SENIOR PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThe 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. The overall objective of UNEP's Climate Change Division is to deliver effective strategic guidance and high-impact action in support of the transition towards climate stability. Its work is guided by ambition, innovation, credible science, and alignment to global climate goals and needs of individual countries. The Climate Change Division works with Members States and Partners to accelerate and support a just transition by addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation through enhancing implementation capacity, provision of data information and knowledge, access to finance and technology, and building resilience. It promotes sustainable development and effective policies for climate stability; support action so that countries progress on decarbonization, dematerialization, and resilience pathways in line with their climate commitments, aspirations, and needs; and foster transparency in reporting. This post is in UNEP's Climate Change Division, Mitigation Branch, Global Environment Facility (GEF) Climate Mitigation Unit, Paris duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Mitigation Branch, Climate Change Division, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: ResponsibilitiesA. Takes the lead and supervises portfolio development and implementation of Global Environment Facility projects in three regions (Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Eastern Europe) and the global portfolio by: a. Directing subordinates (Task Managers) in programme/project development, implementation, monitoring and assessment. b. Directing reviews of relevant project development concepts. c. Identifying strategic priorities for project and programme development. d. Providing technical guidance to subordinates (focal area Task Managers) concerning project design and implementation in line with Global Environment Facility programming and UNEP's Programme of Work. e. Coordinating project concept peer reviews; f. Being accountable for project quality-at-entry by clearing projects for onward submission to Economy Division senior management. g. Leading and coordinating responses to Global Environment Facility Secretariat project review sheets and other Global Environment Facility related comments. h. Monitoring quality of project supervision by subordinates (individual Task Managers) in the focal area. i. Clearing focal area project revisions to monitor implementation progress. j. Reviewing quality of the yearly Project Implementation Reviews prepared by subordinates (Task Managers) including consistency of application of ratings. k. Overseeing quality of project mid-term management reviews managed by subordinates (Task Managers). l. Identifying problems and issues to be addressed through the use of the risk management system and directing corrective actions. m. Coordinating activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and ensuring preparation of related documents/reports. n. Identifying and leveraging institutional/corporate partnerships for focal area, including cofunders and service providers. B. Leads and portfolio manages the Green Climate Fund climate change mitigation projects in UNEP by: a. Leading, directing and advising UNEP staff on strategic engagement with the Green Climate Fund. b. Supervising and guiding country and key partners on requests to UNEP in its function of Delivery Partner (readiness) and Accredited Entity (projects) for Green Climate Fund projects in the area of climate change mitigation. c. Liaising with Green Climate Fund Secretariat focal area and climate mitigation senior staff to ensure projects meet Green Climate Fund programming priorities and requirements. d. Reviewing and clearing the climate change mitigation area pipeline including coordinating the pipeline including readiness proposals, Project Preparation Facility requests, concept notes and funding proposals. e. Supervising project concept development and project preparation, providing technical advice to subordinates and to the executing agencies and translating Global Environment Facility and Green Climate Fund guidance and policies. f. Guiding and advising UNEP staff and initiatives engaging with Green Climate Fund for strategic collaboration, readiness, and projects in the area of climate change mitigation. g. Supervising, reviewing and clearing progress and performance reporting on UNEP'’s Green Climate Fund mitigation portfolio. h. Leading in coordination meetings and calls with Green Climate Fund as well as periodic UNEP Green Climate Fund coordination meetings and calls. i. Serving as an effective spokesperson and establishing collaboration and strategic partnerships with key officials in the Green Climate Fund on climate change mitigation. j. Directing Task Managers on engaging with UN Resident Coordinators and UNEP Regional Offices, with national organizations, Executing Agencies, UNEP Divisions, Multi-lateral Environment Agreements, and Climate Change Mitigation partners for identifying Green Climate Fund-eligible project ideas within UNEP's comparative advantage and in line with UNEP's Mid-Term Strategy and Programme of Work. C. Performs corporate tasks related to the Global Environment Facility climate change mitigation projects by: a. Reviewing Global Environment Facility climate change mitigation documents and preparing comments and briefings for management. b. Analyzing UNEP and Global Environment Facility climate change mitigation approaches, strategies and priorities; consulting with relevant internal and external partners; and drafting a climate change mitigation UNEP/ Global Environment Facility/Green Climate Fund strategy and conducting consultations on it. c. Obtaining final approval of the strategy and business plan and coordinating their implementation. d. Representing the Global Environment Facility mitigation area in UNEP and Global Environment Facility meetings. e. Leading project presentation in the UNEP Project Review Committees. f. Coordinating input regarding UNEP and Global Environment Facility climate change mitigation policy development and information documents. g. Providing input to Global Environment Facility corporate evaluations, including country portfolio evaluations, thematic evaluations and impact evaluations. h. Identifying, codifying and sharing lessons emerging from the Global Environment Facility portfolio and project implementation and sharing them with relevant UNEP staff. D. Manages the Global Environment Facility teams, supervises and mentors staff by: a. Briefing new staff on UNEP and Global Environment Facility policies, strategies and procedures. b. Harmonizing workloads within the team and assigning project portfolios. c. Ensuring implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines in Global Environment Facility programme and project design and implementation. d. Providing on-going feedback on performance and guidance on workplan implementation. e. Conducting the e-Performance mid-term reviews. f. Mentoring the Focal Area team staff for career development and capacity development. E. Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of project cycle management; designs, solutions and approaches for climate change (non-land use) mitigation projects; and project resource mobilization. projects. Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments, adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; Empowers others to translate vision into results; Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary. EducationAn advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental related science, engineering, economics, political science, social science, international relations, or related climate change mitigation field is required. A first university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of ten (10) years of progressive responsibilities in sustainable development, project management or related field is required. At least five years (5) of international experience in working with climate change mitigation (non-land use) projects is required. Experience with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) projects is required. Experience in project design and development is required. Experience with resource mobilization is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Spanish is desirable. NOTE: 'Fluency' equals a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (speak, read, write and understand) and 'Knowledge of' equals a rating of 'confident' in two of the four areas. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment, such as a written test, which will be followed by a competency-based interview by phone or teleconference. Special NoticeThis position is open for recruitment for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered. Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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United Nations ConsiderationsAccording to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. 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