Project Development Expert Lesotho amd Malawi at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Duties and Responsibilities

• Clarify the additionality of the proposed outcomes and activities and ensure that the project approach is the most cost-effective according to GEF guidelines.
• Develop and describe the project’s institutional and implementation arrangements.
• Ensure action points from the UNEP Safeguard Risk Identification Form (SRIF) process for the PIF stage are fully implemented during the PPG. Conduct the full UNEP Safeguard Risk Identification Form (SRIF) and compile a summary report indicating results of the PPG investigation and future actions. Address any opportunities/risks identified during a UNEP Safeguard Risk Identification Form (SRIF). UNEP Safeguard Risk Identification Form (SRIF) should be applied to minimize any associated risks; consultant to work closely with UNEP’s Safeguard Advisor to ensure the economic, social and environmental risks of project are fully addressed.
• Develop the project’s sustainability strategy and the exit strategy according to GEF guidelines.
• Develop the GEF project budget per outcome as per either the old UNEP/GEF format or the new GEF format as will be determined
• Facilitate the process of developing and confirming the co-financing plan and developing a co-finance budget.
• Prepare costed M & E work plan for all activities, with defined indicators, to be funded by the GEF including clear identification of responsibilities and accountabilities, as well as an appropriate M&E budget. The M&E plan will be based on the standard template provided in the UNEP -GEF project document template that reflects the mandatory requirements of the GEF M&E Policy.
• Develop action plan for incorporation of gender aspects in the project, with quantifiable baseline and target indicators, as per GEF and UNEP guidance and based on the results of gender analysis. Define the gender sensitiveness of the project, and the best strategies for women’s empowerment (review relevant UNEP documentation on the requirements for gender mainstreaming into UNEP and UNEP GEF projects, including UNEP’s Policy and Guide on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women; UNEP’s Gender Equality Strategy; UNEP’s Social and Environmental Standards; GEF’s Gender Mainstreaming at the GEF; GEF’s Policy on Gender Mainstreaming; and GEF’s Gender Equality Action Plan; to incorporate minimum requirements into project design, including outputs, activities, indicators);
• Working with the relevant stakeholders and the national and international consultants, ensure the quality of completed BD/LD tracking tools.
• Compile and produce a fully-fledged UNEP / GEF project document with all the required annexes and the GEF CEO Endorsement request document with all the required annexes/attachments.
• Address all comments on the project concept by the Chief GEF BD/LD unit and the UNEP Project Review Committee (PRC).

Qualifications/special skills

• Minimum of master’s degree in relevant fields such as Biology, Natural Sciences, Ecology, Environmental Management, Forestry, Agriculture, Social Sciences, Biodiversity, Land use Management and Ecosystem services (either with ecological or socio-economic background), agriculture, Environmental law 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.
• At least 10 years of experience in the development projects and/or programmes is required, preferably with some experience in the GEF projects design and consultancies is required.
• Demonstrated track record in the preparation of documents, project proposals, evaluation reports, etc. is required. GEF project designing and development, in at least two or more projects is required.
• Experience working with international organizations, including UNEP and the GEF, is desirable

The following competencies are desirable:-

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relations with colleagues in multi-cultural environments.
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of quality analysis for the project document.

Deadline : Nov 9, 2026