Background
UNDP Eritrea is a trusted development partner of choice for the Government of State of Eritrea (GoSE). It contributes to development of Eritrea in the areas of Environmental protection, Renewable energy, Food security, Governance, Data for Development, SDG financing and public sector. UNDP Eritreaโs contributions are guided by the Country Programme Document (CPD) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2022 โ 2026 in line with the SDGs. UNDP Governance Portfolio supports Governmentโs implementation of governance priorities.
Inย Eritrea, UNDPโs programme priorities and partnerships are defined and operationalized through the Country Programme between Government of the State of Eritrea and UNDP to support and contribute to the development priorities.ย
Nature, Climate and Energy is the biggest programme portfolios for UNDP Eritrea Country Office (CO) ranges from, climate change, energy, environmental management. The portfolio remains one of the important programme areas in the Country Programme Document period from 2022 โ 2025 with a shift towards diversification of funding and efforts to operationalize new financial instruments.
Specifically, the thematic area of climate, energy and environmental management focuses on climate, energy & environmental related policy and governance, climate actions including mitigation and adaptation, chemicals, green and circular economy, and sustainable energy.ย
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Position Purpose
The position is under the direct supervision of Programme Specialist, Inclusive Sustainable Development Unit in UNDP Eritrea, the incumbent will be primarily responsible for programme/project management including development and execution of initiatives/projects related to climate change and environmental management; and provision of policy/technical advisory services. The incumbent will also work closely with the CO Partnership team to mobilize resources for the successful implementation of Country Programme(s) and initiatives/projects.ย
S/he works in close collaboration with other Programme units and Operations Unit to deliver on country programme results and successful Country Officeโs performance with accountability and compliance with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Ensures implementation of programme strategies focusing on achievement of the following results:
Through analysis and research of the environmental, social, and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to CCA, United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework/UNSDCF/SPCF, CPD, and other documents; Identification of areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned, and ensure alignment with the national policies and strategies such as Poverty Reduction Strategy, Food Security Strategy Paper, National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan, National Environmental Management Plan etc;ย CO business processes mapping and preparation of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management; Lead the planning, organization and convening of relevant stakeholdersโ participation in the Board/Steering Committee Meetings as and when required.2. Ensures effective management of the CO programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned e.g. Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Livelihoods focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the country programme achieving the following results:
Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (PowerB1) and monitoring achievement of results; Design and formulation of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDPโs priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones; Utilization of UNDPโs global programme management database/Intranet (ATLAS) to ensure effective and standard management of all food security and Environment related projects; Initiation of a project, presentation of the project to PAC, entering project into Atlas (in small offices), finalization of contribution agreement; determination of required revisions; coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review. Programme Analyst can perform functions of Manager Level 1 in Atlas for POs and vouchers approval, participates in recruitment processes for projects; Good understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030 and mainstreaming into Food Security Energy and Environment project such as SDGs of Eradicating poverty, Gender Equity and Ensuring Environmental sustainability, adaptation to and mitigation of climate change; Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions. Participation in audit of NEX projects; Programme/Project funds are made available when needed, and are disbursed properly in a timely fashion following the UN agencies and POPP procedures; ย Expenditures are in accordance with the programme document and/or existing programme work plan and adjustments (if any) are made with due consultation and documentation; Accounting records and supporting documents are properly kept and required;ย Accounting records and supporting documents are properly kept and required financial reports are prepared, with appropriate analysis of expenditures and issues in disbursement; Financial operations are transparent and financial procedures/regulations for NEX programmes are properly applied; and the programme is ready to stand up to audits at any time; Apply donorsโ monitoring and evaluation tools and procedures, and share results and lessons learned in transparent and timely manner. Understand external environment, identify, and notify the prevalence of any potential risks affecting programme implementation and propose realistic risk management options; Follow up on audit recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported; Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports.3. Ensures provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:
Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals; Support to development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners; Review programme resource requirements and provide advice to the Board/Steering Committees on the need for budget adjustments and possible revisions. Advice also on revisions to work plans and budget plans based on the operational and strategic appreciation of programme/project implementation with given conditions; Sound contributions to the global climate change, Energy-Environment knowledge networks and communities of practice; Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.4. Ensure effective facilitation of knowledge building and management, guidance to all stakeholders on programme/project management, operational and technical matters focusing on the achievement of Country Programme(s) and Country Officeโs performance.
Document lessons learned and best practices in Country Programme/project development, management, implementation and/or oversight; Raise awareness of and train project teams and personnel on UNDP corporate strategic issues, plans and initiatives to maximize highest impact and performance effectiveness; Conduct regular exchange of information/experience with other programme teams and initiatives/projects to ensure synergies and integration; promote cross-portfolio and cross-programme learning and sharing; Access UNDPโs worldwide and regional knowledge, distil best practices and facilitate their dissemination within CO and to counterparts and partners; Access global best practices and share them with local and international stakeholders, and ensure their incorporation into the thematic area of climate, energy & environmental management and project design process; Participate and contribute to communities of practice, codifying and sharing knowledge; Prepare communication and awareness materials, and knowledge products for policy advocacy, knowledge sharing and strategic partnership.Competencies
Core
Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scaleย upย solutionsย andย simplifiesย processes,ย balancesย speedย andย accuracyย in doing work;
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offerย newย ideas/openย toย newย approaches,ย demonstrateย systemic/integrated thinking;
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Goย outsideย comfortย zone,ย learnย fromย othersย andย supportย theirย learning;
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adaptย processes/approachesย toย newย situations,ย involveย othersย inย changeย process;
Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Ableย toย persevereย andย dealย withย multipleย sourcesย ofย pressureย simultaneously;
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Isย facilitator/integrator,ย bringย peopleย together,ย build/maintain coalitions/partnerships;
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Nature, Climate and Energy
Chemicals and waste management: practical application / ozone layer protection / ozone & climate-friendly technologies /energy efficiency concepts, renewable energy, access to energy; technologies and practical application Knowledge of chemicals and waste management /ozone layer protection / ozone & climate-friendly technologies / energy efficiency concepts, renewable energy, access to energy; technologiesย ย and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations. Climate change adaptation, mitigation and policies Knowledge of climate change adaptation, mitigation and policies, and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.Business Management
Project Management Ability to plan, organize, priorities and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals. Result-based Management Abilityย to manage programmes and projectsย with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge Generation Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Portfolio Management Ability to select, prioritize and control the organizationโs programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investmentPartnership Management
Resource Mobilization Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes / projects / initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements.2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness
Effectiveness Project Quality Assurance.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences, Dryland Agriculture/Sustainable Agriculture, or related field is required or; A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in a relevant field in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience, Knowledge and Skills:
Minimum of 2 years (with masterโs degree) or 4 years (with bachelorโs degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing advisory/technical support services, and managing and implementing initiatives/projects in the area of climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, chemicals, sustainable energy, environment management; Experience in GIS systems and tools such as ArcGIS, QGIS, etc. is an advantage; Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP;ย Ability to lead and manage outputs and activities in all phases of project management involving multiple partners and stakeholders, and in conflict settings; Excellent skills in problem-solving, adaptive management, conflict resolution, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement and coordination; Demonstrated ability in writing good quality project reports, policy briefs/paper, and/or communication & advocacy article/blog/story; Proven field experience in climate, energy and environmental management initiatives/projects at national, sub-national/state, local and/or community level; Experience in collaborating and partnering with government agencies, private sector, communities and/or international organizations; Knowledge of IPCC Guidelines for National Communications / Biennial Transparency Report / Greenhouse Gas Inventories is desired.Required Language(s):
Fluency in ย English is required;ย Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Probation
For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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