Job Identification : 12046

Locations : Geneve, Switzerland

Posting Date : 07/17/2023, 09:23 PM

Apply Before : 08/01/2023, 03:59 AM

Job Schedule : Full time

Agency : UNDP

Grade : P4

Vacancy Type : Fixed Term

Practice Area : Management

Bureau : Bureau for Management Services

Contract Duration : 1 Year with Possibility for extension

Education & Work Experience : Master’s Degree – 7 year(s) experience

Required Languages : English, French

Mobility required/no mobility

mobility required

Job Description

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Central Africa is home to the second largest tropical rainforest in the world. Forest loss is accelerating despite ongoing efforts, as government action alone has not been sufficient to establish an effective balance between the interests of the forest and of economic development.

On this basis, a coalition of willing donors – Norway, European Union, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, and South Korea – together with Central African partner countries – 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 – have entered in 2015 into a collaborative partnership to establish in partnership with the United Nations, the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI). The objective of this initiative 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. It is administered by the MPTF-Office (http://mptf.undp.org/factsheet/fund/AFI00). As per the updated Fund Terms of Reference and the direct cost Secretariat project document, the UNDP Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO) is hosting the CAFI Secretariat providing the secretariat administrative services under the oversight of the CAFI Executive Board.

In Gabon CAFI has a +180 million US$ commitment, two letters of intent and an ambitious results-based payment agreement.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of Chief of Programming, with matrix supervision with Chief Policy Dialogue and Country Engagement, the Programme and Partnerships Specialist will be primarily responsible for the development and quality assurance of CAFI-funded programs. He/she will lead the programming function while supporting the monitoring and evaluation of the portfolio in Gabon. Additionally, she/he will provide intellectual and practical solutions in partnership, policy development, advocacy and resource mobilization to properly position the Trust Fund within the Country and with the designated stakeholders.

Contribute to the development of the CAFI programmatic portfolio, to secure available funding and demonstrate the need for additional funding

•  Identify and assess needs and priority areas for investment.
•  Identify, propose and implement results-based operational approaches.
•  Lead the development of new programs and projects
•  Draft guidance notes and terms of reference for calls for expressions of interest/proposals, ensuring achievement of the deliverables and milestones defined in the letter of intent signed with CAFI.
•  Provide quality assurance by establishing and implementing criteria for evaluating EOIs and program proposals.
•  Establish criteria, guidelines and operational systems to increase the accountability of executing agencies for achieving results and delegating implementation to operators, including national operators.
•  Participate in the steering committees of the portfolio’s projects, ensure the production of quality PTBAs and monitor their implementation.
•  Identify and alert CAFI and the Governance bodies on delays in program implementation, as well as risks of not meeting LOI milestones, proposing appropriate corrective actions and mitigation measures to reduce them.
•  Oversee the regular conduct of independent evaluations of projects (TORs, recruitment of experts, quality control of deliverables, follow-up on recommendations, etc.).
•  Oversee the monitoring of projects and support the consolidation of the Fund’s annual activity and performance reports. Consolidation of program and global reports to be submitted to the MPTF as well as semi-annual program reports.
•  Provide technical content for the LOI implementation milestone monitoring matrix.
•  Contribute to programming efforts in other CAFI countries or for regional projects when relevant and requested by the supervisor

Lead the partnership strategy, contribute to the policy development agenda and support the governance bodies

