Background
Project objective is to scale innovative integrated approaches to ecosystem restoration and conservation to catalyze transformational shifts in three high value landscapes in Uzbekistan.
The project is part of the GEF8 global Ecosystem Restoration Integrated Program. The four components proposed by this project have been designed within available GEF and co-financing framework to address the corresponding drivers of ecosystem degradation and biodiversity decline, which are driven by multiple drivers of unsustainable land use practices. The project will deliver Global Environmental Benefits using a participatory approach that ensures promotion of women, youth and vulnerable groups and equitable participation opportunities.ย
This will result in the improved management of 1.3 million hectares of land across the West Tian Shan, Nuratau, and Kugitangtau landscapes. The targeted ecosystems are characterized as classic rural mosaic landscapes, with multiple types of HCVF, dry steppe rangelands, and smallholder agriculture. The project will implement integrated multi-stakeholder management mechanisms and support innovative approaches such as the development of catalytic financial mechanisms to achieve restoration at scale.
The project addresses three target high value landscapes: the West Tian Shan, Nuratau, and Kugitangtau, which each encompass approximately 400,000-500,000 ha, for a total project area of approximately 1.5 million. The three landscapes are within the Mountains of Central Asia biodiversity hotspot and are composed of clusters of Key Biodiversity Areas. Project sites encompass three high value mountain / foothill landscapes: including 10 KBAs (881,000 ha), and 6 national level PAs (142,278 ha), as well as several other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) that could be recognized.ย
Project components:
Component 1: Enabling conditions created for increased ecosystem restoration through informed and inclusive policy, planning instruments, incentives, and structures.
Component 2: Innovations in ecosystem restoration resulting in transformation impacts that generate global environmental benefits and livelihoods.
Component 3: Leveraged and sustainable financing to promote and scale-up ecosystem restoration and global environmental benefits.
Component 4: Knowledge Management and Linkages to the Ecosystem Restoration Integrated Program.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the UNDP Cluster Leader on Environment and Climate Action and guidance of the Project Board, the Project Specialist will be responsible for the operational management and implementation of the project according to the project document, UNDP corporate rules and procedures, donor requirements, and will perform the following tasks and responsibilities:
Projectย Management โ Financial, Administrative and Human Resources:
Lead the project team, including national and/or international staff, and short-term consultants, in both substantive and operational issues ensuring optimization of human and financial resources and nurturing a culture of results with highest performance standards; Undertake day-to-day management of the project, including effective project implementation and document progress towards the achievement of project outputs; Manage the project budget and facilitate budget approvals and revisions as per UNDP policies and procedures; Ensure appropriate recording and accounting documentation as required by UNDP and prepare required financial reports; Facilitate transparent financial management of the project to comply with regular audits and evaluations; Ensure the Project produces the results specified in the project document to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost, review and appraise detailed work plans, including the Quantum reports covering activity definition; Ensure the projectโs targets and results are entered and updated in results management systems including Quantum project management module, and relevant documents are uploaded to transparency dashboards; Approve requisitions and follow up on purchase orders and payment requests in UNDP Quantum and other relevant systems, and ensure monthly delivery of the projectโs programmatic outputs; Prepare work plans, produce timely reports โ financial and programmatic progress reports โ as required by UNDP and donor reporting systems; Ensure UNDP rules and regulations concerning finance, procurement and human resources are adhered to; Facilitate an environment of continuous learning and knowledge sharing within the project.Project Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation:
Develop the necessary strategic documents concerning project planning and implementation, such as policy papers, concept notes, etc.; Provide strategic advice, direction and direct technical input to the UNDP Country Office andย Environment and Climate Action Cluster on the projectโs thematic domain; Ensure programme assessments are undertaken and relevant baseline data collected so programme monitoring and evaluation can take place; Oversee the establishment of the monitoring and evaluation plan of the Project and ensure its implementation; Guide the development of the projectโs communication strategy in close collaboration with relevant partners; Ensure integration and mainstreaming of gender equality throughout the projectโs outputs and activities; Ensure that project contributes to the promotion of gender equality by reaching, involving and benefiting both women and men in its activities (gender mainstreaming); Ensure proper delivery of technical services and submission of technical and other reports both by project staff and short-term consultants; Ensure participation and involvement of relevant stakeholders in the projectโs implementation in a transparent, gender-friendly and inclusive manner; Ensure proper coordination of the projectโs work with the national implementation partners and other stakeholders; Ensure sustainability of the project intervention by promoting leadership and ownership of the projectย implementation by government and through proper capacity building; Ensure the timeliness and quality of the outputs as well as timely preparation of reports on achievements and challenges faced within the project; Ensure delivery of resources and results according to planned targets; Ensure compliance with the GEF agreements; Promote identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning.Risk Management and Reporting:
