Africa Regional Research - Monitoring and Evaluation Manager

Position Overview:

The Africa Research Monitoring & Evaluation (RM&E) Manager’s primary responsibility is to provide strategic direction, technical guidance, and on-the-ground support to RM&E projects taking place in Africa, and secondarily support global RM&E strategies and initiatives. The Manager provides support and assistance to Room to Read’s Country Office teams in South Africa and Tanzania, and Global Office staff based in Africa. The Manager will also take a lead role in research and technical assistance activities in Rwanda.

 

This position is based in Kigali, Rwanda, Pretoria, South Africa or Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, depending upon where the successful applicant is currently based, and is legally eligible to work. This position requires frequent travel to countries in Africa where Room to Read operates. The desired start date for this position is March 1, 2018.

 

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Travel regularly to provide hands-on support and coaching to Country Office colleagues on the implementation of research and evaluation projects.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data, synthesize findings, and write summary reports.
• Provide technical support to Country Office colleagues on research design.
• Support Country Offices in strengthening their program monitoring systems, and effectively communicating and utilizing data for program improvement.
• Train and mentor Country Office RME staff to develop the necessary knowledge and skill sets to run methodologically strong evaluations and research studies.
• Work with Global, Regional, and Country Office colleagues to identify research needs and develop research designs and proposals. Contribute to global research, monitoring and evaluation strategies and operational plans.
• Stay informed about research and trends in education and in research and evaluation to inform our strategy accordingly.
• Identify and build a regional professional network to increase collaboration with organizations engaged in research, monitoring and evaluation in programmatic areas aligned with Room to Read’s focus.
• Represent Room to Read’s research, monitoring and evaluation work in external forums such as conferences, government and community meetings, etc.

Qualifications and Experience:

 

Required:

• Master’s degree in a related field (e.g. education, social sciences, economics)
• A minimum of 7 years of professional experience, with at least 3 years of experience (based internationally or in-country) leading research, monitoring and evaluation activities in low income countries, including designing and managing data collection efforts
• Strong technical competence in research, monitoring and evaluation methods
• Strong analytical and writing skills, as demonstrated by the ability to produce high quality reports
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, with proven ability to work with data software packages such as Stata/SPSS/SAS and qualitative data analysis software such as NVivo
• Experience with digital data collection platforms and protocols
• Ability to travel frequently within Africa
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English
• Prior experience living and/or working in one or more African countries
• Prior experience living and/or working in rural areas
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish productive working relationships both internally and externally
• Familiarity with measurement strategies for early grade reading and life skills preferred
• Compensation:
• Room to Read offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, fun, and rapidly growing organization that is changing the world through literacy and gender equality in education.

APPLY:

 

https://osv-rtr.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/RoomToRead/job/Global-Office-Africa---Pretoria/Africa-Regional-Research--Monitoring-and-Evaluation-Manager_R-00421 . You can also go to our website at roomtoread.org and click on the careers section for more information.

Research Associate – Pan African University

Research Associate – Pan African University (Re-advertised)

POSITION: PSA

REFERENCE NO.: 2017/UNU/EHS/PSA/RA/105

LOCATION: Tlemcen, Algeria

Timezone: UTC +1

CLOSING DATE: 2017•12•14

United Nations University Objectives:

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars, engaged in research, postgraduate teaching and capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States. For more information.

The United Nations University Vice-Rectorate in Europe (UNU-ViE):

UNU-ViE concentrates on relationships between advancing science and technology for human security. In addition to its scientific core mandate, it administers the central units providing service to UNU entities in Bonn.The central administration units include Finance, Human Resources, Information Communication Technology, Communication Services, Procurement and General Administration. These units also assist with the administration of new UNU initiatives in Europe and Africa. For more information on the organization, please visit the following websites: www.vie.unu.edu 

PACET (Pan African Cooperation and Educational Technologies) :

aims to strengthen research, educational and institutional capacities of UNU-EHS in Africa. The program fosters the cooperation between UNUs and African institutions in higher education, research, policy and practice to develop innovative methods and appropriated solutions to address challenges particularly in the frame of the Agenda 2063 of the African Union and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The cooperation with the Pan African University as culmination of continental initiatives of the African Union Commission to revitalize higher education and research in Africa represents a main aspect of the programme. The programme particularly supports the institutional development of the Pan African University Institute for Water and Energy Sciences (incl. Climate Change – PAUWES) in Algeria by enhancing its teaching and research activities in water, energy and climate change thanks numerous projects (Water and Energy Security in Africa – WESA; Risk Assessment and Reduction strategies for Sustainable Urban Resource Supply in Sub-Saharan Africa – RARSUS; Higher Education Cooperation with PAUWES, etc.).

The Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Sciences (including Climate Change) (PAUWES):

PAUWES is hosted at the University of Tlemcen, Algeria. The institute is part of the Pan African University – a project initiated by the African Union to revitalize higher education and research in Africa. It is a project that will exemplify excellence, enhance the attractiveness and global competitiveness of African higher education and research, and establish the Pan African University at the core of Africa’s development as part of a broad, integrated system of higher education across the African continent.

Germany supports as the „Key Thematic Partner“ of the Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Sciences (PAUWES) the establishment of the PAU hub in Tlemcen. The support is based on a trilateral agreement between the African Union Commission (AUC), the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS) and the Federal Republic of Germany. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is supporting PAUWES in founding the research dimension of the institute.

In the frame of the projects “Water and Energy Security in Africa (WESA)” and “Risk Assessment and Reduction strategies for Sustainable Urban Resource Supply in Sub-Saharan Africa (RARSUS)” aims to support the development of PAUWES by enhancing its research activities in water and energy sciences. Results of the projects are the first steps towards the implementation of a research agenda at PAUWES. Support of young scientists plays a central role in the PAUWES research agenda with the goal to develop and implement scientific results.

Beside the institutional and scientific objectives, the integration of PAUWES into scientific networks and the establishment of PAUWES as Pan African (and beyond) hub/platform on the topic of Energy, Water and Climate Change is another important objective of the project.

For the creation of a favorable research environment and the coordination of research projects/activities, PAUWES has established this position funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the research associate position announced is to support the PAUWES research coordinator in his activities.

Responsibilities:
Under the overall authority of the Director of UNU-EHS / Vice-Rector in Europe, and the co-supervision of the Director of PAUWES and the research coordinator at PAUWES the successful candidate will:

• Support activity for the implementation of the research agenda at PAUWES
• Support to the creation the appropriate framework for research at PAUWES, which includes the establishment of the legal framework for research at PAUWES (PAU statutes)
• support the integration PAUWES in African and international research networks
• Support the development of PhD Programmes of PAUWES
• Support the development of concepts for the acquisition of third party funding
• Support capacities building activities in the area of research management
• Organise scientific meetings, seminars and conferences
• Support outreach activities to relevant stakeholders in research and research policy
• Prepare status and management reports and other information as required by the donors
• Take up other related duties as required.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements:

• Master degree with minimum of two (2) years of working experience in environmental sciences, natural sciences, research or educational management preferably in an international and multi-cultural environment Experience in networking with research and research policy stakeholders
• Administrative and financial management skills
• Ability to build good working relationships with individuals of different national and cultural backgrounds
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to approach relevant stakeholders, team leaders and donors
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French
• Working experience in Africa
• Willingness to be based in Tlemcen

Applications from suitably qualified women candidates are particularly encouraged.

Remuneration:

Remuneration will commensurate with qualifications and experience, using local salary scales for Algeria as a basis.

Duration of Contract:

This is a full-time employment on a one (1) year Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory work performance and availability of funds, with the combined duration of appointments not exceeding six (6) years.

This is a locally recruited post and no relocation allowances apply. The duty station for this position is Tlemcen, Algeria, which is deemed as a non-family duty station. The successful candidate will be employed under a local contract and will not hold international civil servant status nor is he/she a “staff member” as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations.

Starting Date:
As soon as possible

To apply:

Interested applicants should submit their applications by e-mail (to hrbonn@vie.unu.edu), and must include the following:

• A cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position;
• A curriculum vitae and a completed and signed unu personal history (p.11) form downloadable from the unu website. Please avoid using similar forms provided by other united nations organizations;
• An indication of the reference number of the vacancy announcement (2017/unu/ehs/psa/ra/105).

Note: Those applicants who had applied for the initial announcement must apply once again if they are still interested in the position.

Brand Engagement Manager at Oxfam International

Dependent on location, Oxfam International is unable to guarantee a work permit for this position.

 

One person in three in the world lives in poverty. Oxfam is determined to change that world by mobilizing the power of people against poverty.

 

Around the world, Oxfam works to find practical, innovative ways for people to lift themselves out of poverty and thrive. We save lives and help rebuild livelihoods when crisis strikes. And we campaign so that the voices of the poor influence the local and global decisions that affect them. In all we do, Oxfam works with partner organizations and alongside vulnerable women and men to end the injustices that cause poverty.

 

Oxfam is an international confederation of 20 organizations networked together in more than 90 countries, as part of a global movement for change, to build a future free from the injustice of poverty. The Oxfam International Secretariat is currently headquartered in Oxford, with advocacy and campaigns offices in Washington DC, New York, Brussels, Geneva, and a liaison office with the Africa Union in Addis Ababa.

 

This post will be part of the Oxfam International Brand team and based in the Public Engagement department.

 

The Role

 

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty. Critical to achieving our goal is inspiring people to be part of that. Oxfam International is looking for a Brand Engagement Manager who will help make Oxfam’s work famous, motivating people to join and participate. This new, exciting role will help develop and implement the global brand strategy, collect and share audience insights, and work with Oxfam countries and project teams to increase brand awareness, understanding, affection and the intention to support.

 

We are looking for an outstanding branding professional who has the ability to deploy her/his experience in branding to support and advise Oxfam countries and teams. The successful candidate has significant experience in digital first brand management and brand engagement, has experience with trend analysis and audience research, and has a deep understanding of digital brand building techniques in various cultures and markets, in particular in the global south. Exceptional influencing skills are essential to the job – the ability to achieve agreed goals and to drive change without direct authority or budget. Fluency in English is required and competence in French and/or Spanish is desirable.

 

How to apply

 

To view the job description and for information on how to apply please go to the Oxfam International Website, found at: https://recruitment.oxfam.org/  

Pan-African Governance Advisor for EC PANAF Project

ActionAid Denmark seeks an experienced regional Pan-African Governance Advisor, who would be an important member of the core project management team for the EC funded Pan-African project “Mobilizing Civil Society Support for Implementation of the African Governance Architecture”.  The project is led by AADK and implemented in eight ActionAid countries by ActionAid country offices and with regional partners from the CSO media fraternity.

 

The project is aiming to develop a Citizen’s Report methodology bringing together results from community scorecards; citizen perception data (Afrobarometer); and legal analysis into national and regional overviews on implementation. The Advisor would play a key role in advising on development and implementation of this methodology as well as subsequent advocacy at national, regional and continental levels.  A significant focus is to train and build capacity of the ActionAid national offices and partners within this methodology as well as support advocacy.

 

Specific objectives: 

• Develop tools and guidelines that allow the AA offices to be confident in implementing the Citizen Report methodology at national level
• Providing coaching and capacity building to ensure that partners feel confident and are independently engaging effectively in advocacy activities  at national, regional and international levels.
• Mentor partners and support development of training curricula that they can utilise to deliver training to other CSOs on advocacy to implement the ACDEG (the African Charter on Democracy, Elections & Governance).
• Develop guidelines to support regional implementation partners to successfully advocate for the implementation of the ACDEG and more effectively buildg CSO alliances at regional level for advocacy on ACDEG especially with governance, youth and women’s rights oriented CSOs 

Key result areas:

 

The Advisor’s support will help to ensure: 

• A methodology guide has been developed for producing national Citizen’s Reports on implementation of the ACDEG and revised to reflect lessons-learned
• Coaching is provided to AA offices on implementation of Citizen’s Report methodology, especially legal analysis and Community Scorecard approaches
• Training curriculum has been developed for ½ day, 1 day, and 2 day versions of introduction to advocacy for implementation of the ACDEG, and programme staff in all 8 AA offices familiarized with training contextualization and delivery
• All partners have confidently developed and implemented their own campaign and advocacy strategy and are engaged in concrete advocacy activities.
• At least 4 tangible and realistic advocacy initiatives have been carried out in cooperation between two or more partners by December 2018
• Regional implementing partners have contextualized training courses for CSOs on ACDEG
• Regional implementing partners have provided regional reports and briefing materials on implementation of ACDEG
• AU level advocacy events and knowledge products have been informed by Technical briefing on evidence and issues regarding ACDEG implementation
• Lesson learned and best practices related to the implementation of the AGA and Citizen Report methodology have been developed and distributed
• Tangible advocacy strategies and linkages between local, national and international levels have been implemented 

