Description

Do you want to build a truly worthwhile career? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries—a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. Visit www.worldbank.org.

The Global Environment Facility (GEis a multilateral financial mechanism created in 1991 to provide grant and concessional funds to recipient countries for projects and programs that address biodiversity loss, climate change mitigation and adaptation, degradation of international waters, land and forests, ozone depletion, elimination or reduction of persistent organic pollutants and mercury, all within the framework of sustainable development.

The GEF unites 185 countries in partnership with international institutions, civil society organizations (CSO, and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives. An independently operating financial organization, GEF is the designated financial mechanism for five multilateral environmental conventions: The Convention on Biological Diversity, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC, UN Convention to Combat Desertification, and Minamata Convention on Mercury. GEF was also recently designated to serve as part of the financial mechanism of the international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. Since 1991, the GEF has disbursed $7 billion in grants and provided technical guidance for the successful implementation of over 5,700 projects in more than 170 countries.

The GEF Secretariat (GEFSEis a VicePresidential Unit within the World Bank Group and has approximately 75 professional, administrative and client support staff. GEFSEC is seeking a Senior Biodiversity Specialist to join the Programming Division for program management, analytical, stakeholder engagement and policy needs, as described below.

Duties and Accountabilities:
The GEF Secretariat (GEFSEis looking for an experienced Senior Biodiversity Specialist to join the Biodiversity Focal Area team and to support one or more of the GEF Regional Teams to ensure responsible and successful execution of the GEF8 Programming Directions and grant disbursement, in addition to future funding cycles.  The Specialist will also support the GEFSEC’s mandate to deliver global environmental benefits by supporting developing countries in their commitments towards several Multilateral Environmental Agreements.  The ideal candidate should have a workable understanding of the complexity of the GEF partnership arrangement and of the dynamics of a complex set of GEF client countries.

The candidate should have strong interpersonal skills, experience with biodiversity projects in developing countries, diplomatic skills, along with political acumen and the capacity to work effectively on sensitive issues with senior management, the GEF Council and across different agencies of the GEF.

The Senior Biodiversity Specialist will support the successful work of the GEF Programming Division with dedicated support of the Biodiversity Focal Area Team and one or more Regional Teams.  This position will report to the Manager of the Programming Division.

Project Review and Regional Team Participation
Under the supervision of the Manager of the GEF Programming Division, the position will….
Participate and contribute to the successful execution of the Programming Division work programs and business model, including country resource programming, strategic work in regional and country dialogues, resource programming with GEFSEC Regional Team(, GEF Agencies, and Countries.

Manage reviews of project proposals to be financed by the GEF Trust, according to the agreed project review criteria, provide guidance on major issues involved in the development of project proposals and assist in overall preparation of work programs to be presented to council.

Participate in the GEF work within one or more Regional Teams, including participation in country dialogues, expanded constituency workshops, and the GEF Country Engagement Strategy.  As required represent the GEF at a senior level at selected international; political, scientific and operational forums.

Support the development and implementation of strategies and work programs to enhance GEFs impact and support the management of GEF’s portfolio of ongoing projects through supervision, monitoring, and evaluation activities with GEF Agencies and countries.

Support the development and implementation of resultsbased management (RBand the integration of knowledge management in RBM, operational processes and procedures.

Participate in the political outreach to relevant countries in international fora, in particular with the Rio Convention (UN CBand other related international instruments, as directed.

Provide quality inputs to the CEO and senior management on country and thematic briefings, talking points, speeches, analytical/strategic documents

Undertake additional Biodiversityrelated duties as agreed with the Manager of the Programming Division.

Participation in Biodiversity (BFocal Area Team

As directed by the Manager of Programming Division and in collaboration with the BD focal area coordinator, contribute to the biodiversity focal area team as a BD specialist and in related tasks force teams and their dynamics.

As directed by the Manager of Programming Division and in collaboration with the BD focal area coordinator, contribute to the GEF replenishment and provide constructive inputs to the new programming and policy reform/directions.

Under the guidance of the Manager of Conventions and Funds Division and in collaboration with the BD focal area coordinator, participate and follow the UNCBD meetings and negotiations and lead the political outreach where required.  Promote regular and informed communication about the Biodiversity program of the GEF, with the GEF Family and the UNCBD Parties and Secretariat.

Under the guidance of the Manager of Conventions and Funds Division and in collaboration with the BD focal area coordinator, contribute to effective coordination of GEF’s strategic engagement related to the UN CBD and other relevant international negotiations, as agreed with the Manager, Programming Division.

Support the development and delivery of GEF reports, Council documents, engagement plans, and other work products related to 4 above and as indicated by the Manager of Conventions and Funds Division and agreed with the Manager, Programming Division.

Selection Criteria

• The candidate should possess a Master’s Degree with at least eight years of experience, or a Ph.D., with five years of experience in the field of biodiversity, natural resources management/environmental sciences, economics, or other relevant disciplines.

• The candidate should have at least 5 years of work experience supporting and/or managing biodiversity projects and programs in developing countries.

• Particular experience and expertise related to biodiversity conservation and environmental issues in the Africa, Asia and/or in Small Islands Developing States.

• Experience in the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the CBD and/or the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the CBD would be a plus.

• Ability to think analytically, strategically, and programmatically. Demonstrated capacity to synthesize information and produce scientific reports, narratives, analyses, and strategies. Ideally, peerreviewed publication record.

• Ability to develop, utilize and analyze results frameworks, metrics and key performance indicators, and data related to biodiversity status, trends, priorities and outcomes.

• Experience with engaging and building respectful partnership with stakeholders, international organizations, development agencies, scientific and technical bodies, developing country counterparts, and NGOs.

• Knowledge of and, ideally, experience working with Indigenous Peoples on environmental issues.

• Working knowledge of the operations of the Global Environment Facility and its Agencies.

• Proven ability to work in teams, both as a team leader and team member, as well as the ability to work independently on complex tasks on tight deadlines.

• Record of constructive and positive engagement with client Governments, donors and other stakeholders;

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including ability to communicate complex issues to a wide range of audiences. Second language (French, Spanish or Portuguesis highly desirable.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

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