Background
he Central African region is home to the second largest tropical rainforest in the world, is sucking out about 1.5 billion tons of CO2 of the atmosphere or 4% of the worldโs emissions every year and provides a habitat to more than 10,000 plant and animal species. Forest loss is accelerating despite ongoing efforts, as government action alone has not been enough to establish an effective balance between the interests of the forest and of economic development. On this basis, a coalition of donors โ the European Union, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Sweden, the Republic of France, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Republic of Korea โ together with Central African partner countries โ Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of Gabon โ have decided to enter into a collaborative partnership to establish the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI).
CAFIโs objective is to recognize and preserve the value of the forests in the region to mitigate climate change, reduce poverty, and contribute to sustainable development. This objective will be attained through the implementation of country-led, national scale REDD+ and Low Emissions Development (LED) investment frameworks that include policy reforms and measures to address the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and promote sustainable development. The CAFI Trust Fund is the principal means to implement the Central African Forest Initiative and it is administered by the MPTF-O.
Cameroon signed the CAFI Declaration in 2015. While the two parties have not yet signed a Letter of Intent, important steps have been taken to advance the preparations of a partnership aimed at supporting the acceleration of Cameroonโs green economy, thus reducing the impact of Cameroonian value chains on deforestation while making Cameroon-produced goods more competitive in international markets and enhancing food security for the population. ย
Under the supervision of the Technical Specialist (Private Sector and Carbon Finance) of the CAFI Secretariat, the Technical Specialist (Programs) is recruited to provide technical advise and assistance to support the finalisation and operationalisation of the partnership between CAFI and the government of Cameroon, notably by developing a portfolio of programs.ย
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Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of Work
Advise and support the programming, implementation and monitoring of CAFI supported programs including by preparing their instruction and presentation to the government of Cameroon and the Executive Board of CAFI:
Support the operationalisation and monitoring of a CAFI coordination program in Cameroon, by finalising the program document (PRODOC); developing and launching a call for expressions of interest for, or the direct selection of, an implementing organisation; drafting terms of reference for and support the follow-up of the recruitment of program staff; supporting the program management unit in the production of annual work plans and budgets, financial and narrative reports, the organization of the project steering committee and the follow-up of its recommendations; Develop draft concept notes, PRODOCs and calls for expression of interest for other programs envisaged for the CAFI portfolio in Cameroon; Research and prepare technical notes on relevant implementing partners, and support the CAFI Secretariat in the process related to developing agreements with and, as appropriate, accreditation, new implementing partners. ย Prepare technical notes and presentations to the CAFI Secretariat and Executive Board as well as CAFIโs counterparts from the Cameroonian government, on the progress of developing and operationalising the program portfolio.Guide and support the development and implementation of innovative financial support mechanisms in Cameroon:
Assist the CAFI Secretariat in developing and rolling out a standardised model for innovative financial support mechanisms supporting the sustainable development and reduced negative impact on deforestation of key value chains in Cameroon (such as major cash and food crops, mining, etc.), including by preparing technical analyses of relevant private sector actors and SWOT analyses of potential support mechanisms. Support the CAFI Secretariatโs Technical Specialist on Private Sector and Carbon Finance in ensuring the streamlined development of innovative financial support mechanisms across CAFIโs partner countries.Guide and support the development of a partnership agreement between CAFI and Cameroon:
Support the CAFI Secretariat and Executive Board in their dialogue with the Cameroonian government by preparing technical analyses regarding proposed political commitments and milestones, governance bodies and monitoring mechanisms for the partnership; Assist the negotiation of mutually agreed objectives for CAFI and the government of Cameroon including by preparing up-to-date information and analyses on Cameroonโs national policy objectives and development strategies. Enable and strengthen the policy dialogue between CAFI and the Cameroonian government by organising meetings and initiating outreach, as appropriate.Communicate on behalf of CAFI in Cameroon:
Actively engage , upon consultation and approval from the Head of CAFI Secretariat, CAFI at different meetings and workshops and communicate on CAFI at the country level, including on CAFI objectives, programs and progress, collect and analyse comments received from stakeholders including from CAFI donors (embassies, etc.), government (ministers and ministersโ offices), implementing organisations, civil society organisations and private sector.Lead knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s) and UNDP:
Actively participate in and make substantive contributions to external networks and communities of practice to promote advocacy for UNDPโs work and opportunities for collaboration in addressing development trends. Support establishment of knowledge platforms and innovative mechanisms for capturing and disseminating knowledge from the project; and ensure development of knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDPโs engagement in this area
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
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Institutional Arrangement:
Technical Specialist (Programs) will report to the P4 Technical Specialist (Private Sector and Carbon Finance in ย CAFI Secretariat Geneva.
Competencies
Core:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3
Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impactThink Innovatively: LEVEL 3
Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problemsLearn Continuously: LEVEL 3
Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiencesAdapt with Agility: LEVEL 3
Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demandsAct with Determination: LEVEL 3
Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater resultsEngage and Partner: LEVEL 3
Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaborationEnable Diversity and Inclusion:ย LEVEL 3
Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivityPeople Management: UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.ย
Cross-Functional & Technical:
Business Direction & Strategy - Strategic Thinking:
Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP`s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions. Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.Business Direction & Strategy - 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 Management - Partnerships Management:
Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policiesExternal Relations and Advocacy - Emerging partnerships:
Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnershipsExternal Relations and Advocacy - Strategic engagement:
Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives2030 Agenda: Planet - Nature:
Environmental Governance: Global Environmental Governance2030 Agenda: Planet - Nature:
Climate and Forests: Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradationยย
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (Masterโs degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Public Administration, Law, Rural Development, Land Use Planning, Environment, or equivalent field is required. Or A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the areas stated above, ย in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience:
Minimum of 7 (seven) years ย (with masterโs degree) or 9 years (with bachelorโs degree) of professional experience at the international level in the areas of environment, land use planning/management, climate change or REDD+ issues.Required ย skills and competencies:
Demonstrated experience of sectoral land use thematics: spatial planning dynamics, land access and use, forest management, agricultural practices, etc. Demonstrated work experience in monitoring and evaluation of large-scale programs. Demonstrated work experience in the management and programming modalities of United Nations organizations, the World Bank and bilateral cooperation. Relevant work experience in Cameroon or another country in Central African region is required.Desired additional skills and competencies:
Experience in capacity development, government support and policy dialogue. Knowledge of Central Africa in general is essential and of the Cameroon in particular is an asset. Demonstrated experience in partnership development. Familiarity with bilateral and/or multilateral cooperation initiatives desirable and funding related to climate change, sustainable development, REDD+, sustainable agriculture, etc.Required Language(s):
Fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of other UN official languages will be considered an asset.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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