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The Samoa multi-country office (MCO) is responsible for providing support to 4 countries in the region – Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, and delivering services in the context of the ‘joint’ Samoa/Fiji MCO UNDAF (2008-2012). CPAP for the 4 countries provides for delivery of $28m over the UNDAF cycle. Based on the soft and hard pipeline of environmental/CC projects in the pipeline, the overall programme is expected to increase to $50m. UNDP programmes cover 4 specific areas: MDG/Poverty; Environment and Climate Change; Crisis Prevention and Governance. The environment portfolio is the largest comprising about 85% of the programme, covering a range of issues including community level natural re- sources management, building resilience of the community to climate change through implementation of DRR and adaptation work etc. The government of Samoa is committed to move toward a carbon neutral economy by 2020. UNDP is contributing to this vision working both at the ground level and also at policy level through integration of adaptation work into Forestry, Health and Agriculture sectors. The MCO manages two important regional GEF programmes on renewable energy and adaptation. Given the extreme vulnerability of the small island states, and the anticipated increase in CC funds, the technical specialist will be heavily and substantively engaged in development of project proposals and seeing them through from their inception to their approval, implementation, N&E etc.
This is a country office position with direct reporting to the Programme/Operations Coordinator/RR, funded by the CO XB account (GEF fees). The TS will work closely with other members of the CO team and with the regional technical advisors (on climate policy, climate mitigation, , climate adaptation and advisors on biodiversity, international waters and land degradation) covering the Pacific.
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Duties and Responsibilities
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The TS is primarily responsible for managing the MCO Samoa environment/Climate Change portfolio, including high quality programming and implementation support, and knowledge and capacity development services to UNDP supported projects and partners in the Pacific region. Secondary clients might include other UN agencies, governments and inter-governmental organizations, NGOs, donors and the like. Through all stages of the EEG/GEF project and programming cycle, and in accordance with the UNDP-GEF Programming Manual, key results are expected in the areas of:
1. Strategic programme/project planning, coordination and implementation (10%)
Ensure strategic planning, coordination and implementation of all Samoa MCO environment/Climate Change projects (includes climate adaptation, mitigation, biodiversity, international waters, land degradation, POPS projects) focusing on achievement of following results:
- Support the RR through provision of policy and technical notes on CC/environment and CC negotiations issues and state of the art innovations in areas of adaptation/renewable energy etc.
- Coordinate various components of the projects providing overall guidance and innovative solutions
- Work in close collaboration with other teams in the office including Programmes and Operations, as well as Implementing Partners (UN Agencies, Government, etc), multilateral and bilateral donors and civil society in ensuring successful project implementation
- Identify needs, provide training and support, establish systems to support implementation, respond to queries, assist in troubleshooting, and generally ensure that the Implementing Partners have the knowledge and support required to effectively and efficiently implement projects financed through GEF, Adaptation Fund, bilateral and other sources .
- Maintain an understanding of substantive technical issues, institutions, and processes within the region, including establishing contact with and developing strategic partnerships with other agencies, donors, NGO’s, the private sector, scientific institutions and the like;
- Contribute to identifying new strategic programming opportunities and partnerships in the area of low emission climate resilient development (LECRD), focusing especially in Risk Transfer mechanisms;
- Manage correspondence and communications with the Regional Team, COs and partners on trends and issues with respect to the substantive technical area;
- Participate in cross-substantive area technical dialogue, common strategic visioning, mainstreaming, programming, and other collaboration within the regional team;
- Assist in keeping the RTA and Regional Team informed of trends and issues pertaining to climate change adaptation and LECRD finance of relevance to their thematic area of focus.
2. Effective Management/Delivery of CC/Environment Portfolio ( (20%)
Ensure timely and effective management of projects’ delivery focusing on achievement of programme results and outcomes through:
- Monitoring of current year and cumulative expenditure status and key financial milestones such as budget revisions, financial closure, and the like. Identify any exceptions or irregularities and act to rectify these immediately. Identify any recurrent problems or trends and identify and put in place remedies and solutions such as training, guidelines, etc.