•  Support the leadership in the political and technical engagements to develop and monitor the implementation of Gabon`s LoI, multilateral and bilateral agreements with the relevant stakeholders.
•  Develop texts of the agreements and identification of solutions to outstanding negotiating position between CAFI and partner country.
•  Oversee the development and operationalization of country level policy dialogue mechanism for inter-ministerial coordination and for dialogue with development partners.
•  Participate and represent CAFI in the different development partner coordination mechanisms (general and sectoral) in Gabon to identify relevant points, issues and topics for CAFI’s consideration/action or for the consideration/action of the partner coordination group.
•  Support and coordinate all stakeholder engagement efforts under with the supervision of the Chief Policy Dialogue and Country Engagement, liaising with partners to determine and document opportunities for initiating a strategic dialogue.
•  Facilitate dialogue and advocacy mechanisms, forums, south-south cooperation, political and technical exchanges within and across CAFI`s countries of operations.
•  Support in the design and deliver strategic investments and engagement opportunities with countries, donors and government partners to optimize programme efficiency.
•  Contribute to the development, update and implementation of the CAFI strategy on stakeholder engagement/participation for Gabon.
•  Identify key engagement areas, develops engagement plans (mapping of actors for different topics, identify how to engage them in the process) to maximize CAFI`s programme strategies and interventions.
•  Prepare and coordinate stakeholder meetings such as overseeing the preparation of briefing notes/presentations, agendas and annotated agendas, compiling meeting documentation, preparing and coordinating correspondence, quality control of reproduction and distribution of documents, minutes and reports.
•  Along with the Chief Policy Dialogue and Country Engagement, identify and anticipate policy related risks and proposes solutions to the Head of Secretariat and the Executive Board.
•  Establish indicators of monitoring and evaluation and information tools such as the stakeholder database and the stakeholder meetings preparations guidelines, in cooperation with the M&E Specialist.
•  Coordinate country engagement with relevant multilateral initiatives
•  Support effective operations of the governance bodies of the CAFI-Gabon partnership (CAFI bodies for coordination and intersectoral / inter-actor dialogue) including preparing stakeholders before meetings, meeting organization, preparing talking points and communications , etc. and building capacity.
•  Support preparing CAFI EB participation in high level dialogue (strategic information notes, bilateral meetings, mobilization of high-level representatives, etc.).
•  Organize and support cross-sectoral dialogue on LoI objectives & milestones achievements, risks of non-achievement, and opportunities for proactive corrective measures with the Permanent Secretariat

Knowledge management

•  Contribute to the preparation of generic and country-specific background material, as well as other inputs that are supportive of conducting the strategic dialogue.
•  Establish and maintain a system to track progress in strategic dialogues and document their outcomes for proper reporting.
•  Ensure capacity to produce in-depth technical analysis and advice to stakeholders, mobilizing the necessary expertise (supporting consultants, roster, etc).
•  Analyze and synthesize lessons learned and stimulate the adoption of best practices and knowledge, including the development of guidelines and other knowledge material.
•  Stimulate knowledge management on results-based implementation approaches based on existing experiences in RoC, as well as lessons learned from the portfolio.
•  Contribute to the development of knowledge products on relevant technical issues.
•  Produce papers, policy briefs, and notes with strategic analysis and policy recommendations. Generates survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyses, interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
•  Supervision of the work of the personnel (for example, consultants) in charge of country specific policy dialogue or programming.

Capacity Building

•  Propose and implement (individual and institutional) capacity building solutions of Gabonese national entities implementing CAFI grants focusing on increased project implementation capacity
•  Oversee the capacity building component for Gabon of CAFI’s regional technical assistance facility
•  Enhance and support the GoG’s efforts to provide access for Gabonese national entities to the CAFI Trust Fund

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

Competencies

Core Competencies – UNDP Core Competencies can be found .

•  Achieve Results – Level 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
•  Think Innovatively – Level 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
•  Learn Continuously – Level 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
•  Adapt with Agility – Level 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
•  Act with Determination – Level 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
•  Engage and Partner – Level 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
•  Enable Diversity and Inclusion – Level 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management Competencies

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found .

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

•  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.
•  Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization´s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment.
•  UNDP representation: Ability to represent UNDP and productively share UNDP knowledge and activities; advocate for UNDP, its values, mission and work with various constituencies.
•  Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding: Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms.
•  Resource mobilization: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements.
•  2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness: Project Quality Assurance; RBM standards and practices for programming.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

•  Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environment, land use, agronomy, ecology or similar fields is required.

Experience:

•  Minimum 7 years of extensive work experience mobilizing policy dialogue and/or partnerships combined with program/project experience in Gabon.
•  Solid technical knowledge in climate and forest area in Central Africa.
•  Strong theoretical and practical experience with the political dynamics of Central African countries and in Gabon in particular is an asset.
•  Experience of development aid coordination is an asset.
•  Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization is an asset.
•  Field experience in conservation or land use project implementation in Gabon is required.
•  Experience with political engagement with government counterparts, at a minimum with DG and Minister level, in Gabon is required.
•  Experience in working with development partners at a minimum head of country office level is an asset.
•  Experience with leading staff in international settings is required.
•  Experience with capacity and institution building in Central Africa is an asset.

Language:

•  Fluency in English and French is required.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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