Location:

Luanda, Angola
Salary:

$110,689 - $171,565 / YEAR
Job type:

FULL_TIME
Posted:

1 month ago
Category:

Climate and Disaster Resilience, Environment and Natural Resources, Project Management
Deadline:

15/11/2024

JOB DESCRIPTION

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The UNDP Country Office (CO) in Angola, as Government partner in the efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals, has strategically repositioned and realigned its human resources to better respond to the new Country Programme Document (CPD) 2024-2028. This will ensure a more integrated and collaborative way to address the interrelated development challenges in Angola through intervention in the priority areas of i) Inclusive and sustainable economic diversification; ii) Equitable access to quality social services; iii) Strengthened management of environmental and natural resources, and resilience to disasters and climate change; and iv) Effective and inclusive democratic governance anchored in human rights and promoting peace and security. The CO has adopted a portfolio approach that emphasizes systems thinking in programme implementation focusing on youth, women, and vulnerable populations. Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE), digitalization and innovation are integrated across all programmatic areas.

Position Purpose

The Programme on NCE in the UNDP Country Office supports the Angola Government in policy development and implementation oversight, capacity building and institutional strengthening in project and programme development, implementation and monitoring.

UNDP works in close collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Environment, the National Institute of Fisheries, among others. UNDP also collaborates very closely with provincial and local governments, donors (particularly the Global Environment Facility-GEF), the private sector, civil society, and academia, as well as with UN Agencies, Funds and Programs through bilateral partnerships and within the framework of the United Nations Strategic Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2024-2028’ Outcome Groups.

Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and supervision by the Deputy Resident Representative, the Program Specialist will be responsible for the management of UNDP’s Nature, Climate and Energy portfolio, which includes various national and transboundary projects funded by a variety of donors, including the Global Environment Fund (GEF) and bilateral donors. S/he will ensure that the NCE objectives as outlined in the Country Program Document are effectively and efficiently achieved and will contribute to the Country efforts in fostering partnerships and mobilizing resources to ensure full funding of the NCE program under the CPD.

The Program Specialist analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within the NCE portfolio, consisting of, but not limited to the following interventions: biodiversity, access to sustainable and clean energy (including just energy transition) and adaptation to climate change. S/he also works in close collaboration with his/her Unit and other Country Office Programme Units, Programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQ and Addis-Ababa Regional Hub staff, particularly the Regional Technical Advisers), Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multilateral and bilateral donors and civil society towards the successful implementation of the UNDP country programme. S/he provides quality technical advice to the Government and partners in his/her work area. S/he also leads, supervises and coordinates activities of project staff implementing related projects.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Ensure the strategic direction of UNDP NCE programme.
Management and oversight of the CO NCE programme, and supervision of the respective team members and consultants towards achieving corporate and CO strategic goals and results.
Strategic partnerships and support to resource mobilization.
Provision of top-quality policy advice services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management.

1.Ensures the strategic direction of UNDP NCE programme focusing on achievement of the following results:

A thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and collaborative with other UN Agencies preparation and/or revise the Common Country Assessment (CCA), the United Nations Strategic Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), the Country Development Programme (CPD), the Annual Work Plan (AWP), Integrated Annual Work Plan (IWP) and other documents;
Analysis and presentation of UNDP policies and their implementation in the CO.;
Ensures operationalization of CPD through ongoing and new programmes and projects and in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Identifies opportunities for new programme/project development including joint programming with UN agencies;
Identification of strategic programme areas of cooperation in the areas of NCE portfolio focus and other emerging areas, including green jobs.

2. Ensures effective management of the CO NCE programme portfolio and supervision of the team focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation achieving the following results:

Provides component managerial leadership, technical guidance, oversight, and quality control of program operations from planning, budgeting to implementation and monitoring and evaluation, ensuring that results are delivered in accordance with work plan, standards, allocations, framework and rules and regulations;
Ensures effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of result, Quality Assurance, ROAR, IWP etc.;
Ensures country office compliance with Social and Environmental Standards Safeguards within the NCE portfolio programing;
Leads the annual work planning process with CO units and project managers;
Monitors work plan implementation to ensures it is on track, and supports resolution of bottlenecks working with CO units, RSC and HQ;
Develops programme / outcome level work plan, monitoring plan, human resources, and procurement plans;
Drafts Terms of References and procurement specifications;
Prepares periodic and ad hoc reports; ensures timely completion of required quarterly and annual reports;
Ensures timely reviews and evaluations of project and programme;
Maintains regular contact with project and programme counterparts to ensure monitoring of projects’ progress, monitoring of unit work plans, programme effectiveness and achievement of results;
Organizes regular coordination across outcome teams and other projects to ensure synergies and integration; promotes cross component and cross programme collaboration;
Supports audit exercises and follow up audit recommendations implementation;
Takes on corporate and CO responsibilities such as participation in CAP, interview panels and other statutory committees.

3. Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and supports resource mobilization focusing on achievement of the following results:

Implements CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve programme outcomes;
Establishes close working relationships and creates programmatic linkages and partnerships with relevant government agencies; UN Agencies, Multi-Donors Trust Funds (GEF, GCF, etc) IFI’s, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, and civil society;
Identification and proposal of programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities;
Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost-sharing;
Represents UNDP at external meetings within his/her area of programming.

4. Ensures provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management within the area of NCE, focusing on achievement of the following results:

Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues;
Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals;
Coordination of development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners;
Establishment of advocacy networks at national level and linked to international networks. Relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns are implemented with key partners;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
Advocates for UNDP with Government counterparts and ensures access to best available expertise;
Ensures that lessons learned from projects are captured and recorded into the CO knowledge networks;
Organization of training for the operations/ projects staff on programme, seminars, and dialogue platform with Government and other stakeholders;
Contribute to UNDP annual report preparation and dissemination by providing timely information on results, and lessons

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: under the incumbent supervision will be a Programme Associate, Project Managers and Program Analyst.

Competencies

CORE

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

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Digital & Innovation:

Data analysis
- Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making
Innovation ecosystem curation
- Ability to identify key players in an ecosystem, engage with them and mobilize them to build a community and over time a movement around a common mission that can bring about changes at the system level.
- Ability to give sense of purpose and build trust, develop programmes of activities and platforms to build and strengthen relationships

Business Direction and 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 Management:

Portfolio Management
- Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment
Partnerships Management
- Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

Business Direction & Strategy

Business Acumen
- Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome
- Knowledge and understanding of the operational framework in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environment Studies, Engineering, Physical Science or related Natural or Social Sciences (Geography, Economics, Development Studies, etc) is required, OR
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in a relevant field in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in nature, energy and climate policies, programs and projects design, management and oversight in international multilateral/bilateral development organizations, government institutions and/or NGOs or relevant related field is required;
Experience at national level providing technical advisory services and establishing inter-relationships among international organization and national governments is desired;
Experience working with UNDP or another UN agency would be an asset;
Proven ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams is desired;
Proven programmatic management experience with sound knowledge of all aspects of the project cycle (design, implementation, monitoring & evaluation) is desired;
Excellent skills in fundraising, resources mobilization and donor relations would be an asset.

Language Requirement:

Fluency in Portuguese and proficiency in English is required.
Working knowledge of other UN language desirable.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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