UNDP Nature Energy and Climate (NEC) Programme Specialist Jobs in South Africa

UNDP Nature Energy and Climate (NEC) Programme Specialist Jobs in South Africa

Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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.

The UNDP Country Office (CO) in South Africa, as Government partner in the efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals, sought to reposition itself strategically and realign its human resources to better respond to the new Country Programme Document (CPD) 2020-2025 approved in June 2020 and ensure the articulated need to work in a more integrated and collaborative manner to help South Africa to address interrelated development challenges, including adaptation to climate change, environment and just energy transition.

UNDP also collaborates very closely with provincial and local governments, donors (particularly the Global Environment Facility, GEF), development banks, the private sector, civil society and academia, as well as with UN Agencies, Funds and Programs through bilateral partnerships and within the framework of the United Nations Strategic Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2020-2025’ Results Groups.

He/she analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within Inclusive NEC portfolio, which consists of, but not limited to the following interventions: biodiversity, sustainable land management, river basins management, access to sustainable energy and adaptation to climate change.

S/he also works in close collaboration with his/her Unit and other Programme Units, Programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQ and Addis-Ababa Regional Hub staff, Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to help implement the UNDP country programme in the area of NEC. S/he provides quality technical advice to Government and partners in his or her work area.

Duties and Responsibilities

In this section list up to five primary functions/accountabilities of the position (Typically one sentence each) and examples of duties that must be performed to successfully accomplish key responsibilities.

Ensures the strategic direction of UNDP NEC programme focusing on achievement of the following results

A thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and collaborative with other UN Agencies preparation and/or revise the Common Country Assessment (CCA), the United Nations Strategic Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), the Country Development Programme (CPD), the Annual Work Plan (AWP), Integrated Annual Work Plan (IWP) and other documents;

Analysis and presentation of UNDP policies and their implementation in the CO

Ensures operationalization of CPD though ongoing and new programmes and projects and in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Identifies opportunities for new programme/project development including joint programming with UN agencies;

Identification of strategic programme areas of cooperation including Circular Economy Initiatives and green jobs;

Ensures effective management of the CO NEC programme portfolio and supervision of the team focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation achieving the following results

Provides component managerial leadership, technical guidance, oversight and quality control of program operations from planning, budgeting to implementation and monitoring and evaluation, ensuring that results are delivered in accordance with work plan, standards, allocations, framework and rules and regulations;

Ensures effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of result, as quality assurance, ROAR, IWP etc.;

Leads the annual work planning process with CO units and project managers;

Monitors work plan implementation, ensures it is on track, and supports resolution of bottlenecks working with CO units, RSC and HQ;

Develops programme / outcome level work plan, monitoring plan, human resources and procurement plans;

Drafts Terms of References and

procurement specifications;

Prepares periodic and ad hoc reports; ensures timely completion of required quarterly and annual reports;

Ensures project and programme reviews and evaluations take place;

Maintains regular contact with project and programme counterparts in order to ensure monitoring of projects' progress, monitoring of unit work plans, programme effectiveness and achievement of results;

Organizes regular coordination across outcome teams and other projects to ensure synergies and integration; promotes cross component and cross programme collaboration;

Supports audit exercises and follow up audit recommendations implementation;

Takes on corporate and CO responsibilities such as participation in CAP and interview panels.

Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and supports the resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results

Implements CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve programme outcomes;

Establishes close working relationships and creates programmatic linkages and partnerships with relevant government agencies; UN Agencies, Multi-Donors Trust Funds (GEF, GCF, etc) IFI’s, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector and civil society.;

Identification and proposal of programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities;

Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost-sharing.

Represents UNDP at external meetings within his/her area of programming

Ensures provision of top-quality advisory services within the area of NEC, focusing on achievement of the following results

Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals;

Coordination of development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;

Initiation and preparation of concept notes and advisory papers on major emerging issues in the sector to offer new programing approaches;

Establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks. Relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns are implemented with key partners;

Facilitates knowledge building and management, focusing on achievement of the following results

Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;

Advocates for UNDP with Government counterparts and ensures access to best available expertise;

Ensures that lessons learned from projects are captured and recorded into the CO knowledge networks;

Organization of training for the operations/ projects staff on programme, seminars, and dialogue platform with Government and other stakeholders

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Environment Science, Energy, Engineering, Physical Science or other Nature Climate and Energy related areas

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience nature, energy and climate policies, programs and projects design, management and oversight in international multilateral/bilateral development organizations, government institutions and NGOs;

Experience at the national level providing technical advisory services, and establishing inter-relationships among international organizations and national governments;

Experience in working with UNDP or another UN agency would be an asset

Proven ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.

Proven programmatic management experience with sound knowledge of all aspects of the project cycle (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation).

Excellent skills in fundraising, resources mobilization and donor relations would be an asset.

Proficiency in English. Working knowledge of other UN language desirable

How to Apply

For more information and job application details, see; UNDP Nature Energy and Climate (NEC) Programme Specialist Jobs in South Africa

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