GEF Project Specialist II

Result of ServiceAssist with the management of project development and projects within UNEP's portfolio of medium- and full-sized GEF mitigation projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Work LocationHome based Expected duration12 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. This consultancy is in UNEP’s Climate Change Division, Climate Change Mitigation Unit, and will be home based. UNEP’s Climate Change Division works with a portfolio of Global Environment Facility (GEF) medium-size and full-size climate change mitigation projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. The projects, which are in different stages of development (design, implementation, closure), are executed by different partners (Ministries, NGOs, etc.) through-out the region. The Climate Change Division, in its role as implementing agency, provides oversight and ensures adherence to GEF guidelines. Under the supervision of the Task Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean for GEF mitigation projects, the GEF Project Specialist is required to develop and manage part of UNEP's portfolio of GEF mitigation projects in Latin American and the Caribbean. Thematic areas of these projects include those related to net-zero nature-positive accelerator, energy communities, climate transparency, electric mobility, energy efficiency and sustainable cities. Specific tasks and responsibilities The consultant will undertake the following duties: Project identification and development for GEF 9 • Engage with national counterparts to identify and design GEF-9 project opportunities, particularly in countries such as (but not limited to) Chile, Costa Rica, and Mexico. • Lead and support consultations with country stakeholders to map and screen project concepts based on country needs, technical feasibility, transformative potential, co-financing opportunities, and alignment with GEF programming and UNEP priorities. • Prepare and submit concept notes and PIFs for UNEP’s internal review and quality assurance processes, as well as for submission to national governments and the GEF. • Support the hiring process and supervision of consultants involved in the development of CEO endorsement packages during GEF PPG phase. • Support the preparation of CEO Endorsement documents and relevant annexes, by providing technical inputs, revising implementation plans, and monitoring timelines to ensure project development occurs on time and in compliance with UNEP and GEF processes. More specifically, this involves: o Provide inputs to stakeholder consultation processes. o Revision of first and final drafts, for UNEP internal review and GEF Secretariat submission. (CEO endorsement and annexes to be included in the first draft will be discussed and agreed upon with the Task Manager) o Coordinate and draft responses to comments from UNEP internal review bodies (e.g., PRC) and the GEF Secretariat. o Support the preparation and upload of project endorsement document packages to the GEF portal. • Provide technical inputs and guidance on issues related to sustainable mobility, net-zero nature positive initiatives, innovative business models, and other thematic areas aligned with the candidate’s expertise. Project management of projects under execution • Serve as the primary UNEP focal point for the projects, maintaining regular communication with the executing agencies and key partners. • Monitor project progress against approved timelines, budgets, and indicators, identifying risks and implementation bottlenecks. • Support adaptive management, including project revisions, reprogramming of resources, and responses to emerging challenges or opportunities. • Discuss project progress, risks, and mitigation strategies with the Task Manager and team members to support informed decision-making and timely interventions. • Prepare and send half-yearly report templates to Executing Agencies for projects in the LAC portfolio, hold meetings with these agencies and send guidance emails to ensure correct and timely completion of the reports, and review such reports to ensure their timely completion; • Prepare and send project implementation review report templates to Executing Agencies for projects in the LAC portfolio, hold meetings with these agencies and send guidance emails to ensure correct and timely completion of the reports, and review such reports to ensure their timely completion; • Prepare terms of reference (TORs) for mid-term (MTR) and terminal reviews (TR), support the recruitment process, ensure timely submission and quality of MTR and TR reports, and facilitate the implementation of their recommendations. • Review financial documentation, including expenditure reports and cash advance requests, as described in the “Project documentation” section below. • Provide inputs for facilitating the technical and financial closure of projects; • Travel to undertake the previous tasks in country, as required and decided by the Task Manager. Project documentation • Develop draft legal agreements for new projects and project extensions; • Prepare documents for UNEP project internalization and revision processes, and provide inputs to ensure completed UNEP clearance and approval processes; • Prepare project supervision plans and risk logs for projects and periodically update them. Request the Executing Agencies to update their procurement plans and review such plans, providing inputs to finalize them; • Prepare project revision documents for technical and financial revisions for projects, ensuring that project revision documentation is complete for UNEP approval; • Review expenditure reports together with the finance team to ensure (a) correct amounts have been charged; (b) expenditures are aligned with project deliverables and thus acceptable; (c) expenditure is not exceeding the budget line allocations and overall budget. Send feedback emails to Executing Agencies in order for the agency to complete the document correctly • Review cash advance requests in collaboration with the finance team. Provide guidance to Executing Agencies in order for them to complete the document correctly. Portfolio management • Actively participate in the unit working groups and/or undertake research to identify measures to enhance the effectiveness of portfolio management tools and operations; • Develop portfolio management proposals and/or implement measures aiming at: improving efficiency, cost control, and resource allocation strategies; facilitating decision-making; and enhancing effectiveness of the portfolio management system. • Regularly update project information on Integrated Planning, Management and Reporting (IPMR) solution system (every 6 months); • Support the creation/revision of flowcharts for the development, review and approval of technical and financial documents. Other unit support • Articulate with other UNEP areas and institutions working on similar topics in the region and globally. • Engage with UNEP Regional Offices, Sub-Regional offices and country focal points -and Resident Coordinator offices when required- to guarantee political and programmatic alignment. Qualifications/special skills• Advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: project management, engineering, law, business administration, environment, economics, development, finance, or a related discipline is required; • A first level degree with additional two years of qualifying experience maybe accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. • Minimum of five (5) years of experience in managing projects related to climate change, environment or development is required; • Experience in working with national governments of Latin America and the Caribbean is required; • Experience in reviewing project documents, progress reports, workplans, and financial documents (budgets and expenditure reports) is desirable; • Experience working with GEF, GCF, CDM or UNEP projects is desirable; • Experience in working for multilateral or bilateral funding entities in the field of climate change, environment or development is a desirable. Languages● English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency (both oral and written) in English and Spanish is required. 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.