Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The overall objective of UNEP’s Climate Change Division is to deliver effective strategic guidance and high-impact action in support of the transition towards climate stability. Its work is guided by ambition, innovation, credible science, and alignment to global climate goals and needs of individual countries. The Climate Change Division works with Members States and Partners to accelerate and support a just transition by addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation through enhancing implementation capacity, provision of data information and knowledge, access to finance and technology, and building resilience. It promotes sustainable development and effective policies for climate stability; support action so that countries progress on decarbonization, dematerialization, and resilience pathways in line with their climate commitments, aspirations, and needs; and foster transparency in reporting. This post is in UNEP’s Climate Change Division, Mitigation Branch, Global Environment Facility (GEF) Climate Mitigation Unit, Nairobi duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Mitigation Branch, Climate Change Division, and the overall supervision of the Director of Climate Change Division, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

A. Takes the lead in GEF and GCF Climate Change Mitigation corporate strategy development and programme coordination by: a. Analyzing UNEP and GEF approaches, strategies and priorities; b. Consulting with relevant internal and external partners; c. Drafting GEF and GCF mitigation focal area strategy and conducting consultations on it; d. Obtaining final approval of the strategy and business plan and coordinating their implementation; e. Periodically assessing the strategies relevance and effectiveness and revising it as necessary; f. Providing input to the Climate Change Division business plan development and budgeting; g. Managing the focal area pipeline including coordinating the soft pipeline; h. Representing the Climate Change Division in the GEF Focal Area Task Force meetings; i. Providing inputs to and liaising with STAP; j. Leading the Climate Change Division joint GEF programming with other UNEP Divisions. B. Contributes to Climate Change Division corporate knowledge management, data management, communications and outreach by: a. Identifying and codifying lessons emerging from portfolio and project implementation (over and above individual project knowledge management); b. Overseeing portfolio data entry into the project information system and monitoring team compliance with data entry and quality of entry; c. Contributing to project data reconciliation exercises within the Climate Change Division and with the GEF Secretariat; d. Identifying media and other outreach opportunities and contributing portfolio and project information and written materials to be used in communications and outreach efforts. C. Performs other corporate tasks in the following areas: a. Reviewing GEF Council and GCF documents and preparing comments and briefings for management; b. Representing the Climate Change Division in UNEP, GEF and GCF meetings; c. Participating in the UNEP Project Review Committee (PRC); d. Providing input regarding UNEP, GEF and GCF policy and information documents; e. Providing input to GEF and GCF corporate evaluations, including country portfolio evaluations, thematic evaluations and impact evaluations and contributing to the preparation of the Management Action Record. D. Supervises portfolio development and implementation by: a. Providing technical guidance to focal area Task Managers concerning project design and implementation; b. Coordinating project concept peer reviews; c. Being accountable for project quality-at-entry by clearing projects for onward submission to Climate Change Division senior management; d. Defending projects during Concept Approval Group (CAG) and Project Review Committee (PRC) deliberations; e. Coordinating responses to GEF Secretariat and GCF project review sheets and STAP comments; f. Monitoring quality of project supervision by individual Task Managers in the focal area; g. Clearing focal area project revisions to monitor implementation progress; h. Reviewing quality of the yearly Project Implementation Reviews (PIR) prepared by Task Managers including consistency of application of ratings; i. Preparing focal area reports summarizing portfolio performance and lessons; j. Overseeing quality of project mid-term management reviews managed by Task Managers; k. Identifying projects-at-risk and monitoring implementation of remedial actions; l. Identifying and leveraging institutional/corporate partnerships for focal area, including co-funders and service providers. E. Develops projects and supervises project implementation of selected GEF and GCF mitigation projects by: a. Liaising with national organizations, GEF and GCF Executing Agencies, UNEP Divisions, MEAs, and Climate Change Mitigation partners for identifying GEF- and GCF-eligible project ideas within UNEP’s comparative advantage and in line with the Climate Change Division strategy; b. Overseeing project concept development and project preparation, providing technical advice to the executing agencies and translating GEF and GCF guidance and policies; c. Liaising with GEF Secretariat and GCF Secretariat focal area staff to ensure projects meet GEF and GCF requirements; d. Ensuring projects are reviewed and approved by the CAG and PRC; e. Responding to Council, STAP, GCF and GEF Secretariat project reviews; f. Assisting in mobilizing co-financing for the projects and obtaining letters of endorsement from GEF National Focal Points; g. Being a member of project steering committees, reviewing technical and financial reports, assessing quality of outputs, providing relevant technical advice to project partners, assessing progress towards outcomes, preparing reports and documentation for project revisions, coordinating mid-term management project reviews and related management responses, providing input to project terminal evaluations, and other tasks associated with project implementation supervision in accordance with UNEP’s Programme Manual. F. Manages the Focal Area team and supervises and mentors staff by: a. Briefing new staff on UNEP, GCF and GEF policies, strategies and procedures; b. Harmonizing workloads within the team and assigning project portfolios; c. Providing on-going feedback on performance and guidance on workplan implementation; d. Conducting the e-Performance mid-term review; e. Mentoring the Focal Area team staff for career development and capacity development. G. Keeps abreast of developments in his/her technical field and further develops competencies and skills by: a. Undertaking at least one relevant learning activity each year. b. Preparing his/her annual work plan for result based management with clear goals and indicators; c. Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of GEF/GCF project cycle management; designs, solutions and approaches for climate change (non-land use) mitigation projects; and project resource mobilization projects. Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments, adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; Empowers others to translate vision into results; Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. JUDGEMENT/ DECISION MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced degree, preferably a masters in Climatology, Engineering, International Environmental Law, Environmental Economics, International Relations or related Climate Change Mitigation fields is required. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification

Multi-disciplinary training is desirable

Work Experience

At least 10 years experience of which six should be at the international level is required. Experience with GEF and/or GCF and it’s implementing agencies including UNEP is required. Experience with climate change mitigation (non-land use) project design is required. Experience of global issues in the focal area of Climate Change Mitigation is required. Experience in policy formulation and implementation is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French, Spanish or Portuguese is desirable. NOTE: ‘Fluency’ equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write and understand) and ‘Knowledge of’ equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment, such as a written test, which will be followed by a competency-based interview by phone or teleconference.

Special Notice

Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension. Candidate selected will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA limited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/Al/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of “internal candidate” in staff rule 4.10, who are selected for a position subject to FTA limited will be reassigned to the position without a lien to their parent position. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Candidate Profile (CP) and motivation statement. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Contact Us” link.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.