Required qualifications: 

• At least 5 years of experience working on governance programming and/or advocacy in Africa
• Extensive field experience in capacity building and an in-depth knowledge of governance trends and preferable in the areas of electoral accountability, civil political rights in a cross section of African countries
• Application of human rights based approach to development and theoretical knowledge in the design, management and support of complex, multi-disciplinary capacity building programmes involving various stakeholders
• Demonstrated abilities and contributions to participatory monitoring tools, policy guideline formulation, coalition building, team building and advocacy, preferably in the NGO sector
• Demonstrated abilities and contributions to policy and guideline formulation, organizational capacity development and advisory support, preferably in an INGO sector
• Experience in working with partners in different intervention levels and a partnership approach 

Personal qualifications: 

• Strong negotiation and advocacy skills
• Cultural sensitivity
• Patient, flexible and approachable
• Resistance to adversity
• Diplomacy and respect
• Track record of developing strong working relationships across organizational boundaries with a wide variety of CSO actors and government representatives
• Ability to work independently and adapt to easily to different situations
• Excellent skills at working in distributed international teams, including communicating appropriately combining face to face, videoconferencing, emails, social media effectively
• Pro-activeness.
• Strong sense of solidarity and commitment to development issues.
• Ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure. 

Application procedure and deadline:

 

Forward a letter of motivation and an updated CV (totalling no more than 4 pages) by email to advisor1@ms.dk with a subject line Ref: Pan-African Governance Advisor. The application package should not exceed 2 MBs.

 

Deadline for application submission is:  December 12th, 2017

 

Contract start is subject to approval of work and residence permit, which can be a lengthy process. Therefore, the expected start date is 1st February 2018. The assignment is for 24 months, with the possibility for renewal.

 

Estimated recruitment process: 

• 13th December: Shortlisted candidates are contacted
• 15th December: Skype interviews with shortlisted candidates
• 18th December: Second round Skype interviews with two final candidates 

Due to the large number of applications received for these positions, it is not possible to provide feedback for all applications. Therefore, only shortlisted candidates will be notified at each stage of the recruitment process. If you have not received any reply to your application by 23rd December, then you should consider yourself unsuccessful for this position.

 

More information:

 

A comprehensive job description is available for download at: www.actionaid.org The job description includes thorough information about the job content, basic salary, and background for the placement. All interested candidates are strongly recommended to go through the detailed job description before applying. For more information on the People4Change program, please visit the ActionAid Denmark website: www.ms.dk

 

The Advisor is placed through ActionAid Denmark’s People4Change program; a people-to-people programme providing development support to ActionAid Country Programs and their partner organisations. People4Change is a cross-national program, aiming at building tolerance, respect and expertise across cultures and borders.

 

For practical questions related the advertised position, please contact: Dorte Tietze, Senior Programme Manager ActionAid Denmark, dti@ms.dk   

Project Manager - Wonegizi REDD+ Project

Project Manager, Wonegizi REDD+ Project, Liberia

Fauna & Flora International

 

Salary: Negotiable, depending on skills and experience

 

Start Date: As soon as possible

 

End Date: 31 December 2020

 

Location: Monrovia, Liberia

 

Founded in 1903, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) is the world’s longest established international conservation organisation. Our vision is to create a sustainable future for the planet where biodiversity is conserved by the people living closest to it. We aim to do this through the conservation of threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science and take account of human needs. We have become a trusted entity in the world of conservation. Today FFI is active in over 40 countries.

 

FFI is seeking a qualified candidate to manage a substantial project funded by Norad. The project is one of the most ambitious agricultural extension and transformation programmes undertaken by FFI to date, and will pioneer innovation in the long-term financing of conservation efforts in Liberia. At its core is a focus on uniting the conservation and development agendas within and around an area of significant importance for biodiversity – a substantial area of the remaining Upper Guinean Forest ecosystem in Liberia.

