In September 2015, the General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This global “plan of action for people, planet and prosperity” is anchored on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The agenda’s results framework that captures universal aspirations across three dimensions of sustainable development: economic development, social development and environmental protection. The 2030 Agenda is an integrated, indivisible agenda, which balances the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainability, the success of which will depend on the extent to which coherent, evidence-based plans and policies are formulated and implemented at country, regional and global levels.
On 20 October 2018 the Government Uzbekistan adopted its national SDGs, including 16 national Goals and 125 national targets. This work was further completed with the adoption of 206 national SDG indicators in March 2019. In October 2018 Uzbekistan also ratified the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. UNDP globally and at country levels helps countries in promoting environmental sustainability as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation in line with the SDGs and international agreements on climate change and environment.
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the DRR, the Programme Specialist on Environment and Climate Action manages a major programme portfolio related to Environment and Climate Action. The main role is to manage the part of the country programme including continued monitoring of implementation. The Programme Specialist on Environment and Climate Action leads the programme team in strategic planning and identifies new programme areas while ensuring consistency with UNDAF/ CPD priorities and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities in close cooperation with other programme teams in the UNCP Country Office.
The Programme Specialist on Environment and Climate Action heads and supervises programme team and works in close collaboration with the Resources Management Unit/ Management Support, Operations team in the CO, 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 to successfully implement the UNDP programme.
Summary of Key Functions:
1. As a member of the CO management team, ensures the strategic direction of UNDP programme focusing on UNDP’s core programming principles (results-based management, a human rights-based approach, gender equality environmental sustainability and capacity building) with the aim of achievement of the following results:
- Identification of strategic programme areas of cooperation and advisory support on strategic partnerships in the areas of environment and climate change.
- Operationalization of UNDAF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Identification of possibilities for joint programming.
- Advocacy, promotion of awareness and understanding of UNDP mandate, mission, purpose, policies and their implementation in the CO.
- Thorough analysis of the political, social, economic and environmental situation in the country and collaborative preparation/revision of CCA, UNDAF, CPD, AWP and other documents.
2. Ensures effective management of the programme portfolio on Environment and Climate Action and supervision of the Programme team focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation in view of achieving the following results:
- Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of results of programmes and projects of the portfolio.
- Design and formulation of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the executing agencies.
- Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. The Programme Specialist on Environment and Climate Action performs the function of Manager Level 2 in Atlas for development projects transactions approval.
- Effective monitoring, measuring the impact of the CO programme and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustment of programme.
- Follow up on audit, evaluations and monitoring recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported.
- Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports and maintenance of relationships with donors and partners through effectively applying UNDP accountability and reporting tools.
- Support to Management in organization of cost-recovery system for the services provided by the CO to projects in close collaboration with DRR and Operations Manager.
3. Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships and engages in resource mobilization in cooperation with the Resources Management/ Management Support Unit focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Implementation of the CO partnerships and resources mobilization strategies to achieve programme outcomes in the areas of environmental sustainability and climate change.
- Leading the CO efforts on mobilization of environmental and climate finance through various vertical funds, bilateral donors and through blending instruments and private sector enagement.
- Creation and coordination of partnerships with the UN Agencies, IFI’s, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, civil society etc.
- Determination 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 taking into account necessary due diligence and risk intelligence.
4. Ensures provision of top quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:
- Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices in the areas of environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation and adaptation 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.
- Facilitation and conducting research/ baseline analysis and policy options in line with the priorities of the UNDAF/ CPD
- Facilitation and support to the management in formulation communication and advocacy strategy for UNDP’s positioning in the country as a knowledge based organization
- Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
- Organization of trainings and briefings for country office staff on matters related to the activities of the cluster.
Impact of Results
The effective performance of the incumbent is expected to enhance the quality, relevance and effectiveness of UNDP programmes in the areas of Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change mitigation and adaptation, thus contribute to the achievement of relevant national SDGs by the country.
Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda
Level 2: Analysis and creation of messages and strategies
- Creates effective advocacy strategies
- Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses
Results-Based Programme Development and Management
Level 1.1: Contributing to results through provision of information
- Provides information for linkages across programme activities to help identify critical points of integration
- Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects/programme implementation
- Provides background information to identify opportunities for project development and helps drafting proposals
- Participates in the formulation of project proposals
Building Strategic Partnerships
Level 2: Identifying and building partnerships
- Effectively networks with partners seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to UNDP’s mandate and strategic agenda
- Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners
- Promotes UNDP’s agenda in inter-agency meetings
Innovation and Marketing New Approaches
Level 2: Developing new approaches
- Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals
- Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations
- Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking
- Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor
Resource Mobilization (Field Duty Stations)
Level 2: Implementing resource mobilization strategies
- Analyzes information on potential bilateral donors and national counterparts to recommend a strategic approach
- Identifies and compiles lessons learned
- Develops a resource mobilization strategy at the country level
Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
Level 2: Developing tools and mechanisms
- Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches
- Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanism.
Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise
Level 2: In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter
- Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
- Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally
- Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
- Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments
Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals
Level 2: Analysis and creation of messages and strategies
- Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses
- Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level
Client Orientation
Level 2: Contributing to positive outcomes for the client
- Anticipates client needs
- Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider
- Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective
- Solicits feedback on service provision and quality
Core Competencies:
- Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents
- Building support and political acumen
- Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation
- Building and promoting effective teams
- Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication
- Creating an emotionally intelligent organization
- Leveraging conflict in the interests of UNDP & setting standards
- Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
- Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking
Education:
Master’s Degree or equivalent in Environment, Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field is required. Knowledge of emerging disciplines for inclusive growth and/or related innovations is desirable.
Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of 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 preferably in the area of Environment, Climate Change mitigation and adaptation, Rural development, Disaster Risk Management. Familiarity with complex reporting and institutional accountability processes is also required.
Language Requirements:
Proficiency in English, Uzbek and Russian
Important applicant information
All posts in the NO 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.
Workforce diversity
UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension