Western Balkan Projects Coordinator – Level C

Result of ServiceThe Consultant is expected to contribute to the implementation of all tasks and to the timely delivery of the planned outputs, as specified in the Functional Description 4.2 (work plan). The work of the consultant will be directly monitored and overall supervised by the Head of the UNEP Vienna-SCC Office. The ultimate result of the assignment is to facilitate effective and timely projects’ development, as well as execution and achievement of the planned tasks and results (i.e. overall coordination from development, negotiation, management, guidance and technical inputs during the execution of the mentioned projects and WB portfolio). Additionally, the expert will: • Identify new opportunities emerging from the implementation of the above projects and explore synergies with other pillars of UNEP's portfolio, including Biodiversity, Land Degradation and Climate Change. • Prepare technical documents, concept notes, summary reports, and facilitate stakeholder meetings to support the successful implementation and coordination of activities. Work LocationOffice-based Expected duration12 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe 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 mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. Under its Western Balkan portfolio, it facilitates the implementation and execution of numerous projects pertaining to climate change, biodiversity protection, land degradation and other environmental related aspects. Large part of this portfolio consists of GEF funded projects that mainly relate to execution of the biodiversity and land degradation components of the national STAR allocations. In addition, there are a few climate change, air pollution and biodiversity protection initiatives that WB countries are a part of, that are also being executed by the Office in Vienna. The projects that are executing the biodiversity and land degradation components of STAR national allocations, are developing, and strengthening national policy and institutional capacity for sustainable protected areas management, sustainable land management practices and are contributing to enhancing the national protected areas networks, effective PAs management and contributing to the achievement of the national land degradation neutrality targets. In addition, the land degradation projects have large components dealing with implementation of sustainable land and forest management practices on the ground through reforestation of more than 400 ha of eroded land, other protective measures in the selected sites, introduction of ecological approaches for torrent control and number of other activities. Climate change-related assignments are mainly focused on establishing a comprehensive knowledge management information base tailored to the WB needs and empowerment of the key stakeholders and experts in incorporating the climate considerations into respective planning and decision-making processes. Various activities within projects provide guidance to national governments at various levels, and actively engage in and facilitate the ongoing dialogue between the civil society, the private sector, and governmental authorities, on environmental issues and gender equality aspects. Besides the above-mentioned GEF portfolio, the coordinator will contribute to the work on the initiatives in the Western Balkan region, such as the CABAMCA project “Enhancing the conservation of flagship migratory mammal species of Central Asia through climate change-informed management and decision making” and the BAMCA project “Building subregional intergovernmental partnerships for enhanced environmental dimension of Pillar V of the Green Agenda for Western Balkans Action Plan”, and in communication with WB local authorities and organizations, will coordinate the development of new project ideas pertaining to the WB portfolio key thematic aspects. UNEP assistance to the Western Balkan sub region is growing and as such there is an increasing necessity for a Western Balkan Projects Coordinator. The coordinator will work with national officers and consultants that are assisting in project execution and strengthening the UNEP’s presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia, Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244/99). Further on, the coordinator will work with a wide range of partners, international organizations, national and sub-national governments, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and civil society to coordinate execution of the current GEF portfolio, other ongoing initiatives (such as the CABAMCA I&II projects), as well as development of new initiatives. The coordinator is expected to contribute to and provide inputs in the work of the UNCT/RCO work in North Macedonia and other WB countries (when needed). Specific tasks and responsibilities: To support the Western Balkans Portfolio, the consultant will perform the following activities and services under the supervision of the Head of UNEP - Vienna Programme Office: i) Coordinate the execution of the GEF Projects in North Macedonia and Albania, through:  Overall technical lead and coordination of the implementation of projects’ activities and ensure technical soundness of the implementation,  Coordinate and facilitate the implementation of the GEF6 and GEF7 projects in North Macedonia, GEF7 project in Albania (work plans, facilitate communication with the national executing entities, relevant stakeholders and national counterparts, expert meetings, conclusion of contracts, monitoring and reporting, exchange of experiences and knowledge),  Coordinate the implementation of the remaining activities under the GEF/STAR5 project (namely Red Lists update, promotional activities),  Prepare projects’ expenditure reports, co-finance reports, non-expendable equipment reports and narrative, progress reports, as per projects’ requirements and needs,  Overseeing and providing directions for quality assurance of the main projects’ deliverables to achieve alignment with the projects and countries’ needs and requirements within the scope