Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative and direct supervision by the Deputy Resident Representative, the Team Leader of Environment (Natural Resources Management, Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction) manages a major programme portfolio in selected programme practice areas. The main role is to manage the portfolio including development, implementation and continued monitoring of implementation. The Team Leader leads the portfolio team in strategic planning and identifies new programme areas including securing the necessary resources for operationalizing the programme while ensuring consistency with UNPF/ CPD priorities and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities.

The Team Leader leads and supervises the portfolio team and works in close collaboration with the governance and livelihood / poverty teams, Operations team in the CO, Programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff as well as Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to successfully implement the UNDP programme.

Reporting structure:  Reports to Deputy Resident Representative; 5 direct reports. 

Summary of Key Functions:

  • Ensuring the strategic direction of the portfolio
  • Management of the CO programme and supervision of the Programme team
  • Strategic partnerships and resource mobilization
  • Provision of top-quality policy advisory services to the Government and UNDP and facilitation of knowledge & capacity building and management

1. As a member of the CO management team, ensures the strategic direction of the portfolio focusing on achievement of the following results:

  • Thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and collaborative preparation/revision of CCA, UNPF, CPD, CPAP, AWP and other documents.
  • Thorough analysis and research contributions to development of products and policy advisory services that aim to support the government of Laos in implementation of policies aiming at achievement of SDGs relevant to natural resource management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster risk reduction and reduction at national and sub-national levels.
  • Identification of strategic programme areas of cooperation.
  • Operationalization of UNPF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Identification of possibilities for joint programming.
  • Analysis and presentation of UNDP policies and their implementation in the CO.
  • CO business processes mapping and establishment of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Results Management, control of the workflows in the Programme Unit.
  • Liaison between UNDP and the Government of Lao PDR with respect to major programme issues in the assigned thematic areas and provide solutions in seeking consensus.
  • Liaises regularly with the Government counterparts and advises Deputy Resident Representative and Resident Representative on the strategic direction of the programme portfolio
  • Development of strong synergies with other parts of the programme portfolio to demonstrate their contribution to the SDGs implementation in Laos.

2)    Ensures effective management of the portfolio and supervision of the unit members focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation to implementation achieving the following results:

  • Effective application of RBM tools, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of results.
  • Design and formulation of CO programme within the area of responsibility, translating UNDP priorities into local interventions. Coordination of programme implementation with the implementing partners.
  • Strategic oversight of planning, budgeting, implementing and monitoring of the portfolio, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. The Team Leader 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 recommendations. All exceptions are timely reported.
  • Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports with strict adherence to timelines and required quality standards.
  • Organization of cost-recovery system for the services provided by the unit to projects in close collaboration with Operations Manager.
  • Effective people management and capacity building of staff in the unit.

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

  • Develops and implements strategic partnerships with donors, UN and non-UN System organizations and NGOs, UN Agencies, IFIs, government institutions, bi-lateral and multi-lateral donors, private sector, mass organizations, civil society etc. to achieve programme outcomes for all the programme areas assigned;
  • Leads preparation of funding proposals and briefing documents for donors, organizes donor briefings and organizes and supports negotiation with multi and bilateral agencies in cooperation with Government counterparts and advisors;
  • Determines programmatic areas of cooperation, based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities; 
  • Coordinates with the key government institutions including Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in addition to the relevant line ministries to ensure that UNDP continues to remain a strategic and major partner in the areas of NRM, Climate Change & Disaster Risk Reduction.

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 and published best practices and lessons learnt 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;
  • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
  • Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.

IV. Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall success of the country programme and reaching UNPF/ CPD goals. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets.  The relevant national institutions like Ministry & provincial departments of Forestry (Agriculture), Natural Resources & Environment, Labour & Social Welfare, will be strengthened and impacts of Climate Change, disasters in Lao PDR will be reduced through efficient and effective programme development and implementation.


 

Description of Competency at Level Required

(For more comprehensive descriptions please see the competency inventory)

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

Resource mobilization

Ability to identify and organize programmes and projects to implement solutions and generate resources

Results Based Management

Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strategy aimed at improved performance and demonstrable results

Natural Resource Management

Knowledge of natural resource management principles, policies and laws, and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Climate Change

Knowledge of climate change policies and laws, and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Disaster Risk Reduction

Knowledge of disaster risk reduction policies and laws, and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

All Technical/Functional competencies are applied to the Level 5: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Education:

Master’s Degree in Development, Economics, Environmental or Natural Sciences, Environmental Management or Policy or related field.

Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant experience at the international level with progressive responsibility in the fields of environmental policy, NRM, Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction or other relevant areas. 

Hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects. Knowledge and hands-on experience of management of vertical funds (e.g. GEF and GCF) will be an asset.

Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web based management systems.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English (oral and written)

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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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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.

 

Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension

This vacancy is archived.

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