Programme Specialist – Global Environment Facility (GEF) Full Time NEW

Background

Globally, UNDP has been a leader in developing and helping apply economic and market-based approaches to address environmental management challenges, through a range of programmes and facilities including the Global Environment Facility (GEF). UNDP’s environment and climate change programming in Ethiopia encompasses biodiversity, climate change (adaptation and mitigation), natural resources management, renewable energy, resilience building and disaster risk reduction, among others. Within these areas, UNDP Ethiopia CO is helping to assess and develop policy options, strengthen implementation capacities and mobilize finance, to support efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and meet obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements. In particular, UNDP seeks to ensure that environmental consideration is integrated into national development strategies and frameworks (mainstreaming). UNDP Ethiopia has become a key partner of the government Of Ethiopia in developing and implementing environment programmes. A sizable portfolio of projects and programmes has been developed since GEF4 over the past18 years.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Team Leader, Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability (CRES) Unit, the Programme Specialist is responsible for supporting the implementation of UNDP Ethiopia’s GEF Programme portfolio. The Programme Specialist leads on and directly administers programme implementation of GEF Programmes through UNDP Ethiopia. S/he also provides support to portfolio in the areas of monitoring, planning and periodic reviews of project progress. S/he oversees the identification implementation challenges; formulate and execute corrective actions to address these; and drives programmatic efficiency in terms of implementation.

The Programme Specialist analyzes the global and national political, social, economic, and environmental trends that impact the formulation, implementation, management, and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio. S/he provides high quality policy and technical advice/services to government counterparts as well as UNCT, UNDP HQ staff and other partners, including donors and civil society. S/he advocates for UN’s and UNDP’s global mandates and priorities related to environment, biodiversity conservation and climate change issues. The Programme Specialist  works as Programme Manager for all GEF funded projects and provides strategic oversight on interventions based on the GEF/UNDP rules and guidelines aimed at promoting Climate Resilience sustainable development as well as to promote green growth strategies in a manner that  ensures greater program coherence between interventions aimed at advancing Climate Resilient Green Economy transformation; and those promoting Climate Resilient Environmental Sustainability, in line with the Country Program Document (CPD) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).

Scope of Work

The overall objective of the role is to provide technical support and oversight to programme/projects implemented via the financial support of the GEF. S/he works in close collaboration with the different programme and Operations Teams, Programme staff in other UN agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society institutions to ensure the successful integration of GEF supported programmes/projects into the CPD, effective resource mobilization, and optimal harmonization and alignment.

Duties and Responsibilities

1) Ensure the implementation of UNDP – GEF strategies, programmes and projects focusing on    the achievement of the following results:

• Identify areas for support and interventions within GEF focus areas;
• Lead the preparation of project ideas/concept note as part of country programme in collaboration with GEF focal point;
• Facilitate the formation of Project Identification Form (PIF) and development of full flagged programme, approval, LOA, co-financing and commencement of programme in collaboration with relevant stakeholders;
• Champion the GEF initiatives and strengthen integration to the CO programmes/projects to access resources, share good practice and promote innovation for best results;
• Support to Head Cluster in coordinating and monitoring implementation of UNSDCF (2026 – 2030) outcomes on environment and sustainable development in partnership with other UN agencies.

2) Management of the country office GEF programme and projects focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation and evaluation phases, achieving the following results:

• Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results;
• Design and formulation of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP’s priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets, and milestones;
• Initiation of a project, presentation of the project to appraisal committee, entering project into quantum; finalization of contribution agreements; determination of required revisions, coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review. Programme Specialist can perform functions of Manager Level 1 in Quantum for POs and vouchers approval. Participates in recruitment process for projects;
• Develop and implement a robust monitoring and evaluation system for project that meets the requirements of the CO, GEF and partners;
• Issuance of AWP, monitor implementation of the work plan and timetable, budget revisions as necessary;
• Financial management – conducting budget revisions, verifying expenditures, advancing funds, issuing combined delivery reports, ensuring no over-expenditure of budget;
• Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, design and implement solutions, participation in audit of NEX projects;
• Aggregate reports including donor reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes;
• Organize project review, such as steering committee meetings, joint monitoring as outlined in project document and agreed with UNDP, implementing partners and GEF;
• Facilitate mid-term and final evaluations -Prepare TOR, hire personnel, plan and facilitate mission/meetings/ debriefing, circulate draft and final reports;
• Ensure full compliance of programme implementation and management process with rules and regulations of both UNDP and GEF (including on risk management, financial due diligence, crucial dashboard/s management, milestones management, etc.).

3) Ensures strategic partnership and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy in collaboration with other unit in the CO, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Strengthen partnership with UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multilateral donors, private sector, civil society organization in the priority thematic areas based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and GEF priorities;
• Secure funding to support activities, events and programmes that promote and support GEF focus areas;
• Develop close working relationship with GEF and other partner and ensure close engagement in initiatives that enhance the global impacts of GEF programmes and contributes towards common goals;
• Organize meetings, seminars, training and public events to support information exchange across different sectors and among partners;
• Analysis information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible area of cooperation identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects;
• Actively contribute to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.

4) Ensures provision of top-quality advisory services and policy support, focusing on the achievement of the following result:

• Provide high level technical support and advise to implementing partners (Government) and other partners of the successful implementation of programmes/projects;
• Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to country policy goals;
• Spearhead the provision of policy advisory services on GEF programme management;
• Advocate and support for the design policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Governmental and other strategic partners;
• Coordinate internal and external reviews of policies and strategies and support the implementation of recommendations.

5) Facilitation and contribution to knowledge building and management.

• Sound contribution to knowledge forums and communities of practice;
• Systematic recording of best practices and lessons learnt in the areas of engagement;
• Participate in national and international networks and events related to his/her portfolio;
• Facilitate and prepare policy, briefs programme analysis and research;
• Organize and facilitate training for CP and partners staff on Environment, GEF programme.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The GEF Programme Specialist will work under the overall guidance and the direct supervision of the Team Leader – CRES Unit, UNDP. The incumbent shall also discharge duties and responsibilities in close collaboration with the different programme and Operations Teams, Programme staff in other UN agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society institutions to ensure the successful integration of GEF supported programmes/projects into the CPD, effective resource mobilization and optimal harmonization and alignment.

Business Management: Communication

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Digital & Innovation: Team design & management

• Ability to create a clear sense of shared purpose while leveraging curiosity, expertise and agency at an individual level.
• Set up and manage team rituals and rhythms that create a safe space for learning and reflection. Foster a positive culture around failure, encourage exploration, experimentation.
• Set the conditions and structures for ‘fluid’ team modelling and distributed leadership enabling the team to continuously develop and renew itself.
• Ability to create synergy between team members with diverse professional and cultural backgrounds, being able to leverage their broad knowledge and skillsets.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in development studies, economics, natural resources management, disaster risk management, or other social sciences or related fields of study is required.
• A first-level university degree in relevant fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressive experience in implementation and management of multi-donor and multi-sector Environment, climate change, biodiversity, natural resources management, and/or other related areas is required.

Required  skills:

• Experience in the use of office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages is required;
• Excellent inter-personal skills.

Desired additional skills:

• Solid experience in management of environmental and natural resources development/management programmes/projects;
• Solid background in ecosystem-based adaptation programming, including on climate information systems, climate resilient livelihoods and agricultural value chains (e.g. coffee value chains);
• Hands on experience on biodiversity and nature-0based solutions to climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in spoken and written English and Amharic is a requirement.

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.

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.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

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