- Provide management with advice relating to strategic direction of project implementation and proper design of project activities
- Provide day to day oversight for overall programme portfolio and project activities and results
- Ensure that the activities of the project staff are in line with the project plan and budget
- Ensure inclusion of lessons learnt and best practices to improve quality of future projects
3. Programming and Resource Mobilization (25%)
- Assisting with the provision of timely quality information and technical advice on policies of SOFs (principally GEF, AF) and activities to country offices and other partners to enable the preparation of projects;
- Leading the development f design, preparation, submission and approval of concept ideas/project proposals on behalf of the Samoa MCO ensuring that UNDP is able to draw down on the increasing number of CC funding windows available. Draft, revise, finalize and help editing concepts and project documents for submission to donors;
- Support the liaison with potential co-financing agencies and institutions;
- Supporting the RTA in efforts towards the establishment of a trusted leadership role for UNDP/GEF within the region;
4. Development Impact (35%)
- Assisting with inception, contracting and start up of projects including establishment of indicators, benchmarks and work plans;
- Supporting the CO to internalize lessons from evaluations in adaptation programming in the region.
- Supporting UNDP country offices in the supervision, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, troubleshooting and adaptive management of approved projects;
- Developing guidance and tools for country offices to utilize in operationalizing projects inception, contracting and start up of projects including establishment of indicators, benchmarks and work plans;
- Supporting the RTA with supervision, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, troubleshooting and adaptive management of approved projects including preparing and reviewing annual reports and workplans;
- Functioning as surge capacity to COs, supporting EFP with urgent, pressing, complex and /or specific tasks in the context of adaptation programming;
- Participating in regional retreats, focal area retreats, regional strategic planning, pipeline management exercises, etc;
- Promoting gender equity/empowerment in adaptation and LECRD related programming opportunities;
- Supporting the RTA to ensure that all GEF and AF projects are aligned to country outcomes and UNDP corporate environment results in internal UNDP project tracking systems (e.g. ERBM).
5. Learning, Knowledge Management and Self Development (10%)
- Analysis and synthesis of data, information, results and knowledge into guidelines, methodologies, training, and other new tools and knowledge products.
- Application of cutting edge thinking, methodologies and lessons learnt from across the world to programmes and projects being implemented in Samoa + countries
- Developing and carrying out a personal learning plan (5%).
Post Category: Management Project Funded (MPF) post
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Competencies
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Technical Competencies:
- Ability to efficiently over the implementation of GEF and AF projects
- Ability to advise on the development of climate change adaptation projects
- Ability to work with multiple stakeholders across a wide range of disciplines
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:
Development and Operational Effectiveness
- Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting
- Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects
- Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations
Knowledge Management and Learning
- Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
- In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
- Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP
Management and Leadership
- Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
- Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
- Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
- Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
- Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills
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Required Skills and Experience
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Education:
- At least Master's Degree in environmental sciences, social sciences, development, political sciences, management, or other relevant science;
Experiences:
- A minimum of 7 years experience with project development, implementation and/or management especially of UNDP/GEF projects;
- A minimum of 5 years experience in financial monitoring and analysis; extensive experience with ERP-based monitoring of project implementation with demonstrated ability related to financial monitoring and analysis;
- Familiarity with GEF and UNDP project implementation modalities, regulations and rules;
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; commitment to team work and to working across disciplines;
- Skills in facilitation and coordination, entrepreneurial spirit and demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner;
- Strong analytical, writing, communication and advocacy skills;
- IT literacy, familiarity with e-presentation techniques and ability to operate with on-line web-based applications;
- Excellent drafting ability and presentation and communication skills, both oral and written; ability to explain complex issues to UNDP staff and external partners;
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English is required (written and verbal); Working knowledge of other UN languages is desirable.
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