Result of Service

Internalize new approved projects, respond to executing partner queries, review executing partner reports, provide technical guidance on adaptive management and monitor projects within UNEP’s global portfolio of medium- and full-sized GEF mitigation projects.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

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 Economy Division is to encourage decision makers in government, local authorities, and industry to develop and adopt policies, strategies and practices and technologies that promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production, make efficient use of natural resources, ensure safe management of chemicals, and contribute to making trade and environment policies mutually supportive. It promotes the development, use and transfer of policies, technologies, economic instruments, managerial practices, and other tools that assist in environmentally sound decision making and the building of corresponding activities. This post is in UNEP’s Mitigation Division, Mitigation Branch, Paris. The consultant will report directly to the Chief (a.i.), Mitigation Branch and the Officer in Charge, GEF Mitigation Unit, Mitigation Branch, and will be home based. The consultant’s assistance is needed to support the GEF Mitigation Unit’s global portfolio of climate change mitigation projects in terms of project identification, development, and implementation. The consultant will focus on the development of GEF-8 programmes and provide technical guidance to support their implementation. The consultant will also provide technical assistance to the Mitigation Branch. Specific tasks and responsibilities Project management of projects under development • Provide technical input to projects under development; • Revise project implementation plans and ensure development steps are followed; • Revise the project development timeline and provide inputs to ensure project development occurs on time; • Provide inputs to stakeholder consultation processes in the development of the projects; • Prepare the UNEP safeguards identification form; • Prepare the checklist for UNEP’s quality evaluation committee; • Upload GEF-8 endorsement document packages to the GEF portal. Project management of projects under execution • Prepare reports to the Task Manager on the progress and risk situation of projects in the global portfolio, and submit to the Task Manager strategy documents to effectively mitigate identified project risks; • Prepare and send half-yearly report templates to Executing Agencies for projects in the global portfolio, hold meetings with these agencies and send guidance emails to ensure correct and timely completion of the reports, and review such reports to ensure their timely completion; • Prepare and send project implementation review report templates to Executing Agencies for projects in the global portfolio, hold meetings with these agencies and send guidance emails to ensure correct and timely completion of the reports, and review such reports to ensure their timely completion; • Prepare mid-term review (MTR) terms of reference and review mid-term review reports for projects, sending a summary of the MTR to the Task Manager when the review is completed. Prepare an MTR implementation plan to facilitate Executing Agency implementation of MTR recommendations; • Provide inputs for facilitating the technical and financial closure of projects; • Travel to undertake the previous tasks in country, as required and decided by the Task Manager. Project documentation • Develop draft legal agreements for new projects and project extensions; • Prepare documents for UNEP project internalization and revision processes, and provide inputs to ensure completed UNEP clearance and approval processes; • Prepare project supervision plans and risk logs for projects and periodically update them. Request the Executing Agencies to update their procurement plans and review such plans, providing inputs to finalize them; • Prepare project revision documents for technical and financial revisions for projects, ensuring that project revision documentation is complete for UNEP approval; • Review expenditure reports together with the finance team to ensure (a) correct amounts have been charged; (b) expenditures are aligned with project deliverables and thus acceptable; (c) expenditure is not exceeding the budget line allocations and overall budget. Send feedback emails to Executing Agencies in order for the agency to complete the document correctly. • Review cash advance requests in collaboration with the finance team. Provide guidance to Executing Agencies in order for them to complete the document correctly. Portfolio management • Prepare a report identifying measures to enhance the effectiveness of portfolio management tools; • Develop and implement measures to visualize and graphically represent portfolio data for facilitating decision-making; • Develop and implement measures to enhance the effectiveness of the portfolio filing system; • Prepare databases for the uploading of information to the Integrated Planning, Management and Reporting (IPMR) solution system and upload information to the system; • Undertake research to identify ways to enhance the effectiveness of portfolio management and operations; • Develop flowcharts for the development, review and approval of technical and financial documents.

Qualifications/special skills

• Master’s degree in environmental policy, international affairs, engineering, environmental sciences, economic or a related field is required. • A first level degree with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. • A minimum of three (3) years of experience in working on international projects on climate change mitigation is required. • Experience working with GEF projects is desirable. • Knowledge of UNEP, GEF or GCF project cycle and policies is desirable. • Experience in working with national governments in developing countries is an asset.

Languages

• Excellent proficiency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French, Spanish or Portuguese is an asset.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.