Background Information - Job-specific
UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian, and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.
The New York Portfolio Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management. The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.
UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to implement the project activities for the Global Programme on Nature for Development.
UNDPโs Global Programme on Nature for Development brings together three different initiatives -- the Equator Initiative, and the National Biodiversity Initiative, and Learning for Nature under one program in order to identify, foster, showcase and celebrate nature-based solutions that help achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at local, national, and international levels. The work of the Global Programme on Nature for Development contributes to UNDP's Strategic Plan 2018-2021 by charting sustainable development pathways through the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of biodiversity and ecosystems; and by promoting inclusive and effective democratic governance in natural resources.
The Equator Initiative brings together the United Nations, governments, civil society, businesses, and grassroots organizations to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities. The Equator Initiative seeks to:
- Identify and recognize the success of Indigenous and local initiatives,
- Create opportunities and platforms to share knowledge and good practice,
- Inform policy to foster an enabling environment for Indigenous and local community action, and
- Develop the capacity of Indigenous peoples and local communities to scale-up their impact.
The National Biodiversity Initiative supports countries to manage their ecosystems and biodiversity to improve national planning and governance of biodiversity, ecosystems, and development, and to promote resilience for sustainable development. The National Biodiversity Initiative works in three project areas to support countries in their commitments to the Convention on Biological Diversity: National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) Support, National Reporting, and Capacity Building. The use of spatial data for spatial planning is an important cross-cutting theme across these project areas, including our flagship platform UN Biodiversity Lab and our work to map Essential Life Support Areas (ELSAs). The UN Biodiversity Lab, created in partnership with UN Environment and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, provides policymakers with access to 100 of the worldโs best spatial datasets on nature, climate, and sustainable development for planning, monitoring, and reporting. Building on this base, our work to map ELSAs brings together the worldโs best scientists and governments in 11 pilot countries to use spatial data to identify where nature-based actions to protect, manage, or restore ELSAs can deliver efficiently across national priorities for biodiversity, climate, and sustainable development. A nascent area of work is building the spatial literacy of Indigenous peoples and local communities and ensuring their participation in spatial planning.
Learning for Nature is a capacity-building offer provided by the Global Programme on Nature for Development, cutting across the three areas of work. This programme connects biodiversity policymakers, change-makers, and on-the-ground subject matter experts to facilitate the delivery of the Convention on Biological Diversityโs Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and the achievement of the United Nationsโ Sustainable Development Goals. Access to the global multi-stakeholder networks mobilized by the Equator Initiative and the National Biodiversity Initiative allows Learning for Nature to circulate knowledge while promoting best practices. Building on our learnings on the ground, we seek synergies, build linkages, and engage thousands of course participants on their journey towards sustainable development solutions for people, nature, and resilient communities. Learning for Nature builds capacity to scale up efforts for nature-based sustainable development through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), webinars, self-paced e-learning modules, podcasts, and private training courses.
Knowledge Sharing is a main goal of the Equator Initiative, the National Biodiversity Initiative, and Learning for Nature. The Equator Initiative has a large series of research papers, books, and other publications focusing on local approaches to poverty reduction and conservation, informed by community-based initiatives. 180 case studies in over 30 languages have documented the Equator Prize winnersโ innovative practices that deliver the win-win-win solutions that ensure social, economic, and environmental sustainability. The National Biodiversity Initiative works with partners to share knowledge on the role of spatial data in biodiversity planning, policymaking, and reporting through story maps, blogs, Google Earth stories, articles etc.
The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership is a country-led initiative launched by the governments of Germany and Colombia to accelerate the implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership was established to bolster global, regional, and national ambition and political support for NBSAP implementation, catalyzing accelerated biodiversity action. It is a country-led initiative to accelerate ambitious NBSAP implementation through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, achieving the vision of living in harmony with Nature by 2050. The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership comprises four interconnected areas of work aimed at engaging supporting countries to accelerate the implementation of ambitious NBSAPs: a matchmaking service, a facilitator programme, a knowledge and learning arm, and a global communications and advocacy arm.