 

The vision and impact of the project extends beyond the immediate project area, and informs the development of national policy processes that support replication of community and biodiversity-centred approaches to forest conservation throughout the country. The project illustrates a truly cross-cutting and collaborative approach to delivery, both within FFI and with partners and stakeholders in Liberia. Within FFI the Conservation Finance & Enterprise and Liberia Programmes provide strategic and operational leadership. With such a complex project, core to its success will be the collaborative nature by which it is managed and delivered. In particular, the Project Manager will need to ensure the project is delivering on a range of priorities within the organisation, with a strong focus on building internal and external relationships through trust and cooperation.

 

You will have strong technical skills in relevant aspects of conservation and sustainable land-use management and/ or sustainable agriculture, and have a strong proven track record in managing large-scale sustainable development or conservation projects, with requisite operational, project, grant and financial management skills. Strong leadership and people management skills are essential to the role to ensure a professional and motivated team that delivers effectively against project aims, objectives and timelines. You will excel in working across a diverse and dispersed team of technical specialist building positive relationships. In particular you will establish good working relationships with relevant Government of Liberia partners, including Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Liberia Lands Authority (LLA) as well as other government institutions such as the Ministry of Agriculture.

 

This position is based in FFI’s office in Monrovia, Liberia with regular domestic travel to Lofa County as needed, and international travel as required (including regular travel to FFI’s head office in Cambridge, UK). In return, the role offers the opportunity to work within a ground-breaking and entrepreneurial organisation, at the forefront of global conservation.

 

For further details and to apply please visit: http://www.fauna-flora.org/about/jobs/

 

The closing date for applications is Sunday 7 January 2018.

Regional Business Manager - Sudano-Sahel Region

Wildlife Conservation Society Regional Business Manager, Sudano-Sahel Region   Reports to the Regional Director of Sudano-Sahel Region. Secondary report to the Deputy Director of Finance & Administration of the Africa Program. This position will involve regular travel to WCS Country Offices within the region (including Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia)) approximately 30% of time. It is preferred that the position is based out of the WCS office in Nairobi, Kenya.    SUMMARY OF POSITION FUNCTION:   The main purpose of this role will be to oversee the budget and finances of the region, and to provide direct support to the Regional Director in managing the operations  of the Regional Program. The Regional Business Manager will continually assess and document the financial health of the Regional Program,  develop both short and long term financial plans for the Region, and work with the Regional Director and associated Country Program staff on grant management and fundraising. S/he regularly provides reports for management in the region and headquarters.   PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: Financial Management and Planning: Ensure Regional Director has the financial information they require to manage and fundraise for the Region; Provide monthly key performance indicators for each country and all multi-country grants; Work with Regional Controller to resolve any issues with finances in the Region; Annual presentation of short and long term financial plans for each country with detailed variance analysis on prior plans; Report regularly to headquarters about the financial state of the Region.  Budget Leadership: Manage and maintain the Regional Program budget; Lead the annual WCS budgeting process for all countries in the Region; Responsible for working with Country Finance teams to understand and report on full program costs; Serve as the budget lead for regional grants; Review country budget adjustments, budget to actual reports, and ensure regular and timely budget updates. Proposal Review: Working in coordination with NY grant departments,contribute to the development of and approve all proposal budgets from the Region – ensure budgets are covering costs and are contributing to strengthening the Regional Program; ensure budgets are in line with long-term financial plan for the Region; ensure budgets are developed in compliance with WCS policies and undergo appropriate reviews.  Grant Management: Ensure regional grant administration is on track; Coordinate preparation of financial reports for regional grants; Review and approve grant financial reports prepared by Country Programs; Support Country Programs in understanding WCS grant management processes, systems, tools and donor compliance requirements.   People Management: Work with Regional Director to manage regional staffing; Oversee HR issues in the Region; Support the recruitment and training of grant/finance/administration staff as needed.  Fund Raising:  Work with the Regional Director and Country Directors in the region to design, develop and implement fundraising strategy for the region.  Perform other duties as determined by the Regional Director.  POSITION REQUIREMENTS:   The successful candidate must have strong interpersonal skills and display evidence of good leadership, business partnering and influencing skills. S/He must have excellent written and oral communication skills and be comfortable participating both as an effective contributor, leader and listener in group settings. S/He must be well organized, self-motivated, resourceful, effective and efficient at coordinating multiple resources to get things done, with attention to detail; can work on multiple tasks at multiple levels and switch between them; can foresee and plan around obstacles. Bachelor degree required, MBA preferred. Related program of study such as finance, accounting, economics or business highly preferred. Proven financial management experience in an international organization (5+ years) including staff management experience. Effective “roll up the sleeves” work ethic; Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse team. Must be solution-oriented, and have strong problem solving and analytical skills. English fluency and a strong working knowledge of French are required Excellent computer and systems skills required with respect to MS Office applications (advanced skills in MS Excel required) and major financial accounting and reporting software (SAP or equivalent) Experience with grants management and grant reporting in a multi-funder environment required (experience with USAID, USFWS, EU, KfW, GEF and others a benefit). Strong problem solving and analytical skills and the ability to creatively contribute to thinking on regional issues Self-motivated and organized with attention to detail Must be solution oriented with excellent leadership and interpersonal skills Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse team, with attention to mentorship and professional development of finance staff  Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications, should apply by sending an application letter and CV together with the names and contact information of three references to the addresses below not later than December 31, 2017. Please include “Sudano Sahel Business Manager” in the subject line of your email. Send to: sclark@wcs.org and pelkan@wcs.org. Candidates must also apply online via the WCS career portal by searching job title at: http://www.wcs.org/about-us/careers. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Regional Technical Specialist for Ecosystems and Biodiversity

