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The UNDP Environment and Energy Group (EEG) is based in UNDP’s Bureau of Development Policy and is responsible for providing leadership and technical support to engineer delivery of the Environment and Sustainable Development pillar of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. Its main focus is on helping countries develop the capacity to fully incorporate environmental sustainability into development at national and local, but also global and regional, levels. The principal areas of work are in environmental mainstreaming, environmental finance, adaptation to climate change, and local management of natural resources.
With its technical focus, the Environment and Energy Group (EEG) is organized into substantive technical teams with a Principal or Senior Technical Advisors (PTA/STA) being the team leader within each area. Each team leader supports and guides a team of Regional Technical Advisors (RTAs) and Specialists (RTSs). As well as being a member of a technical team, each RTA/RTS is also a member of a regional team, which consists of RTAs/RTSs from all technical teams working together under the leadership of a Regional Practice or Team Leader. The regional teams are based in regional service centres from where they support UNDP’s country offices and partners in their region.
The PTAs and RTAs are also responsible for providing detailed knowledge related to sources of funds for environment work, and assisting partners to obtain, use, and report on, such funding. Currently the main sources of funds include: the Global Environment Facility (GEF); the GEF managed Adaptation Funds (LDCF, SCCF); the UNFCCC Adaptation Fund; voluntary carbon markets; and various bilateral, multilateral, and sub-national donors and partners including country governments and the private sector.
The Regional Technical Specialist (RTS) works under the overall supervision of the Principal Techncial Advisor and in close collaboration with other technical specialists at both global and regional levels. RTSs have global responsibilities in their area of specialized technical expertise but are deployed from Regional Service Centres, normally close to the countries to which they provide most support. RTSs have a secondary line of reporting to the Regional Practice or Team Leaders for the countries to which they provide support. The Regional Technical Specialist for Ecosystems and Biodiversity will be initially based in Bratislava, Slovak Republic. RTSs may be periodically redeployed, in accordance with capability, consent, and due process, to a different regional centre as needed.
The Ecosystems and Biodiversity cluster has the following Strategic Objective: Natural goods and services provided by land based ecosystems and biodiversity are maintained and enhanced through measures that increase carbon storage, reduce GHG emissions, increase ecosystem resilience and enhance livelihoods and reduce poverty.
There are two outcomes: [1] Policies, strategies and plans to maintain and enhance the natural goods and services provided by land based ecosystems and biodiversity are developed; and [2] Markets support and drive the sustainable management of natural goods and services provided by land based ecosystems and biodiversity These outcomes are delivered through Signature Programmes, including a programme on Protected Areas; and a Programme on Mainstreaming Ecosystem Management into Economic Sector Activities.
The Regional Technical Specialist will be expected to contribute towards the delivery of both Signature Programmes.
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Duties and Responsibilities
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The Regional Technical Specialist for Ecosystems and Biodiversity is primarily responsible for providing technical, policy, and programming implementation support and oversight, and knowledge and capacity development services pertaining to the work of the Ecosystems and biodiversity signature activities to UNDP country offices, and works with other UN agencies, governments and inter-governmental organizations, NGO’s, donors, the private sector and many others. Specific results are expected in the areas of:
Innovation, Strategic Leadership, Policy Dialogue and Advocacy (10%):
- Contributing to a strategic understanding of, and engagement with, the substantive technical issues, institutions, and processes within the region, including establishing contact and developing strategic partnerships with other agencies, donors, NGO’s, the private sector, scientific institutions and the like;
- Participating in the development and implementation of UNDP’s global and regional strategies on environment and sustainable development;
- Providing policy development support and guidance;
- Supporting the development of strategic UNDP policy position papers and internal briefing notes;
- Facilitating policy analysis and the development of technical tools and guidance; Maintain a trusted leadership role within the region;
- Keeping the Regional Team informed of trends and issues with respect to the substantive technical area;
- Keeping the Principal Technical Advisors informed of trends and issues in the region.
Key result: New strategic opportunities for UNDP are realized, UNDP’s technical focus is leading edge and innovative, UNDP has strong partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, UNDP has a trusted leadership role in the technical area of expertise.
Portfolio Management (10%)
- Assisting in the maintenance of programme/project and portfolio information and corporate information systems;
- Facilitating the identification, and sourcing of technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports;
Key result: Portfolio of programmes/projects managed efficiently and effectively. UNDP recognized as providing outstanding programme and project oversight and supervision support.
Resource Mobilization (35%):
- Supporting programme and project identification and development
- Providing timely and quality information and technical advice on sources of funds, policies, priorities and activities;
- Identifying and suggesting to the PTA priorities and entry-points for UNDP assistance;
- Facilitating the process of preparation, design, submission and approval of programme/project concepts and full-fledged proposals for financing;
- Providing guidance and support in the identification and sourcing of technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports;
- Facilitating liaisons with potential financing agencies and institutions.
Key result: Resources are mobilized in support of developing country clients as a consequence of the identification, development and funding of high technical quality and results based programmes and projects in line with country priorities and UNDP strategic priorities.
Development Impact (35%):
- Assisting with inception, contracting and start up of programmes/projects including establishment of indicators, benchmarks and work plans;
- Supporting UNDP country offices and programme/project implementation partners in supervision, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, troubleshooting and adaptive management;
Key result: UNDP programmes and projects consistently deliver high quality, high impact development results.
Learning, Knowledge Management and Self Development (10%):
- Evaluating, capturing, codifying, synthesizing lessons and stimulating the uptake of best practices and knowledge, including the development of knowledge materials;
- Peer reviewing, commenting on, and seeking to improve the technical quality of programmes/projects, policies, practices, guidelines, advisory notes, publications and the like;
- Contributing to the preparation of regional Community of Practice meetings;
- Supporting the preparation and delivering of training courses;
- Responding to queries on programme/project progress, impacts and lessons;
- Developing and carrying out a personal learning plan (5%).
Key result: UNDP recognized as a learning and knowledge management organization.
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Competencies
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Technical Competencies:
- Ability to provide guidance on biodiversity and ecosystem management
- Ability to guide the design and implementation of multi-sectoral and sectoral programmes and projects at different scales; and
- 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 contribute to 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
- Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
- Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
Knowledge Management and Learning
- Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office 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
Client Orientation
- Maintains 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
- Proven networking, team-building, communication, conflict resolution and organizational skills
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Required Skills and Experience
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Education:
- Masters degree or higher in ecology, marine sciences, oceanography, fisheries, coastal management, environmental sciences, economics, social sciences with a specialization in environment and development, or other closely related field;
Experience:
- Minimum of 7 years experience working with developing countries on Ecosystems and Biodiversity
- Experience with project development, implementation and management (direct project management experience is preferable);
- Experience in the policy development processes in Ecosystems and Biodiversity;
- Demonstrated technical and intellectual skills in substantive area;
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strategic partnerships;
- Demonstrated facilitation and coordination skills;
- Demonstrated entrepreneurial abilities and demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner;
- Full computer literacy;
- Experience working in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States would be an asset;
- Working experience in an international organization is an advantage as is knowledge of UNDP policies, procedures and practices.
Language Requirements:
- Excellent knowledge of the English language, with exceptional writing, presentation and communication skills;
- Fluency in Russian including excellent writing skills is desirable;
- Proficiency in other UN languages is an asset.
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