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. UNEP's Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This post is located in the Ecosystems Division, Marine and Freshwater Branch at the GEF International Water Unit (GEF-IW) Nairobi duty station. Under the overall supervision of the Marine Branch Coordinator, the Senior Program Management Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Responsibilities1. Takes the lead in International Water (IW) corporate strategy development and programme coordination externally (GEF) and in-house (UNEP) by: a. Drafting the UNEP/GEF IW focal area strategy and business plan and conducting relevant consultations (internal and external) on it in the context of UNEP's approaches, strategies, and priorities for the GEF. b. Representing UNEP in the GEF Focal Area Task Force meetings, including with GEF Coordination and providing input into the UNEP/GEF Fee and Business Model as needed c. Reporting progress against agreed targets on a quarterly basis. d. Convening UNEP/GEF IW team meetings periodically and maintaining a record of its deliberations and conclusions. e. Contributing to UNEP's programming and Midterm Strategy ( MTS) and ensuring that the UNEP/GEF IW portfolio is reflected in the PoW. 2. Contributes to UNEP & GEF corporate knowledge management, data management, communications, and outreach by: a. Identifying and codifying lessons emerging from the IW portfolio and project implementation (over and above individual project knowledge management). b. Overseeing portfolio data entry into the project information system and monitoring team compliance with data entry and quality of entry. c. Contributing to project data reconciliation exercises within/for both UNEP and GEF. d. Identifying media and other outreach opportunities and coordinating/leading contributions from portfolio and project information and written materials to be used by communications and outreach officers. e. Leading on strategic positioning of the GEF IW portfolio in relevant global and regional UN and non-UN efforts including oceans, freshwater and related MEAs including collaboration with the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans (RSCAPs). 3. Supervises portfolio development and implementation by: a. Providing technical guidance to IW focal area Task Managers concerning project design and implementation and coordinating project concept peer reviews as needed. b. Coordinating responses of Task Managers (TMs) to GEF Secretariat project review sheets and STAP comments and monitoring the quality of project supervision by individual Task Managers in the focal area. c. Reviewing the quality of the yearly Project Implementation Reviews (PIR) prepared by Task Managers and coordinating preparation of focal area reports. d. Identifying projects at risk and overseeing and monitoring implementation of remedial actions. 4. Develop projects and supervise project design and implementation of selected projects by: a. Liaising with national organizations and international partners to identify GEF-eligible project ideas within UNEP's comparative advantage. b. Overseeing project concept development and project preparation, providing technical advice to the executing agencies, and translating GEF guidance and policies. c. Liaising with GEF Secretariat focal area staff to ensure projects meet GEF requirements. d. Coordinating responses to Council, STAP, and GEF Secretariat project reviews. e. Assisting in mobilizing co-financing for the projects and obtaining letters of endorsement from GEF National Focal Points. f. Providing leadership and oversight to TMs as members of the project steering committees, reviewing technical and financial reports, assessing the quality of outputs, providing relevant technical advice to project partners, assessing progress towards outcomes, preparing reports and documentation for project revisions, coordinating mid-term management project reviews and related management responses, providing input to project terminal evaluations, and other tasks associated with project implementation supervision in accordance with UNEP/GEF's Project Operations Manual. 5. Manages the Focal Area team and supervises and mentors staff a. Briefing new staff on UNEP and GEF policies, strategies and procedures; b. Harmonizing workloads within the team and assigning project portfolios; c. Providing ongoing feedback on performance and guidance on workplan implementation; d. Conducting the Performance Management mid-term and end of cycle reviews; e. Mentoring the Focal Area team staff for career development and capacity development. 6. Performs corporate tasks in the following areas: a) Council document review and preparation of comments and briefings for management. b) Participating as required in the UNEP Project Review Committee (PRC) and providing input to UNEP and GEF policy and information documents and providing input to GEF corporate evaluations. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of theories, concepts, and approaches related to marine and coastal ecosystems. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Ability to provide technical and substantive support in the field of environmental management, development, and mastery of marine biology or coastal ecosystems. Shows pride in work and in achievements; 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. JUDGMENT/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; and makes tough decisions when necessary. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 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 audience; and demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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 improvements; 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Marine or Fresh Water Biology, Ecology, Oceanography, Hydrology or Chemistry, Coastal zone and river basin management, or environmental engineering, with specialization in issues related to the protection and management of international waters issues. A first-level university degree, in combination with qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university 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 10 years of progressively responsible experience, including at least 5 years at the international level with key international organizations related to International Waters is required. A minimum of 5 years experience in GEF project management oversight and project development is required. Working experience at any UN agency is desirable. Experience in data analytics or a related area is desirable. Experience in establishing and guiding international partnership processes and strategy development including in support of MEAs is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. NOTE: \"Fluency equals a rating of \"fluent\" in all four areas (read, write, speak, and understand), and \"Knowledge of\" equals a rating of \"confident\" in two of the four areas. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by a competency-based interview. Special NoticeAppointment against this position is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. External candidate selected for this position will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA-limited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of \"internal candidate\" in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position subject to limitation will retain their current appointment status and will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position. 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. 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