The position is Home-Based
Background
Office/Unit/Project Description
The Blue & Green Islands Integrated Programme (BGI IP) is a transformative and comprehensive initiative designed to address pressing environmental challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS). These Countries, due to their small size, remote locations, and reliance on limited resources, are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts and other shocks. The programme will leverage significant innovation emerging from SIDS to turn their most pressing challenges into opportunities for prosperity, enabling them to build forward better, greener and bluer.
The overall objective of the BGI IP’s Global Coordination Project (GCP) is to enhance collaboration, capacity and partnerships among 15 BGI IP child projects in valuing nature, scaling up of nature-based solutions in the food, tourism, and urban sectors, and securing public and private finance to facilitate nature-positive development and reduce ecosystem degradation in SIDS. This will be achieved by demonstrating the transformational potential of incorporating the value of nature into decision-making and using innovative nature-based solutions to achieve development and MEA goals and address SIDS challenges related to food security, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and reduction of hazardous chemical pollution.
A Global Programme Coordination Unit (GPCU) will be established by the GCP for the overall BGI IP. The GPCU will be responsible for the overarching management and coherence of the BGI-IP through workstreams including day-to-day programmatic coordination of the Policy and Practice Facility, Knowledge Management and Learning Cluster, and Nature Based Solutions Accelerator, capacity development, monitoring, evaluation and reporting, adaptive management, technical coherence and advice, compliance, knowledge management, cross-project collaboration and networking, and facilitation of joint learning, solutions sharing, and upscaling efforts. The GPCU will optimize strategic engagement with key multi-stakeholder bodies and platforms for policy coherence and change at global, regional, and national levels. This will be done through collective action and a clear agenda established in collaboration with the IP’s country and institutional partners, to assure a seat at the table on policy and related discussions relevant to SIDS and the IP context.
The GPCU will be responsible for programme level support to the Child Projects and for receiving and collating information on the state of the Programme for the PSC, and for organizing the annual meeting of the GCP and all the 15 country Child Projects, as well as quarterly meetings of the BGI IP PSC, and for collating and disseminating all programme M&E results. Effective participation from key BGI IP countries will be ensured through Regional Nodes and Thematic Working Groups, where country project managers come together to exchange best practices and learning around themes such as: evidence-based nature-based solutions, public and private sector engagement and finance, monitoring and evaluation, safeguards, gender, etc.
Scope of Work
The Global Programme Technical Specialist (GPTS) is responsible for supporting the Global Programme Technical Lead (GPTL) in delivery across all work streams, and is expected to play a critical role in key components such as the Policy & Practice Facility, Nature Based Solutions Accelerator, and Knowledge Management and Learning Cluster, while also establishing and overseeing collaborative partnerships with various stakeholders. A significant focus of this position involves leading the development and execution of robust M&E systems that meet UNDP and GEF standards, tracking project indicators, and ensuring timely and insightful reporting and evaluations. The successful candidate will adeptly manage project risks, oversee workplans and deliverables, and facilitate knowledge sharing through documentation of lessons learned and best practices. More specifically, the GPTS is expected to undertake the following tasks.
Lead, manage, coordinate, and develop effective programme planning and implementation.
Support the GPTL in managing overall implementation of the project. Support the GPTL in providing guidance to the GCP’s Policy & Practice Facility, Nature Based Solutions Accelerator and Knowledge Management and Learning Cluster. Support the GPTL in establishing and overseeing collaborative arrangements with partners (including Responsible Parties). Support the GPTL in administrative / monitoring issues as needed, including monitoring progress against the approved workplan; overseeing the work / deliverables of Responsible Parties and contractors. Support the GPTL in preparing progress reports to the BGI IP Advisory Board and GCP Steering Committee Support the GPTL in managing and monitoring project risks. Support the GPTL in preparing revisions to the multi-year workplan, as needed, as well as annual and quarterly plans if required. Support the GPTL in monitoring implementation plans, including the gender action plan, stakeholder engagement plan, and any environmental and social management plans. Support the GPTL in coordinating inputs related to budgeting, HR, and procurement planning, in liaison with relevant UNDP teams as needed. Support the GPTL in reviewing technical deliverables submitted by Responsible Parties and consultants. Support the preparation of Terms of Reference, recruitment processes, and procurement documentation where relevant. Identify and recommend opportunities for synergy with related UNDP initiatives and external partnersDevelop strategic partnerships
Support engagement with implementing and development partners, government counterparts, NGOs, regional bodies, and other stakeholders to foster alignment with project objectives.Support the GPTL in the development and oversight of collaborative arrangements and partnerships. Support coordination across the BGI IP portfolio via regional nodes, thematic working groups, and cross-country exchanges to support coordinated delivery and mutual understanding of objectives. Support the organization of joint activities and events involving multiple stakeholders, including GCP Steering Committee and BGI IP Advisory Board meetings. Support project communications and visibility efforts in coordination with the GPTL and relevant UNDP teams, and contribute to identifying opportunities for scale-up, replication, and knowledge dissemination. Support internal coordination within UNDP teams and other relevant UN or multilateral entities.Project Monitoring and Evaluation Duties and Responsibilities
Collaborate with the UNDP team in establishing the GCP M&E system and ensuring that the M&E system meets both UNDP and GEF requirements. Oversee the monitoring of GCP indicators. Initiate and organize quarterly progress reporting, annual progress and implementation reporting, documentation of lessons learned, and support for and cooperation with the independent external evaluation exercises. Liaise with child projects to ensuring the monitoring and evaluation activities are carried out in a timely and comprehensive manner. Monitor project progress and participate in the production of progress reports ensuring that they meet the necessary reporting requirements and standards. Oversee and ensure the implementation of the project’s M&E plan, including periodic appraisal of the Project’s Theory of Change and Results Framework with reference to actual and potential project progress and results. Oversee and guide the design of surveys/ assessments commissioned for monitoring and evaluating project results. Facilitate mid-term and terminal evaluations of the project; including management responses. Support project site M&E and learning missions. Visit project sites as and when required to appraise project progress on the ground and validate written progress reports. Support proper operational and financial closure of project.Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic areas.
Facilitate annual reviews of the project and produce analytical reports from these annual reviews, including learning and other knowledge management products. Support the identification and documentation of lessons learned, success stories, and good practices. Contribute to the development of knowledge products, case studies, and learning briefs. Support peer learning, exchange visits, and regional knowledge-sharing events. Collaborate with the Knowledge Management and Learning Cluster to curate, package, and disseminate knowledge assets. Use and pomote with Country Projects teams and other BGI IP global platform entities the Digital Colloborative Space (DCP) for multilateral engagement. Support the identification of capacity-building needs and assist in the design and delivery of targeted training, peer learning, and technical workshops involving government, private sector, NGOs, and academic partners Support the GPTL and UNDP teams in communicating results and showcasing lessons learned from the BGI IP, including through joint advocacy, outreach, and visibility activities.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary forthe efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The Global Programme Technical Specialist will report to the Global Programme Technical Lead.
Competencies
Complete the Competencies section for each set of competencies as follows: 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
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies Thematic Area Name Definition
Partnership Management Relationship Management Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding Business Management Project Management
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
Business Management Monitoring and EvaluationAbility to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.
Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.
Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
2030 Agenda:
Planet Nature Ecosystems and Biodiversity 2030 Agenda: Engagement and Effectiveness Effectiveness
Project Quality Assurance
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 systemEqual opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
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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