Environment and Energy Practice Leader (Re-advertised)

UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2008-2011 and the 2008 regionalization paper articulate the corporate requirement to bring timely and effective substantive and technical services to the country offices through strengthened practice architecture at the global, regional and country level. 

The UNDP Practice Architecture serves as a framework for better organizing UNDP to provide consistent policy advisory services, more relevant and substantive policy knowledge, better linking of policy and programming and capacity development.  The value of the practice architecture lies in its comprehensive structure to solidify UNDP and its staff into a global team that ensures coherence, consistency, alignment and quality assurance in the way UNDP delivers service internally and to development partners and programme countries. 

The Bureau for Development Policy (BDP) is responsible for articulating UNDP’s global development policy, using evidence gathered through country applications, regional experiences and global interactions.  BDP has a key role to play in helping country offices to accelerate human development by supporting the country offices in the design and implementation of programmes and projects that effectively contribute to the national-level policies and results.  Driven by demand, and working through the Regional Bureaux and the RSC, BDP provides the global tools, analysis and capacities that country offices need to make a real difference in UNDP’s practice areas.

BDP’s support of UNDP’s strategic plan 2008-2011 is focused in 4 practices (Poverty Reduction and the MDGs, Governance, Environment and Energy, HIV/AIDS) and 2 thematic areas (Capacity Development and Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment).

BDP supports country offices through the 6 Regional Service Centres (RSCs) in Bangkok, Bratislava, Cairo, Dakar, Johannesburg and Panama City. The practice management structure at the RSC level is composed of a dedicated  Practice Leader (PL) for each practice/thematic area, a Knowledge Management Team Leader (KMTL), and a number of technical policy and programme Advisors and Specialists. The PL coordinates the regional and community of practice with the global practice, regardless of funding source, to promote consistency and coherence within the practice.  

Practice/Thematic Approach:

The Environment and Energy Group (EEG) focuses its work in support of the Environment and Sustainable Development results area of the UNDP Strategic Plan.  Within this 4 key areas of work are identified: mainstreaming environment; adaptation to climate change; environmental finance; and local access to environmental and energy services.  Substantive expertise is delivered to country offices through specialized technical teams located in each of the UNDP Regional Service Centre’s.   Each team is composed of technical experts in substantive thematic areas such as climate change, energy, chemicals, and ecosystems and natural resources including water, land and biological diversity.  Regional Centre teams are supported by a small leadership and management team in HQ who engage in policy and programme work at the global level.

EEG provides an integrated package of services consisting of both policy advice and assistance in mobilizing the finance to deliver the solutions.  Sources of Funds for this work include the UNDP Biannual Support Budget (BSB), Global Cooperation Framework (GCF), EEG Thematic Trust Fund (TTF), the GEF Trust Fund, the Least Developed Country Fund (GCF), the SCCF, the Adaptation Fund, the Multilateral Funds of the Montreal Protocol (MLF), a number of bilateral donors, Foundations, the private sector, and increasingly complex environmental finance mechanisms such as premiums associated with the market price of regulatory and voluntary carbon market instruments.  Currently EEG is supporting country office led programmes to a value of nearly US1 billion per year.

Regional Context:

The Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean and BDP are establishing a Regional Service Center similar in structure and function to the RSCs in Bangkok and Bratislava.  A key element of the RSC is the regional Energy and Environment Practice, which is in place in Panama and which has developed a regional EEP strategy for the 2008-2012 period. The strategic objective of the EEP strategy is that by the end of this period, UNDP will be known as the lead agency for policy advice, capacity development and access to financing for environment and energy in Latin America and the Caribbean. It will do this by supporting Country Offices to plan and program strategically in the E&E area in pursuit of national sustainable development goals, in particular as they are advanced through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change. The regional E&E Practice team will provide Country Offices with technical assistance, capacity strengthening, policy advice, and assistance in identifying and leveraging financing for sustainable development. At the same time, the E&E Practice team will carry out specific activities to help position UNDP strategically in the region to take a lead role in providing countries with the advantages of emerging financial mechanisms for sustainable development

The PL’s role is to strengthen the global practice architecture in the region, with emphasis on practice co-ordination, strengthening the capacity of country offices, and the connection of country offices to regional and global experiences.  The incumbent will ensure the quality and relevance of programme and project services in the EEG practice and Latin America and Caribbean Country Offices, working to ensure consistency across global, regional and national levels. To that end the PL ‘s functions are fully integrated in the Regional Service Centre (RSC) structure, results planning and delivery. As a result, the incumbent will be accountable for the delivery and quality of results to the RSC Governance Board - through the Deputy Regional Director (DRD) - and the Practice Director (PD) in BDP, NY.  

