of programmatic strategy and models;
  • Develop program management guidelines;

Operational support for the functions of the FSTU

  • Work closely with the forest sector to facilitate collaboration in implementing RIP and complementarity in the design and implementation of national programmes, aligned to regional and international initiatives;
  • Ensure the development of annual work plan, budget and implementation of activities according to the approved plan;
  • Elaborates annual work plans and ensure their social, economic and ecological validation
  • Provide technical support during assessments, studies and backstop forestry projects as required.

Knowledge Management and communication

  • Compile the experience of other countries in forest sector transformation and adopt to the context in Ethiopia;
  • Coach, mentor the selected staff of the Commission to transfer knowledge and skills
  • Support the production of communication and Knoweldege products relevant for forest sector transformation in the country

3. Institutional Arrangement

The Technical Specialist is expected to work mainly with the Forest Sector Transformation Unit (FSTU) and with the REDD+ Investment Programme Team in general. The incumbent will primarily focus on driving the development of innovative forestry projects and resource mobilization and will focus mainly on private sector engagement in the forestry sector.

The Technical Specialist needs to be strong in program/project proposal development, strategy formulation and solving technical problems. The Advisor will provide support in designing and implementing programs; including innovations, introduction of best practices (incubation of new project ideas) and developing partnerships with the private sector and civil society. An important element of the role is to transfer knowledge and skills to the FSTU and other RIP staff. The Technical Advisor shall teport to the Drector of Forest Sector Transformation Unit.

Competencies

4. Core Competencies

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously:

LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility:

LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination:

LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner:

LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Management

Project Management

Definition: ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Partnerships Management

Definition: ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Results Based Management

Definition: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results

Risk Management

Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactivvely managing risks

Business Direction & Strategy

Entrepreneurial Thinking

Ability to create clarity around UNDP’s value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate

System Thinking

Definition: ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Digital & Innovation

Data storytelling and communications

Skilled in building a narrative around a set of data and its accompanying visualizations to help convey the message.

Required Skills and Experience

5. Minimum Qualifications of the successful IPSA

Min. Education requirements

  • Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in forestry

    Min. years of relevant work experience

  • Minimum of 7 years (With Master’s degree) and 9 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of experience in managing complex forestry and/or natural resource projects and familiarity with the private sector

    Required skills

  • Comprehensive computer knowledge

    Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

  • Sound technical and business development knowledge and experience.

  • Project delivery, management, and risk mitigation experience
  • Proven track record in designing and managing forestry projects. Experience in climate change and/or development programs will be an advantage;
  • Proven track record in scaling up sustainable forestry and agroforestry practices among small scale farmers for improved livelihood and food security resilient to climate change
  • Prior experience in the management of projects funded by development partners.

    Required Language(s)

    English (fluency in writing and speaking)

    Apply Now Refer a Friend

Potential interview questions

Can you describe a successful forestry project you managed? This question checks your experience in managing forestry projects and understanding of success factors. Highlight specific projects, your role, and the outcomes.
How do you approach resource mobilization for forestry initiatives? The interviewer seeks to understand your strategy for securing funding. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a challenge you faced in private sector engagement and how you overcame it. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What strategies do you use to ensure stakeholder alignment in forestry projects? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you incorporate knowledge management into your projects? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.undp.org