Task Manager - Africa at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Reporting

This position is in GEF-International Waters Unit, Marine and Freshwater Branch, Ecosystem Division, Nairobi duty station. Under the general supervision of the Marine and Freshwater Branch Coordinator and direct supervision of Chief, GEF-International Waters Unit, the Task Manager will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Project identification and development:
  • Lead the identification of relevant and eligible project concepts in consultation with internal and external partners.
  • Coordinate discussion and seek clearance for such concepts including with UNEP Divisions and regional offices.
  • Advise project proponents on the revision of concepts to respond to issues raised by the peer reviewer or other reviews.
  • Present and defend the concept at the Concept Review Committee (CRC); and provide technical advice to the proponents in preparing the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) request for submission to GEF.
  • Monitor GEF project milestones; coordinate the response to GEF Secretariat and Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel(STAP) reviews and ensure that recommendations are considered in further project development.
  • Work with the Fund Management Officer to internalize the PPG upon GEF approval.
  • Coordinate and supervise PPG execution in accordance with UNEP and GEF policies and procedures.
  • Support the executing partner in mobilizing co-financing for the project; Ensure that a PPG completion report and financial reports is available upon completion of activities.
  • Verify that project proposal meets GEF quality-at-entry standards before submission to Branch Coordinator and GEF management for Project Review Committee(PRC)review.
  • Follow up- with GEF Secretariat during the project review process and promptly address any comments in consultation with project partners; Upon GEF CEO Approval, work with the Fund Management Officer to internalize the project document.
• Supervision of project implementation:
  • Prepare project supervision plans for all projects for their entire duration and periodically update them.
  • Coordinate the organization of the project inception meeting with a view to ensure project implementation readiness.
  • Provide oversight to project execution and ensure that all UNEP and GEF criteria, rules and regulations are adhered to by project partners.
  • Participate in projects Steering Committee meetings and ensure that the Steering Committee fulfils its function.
  • Regularly monitor project progress and performance and rate progress towards meeting project objectives, project execution progress, quality of project monitoring and evaluation, and risk.
  • Lead periodic assessment of project assumptions and monitor risk; review reporting by project executing partners and provides prompt feedback; promptly informs management of any significant risks or project problems and takes action and follows up on decisions made.
  • Coordinate and prepare reports in accordance with GEF and UNEP requirements; Maintain adequate project-related documentation; Cooperate in the "quality of project supervision assessment".
  • Apply adaptive management principles to the supervision of the project; review project outputs, provides technical input and ensures quality standards are met; assist with the preparation of project revisions.
  • Assess the need to conduct mid-term independent evaluation and if so, liaise with the Evaluation Office to ensure the evaluation is timely conducted.
  • Coordinate mandatory project(s) mid-term review in accordance with UNEP guidance and prepare a management response with a plan for implementation of recommendations.
  • Coordinate project terminal evaluation; take responsibility to ensure that project is financially closed in a prompt manner after completion of project activities.
• Knowledge and data management and communication:
  • Coordinate the identification and codification of lessons emerging from project implementation.
  • Lead the recording and ensure accuracy and completeness of project data in the project information system for all projects.
  • Contribute to project data reconciliation exercises within Ecosystems Division, the GEF Coordination Office and the GEF Secretariat.
  • Identify media and other outreach opportunities and materials and contribute project information and written materials to be used by the communications and outreach.
  • Participate and contribute to any events organized by GEF and UNEP to disseminate information on project results and lessons.
• General:
  • Keep abreast of developments in his/her technical field and further develop competencies and skills.
  • Prepare work plan for result based management with clear goals and indicators.
  • Contribute to UNEP’s programming and ensuring that results achieved by UNEP-GEF IW projects are reflected in Branch and Division overall reporting.
• Perform any other related duties assigned.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of international waters issues and discussions, knowledge and understanding of environmental and resource status of various international waters; practical experience in programme/project management and oversight; good analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems; ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given; ability to 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.
• COMMUNICATION: Good communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to comment on a variety of project related documents, the ability to prepare technically sound and logical proposals for projects, and the ability to outline project concepts and project implementation direction. Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• TEAMWORK: Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relationship in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance. Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

• Advanced University degree (Masters' degree or equivalent) in the fields of marine or freshwater biology, ecology, hydrology or chemistry, coastal zone and river basin management, environmental engineering, environmental economics or related fields, with specialization in issues related to the protection and management of international waters. A first level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme design and management is required.
• At least three (3) years of working experience at an international organization is required.
• Experience with programmes or projects in developing countries in the fields related to International Waters is required.
• Demonstrated experience of working in multi-country context in particular, in Africa is desirable.
• Proven experience in supervision and monitoring of projects and programmes implementation in complex context is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of French is an asset.

NOTE: "Fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "Knowledge of" equals a rating of "confident" in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Note: This is a temporary Job Opening. Appointment against this position is for a duration of 364 days, a limited duration and does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

Staff members are subject to the authority of Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations is Secretariat and is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for these positions. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

"Internal Applicants : When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. "

Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher, temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission; your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

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No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.