Programme Coordination Officer (364 days), P3 at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

UNEP is one of three original, founding implementing agencies of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), alongside the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The GEF also partners with 15 other Agencies to help developing countries and those with economies in transition to meet the agreed incremental costs of measures designed to achieve global environmental benefits in six focal areas: biological diversity, climate change (both mitigation and adaptation), international waters, chemicals and wastes management and, land degradation.

The position is located in UNEP, Corporate Services Division (CSD) at the Nairobi duty station. Under the overall supervision of the GEF Coordinator, the Programme Officer will carry out the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Follow trends, patterns and early warning of issues related to the GEF portfolio size, shape and relevance and coordinate with GEF Secretariat and focal area Portfolio Managers in pipeline management in absence of the GEF Coordinator.
• Analyze GEF policies and prepare options to update existing UNEP internal operational and procedural compliance policies, systems, and procedures for achieving compliance within UNEP and with GEF Secretariat.
• Contribute to develop and implement all business operations relating to compliance; develop and maintain a compliance recordkeeping system to prepare for and inform assessments and audits through detailed reports as needed.
• Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change.
• Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
• Undertakes survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
• Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Participates in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries.
• Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget).
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to environmental issues and sustainable development, compliance with Global Environment Facility policies and related monitoring systems. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Ability to identify policy, programing and system issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Effective professional networking and negotiation skills. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills with strong attention to detail to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
• CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, environmental sciences, business administration, environmental management or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, preferably in the context of environmental management, research and development or related area is required
• Experience in GEF project life cycle including development, implementation and reporting is required.
• Working knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as SAP and Integrated Planning Management and Reporting (IPMR) is required.
• Experience in donor reporting is desirable.
• 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Closing: 16 August 2022