Title: Regional Technical Specialist for Ecosystems and Biodiversity

 

Job ID: 13266

Practice Area - Job Family: Poverty Reduction - ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY, Environment and Energy - ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY

 

Vacancy End Date: 10/12/2017 (Midnight New York, USA)

 

Time Left :8d 23h 2m

Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

 

Education & Work Experience: I-Master's Level Degree - 5 year(s) experience

Languages

Required: English

 

Desired: French, Portuguese

 

Grade: P3

 

Vacancy Type: FTA International

 

Posting Type: External

 

Bureau: Development Policy

 

Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension

 

Background

 

The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has corporate responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan.  BPPS’s staff provides technical advice to Country Offices; advocates UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogue initiatives, South-South and Triangular cooperation initiatives and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. 

 

The Cluster on Sustainable Development focuses on integrating UNDP’s economic, social and environmental work into a coherent sustainable development policy and programming framework. It seeks to provide an integrated package of services covering all strands of sustainable development, including on integrated development planning and inclusive and sustainable growth, sustainable livelihoods and economic recovery in post crisis situations and natural capital and the environment.

 

Based in UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, Sustainable development Cluster, the UNDP-Global Environmental Finance Unit (UNDP – GEF Unit) has as objective to help countries achieve the simultaneous eradication of poverty and significant reduction of inequalities and exclusion by assisting Country Offices in accessing environmental finance for sustainable development. This objective is achieved through five inter-related areas of work: (i) sustainable management of ecosystem goods and services; (ii) scaling up of climate change adaptation and mitigation; (iii) sustainable, affordable and accessible energy services; (iv) sustainable management of chemicals and waste; and (v) improved water and ocean governance. These areas of work are fully aligned with the four environmental outputs of the UNDP Strategic Plan.

 

UNDP is an accredited implementing entity for the following environmental vertical funds: (i) the funds managed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF): the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund (GEF TF), the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF); (ii) the Adaptation Fund (AF); and (iii) the Green Climate Fund (GCF). As an Implementing Agency for these funds, UNDP offers countries highly specialized technical services for eligibly assessment, programme/project formulation, due diligence, mobilization of required co-financing, project implementation oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based payments and knowledge management.

 

The UNDP – GEF Unit is organized into five substantive technical teams corresponding to the five areas of work above. Each area of work is led by a Principal (PTA) or Senior Technical Advisor (STA), who supports and guides a team of Regional Technical Advisors and Specialists (RTAs/RTAs).  The regional teams are based in regional hubs (Addis Ababa, Istanbul, Bangkok, and Panama) from where they support UNDP’s country offices and partners in their region. As well as being a member of a technical team, each RTA/RTS is also a member of a regional team, which consists of RTAs/RTSs from all technical teams working together under the leadership of a UNDP – GEF Regional Team Leader (RTL). 

