Responsibilities

1. Project identification and development: • Lead the identification of relevant and eligible project concepts in consultation with internal and external partners. • Coordinate discussion and seek clearance for such concepts including with UNEP Divisions and regional offices. • Advise project proponents on the revision of concepts to respond to issues raised by the peer reviewer or other reviews. • Present and defend the proposal at the Project Review Committee (PRC) as required; and provide technical advice to the proponents in preparing the project document request for submission to donors. • Monitor project milestones; coordinate the response to with FAO and UNDESA reviews and ensure that recommendations are considered in further project development. • Work with the Fund Management Officer to internalize the fund approval. • Coordinate and supervise project execution in accordance with UNEP policies and procedures. • Support the executing partner in mobilizing co-financing for the project; Ensure that a project progress and completion report and financial reports are available upon completion of activities. • Verify that project proposal meets UNEP quality-at-entry standards before submission to Branch Coordinator and for Project Review Committee (PRC) review. • Follow up the project review process and promptly address any comments in consultation with project partners including FAO and UNDESA. 2. Supervision of project implementation: • Prepare project supervision plans for the projects for their entire duration and periodically update them. • Coordinate the organization of the project inception meeting with a view to ensure project implementation readiness in collaboration with FAO and UNDESA. • Coordinate and provide oversight to project execution of the SIDS flagship program in Comoros, St. Lucia and Vanuatu and ensure that all UNEP criteria, rules and regulations are adhered to by project executing partners. • Participate in projects Steering Committee meetings and ensure that the Steering Committee fulfils its function. • Regularly monitor project progress and performance and rate progress towards meeting project objectives, project execution progress, quality of project monitoring and evaluation, and risk. • Lead periodic assessment of project assumptions and monitor risk; review reporting by project executing partners and provides prompt feedback; promptly informs management of any significant risks or project problems and takes action and follows up on decisions made.

• Coordinate and prepare reports in accordance with UNEP and donor requirements; Maintain adequate project-related documentation; Cooperate in the “quality of project supervision assessment”. • Apply adaptive management principles to the supervision of the project; review project outputs, provides technical input and ensures quality standards are met; assist with the preparation of project revisions. • Assess the need to conduct mid-term independent evaluation and if so, liaise with the Evaluation Office to ensure the evaluation is timely conducted. • Coordinate mandatory project(s) mid-term review in accordance with UNEP guidance and prepare a management response with a plan for implementation of recommendations. • Coordinate project terminal evaluation; take responsibility to ensure that project is financially closed in a prompt manner after completion of project activities. 3. Knowledge and data management and communication: • Coordinate the identification and codification of lessons emerging from project implementation. • Lead the recording and ensure accuracy and completeness of project data in the project information system for all projects. • Contribute to project data reconciliation exercises within Ecosystems Division. • Identify media and other outreach opportunities and materials and contribute project information and written materials to be used by the communications and outreach. • Participate and contribute to any events organized by UNEP to disseminate information on project results and lessons. 4. General: • Keep abreast of developments in his/her technical field and further develop competencies and skills. • Prepare work plan for result based management with clear goals and indicators. • Contribute to UNEP’s programming and ensuring that results achieved by UNEP projects are reflected in Branch and Division overall reporting. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. 5. Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of programme or project management in the fields related to the coastal and marine ecosystems conservation, restoration and sustainable use, blue carbon, blue economy, and other related sectors. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work, and manage conflicting priorities. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in project management, marine sciences, environmental science, ocean governance, environmental management, natural resources management or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of senior-level professional expertise in programme or project management in the fields related to the coastal and marine ecosystems conservation, restoration and sustainable use, blue carbon, blue economy, and other related sectors is required. At least three (3) years at the international level professional work experience within the UN or other international organizations is required. Work experience in developing countries, in Small Island States, is required. Experience in large-scale project design, management, supervision, coordination of multicounty programme/project, monitoring, and evaluation is desirable. Experience working with different donors and climate and environment funds such as Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Green Climate Fund (GCF) in a multicounty context is desirable. A minimum of Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ” Knowledge of” equals a rating of” confident” in two of the four areas.