UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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.
UNDP Egypt has a structure aligned to its Country Programme Document (CPD) 2018-2022. The Programme Team has three thematic clusters, based on the three outcomes within UNDP Egypt Country Programme :
o Inclusive Growth and Innovation
o Environment and Climate Change
o Gender Equality
Post Context
Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), and direct supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative and Team leader for Environment, the Programme Specialist manages a major, multi-disciplinary, programme portfolio comprising the specialized, sectoral areas of Biodiversity, Control of Ozone Depleting Substances; Waste Management.
The Programme Specialist analyzes political, social and economic trends and leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio.
S/he supervises and leads programme support staff and coordinates activities of the projects' staff. The Programme Specialist works in close collaboration with the operations team, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring successful UNDP programme design and implementation.
1. Strategic Direction
As a member of the Programme Management team, jointly with the DRR, other Thematic Team Leaders and the Policy and Partnerships Team, makes recommendations to the RR on the strategic direction of the UNDP programme, in full coherence with the other portfolios, focusing on achievement of the following results:
• Thorough analysis and research of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation of substantive inputs to Common Country Assessment (CCA), UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), UNDP Country Programme (CPD) and annual work plans and other strategic documents and reports.
• Identification of areas for support and interventions within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned.
• Creation of synergies with other country office teams and of opportunity for embedding innovations in project design and policy advice.
• Leveraging of intelligence on, and constant monitoring and analysis of the national, regional and international environmental issues for timely programme opportunities and/or readjustments.
2. Policy Advice
Serves as substantive source of policy advice to senior management in the respective thematic discipline(s) under the guidance of the supervisor, as follows:
• Generates policy papers and advice that address national priorities in thematic/sectoral programme areas managed
• Conducts policy research and analytics for evidence-based, national/country-focused policy-making
• Identifies sources of information related to policy-driven issues
• Identifies and synthesizes best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to national policy goals.
• Undertakes and maintains analytics to support UNDP strategic analyses.
• In consultation with UNDP’s Bureau of Policy and Programme Support (BPPS), proposes and develops organizational standards and policies for the thematic area relevant to the national context and priorities
• Serves as focal point for relations to institutions for assigned thematic portfolio.
• Regularly monitors new, national programmes and initiatives and formulates UNDP’s position proposals and commentary
3. Effective management of the CO programme in Biodiversity, ODS control and Waste management, focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of the country programme achieving the following results:
• Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and Balanced Score Cards (BSC) and monitoring achievement of results.
• Design and formulation of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP's priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies. Introduction of performance indicators/ success criteria, cost recovery, targets and milestones.
• Development of project/programme pipeline proposals, including identification of new service lines and entry points for programming, responding to emerging trends and challenges.
• Continual alignment of programme actions with the SDGs and SDGs indicators
• Oversight of projects cycles according to UNDP rules and regulations, including: Initiation of projects, presentation of the project to PAC, entering project into Atlas finalization of contribution agreements; determination of required revisions; in coordination with operations, coordination of the mandatory and budget re-phasing exercises, closure of projects through review.
• Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of projects, identification of operational and financial problems, and development of solutions.
• Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme and projects environment, and timely recommendation of necessary adjustments.
• Supervision of capacity development and professionalization of programme and project personnel.
• Performance of Manager Level 2 functions in Atlas for development projects’ transactions approval.
• Implementation of cost-recovery system for the services provided by the CO to projects in close collaboration with the Operation Manager.
• Provision of technical and administrative oversight of Nationally Implemented projects.
• Follow up on audit recommendation with timely reporting of all exceptions
• Overseeing regular reports on activities, outputs and outcomes of projects and portfolio.
4. Strategic Partnerships and Mobilizing Resources
In collaboration with the Policy and Partnerships team, guided by the CO’s Integrated Work Plan and the CO’s Partnership and Communication Action Plan, and maintaining integration with other thematic and operational areas, focuses on achievement of the following results:
• Gathering and analysis of information on partners’ priorities, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall country office effort in partnerships building and resource mobilization.
• Development of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFls, government institutions, bi lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector and civil society in the specific thematic areas based on country needs, strategic goals of UNDP and partners’ and donors' priorities.
5. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Management, focusing on achievement of the following results:
• Synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme/projects and country policy goals in Environment and Biodiversity.
• Policy and Institutional development that address national priorities and needs in collaboration with the Government, IFIs, private sector, civil society and any other strategic partners.
• Successful programme advocacy through networking, including:
o Participation in advocacy networks at national and international level.
o Relevant, high-impact advocacy campaigns implemented with key partners.
• Sound and regular contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Learning initiatives delivered for Operations/ projects staff in the programme area.
Core:
Innovation
Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them
Leadership
Ability to persuade others to follow
Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers
People Management
Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others
Communication
Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others
Delivery
Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions
Technical/Functional:
Development Planning Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction
Climate Change (General)
Knowledge of climate change Including climate change (international regime) and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
Natural Capital and Environment
Biodiversity and Eco-systems Management
Knowledge of conservation, sustainable use and access and benefit sharing of biodiversity, land, forests and oceans and the ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations
Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
Development Effectiveness: Resource Mobilization
Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate
resources
Level 5:Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
Development Effectiveness: Project Management
Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Level 5:Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise
Education:
Advanced Degree or equivalent in Environmental Sciences, Engineering, Public Affairs, Business Administration, or related field
Experience:
A minimum of 5 years’ experience with demonstrable results at the national and/or international level in developing and implementing project/programme concepts in partnership with Government and Civil society in the area of Environment. Familiarity with complex reporting and institutional accountability processes is also required. Relevant experience in the Paris Agenda on Climate Change and/or The Montreal Protocol and/or Biodiversity Convention is desirable.
Language Requirements:
• Proficiency in Arabic and English.
Other:
Describe any additional qualifications:
• Facility with MS Office Products (i.e. Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience in handling of web based management systems.
• Non-Smoking environment
Important applicant information
All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.
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.
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Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension
This vacancy is archived.