For further information please go to: www.equatorinitiative.org, www.nbsapforum.net, www.learningfornature.org, or http://www.unbiodiversitylab.org/
This is a position to support a project which UNOPS is implementing for the United Nations Development Programme. The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.
Functional Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Senior Technical Manager, the Programme Management Specialist will support the development and implementation of the work programmes of the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) Accelerator Partnership. The aim of the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) Accelerator Partnership is to facilitate an increase in the ambition, pace and scale of NBSAP development and activities, with a focus on developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with internal and external partners, including NGOs, private sector, other UNDP programmes and country offices and UN agencies, government representatives, environmental processes and mechanisms, relevant civil society networks, Indigenous leaders, and others.
This role focuses on management, outreach, and relationship-building with a diverse set of partners to ensure that the global ambition on National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) is
commensurate with the ambition of the newly adopted Global Biodiversity Framework.
Under the supervision of the Senior Technical Manager the duties and responsibilities include:
- Support coordination with relevant UN agencies, governments, civil society organizations, and private sector partners to help implement the goals of the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) Accelerator Partnership
- Assist in the implementation and monitoring of the NSBAP Accelerator Partnershipโs MatchMaking Mechanism, incorporating feedback and lessons learned to improve processes, and supporting preparations for Phase 2.
- Contribute to the planning and implementation of mechanisms to connect countries with technical and financial resources, leveraging digital platforms and AI-driven tools under supervision to support efficient matchmaking and knowledge sharing.โ Facilitate engagement with diverse stakeholders to support the implementation and refinement of matchmaking processes, ensuring operational balance between supply and demand.
- Support collaboration among UN agencies, government bodies, NGOs, private sector entities, and other stakeholders by assisting member countries in articulating and structuring requests for support, ensuring alignment with GBF targets and national priorities.
- Promote teamwork, collaboration, and diversity by providing timely guidance and supervision to the team to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively, and efficiently.
- Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
- Contribute to aligning UNDP Global Policy Network and service offers with the Nature Pledge, under guidance from the supervisor.
- Support the mainstreaming and integration of the UNDP Nature Pledge across thematic portfolios and bureaus, in coordination with relevant teams.
- Coordinate with the UNDP youth, gender, climate, health, and governance teams to support the integration of nature-based solutions into relevant programming areas.
- Support the supervisor for management and oversight of the National Biodiversity Initiative team and its portfolio. This entails providing day-to-day support in project implementation, coordination, and reporting. Monitoring and Progress Controls
The assignment is supervised by the Senior Technical Manager. Education/Experience/Language requirements
*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
*CANDIDATES WITH NO UNITED NATIONS OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
Education
- Advanced university degree (Masterโs degree or equivalent) preferably in international relations, sustainable development, environmental management/sciences, education, social/political science, development studies, or other related fields with five (5) years of relevant experience is required. OR;
- A first level university degree (Undergraduate, Bachelor equivalent) preferably in international relations, sustainable development, environmental management/sciences, education, social/political science, development studies, or other related fields with seven (7) years of relevant experience is desirable Required Work Experience
- Relevant experience is defined as experience in program or project management related to biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, or environmental management. Languages
- Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required.
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA 2)/ICS10
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA - 'Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The contract for this position is set for a duration of one year, with termination upon its conclusion. Depending on availability of funds and satisfactory performance, any need for services beyond this initial period will be communicated to the incumbent accordingly.
Even though the level of the position is indicated as IICA 2, depending on the incumbent's personal situation (candidate with national ID or resident permit), a local fee scale (LICA 10) might be applied in determining the contractor's fee. As home-based position, it may be the responsibility of the selected candidate to make arrangements, to a standard deemed acceptable by UNOPS, for a secure internet connection, laptop and/or equipment necessary for work (as defined by UNOPS).
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Additional Information
Terms and Conditions
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.