Result of Service
The objective of the assignment is to ensure that GEF, AF, and GCF climate change adaptation projects in Asia are successfully internalised, managed, implemented, and monitored, including as related to financial and technical progress reporting, and that the Subnational climate-nature portfolio advances in line with workplan commitments. Performance will be assessed on the basis of the quality and timeliness of documents produced. All outputs must be accepted by UNEP to be considered satisfactory.
Duties and Responsibilities
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The overall objective of UNEP's Climate Change Division is to deliver effective strategic guidance and high-impact action in support of the transition towards climate stability. Its work is guided by ambition, innovation, credible science, and alignment to global climate goals and needs of individual countries. The Climate Change Division works with Member States and partners to accelerate and support a just transition by addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation through enhancing implementation capacity, provision of data, information and knowledge, access to finance and technology, and building resilience. It promotes sustainable development and effective policies for climate stability; supports action so that countries progress on decarbonisation, dematerialisation, and resilience pathways in line with their climate commitments, aspirations, and needs; and fosters transparency in reporting. The Project Specialist is required to manage part of UNEP's portfolio of GEF, AF, and GCF climate change adaptation projects in Asia, comprising 5 countries, and contributing to the Subnational Climate Action Unit’s broader portfolio of climate-nature initiatives at subnational level. The Project Specialist will manage part of UNEP's portfolio of GEF, AF, and GCF climate change adaptation projects in Asia, working in close collaboration with designated Programme Management Assistants and Finance Assistants. In addition, the Project Specialist will contribute to the planning, implementation, and monitoring of programmes and activities related to climate and nature action at the subnational level. Subnational climate-nature initiatives Under the Subnational Climate Action Unit, the Project Specialist will undertake the following duties, • Support the development and implementation of a portfolio of projects and initiatives advancing integrated climate and nature action at the subnational and city level, with a focus on nature-based solutions (NbS) and climate adaptation by assisting in the design, coordination and implementation of global, regional and country-level initiatives that support subnational governments in advancing integrated approaches to climate resilience, biodiversity protection and sustainable urban development, with a focus on nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation. • Support the implementation and oversight of project activities under a portfolio of initiatives on climate–nature action at the subnational level, while contributing to the development and advancement of additional global and regional initiatives in this area. • Contribute to the development of partnerships with key international organizations, national and subnational governments, research institutions and other stakeholders to support the implementation of climate–nature initiatives at the subnational level. • Support the coordination of project activities, events, stakeholder engagement processes and the development of knowledge products related to integrated climate and biodiversity action, nature-based solutions, and urban climate adaptation. • Assist the Programme Officer in the project financial and administrative management, including the management of human resources in the subnational climate action unit. • Assist the Programme Officer in the project monitoring and reporting, as well as in project development activities including drafting and submitting annual and quarterly project narrative and financial reports, UNEP internal monitoring processes through regular reporting and coordination of inputs into Integrated Planning, Management and Reporting (IPMR) solution, prepare programme/project concept notes/document and budgets development, in line with donor requirements. • Contribute to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, case study compendia, briefs, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, and inputs to publications. • Provide administrative and substantive support for consultative meetings and events. • Undertake any additional supporting tasks, as and when it is required by the Head of the Unit and Chief of the Branch. Asia Adaptation Portfolio Under the Asia Adaptation Portfolio, the Project Specialist will undertake the following duties, in close collaboration and coordination with designated Project Management Assistants and Finance Assistants in the following 3 projects covering 5 countries: 1. Urban Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Climate Resilient Development in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal; 2. Ecosystem-Based Approaches to Adaptation (EbA) in the Drought-Prone Barind Tract and Haor in Bangladesh; 3. Building climate resilience of urban systems through Ecosystem-based Adaptation in the Asia-pacific region (Laos PDR, Cambodia and Bhutan) • Project management - Guide the Programme Management Assistants to develop draft legal agreements for new projects and project extensions; - Guide the Programme Management Assistants to prepare documents for UNEP project internalization and revision processes, and provide inputs to ensure completed UNEP clearance and approval processes; - Maintain regular communication with Project Management Units (PMUs) at the Executing Agencies, to oversee project implementation progress, provide guidance, identify challenges and initiate corrective actions as needed; - Review and clear key technical deliverables, and initiate the processing of associated consultancy payments; - Participate in Project Steering Committee (PSC) meetings; - Prepare project supervision plans and risk logs for projects and periodically update them. Request the Executing Agencies to prepare annual work plans and update procurement plans, providing inputs to finalize them; - In close collaboration with the Programme Management Assistants, Finance Assistants and Fund Management Officer, review and clear expenditure reports, prepare budget revisions and cash advances; - Provide inputs for facilitating the technical and financial closure of projects; - Travel to undertake project monitoring and planning missions, as required and decided by the Portfolio Manager. • Preparation of project documentation - Prepare and send half-yearly progress report templates to Executing Agencies, hold meetings with the Project Management Unit (PMUs), send guidance emails to ensure correct and timely completion of the reports, and review such reports to ensure their timely completion; - Prepare and send GEF Project Implementation Report (PIR), AF Project Progress Report (PPR) and GCF Annual Progress Report (APR) templates to Executing Agencies, hold meetings with these agencies and send guidance emails to ensure correct and timely completion of the reports, and review such reports to ensure their timely completion; - Prepare a Mid-Term Review (MTR) recommendations implementation plan to facilitate Executing Agency implementation of MTR recommendations; - Respond to GEF review comments for projects under development and revise project documents accordingly, with support from consultants.
Qualifications/special skills
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in sustainable development, international development, environmental sciences, urban or environmental planning, development studies, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Completion of degree or non-degree programmes in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is desirable. A minimum of five years of experience in managing projects related to climate change adaptation, nature-based solutions, livelihoods, environment, or development is required. Experience working with national governments in Asia is required. Knowledge of UN processes and operations and experience working with government institutions or intergovernmental organisations is required. Experience working with GEF, GCF, Adaptation Fund, or UNEP projects is an asset. Experience in managing multi-stakeholder partnerships is desirable.