of the WB portfolio,  Overseeing the implementation of the GEF portfolio to ensure alignment with GEF and UN rules and regulations,  Facilitate the mid-term and terminal projects evaluations [mainly GEF6 SLM Macedonian Project (MTR/TE); STAR5 Macedonian project (TE); GEF C/MPA Montenegrin Project (TE)],  Facilitate the organization and participate in the Project Steering Committee meetings,  Participation and contribution to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc.,  Participation in field missions, including provision of substantive support, data collection, etc.,  Representing UNEP Vienna Programme Office in relevant meetings, advocating for the agency's position, and preparing and presenting outreach materials,  Participate in UN Resident Coordinators’ Offices/UN Country Team working activities in North Macedonia (and when needed, in Montenegro or other WB countries),  Mainstreaming of Multilateral Environmental Agreements and UNEP Programme of Work in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), Common Country Analyzes and other related policy documents within the UN WB portfolio. ii) Coordinate the “Early Action Support activities in North Macedonia”, entailing the following:  Together with MOEPP, facilitate the establishment and organization of the Project Steering Committee meetings and technical meetings,  Handling due diligence procedure (if necessary) and drafting Terms of Reference for hiring the selected local partner,  Overseeing and providing direction for the work of the local partner in accordance with the signed agreement and in consultation with the Macedonian Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning,  Monitoring the project implementation and ensuring timely completion of activities and deliverables at the national level,  Prepare progress/implementation reports, as well as periodic financial reports, in close cooperation with UNEP and the Ministry,  Facilitate innovative multi-stakeholder partnerships, networks and partnerships with international and national organizations, as well as exchange of information on initiatives and best practices. iii) Coordinate the implementation of the CABAMCA and BAMCA II projects, entailing the following:  Drafting Terms of Reference for hiring the selected local partners for implementation of the planned activities and drafting agreements, when necessary,  Overseeing and providing direction for the work to the local partners in accordance with the signed agreements,  Collect inputs from the UNEP local teams to contribute to compiling a Summary report/assessment of the alignment of the NBSAPs with GBF for the WB economies, including updates from the latest EU Progress reports on the countries and other new/ongoing initiatives/data (UNEP) (feeding into WB Biodiversity Strategy Plan and WB Nature Restoration Plan under IUCN development lead),  Continuous communication with the Secretariat of the Convention on Migratory Species and Bern Convention with regards to the development of the Balkan lynx range-wide strategy,  Coordinate the expert team in development and delivery of the Balkan lynx strategy,  Liaison with the Secretariat and the range countries’ focal points on the inputs and endorsement of the strategy,  Inputs during the stakeholders’ mapping and training needs assessment,  Facilitate the organization and participate in the Kyrgyz study visit to the Balkans and the Balkan study visit to Kyrgyzstan between May and September 2025,  Coordinate the development of the Capacity Building Training Programme (under the BAMCA third component) and the organization of the training modules with the engaged local partners, experts, national and other relevant stakeholders,  Monitoring the project implementation and ensuring timely completion of activities and deliverables,  Prepare progress/implementation reports, as well as periodic financial reports, in consultation and according to the rules of the donor,  Facilitate innovative multi-stakeholder and gender-balanced partnerships and networks with international and national organizations, scientific institutions, as well as exchange of information on initiatives and best practices. iv) Contribute to development of project proposals/documentation, mainly inputs for:  Coordinate the implementation of the Project preparatory phase for the GEF8 Transboundary BD project between Albania and North Macedonia (including communication with relevant stakeholders); GEF8 national project proposals on biodiversity and sustainable land management in North Macedonia; Exchange of experiences and suggestion of project activities during the development of the BD/PAs GEF8 project for Ukraine, as well as inputs in development of other project concepts and proposals (GEF and other donors). Qualifications/special skills• At least seven years of experience in cross-cultural project management (design and implementation), with proven track record of achieving results, in particular concerning natural resources management, environmental information management, capacity development etc. is required, • Minimum of seven years of experience in development of project concepts and implementation of GEF projects is required, Demonstrated experience in project management, including planning, execution, monitoring, and reporting, is essential. • Demonstrated experience in engaging with institutional donors, coordinating and facilitating communication with international partners, and managing operational activities involving relevant stakeholders is essential. • Prior experience working with academic or governmental institutions is an asset. • Familiarity with the Western Balkan region and previous work experience in these countries is highly desirable. • Excellent time-management, outstanding written and oral communication skills, excellent work ethic and interpersonal skills, • Ability and flexibility to travel and respond to additional requirements. Languages• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. In addition, knowledge of languages from the Western Balkan region is considered a strong asset. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.