Daily coordination and monitoring of the implementation of the project activities, delivery progress, stock-out risk assessment and proposed evidence-based solutions; Analyses and identifies possible risks and communicates to supervisor and UNDP Country Office management about any possible risks, proposes solutions and works with partners to prevent and mitigate them; Enlist management solutions to troubleshoot program delivery difficulties and share best practices on program operations that include but are not limited to quantification, procurement, supply and management; Coordinates and undertakes quality of assurance of transfer documents, prepared by the project and signature by parties; Takes responsibility for timely and appropriate financial and other reporting in line with UNDP procedures, to Donor - the GEF.Partnerships and Advocacy:
Maintains constant and effective communication and partnerships with key government partners - the Ministry of Ecology, Environment Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, other government institutions and agencies, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the GEF, CSOs, and advocates UNDPโs value proposition; Support the UNDP Country Office in mobilization of resources from potential donors, including preparation of strategies, programme briefs and project documents, organization of regular donor meetings and field visits; Work closely with the ECA Cluster in identifying partnership strategies with regard to providers of specialized expertise and possible co-financiers, resource mobilization, and implementing possible synergies with donors funded projects; Cooperate with donors, project partners, suppliers and beneficiaries when needed, prepare timely reports of project progress in line with UNDP and donor requirements; Extract lessons learned to support project improvement and feed into UNDP programming knowledge globally (facilitate knowledge building and sharing); Provide leadership and advocate to address policy related issues and other challenges.Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic areas:
Identify capacity building needs and opportunities; Ensure appropriate training, project workshops and other relevant activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia; Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application; Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and project related issues; Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDPโs engagement in this area; Promote advocacy for UNDPโs work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
Under the direct supervision of the ECA Cluster Lead and in close collaboration with relevant project partners, the Project Specialist will be responsible for the implementation of the project activities.The ย Project Specialist will provide operational and thematic services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work.ย
The roject Specialist works in close collaboration with the Government counterparts, project, operations, and Programmeโs staff in the UNDP CO to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery and undertake day-to- day responsibility for operational and thematic support services for the satisfactory achievement of the project component outputs.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact. Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.ย Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences. Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands. Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results. Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration. Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.People Management Competencies
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicatedย site.
Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:
System Thinking:
Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.Business Acumen:
Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome.ย Ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks.ย Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization.Knowledge Facilitation:
Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.Digital Awareness and Literacy:
Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value.ย Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed.ย Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.Monitoring & Evaluation:
Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively. Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.ย Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.ย Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks.ย Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.Nature:
Natureย Environmental Governance: Access to Justice. Nature ย Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Green commodities.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (Masterโs degree or equivalent)ย in Environmental Management, Natural Resource Management (or equivalent),ย Environmental Economics/Management/Sciences, Conservation Biology/Ecology, Geography,ย and/or Economics, or any other related field is required, or A first-level university degree (Bachelorโs degree) in the fields of study mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Masterโs degree.Experience:
Minimum 5 years (with masterยดs degree) or 7 years (with bachelorยดs degree) of relevant work experience in project management in the thematic areas of nature conservation, forestry, natural resource management, wildlife and/or pasture planning and management or interrelated areas. ยRequired Skills:
Strong Environmental Expertise: understanding and dealing with ecological systems, biodiversity, natural resource management, environmental sciences, other interrelated areas; Leadership and interdisciplinary, leading cross-functional teams and engaging different stakeholders; Analysis and assessment skills, competency in data management.ย ยDesired Skills:ย
Work experience with UN agencies or any other international development organization; Clear motivation to work on issues related to biodiversity conservation, nature protection, environmental sustainability;ย Proven experience in project coordination of conservation, forestry, land management, wildlife and/or pasture planning and management; Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource.Required Languages:
Fluent English and Uzbek is required.ยDesired Languages:
Good command Russian 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
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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