 

UNDP’s work in Ecosystems and Biodiversity has as an overall strategic objective to maintain and enhance the goods and services provided by biodiversity and ecosystems in order to secure livelihoods, food, water and health, enhance resilience, conserve threatened species and their habitats, and increase carbon storage and sequestration. The value of all UNDP-managed biodiversity and ecosystems projects currently in planning or under implementation is US$1.6 billion, with UNDP supporting 132 countries to access Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other vertical funds’ grant finance for biodiversity conservation, combating Land Degradation, Sustainable Forest Management, and ecosystem-based mitigation and adaptation, and to combine this with domestic and bilateral sources of finance.  Through this project portfolio UNDP provides support to countries’ work in three programming areas: (i) Integrating biodiversity and ecosystem management into development planning and production sector activities; (ii) unlocking the potential of protected areas, including indigenous and community conserved areas to contribute towards sustainable development; and (iii) managing and rehabilitating ecosystems for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

 

RTSs have global responsibilities in their area of specialized technical expertise but are deployed from Regional Hubs, normally close to the countries to which they provide most support. The RTS for Ecosystems and Biodiversity works under the overall supervision of the UNDP-GEF STA on Ecosystems and Biodiversity.  RTSs have a secondary line of reporting to the Regional Practice or Team Leaders for the countries to which they provide support. The RTS will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and is expected to travel frequently. RTSs may be periodically redeployed, in accordance with capability, consent, and due process, to a different regional hub as needed.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

 

The Regional Technical Specialist for Ecosystems and Biodiversity is primarily responsible for providing technical, policy, and programming implementation support and oversight, and knowledge and capacity development services pertaining to the work of the Ecosystems and Biodiversity signature programmes to UNDP country offices, working with other UN agencies, governments and inter-governmental organizations, NGO’s, donors, the private sector and many others.  Specific results are expected in the areas of:

 

Innovation, Strategic Leadership, Policy Dialogue and Advocacy

• Contributing to a strategic understanding of, and engagement with, the substantive technical issues, institutions, and processes within the region, including establishing contact and developing strategic partnerships with other agencies, donors, NGO’s, the private sector, scientific institutions and the like;
• Participating in the development and implementation of UNDP’s global and regional strategies on environment and sustainable development;
• Providing policy development support and guidance;
• Supporting the development of strategic UNDP policy position papers and internal briefing notes;
• Facilitating policy analysis and the development of technical tools and guidance;
• Maintain a trusted leadership role amongst the countries served;
• Keeping the Regional Practice/Team Leader and other RTAs serving the same countries informed of trends and issues with respect to the substantive technical area;
• Keeping the Principal Technical Advisors informed of trends and issues in the countries served.

Key result:  New strategic opportunities for UNDP are realized, UNDP’s technical focus is leading edge and innovative, UNDP has strong partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, UNDP has a trusted leadership role in the technical area of expertise.

 

Portfolio Management

• Assisting in the maintenance of programme/project and portfolio information and corporate information systems;
• Facilitating the identification, and sourcing of technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports.

Key result:  Portfolio of programmes/projects managed efficiently and effectively.  UNDP recognized as providing outstanding programme and project oversight and supervision support.

 

Resource Mobilization

• Supporting programme and project identification and development
• Providing timely and quality information and technical advice on sources of funds, policies, priorities and activities;
• Identifying and suggesting to the STA priorities and entry-points for UNDP assistance;
• Facilitating the process of preparation, design, submission and approval of programme/project concepts and full-fledged proposals for financing;
• Providing guidance and support in the identification and sourcing of technical expertise and support including assisting with the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts and reviewing reports;
• Liaising with potential financing agencies and institutions.

Key result:  Resources are mobilized in support of developing country clients as a consequence of the identification, development and funding of high technical quality and results based programmes and projects in line with country priorities and UNDP strategic priorities.

 

Development Impact

• Assisting with inception, contracting and start up of programmes/projects including establishment of indicators, benchmarks and work plans;
• Supporting UNDP country offices and programme/project implementation partners in supervision, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, troubleshooting and adaptive management.

