| Description |
The Environment Specialist will have two reporting lines: the first reporting line will be with the UNDP Country Office (strategic guidance and day to day management), the second reporting line will be with the UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok (strategic guidance and technical backstopping). Under the supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (Programme), the Assistant Resident Representative Programme (ARR-P Env.) and Environment Unit Chief acts as a manager of, and advisor to Senior Management on, all aspects of CO environment programme and manages the environment programme practice area. The Environment Specialist leads the environment practice area team in strategic planning, identifies new programme areas while ensuring consistency with UNDAF/ CPD priorities and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities, and monitors programme effectiveness and delivery. He/she works in close collaboration with UNEP and the rest of the UN Country Team so as to ensure integration of all environment related matters within the UN family. The Environment Specialist heads and supervises the environment programme team and works in close collaboration with the Operations team in the CO, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to successfully implement the UNDP programme. | Duties and Responsibilities | Summary of Key Functions: - Formulation and implementation of programme strategies.
- Management of the Country Office programme in support of strengthening the environment programme in the Lao PDR and supervision of the Programme team
- Creation of strategic partnerships and support the implementation of the resource mobilization strategy of the office.
- Provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and UNDP Senior Management and facilitation of knowledge building and management.
1. As a member of the CO management team, ensures the strategic direction of UNDP programme in the area of natural resources and the environmentfocusing on achievement of the following results: - Compliance with corporate management standards, CO guidelines and procedures, finance guidelines and corporate planning tools and frameworks.
- Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to various programming documents (Common Country Assessment, UN Development Assistance Framework, Country Programme Document, Country Programme Action Plan...)
- Identification of areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned.
- Leads the environment programme team in new programme formulation, networking and appraisal, and make adjustments according to Lao Government priorities and available resources.
- Country Office business processes mapping and preparation of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management.
- Analysis and presentation of UNDP policies and their implementation in the CO.
2. Ensures effective management of the Country Office programme in the area of natural resources and environment, focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the country programme achieving the following results: - Development and implementation of an internal system to monitor and follow up of project portfolio cycle Phases.
- Effective application of Results-Based Management tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring of results.
- Design and formulation of Country Office programme within the assigned areas of responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the implementing partners.
- Initiation of projects, presentation of the projects to the Programme Advisory Committee, finalization of contribution agreements; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through proper review exercises. The Environment Specialist performs the functions of Manager Level 2 in Atlas for development projects transactions approval, and participates in recruitment processes for projects. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones.
- Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions. Participation in audit of NEX projects.
- Human Resources management: in consultation with the DRR take responsibility for the recruitment, performance and career management and supervision of UNDP environment programme and project staff to motivate and promote organizational excellence.
- Team work: Promotes inter-unit and cross-unit team work.
- Evaluation of the programme effectiveness and achievement of results. Monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustments in portfolio.
- Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports.
3. Ensures creation and maintenance of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results: - Actively seek for opportunities for effective and systematic advocacy and exchange of knowledge with all government and non-governmental partners to promote strategic partnerships and mobilise resources with the special focus on the Mekong Region.
- Participation and coordination in all the steps in the UNDP/GEF project cycle including identification, design and preparation, GEF and UNDP approvals, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and closure.
- Develop strategic partnerships with donors, private sector, NGOS and UN agencies and mobilize third-party cost-sharing. Promote dialogue with government counterparts and actively pursue higher ratio of government cost-sharing.
- Conduct Resource Mobilization for the natural resources and environment programmes.
- Acquire a clear understanding of the interests of major donors in the country and to articulate the concepts UNDP wishes to promote to leverage its programme investments.
- Maintain the excellent partnership that UNDP has with the Government of Lao PDR.
- Maintain strong partnership with all bilateral co-financiers of the projects and supervise information sharing and reporting requirements.
- Maintain partnership/relationship with other donors working in the environment and energy sectors, in support of the Ministries of Environment/Natural Resources and Planning/Finance on natural resources and environment more broadly.
- Determination of programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities.
- Participate in the relevant Donor Working Groups and partnership networks on Environment and Energy.
- Disseminate project results and plan/organize appropriate high profile advocacy events.
4. Ensures provision of top quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results: - Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals.
- Development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
- Supports capacity building of national counterparts.
- Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.
Impact of Results The key results of the work of the The Environment Specialist have an impact on the overall success of the country programme and reaching UNDAF/ CPD goals. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities, creation and maintenance of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets. The Environment Specialist is responsible for daily contact with national counterparts and monitoring of the UNDP programme and for recommendations to Management on necessary course correction in response to changes in the country context and new programme and resource mobilization opportunities. He/she will play a key role in coordinating the development and implementation of GEF projects, including the provision of substantial technical inputs. When requested by Management, the Environment Specialist represents UNDP in international and national fora, liaises with external clients and a broad range of constituencies and UNDP counterparts in the Government, local and international media, civil society as well as counterparts from other international organizations. The Environment Specialist promotes good cooperation and coordination among programme and operations staff and between the CO and Government counterparts. The Environment Specialist ensures strong coordination with the UN Country Team, and assessment and analysis of environment targets’ achievement. | Competencies | Corporate Competencies: - Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism
Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning - Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Area, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
- Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP
Development and Operational Effectiveness - Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
- Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
- Builds and sustains effective partnerships
- Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery
- Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit
- Good ICT skills, knowledge of Atlas
- Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change
Management and Leadership - Produces quality outputs in a timely manner when assigned a given task
- Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
- Analyses problems carefully and logically, leading to fact-based and practical recommendations
- Has initiative and develops creative solutions to particularly challenging situations
- Focuses on impact and result for the client
- Leads teams effectively and possesses good conflict resolution skills
- Sets clear performance goals and standards; executes responsibilities accordingly
- Sound strategic planning expertise and familiarity with results-based management instruments and their application
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Remains calm, in control and good-humoured even under pressure
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
- Dependable and reliable
- Possesses sound political judgment and maturity, and keeps confidentiality
- Provennetworking, team-building, organizational and communication skills
| Required Skills and Experience | Education: - Advanced University Degree (at least a Master’s degree) in one of the following: Environmental Sciences, Environmental Management, Natural Sciences, Natural Resource Management or generic Development studies with environmental specialisation.
- PhD a distinct advantage.
Experience: - Solid background with a minimum of 7 years specialized experience working in environment and/or development fields at the international level.
- Experience in providing management advisory services, with hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.
- Demonstrative knowledge and exposure to environment and natural resource management at an international level.
- Personnel management and supervision experience.
- Knowledge of or working experience in Southeast Asia an advantage.
Language Requirements: - Proficiency in English, with excellent writing skills is a must.
- Oral and/or written abilities in French/Lao would be an asset.
|
|