In addition, the PL will (i) Lead and manage, both substantively and operationally, in the environment and energy area (corresponding the environment and sustainable development pillar of the UNDP Strategic Plan, ctivities , large Regional Programme(s) for the Regional Bureau; (ii) Manage a large volume of financial resources being invested in the region from multiple sources with a high degree of accountability for delivery of those resources; (iii) Manage, lead and coordinate a team of technically specialized Policy and Programme Advisors at the L-4/5 level; (iv)  Manage the substantive area of work in the politically complex environment of the region; and (v) Lead the practice area in the region ensuring UNDP’s credibility to deliver on a highly visible programme which in turn links to UNDP’s capacity to deliver on its Strategic Plan 2008-2011.

This integrated approach translates into joint work planning and joint performance assessment.  The Career Review Group will take place in the RSC with the participation of the Practice Directors, who can ensure consistency between PL’s in the different regions and provide advice on learning and career development in the practice. 

The incumbent will be responsible for the following functions:

1. Practice Management and Co-ordination
2. Policy Development and Advocacy
3. Delivery of Policy Advisory Services, Programme Support, and the development of  country office capacity;
4. Programme Development and Quality Assurance
5. Knowledge Management.

1.     Practice Management and Co-ordination

Substantive Leadership:

• Provide substantive and managerial leadership of the practice team and coordination for all personnel engaged in related operational activities in the RSC including on the regional programme;
• Lead advocacy in the practice area in the region including promotion of the practice’s global policies, norms and standards and the sharing of the practice’s global experience;
  Collaborate with the PD and Practice Manager (PM) in headquarters to ensure that the RSC programme is up to date on evolving policies;
• Lead the development of the practice within the region;
• Lead the practice area in the region ensuring UNDP’s credibility in delivery on a highly visible programme which in turn links to UNDP’s delivery on its Strategic Plan 2008-2011;
• Lead and manage the Regional Programme with accountability for delivery.

Coordination and Management:

• Develop and implement practice/cluster work plans including for the Regional Programme;
• Provide practice/cluster programme management oversight including development/management of regional and global programmes;
• Strengthen, consolidate and anchor the practice architecture in the regions to support Country Offices;
• Ensure liaison with country offices to support the inclusion of practice areas at the planning stages of country offices (and regional programmes);
• Identify sub-regional and inter-country development and integration opportunities and translates them into capacity development initiatives to address cross border issues;
• Support the Global Tracking system for the practice;
• Manage all activities related to the practice functions at the RSC including direct supervision, when appropriate, of the technical policy and programme advisors and specialists, create positive team environment and ensure access to learning opportunities for all staff;
• Ensure coordination and management of all related human and financial resources in a politically complex environment including the regional programme.

Mobilizing the Community of Practice:

• Promote the development of a community of practice (COP) in the region and catalyze and connect global, regional and national experiences including cross-regional/cross national practice collaboration;
• Coordinate and capitalize on the approaches and tools in other practices.

2.     Policy Development and Advocacy

• Develop corporate policy and guidance in focus area with the Practice Director in BDP NY;
  Provide substantive inputs to international fora to help shape global and regional development strategies, policies, norms and standards;
• Provide substantive and content leadership in UNDP corporate discussions and Inter-Agency coordination on practice issues;
• Represent UNDP (and UN partner organizations) to advocate practice messages in international development fora discussion;
• Mobilize external partnerships behind UN/UNDP initiatives.

3.    Policy Advisory/Programme Support-Delivery

• Provide policy advisory services to Country Offices, Governments and other partners in the region in a specialized technical area;
• Provide policy advisory services on the Bureaux’s regional programme;
• Contribute to the design and formulation of CO programmes/regional programmes drawing upon lessons from programmes and other initiatives in the region and from global experiences;
• Provide effective support and backstopping for, and timely feedback and reporting on implementation of programmes in support of the practice objectives;
• Strengthen internal CO capacity on the use of UNDP corporate practice development frameworks;
• Promote the utilization of financial resources mobilized and allocated for practices in regional and country programmes and in HQ, thematic trust funds, facilitating access to these funds by country offices and regional projects;
• Provide guidance on cross thematic issues and lead the development of cross practice synergy.