Key result:  UNDP programmes and projects consistently deliver high quality, high impact development results.

 

Learning, Knowledge Management and Self Development

• Evaluating, capturing, codifying, synthesizing lessons and stimulating the uptake of best practices and knowledge, including the development of knowledge materials;
• Peer reviewing, commenting on, and seeking to improve the technical quality of programmes/projects, policies, practices, guidelines, advisory notes, publications and the like;
• Contributing to the preparation of regional Community of Practice meetings;
• Preparing and delivering training courses;
• Responding to queries on programme/project progress, impacts and lessons;
• Developing and carrying out a personal learning plan.

Key result:  UNDP recognized as a learning and knowledge management organization.

 

Competencies

Core

 

Innovation

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership

• Ability to persuade others to follow.

People Management

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.

Technical/Functional

 

Biodiversity and Ecosystems Management

• Knowledge of conservation, sustainable use and access and benefit sharing of biodiversity, land, forests and oceans and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Partnership

• Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.

Resource mobilization

• Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources to support initiatives at the national and regional levels for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management.

Program Planning and Design

• Develop programmes and projects through a process.

Sustainable development

• Knowledge of sustainable development concepts, principles and issues and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations, covering the economic, social and environmental dimensions.

Knowledge Management

• Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

Gender issues and analysis

• Knowledge of gender issues and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations, including analysis of projects from a gender perspective.

Results-based management

• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results.

Environmental Issues

• Knowledge of environment issues, concept and principles and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Natural Resource Management

• Knowledge of NRM concepts, principles and policies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Economics

• Knowledge of economics concepts, principles and policies and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Development Planning

• Knowledge of development planning processes and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations.

Advocacy and Representation

• Ability to productively share UNDP knowledge and activities (at UN and other venues).

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Knowledge of methodologies, tools, systems and apply practical experience in planning, monitoring, evaluating and reporting.

Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize, motivate, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Technical

• Ability to provide guidance on biodiversity and ecosystem management, and where relevant, on sustainable land and forest management.  Ability to guide the design and implementation of multi-sectoral and sectoral programmes and projects at different scales, and to work with multiple stakeholders across a wide range of disciplines.

Required Skills and Experience

 

Education

• Master’s degree or higher in ecology, biology, environmental sciences, economics, social sciences with a specialization in environment and development, or other closely related field.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience working with developing countries on natural resource management/governance, ecosystem management and/or biodiversity conservation themes;
• Experience working on supporting developing countries to address biodiversity loss, and forest, land, and ecosystem degradation within the context of multilateral environmental agreements (i.e. CBD and UNCCD) is an advantage;
• Experience in the policy development processes in ecosystem management, biodiversity conservation and natural resource governance;
• Experience working with developing countries on ecosystem-based mitigation and adaptation to climate change and resilience building an advantage;
• Experience with conceptualizing and developing projects and programmes in line with the biodiversity, land degradation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation of multilateral funding agencies such as Global Environment Facility is an advantage;
• Experience in project management (direct experience an advantage) and guiding project implementation and management;
• Experience developing and maintaining strategic partnerships;
• Experience in facilitation and coordination;
• Full computer literacy;
• Experience working in Africa is an advantage;
• Working experience in an international organization is an advantage, as is knowledge of UNDP policies, procedures and practices.

Language Requirements

• Excellent knowledge of the English language, with exceptional writing, presentation and communication skills;
• Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an added advantage;
• Proficiency in other UN languages is an asset.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

 

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

 

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

 

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  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.

 

This vacancy announcement will be used to populate a roster of qualified candidates from which future Regional Technical Specialist for Ecosystems and Biodiversity assignments will be drawn. Kindly note that the Roster will consist of internal and external candidates found suitable for Regional Technical Specialist for Ecosystems and Biodiversity Fixed Term Appointments (FTA) at P3 levels. These candidates will have to be endorsed by the UNDP Compliance Review Board (CRB) after having successfully undergone a competitive recruitment process including a thorough technical assessment and a competency based interview. These individuals will be required to complete an application and, if successful, will be considered as “pre-approved” candidates for a duration of up to 3 years.

 

Workforce diversity

 

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

 

Scam warning

 

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

 

Apply at:

 

Regional Technical Specialist for Ecosystems and Biodiversity