National Project Associate -NPSA 7 (Re-advertisement)

Overview

Job Description

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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.

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

The UNDP is responsible for the implementation of the GEF Funded GlobalBiodiversity Framework Early Action Support project in 69 countries. The Multi-Country Office (MCO) will be responsible for implementation in seven (7) countries across the easternCaribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The objective of this globalproject is to fast-track readiness and early actionsto implement the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) by providing financial and technical support to GEF-eligible Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in their work to align their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) including national biodiversity targets, monitoring, policy, and finance frameworks with the GlobalBiodiversity Framework of the CBD. Financial and technical support is provided through two pathways: first, grants made to Partiesto undertake early actions at the national level, and second, a global technicalsupport grant that will make it possibleto provide technical guidance to Parties to ensure these early actions are effective, efficient, inclusive, and of the highest technical standards.

Each of the participating countries, based on their currentplanning status, will use the grant to undertake activities from the following menu: a) Rapid review of NBSAP for alignment with the post-2020 GBF; b) assessment of monitoring systems; c) policy and institutional alignment and review of policies for coherence with the GBF; and d) biodiversity financeactivities. The rapid review of the NBSAP and national targets will focus on identifying gaps required to align the national targets, goals, objectives and action plans within the existing NBSAP to the new GBF; the assessment of monitoring systems will focus on identifying gaps and promoting alignment between the NBSAP-related monitoring system and the GBF; the policy and institutional review will focus on identifying policy gaps and inconsistencies within the existing NBSAP and the GBF; and the biodiversity finance activities will focus on preparedness for developing and/or implementing a finance plan for implementing a GBF-aligned NBSAP.

Duties and Responsibilities

The National Project Associate is expected to support technical, administrative (including logistical arrangements) and monitoring actions relating to project implementation, execution, and reporting. The successful candidate will provide support for the day-to-day management of the project in the mobilisation of inputs, the organisation of activities and other implementation support functions as requested.

Responsibilities include:

Programmatic planningand resource mobilisation

• Identify, synthesize and promote adoption of best practices and lessons learned, particularly innovative approaches and South-South cooperation directly linked to programmatic and project- level goals
• Support the preparation of project-related documents
• Make presentations as required to local, regionalor international fora on relevanttopics
• Prepare terms of reference (TORs) for the procurement of international and national consultants as required to support implementation of project activities, oversee procurement processes, as well as ensure quality assurance and timely delivery of services

Project development and implementation support

• Support the Programme Manager (PM) in the conceptualisation, development and implementation of activities for projects
• Provide technical and policy guidance in the design and implementation of activities, including research and strategic situational/problem analysis
• Provide technical supportin the application of field methodologies relatedto the implementation of project activities as relevant
• Advise and supportthe PM in the resolution of technical and administrative issues
• Support development of annual work plans and procurement plansfor NIM and DIM projects
• In collaboration with programme and operations personnel, help coordinate and deliver training for project staff in corporate Project Management requirements
• Coordinate procurement processes, including development of solicitation documents, convening evaluation committees, evaluating bids and preparing submissions to local and regional procurement committees

• Support UNDP management in project governance mechanisms, as necessary, providing guidance to in-country project teams and National Project Directors on UNDP, donor and government processes and requirements
• Support the PM in the technical supervision, coordination and contract management of consultants, ensuring efficient and effective resources utilisation
• Support beneficiaries in liaising with national and regional partnerson project issues
• Provide technical guidancein sustainability measures/plans for project initiatives
• Support the coordination of project activities and outputs with related UNDP and UN System initiatives
• Support the recruitment of consultants and the administration of contracts throughdrafting TORs, finalizing advertisements;
• Assist as necessarywith project closureactivities

Capacity building and knowledge management

• Contribute to development and implementation of capacity buildingprogrammes at nationaland community levels
• Evaluate, capture and synthesise lessons and stimulate the uptake of best practices and knowledge, including the development of position papers, resource kits and other knowledge materials
• Respond to querieson demonstration activities’ progress, impacts and lessons

Monitoring and reporting

• Assist inception activities including establishment and monitoring of indicators, baselines and targets
• Support PM on missions for programmatic inspections in line with monitoring and evaluation plansto ensure activities are proceeding towardsachievement of projectoutcomes, and outputs are of requisite quality
• Prepare reports to the PM identifying risks, challenges and causes of potential bottlenecks to activity implementation and propose (and implement where relevant) mitigation measures, including modification to activities where appropriate
• Conduct regular analysisof the effect of actualperformance relative to the projecttimetable and budgets, in close collaboration with the PM
• Support preparation of inputs to periodic narrative and financial reports, including donor and UNDP corporate reporting
• Support Implementing Partners in the preparation of annual work plans, quarterly and annual progress reports as required

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Location: Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Institutional Arrangement

Directly reportsto the Multi-Country Project Coordinator and functions under the overallguidance of the Head Cluster, Nature, Climate and Energy

Competencies
Core

Achieve Results:
LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:
LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously:
LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback Adapt with Agility:
LEVEL 1: Adaptsto change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination:
LEVEL 1: Showsdrive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner:
LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:
LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
ThematicArea Name Definition 2030 Agenda: Planet
Nature, Climate

and Energy
Ecosystems and biodiversity 2030 Agenda: Planet Nature, Climate and Energy Ecosystems and biodiversity: Biodiversity Finance Business Management Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals Business Management Partnerships Management Ability to build control resources and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society, and private sector partners, experts ,and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies Business Development Knowledge Generation Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need
Business

management

Resource

management

Ability to allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical

way in line with principles of accountability and integrity
Business management Results-based management Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA
Min. Education Min. Education requirements
Secondary education is required

University degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in Environment or natural resource Management, Environmental Economics, Development, Business Administration, Coastal/Ocean Engineering, Project Management or similar field.
Min. years of relevant work experience Minimum 7 years with a Secondary Education or 4 years with Bachelor’s degree of relevant experience in environmental, climate change And/or development work, project management. Required skills Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.)and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. Desired skillsin addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section

• Experience in environmental and climate change-related work, such as research, training, environmental assessments, and monitoring.
• Experience in the coordination/implementation of environmental projects and activities.
• Experience in the development and/or implementation of capacity building programmes at national and/or community levels is desirable
• Experience in project administration/management would be an asset
• Previous experience within the UN common system or International/regional Development Organizations is desirable

Required Language(s) Written and spoken English Professional Certificates Project management certification is desirable

Disclaimer

Important applicant information
All posts in the NPSA 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.

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