Biodiversity-land degradation Consultant, GEF projects - (Africa, Europe and Asia Pacific Regions)

Result of ServiceUNEP oversees, as GEF Implementing Agency, the portfolio of GEF-funded projects. The ultimate result of services is to maintain project guidance and supervisory services for UNEP/GEF projects in the Africa, Europe and Asia Pacific Regions. Furthermore, the portfolio continues to grow through the development of concepts as per the request of Member States. Work LocationHome Based - Nairobi Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP's Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical guidance and capacity development for the implementation of environmental policy, and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Biodiversity and Land Degradation Unit plays a key role in the implementation of GEF projects. Through this unit, the organization provides support to countries and partners in the development and implementation of GEF projects in the focal areas of biodiversity and land degradation. The unit has staff based in various regions with its work coordinated from headquarters in Nairobi, in close collaboration with the various regional and sub-regional offices. The unit would like to recruit a consultant to facilitate the implementation of UNEP's overall agenda through the coordination of GEF-supported projects within Africa, Europe and Asia Pacific Regions. The consultant will be under the overall supervision of the Head of the GEF Biodiversity and Land Degradation Unit. Duties and Responsibilities The specific tasks to be done by the consultant include the following: I. Project Identification and Development: (a) Identify relevant and eligible project concepts in consultation with internal and external partners; (b) Coordinate the development of the concepts by project proponents and discuss and clear such concepts with the Head/OiC of Unit; (c) Work with UNEP's Divisions and Regional Offices as necessary, with the Regional Office for Africa, Europe and Asia Pacific Regions; (d) Advise project proponents on how to revise concepts to respond to any issues raised on the project documents. (e) Address Global Environment Facility Secretariat and Scientific and Technical Advisory, Panel reviews and ensures that Project Review Committee recommendations are considered in further project development. (f) Coordinate with the Fund Management Officer to internalize the Project Preparation Grants. (g) Expedite Project Preparation Grant execution per UNEP and GEF policies and procedures, monitoring project milestones to avoid delays and potential project cancellation. (h) Verify that the project proposals meet Global Environment Facility quality-at-entry standards before submission to the Head of Unit and the Project Review Committee. (i) Guide the executing partners in mobilizing co-financing for the project. (j) Coordinate with the Fund Management Officer and other project colleagues to internalize the project upon approval by the GEF Chief Executive Officer. II. Project Implementation: (a) Coordinate the implementation of projects including organizing inception meetings and reviewing technical outputs, among others; (b) Provide oversight to project execution and, in doing so, ensure that all UNEP and GEF criteria, rules and regulations are adhered to by project partners. (c) Participate in Project Steering Committees, ensuring that it fulfills its function. (d) Regularly monitor project progress and performance, and rate progress towards meeting project objectives, progress in implementation, quality of monitoring and evaluation, and risk. Monitoring of project progress and reporting will also be rated against UNEP's Programme of Work, Mid-Term Strategy and linkages with UN Country Teams (UNCT) planning processes will be sought, as relevant. (e) Monitor reporting by project executing partners and provide prompt feedback on the contents of the report. (f) Promptly inform management of any significant risks or problems, take appropriate timely action, and follow up on decisions made. (g) Prepare reports per GEF and UNEP requirements. (h) Review and maintain adequate project-related documentation. (i) Guide the Head of Unit in applying adaptive management principles to the supervision of the project. (j) Prepare the project revisions, ensuring that project revision documentation is complete and per UNEP requirements; (k) Review project outputs, provide technical input and ensure that quality standards are met. (l) Coordinate mandatory project(s) mid-term review and collaborate with the Head of Unit in preparing a management response with a plan for implementation of recommendations. (m) Guide the project terminal evaluations or terminal reviews. (n) Cooperate with the Head of Unit in ensuring that projects are financially closed promptly after completion of project activities. III. Ecosystems Division knowledge Management and Data Management: (a) Identify and codify lessons emerging from project implementation. (b) Coordinate with the Head of Unit and the Programme Management Assistant in ensuring completeness of project data for the project information system for all projects. (c) Contribute to project data reconciliation exercises within the Division and with the GEF Secretariat. IV. UNEP and Global Environment Facility Corporate tasks: (a) Participate in the UNEP Project Review Committees if requested. (b) Provide input to Global Environment Facility corporate evaluations, country portfolio evaluations, thematic evaluations and impact evaluations and to the preparation of the Management Action Record. Qualifications/special skillsa) Advanced university degree in biodiversity sciences, environmental sciences, natural resource management, natural resource policy, environmental policy, environmental economics, or a closely related field is required. A first university degree with a combination of two years of professional and academic qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. b) Recognized qualification or certification in the negotiation of environmental issues in line with sustainable development is desired. a) A minimum of 7 years of technical experience working on biodiversity and related issues in developing countries/countries in transition is required. b) Experience with conceptualizing and developing projects and programmes in the ecosystems and biodiversity field is an asset. c) Experience in International Organization especially with UNEP and GEF is highly desirable. Languagesa) English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the consultancy post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of another UN Language is desirable. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.