ABOUT THE COMPANY:

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

JOB SUMMARY

Viet Nam embarked Circular Economy journey since 2020, by integrating CE principles into the 10-yeas Socio-Economic Development (SED) Strategy and 5-year SED Plan, which set highest priority to green and circular economy and climate change.

Circular economy is included in Vietnam’s Law on Environmental Protection 2020, Decree 08/2022/ND-CP, Decision 687/QD-TTg, which provides framework for transition from a linear economy to a circular one is to focus on three principles of eliminating waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating the natural system.

UNDP has been working in close partnership with the line ministries and relevant institutions, local authorities and communities to promote circular economy and will continue this support in coming years.

In Viet Nam, while the chemical and manufacturing sectors play a very important role in the development of the national economy and in the industrialization and modernization of the country, certain chemicals, which are potentially hazardous/toxic, their production processes and products containing such chemicals are becoming of increasing concern because of their impact on human health, the local and global environment and ecosystems.

The Country is also facing big challenges in terms of environmental pollution caused by natural agents and anthropogenic activities.

Environmental pollution in Vietnam is present in air, water and soil environments in many areas with contaminants including total suspended particles (TSP), organic substances, heavy metals, nutrients including ammonium, phosphate exceeding the allowable values of national standard. Environmental pollution from waste, especially plastic waste, is becoming increasingly urgent, seriously threatening the economy and human life, requiring strong global action.

As a responsible member of the United Nations, Vietnam is committed to taking action to reduce plastic waste to protect the environment.

In line with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Viet Nam 2022 to 2026 (UNSDCF), UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) for the period 2022-2026 underlines UNDP’s work to promote green, resilient and sustainable development in Viet Nam.

UNDP targeted policy advisory service and technical assistance will assist Viet Nam to mobilize, track and make more effective use of mobilized resource, including public/private domestic and international finance for biodiversity conservation, environmental protection, climate resilience and low-emission development.

UNDP has been cooperating closely with key ministries and institutions, including Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), Ministry of Health (MOH), research institutions, universities, and sub-national authorities to introduce policy framework, scale up best practices and pilot innovative actions at localities and with businesses, in the areas of chemical management, waste prevention and treatment.

As the portfolio expands, UNDP is recruiting a Project Specialist to lead the circular Economy, waste and chemicals/persistent organic pollutants (POPs) portfolio (the Portfolio).

Under the supervision of Assistant Resident Representative (ARR)/ Head of Climate Change and Environment, the Project Specialist is responsible for development, management, implementation and innovation of the Portfolio, including enhancing partnership with stakeholders and resource mobilization.

The Project Specialist works closely with the Technical Advisors, Technical Specialists, supporting staffs in Viet Nam, and relevant Regional Technical Advisor in Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH).

The Project Specialist works under direct supervision and reports to Assistant Resident Representative (ARR)/ Team Leader/ Head of the Climate Change, Environment and Energy Unit.

The Project Specialist of Circular Economy, Waste, and Chemicals/POPs, has three main functions:

Provision of policy advocacy and knowledge management of the Circular Economy, Waste, and Chemical/POPs, Marine spatial planning/Ocean Economy, and SDGs

• Enhance effective partnerships with Government institutions, development partners, private sector, NGOs, Mass organizations and other stakeholders to accelerate circular economy, promote sustainable waste and chemicals/POPs management in Viet Nam.

This includes promoting the multi-stakeholders platforms such as National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) in collaboration with WEF and Ministry for Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) and CE Hub in partnership with ISPONRE/MONRE.

• Identify opportunities to position UNDP to make contribution and provide inputs the development of Government’s policies/regulations on relevant subjects that will address the development needs.

Promote the engagement of the private sector and women/ women-led organizations in project activities;

• Participate and contribute to the UN Result Groups on Climate Change and Environment, UN/ UNDP’s regular reports on outputs and outcomes as well as outcome evaluations, under the UNSDCF and to UNDP’s ROAR and other reporting requirements.
• Lead  and provide inputs to the preparation of speech, presentations, briefings and related speeches for the UNDP’s Senior Management as required.
• Participate actively in relevant knowledge networks of the UNDP Asia-Pacific region, including attending meetings;  sharing relevant experiences and practices from Viet Nam;
• Participate and contribute to knowledge management, knowledge networks, including communities of practice and knowledge management networks.