4. Programme Development and Quality Assurance

• Lead the formulation and implementation, in the practice areas, of regional partnerships to support the practice area and support resource mobilization strategies in liaison with the Regional Bureaux and other concerned units;
• Co-ordinate delivery of demand-driven service delivery to country offices and regional programmes ensuring professionalism in support – e.g. timelines, responsiveness, quality in deliverables, etc;
• Scan partnership opportunities and donor intelligence and inform DRD  of new partnership developments – e.g. donor priorities; pledges, new donor funding modalities, etc. ensuring that this supports the practice area;
• Effectively position UNDP’s practice capacity within the UN system to foster consistency in approach, within the regional level by scanning and assessing activities of non-UNDP players in local context and in support of UNCTs and UNDP CO programming arrangements with government counterparts;
• Provide guidance and leadership for the engagement of civil society in regional and country programmes, the promotion of civic engagement and the establishment of strategic partnerships;
• Engage national and regional partners in practice policy and programme responses under the leadership of the country offices and the UNCT;
• Lead partnership building with regional and local institutions and consultancies;
  Maintain and strengthen partnerships with key multilaterals (BWIs, Regional Banks, etc) and key regional institutions to support regional programmes;
• Develop multi-partner proposals;
• Provide Quality Assurance to ensure alignment with global development policies, norms and standards;
• Promote quality standards including long-term locally driven initiatives;

5.     Knowledge Management (KM)

• Develop with the Knowledge Management Team,  in co-ordination with the Practice Director and appropriate HQ technical advisors, region-wide lessons learnt, best practices and generate knowledge needed and lessons learnt to shape UNDP’s  global strategies in the region;
• Lead local KM sharing events and support the corporate KM agenda;
• Support the development of a knowledge system and support the utilization of KM strategies and tools;
• Link KM to business processes;
• Develop an expert roster for the region in the practice area;
• Promote UN wide Knowledge Management Strategies;
• Ensure cross-practice approach and cross-regional collaboration back into the global practice level.

The Practice Leader’s role will impact the strengthening of the global practice architecture of UNDP, the quality and relevance of programme and project services in the practice area and the results of UNDP’s programmes in the region in the practice area.  In turn it will impact on UNDP’s capacity to deliver on its Strategic Plan 2008-2011.

Corporate:

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the UN/UNDP’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

Functional:

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Strong ability to apply various practice/thematic area related development theories to the specific context, including translating practice principles into effective policy and programme interventions in the field;
• Strong substantive knowledge of practice area and ability to link knowledge to UN/UNDP global policies, treaties, processes and frameworks;
• Capacity to interact with senior officials and credibly influence senior decision makers in UNDP programme countries and other international development organizations;
• Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products, represent the organization and present global policies, norms and tools;
  Professional and/or academic experience in one or more of the areas of practice/thematic area.

Technical

• Demonstrates high level technical skills and expertise in a particular substantive thematic area;
• Demonstrates ongoing up-to-date familiarity with global processes and practices in a particular substantive technical area;
• Demonstrates deep familiarity with the programme and project development and implementation process in a particular substantive area

Leadership

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and to provide credible leadership;
• Innovative approaches/experience on global development issues;
• Demonstrated intellectual leadership and ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic overview and corporate vision;
• Demonstrated flexibility in leadership by performing and/or overseeing the analysis/resolution of complex issues;
• Strong managerial/leadership experience and decision-making skills with proven track record of mature judgments;
• Ability to conceptualize and convey strategic vision from the spectrum of development experience;
• Knowledge and expertise/recognized expert in practice area;
• Proven ability to lead a practice area and drive for results;
• Demonstrated ability to be accountable for practice’s global policies.

Managing Relationships

• Demonstrated well developed people management and organizational management skills;
• Strong ability to manage teams; creating an enabling environment, mentoring and developing staff;
• Excellent negotiating and networking skills with strong partnerships in academia, technical organizations and as a recognized expert in the practice area;
• Strong resource mobilization and partnering skills and ability to accept accountability for management of large volume of financial resources.

Managing Complexity

• Ability to address global development issues;
• Substantive knowledge and understanding of development cooperation with the ability to support the practice architecture of UNDP and inter-disciplinary issues;
• Demonstrated substantive leadership and ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives;
• A sound global network of institutional and individual contacts.

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Ability to strongly promote and build knowledge products;
• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information and best practices from within and outside of UNDP;
• Provides constructive coaching and feedback.

Judgment/Decision-Making

• Mature judgment and initiative;
• Proven ability to provide strategic direction in practice area;
• Independent judgment and discretion in advising on handling major policy issues and challenges, uses diplomacy and tact to achieve results.

Education:

• An advanced university degree in an environment, energy and development related field.

Experience:

• 15 years of overall relevant professional experience as well as a proven professional record in the practice area. Work experience from a developing country context is highly desirable. A track record of extensive national and international working experience with increasing managerial responsibilities in the development arena and UNDP’s practice areas and the ability to link to global policy development for UNDP. Experience in leading/managing knowledge product development and dissemination.  

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Spanish (both written and verbal).  Working knowledge of another UN regional language desirable