Promote and experiment innovative approaches in collaboration with global and national think tanks and with other team members and colleagues within UNDP.

Effective management, implementation, and coordination of the portfolio, project, and activities

• Provide proper guidance to the project partners/counterparts for effective planning, management and implementation of projects to ensure timely implementation of activities and achievement of quality results; including timely preparation and approval of the projects’ and work-packages’ annual and quarterly quality work-plans;
• Effectively apply result-based management (RBM) tools in management; establishment of M&E and reporting framework, including managing targets and monitoring the progress to achieve results, performance indicators/ success criteria, and regular update of baselines, targets and milestones in the Project’s results resources frameworks, and coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercise, mid-year and mid-term reviews, and closure of the Project;
• Timely analyze situations arising during the implementation of the programme/project, financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the project, identification of operational and financial risks, development of solutions, in full compliance with Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfer (HACT) guidelines;
• Perform the functions of project manager in UNDP Management System (Quantum) as defined and participation in recruitment processes for projects;
• Participate in the recruitment of processes, as needed.
• Manage procurement processes, including of consultants.
• Exercise risk management, including timely implementation of mitigation measures, and updating risk log and integrated work plan (IWP) in the system;
• Facilitate project audits, spot-checks, interim project evaluation and follow-up on the implementation of recommendations;
• Ensure quality documentation of the project’s lessons learnt and best practices; quality publication of technical reports, policy briefs, and results;
• Ensure synergies and coherence between projects withn the portfolio, and with other projects and activities relating to Climate Change, Just Energy Transition, Natural Resources and other related projects and activities to bring about larger benefits and impacts of the UNDP’s Climate,  Environment  and Energy Programme in Viet Nam;
• Regular brief and timely report to supervisor on any exceptions to facilitate timely actions and informed decisions;
• Prepare regular aggregate reports on activities, outputs and outcomes, including technical progress to donors as required;
• Active participate and contribute to the UN/ UNDP’s regular reports on outputs and outcomes as well as outcome evaluations, under the framework of the UN Cooperation Framework and Plan;
• Support the Manager of the Climate, Environment, and Energy Unit to coordinate the Circular Economy Portfolio, projects and activities, and staff members as appropriate.

Effective formulation and development of portfolio, projects and resource mobilization

• Implement the UNDP partnerships and resources mobilization strategies, focusing on project formulation to mobilize funds from various external resources and vertical funds;
• Analyse Vietnamese development context (political, economic, social, cultural and historical), government policies, priorities/programs, and the needs of support that would influence UNDP technical assistance in Viet Nam;
• Identify policy, capacity development needs and knowledge gaps in the Government counterparts and that of communities for designing interventions and support through appropriate projects and activities;
• Work closely with UNDP technical advisors and specialists in Viet Nam and in Regional Bangkok Hub to identify opportunities for project development and mobilize resources and ensure linkage between programmes and projects in Viet Nam and these at regional and global levels;
• Effectively coordinate, facilitate and support the formulation, appraisal and approval of UNDP concept notes and pipeline project proposals on climate change, energy and low carbon development ;  This includes (i) liaising and coordinating with government counterparts and related stakeholders well-informed and engaged in the development processes; (ii) timely mobilization of technical inputs/experts to address information gaps for the formulation, appraisal and approval processes; (iii) preparing necessary documentations, reports and/or plans, as part of UNDP and donors’ requests, for submission and appraisal of pipeline projects; and collecting necessary data and information for the project formulation;
• Support the Manager of the Climate, Environment, and Energy Unit to coordinate the formulation of projects and acivities and resources mobilization for the Circular Economy Portfolio.

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

• 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 in the dedicated site

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

2030 Agenda Planet:

• Nature, Climate and Energy: Chemicals and Waste management: practical application

Digital and Innovation

• Data analysis: Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making

General (across the functions)

• Event planning and execution: Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP’s overall brand and mandate.

Communications

• Campaign management: Ability to produce and implement communications and advocacy campaigns which lead to impactful change

Partnership management

• Private sector engagement: Ability to identify, conduct outreach, and manage relationships with the private sector

Business Direction & Strategy

• 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.

Business Development

• Human-centered Design: Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process

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Good luck!