Career Opportunities at United Nations Environment Programme

Result of Service

Establish and operationalise a robust M&E framework to monitor impact of the programme in Fiji Investing in Coral Reefs and the Blue Economy and is a Joint Programme (JP).

Work Location: Fiji

Expected duration: 6-months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) and Joint SDG Fund has initiated a project in Fiji Investing in Coral Reefs and the Blue Economy, a Joint Programme (JP) between UNDP, UNCDF, and UNEP, to leverage philanthropic and development finance to mobilize concessional and commercial impact investment for reef first business models. The UN is de-risking investments through a mix of performance-grants, concessional debt and guarantee (i.e., blended finance).

Marine protected areas, waste management, sustainable fisheries are examples of projects and businesses that the Programme will be financing. Social, economic, environmental impact screening and monitoring is an integral component of the Programme to ensure investments contribute to achieving SDG 14. Life below Water and contribute to strengthened resilience of ocean ecosystems. The applied GFCR indicators are multi-disciplinary in that they aim to capture data on impact with regard to biodiversity, resilience, socio-economy and adaptation.

UNDP is the convening agent; UNCDF is executing investments and UNEP is leading the impact measurement work which is includes monitoring, data analysis, and advising implementing partners in impact measurement.

The Programme has two implementing partners that focus on generating investible deal flow. Data collection would be done through several layers depending on the stage of investment. For example, data on projects in incubation mode would be collected through the deal flow partners, and those partners where the UN has invested already. The impact measurement expert will be liaising with the implementing partners directly for the impact measurement work to ensure alignment with the GFCR Fund-level results framework. Where relevant, the deal flow partners will be involved in the impact measurement at post-investment stage depending on their contractual relationship with the investee and their technical expertise. This role will include a strong coordination component as implementing partners will be implementing their own M&E either through their own organisations or partners.

The impact measurement expert will also liaise with focal points at the GFCR Fund-level to ensure the programme/project level M&E Strategy is designed and implemented to monitor the GFCR impact indicators. Further the impact measurement expert will share lessons learned to inform the programme and GFCR on M&E challenges, costs and adaptive strategies.

Monitoring and evaluation are critical elements of successful project planning and implementation. There are two central objectives: accountability and learning. The overall purpose of monitoring and evaluation is the measurement and assessment of performance in order to more effectively manage outputs and strengthen the achievement of outcomes. A well-designed and well-implemented monitoring strategy can inform an evaluation and can provide the evidence of results achieved as well as help identify lessons learned and the best practices

This consultancy post is in the Ecosystems Division at Marine and Freshwater Branch, under the direct supervision of the Associate Expert and overall oversight of the Chief of the Marine and International Waters Unit.

The overall objective of the UNEP's Ecosystems Division is to support countries in conserving, restoring and sustainably managing their terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, the biodiversity they contain and the products and services they provide for human well-being and prosperity. The Division's mandate is to address the environmental causes and effects from an ecosystems' approach, including consequences of disasters and conflicts. It helps countries develop policies and programmes to respond to ecosystems challenges, and reduce pollution from land-based activities, increase resilience to climate change and reflect linkages between poverty and environment in their development planning.

1. Development, coordination, and oversight of the programme’s M&E Plan and Framework that applies the key social, economic and environmental indicators to monitor in line with GFCR Global (Core) Indicators and other indicator categories; these include investment related indicators, and blue economy sector specific indicators such as indicators specific to waste management, fisheries, MPAs, mariculture, etc.
2. When needed, provide guidance to implementing partners to identified strong candidates for intervention-specific impact measurement and strengthen relationships between project partners’ impact measurement teams to facilitate alignment between impact frameworks and data sharing.
3. Provide guidance and training to intervention-specific impact measurement teams using the GFCR M&E Toolkit, as well as collaborate on data management, analysis and reporting.
4. Work with implementing partners to establish the social, economic and environmental baseline conditions and targets before and perhaps during initial project activities and interventions
5. To establish the impacts on social, economic and environmental indicators of project activities and interventions, compared to control sites where interventions have not taken place
6. To provide an advisory and oversight function to programme interventions as impacts are measured, including the quality of data collection.
7. To advise on interventions so that programme interventions do not cause unintentional negative social, economic or environmental impacts
8. To provide inputs on the projected socio, economic, and environmental impact of possible deals being incubated through the Project’s investment readiness facility
9. To collect, consolidate and analyse impact data for annual reporting
10. To document lessons learned from programme interventions
11. To analyze and synthesize and actively share. best practices arising from programme interventions, for potential replication and upscaling and share with the Convening Agent as well as the GFCR Global Team.
12. Coordinate the recruitment of partners that will assist with data collection and monitoring of programme indicators and provide guidance for monitoring and data management
13. Consult with the independent UNEP evaluation office consultant on the mid-term and terminal evaluations.
14. Coordinate with UNEP Nairobi office, UNEP GFCR M&E consultants and GFCR Secretariat

Qualifications/special skills

Competency:

1. Strong analytical, reporting, and writing abilities;
2. Excellent facilitation skills;
3. Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
4. Ability to plan, organize, implement, and report on work;
5. Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
6. Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
7. Positive, constructive attitude to work
8. Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Academic Qualifications:

Master’s degree (or higher) in environmental sciences, international development, with specific academic or professional background related to climate change adaptation, monitoring and evaluation or other closely related fields is required, A first level degree with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree.

Experience:

1. At least 10 years of experience working with M&E is required;
2. Experience in working with multi-disciplinary teams, including local and expatriate technical experts is required;
3. Demonstrated experience in project development, implementation and management is an asset

Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in excellent oral and written communication skills in English and French languages is required. Fluency in other United Nations language is an advantage.

Additional Information

The consultant work location will be based in Fiji.

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Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is based at the Nairobi duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Executive Secretary the cumbent will be responsible for the following duties;

Responsibilities

1. Supports on meeting planning, coordination and liaison preparation of the procedural scripts for the Chair of the INC and other presiding officers.
2. Provides issuance and submission of all procedural pre-session, in-session and post-session documents.
3. 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.
4. Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
5. Coordinates policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies,
6. Generates survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identify problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
7. Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
8. Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
9. Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
10. Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries
11. Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements,) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget).
12. 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.
13. Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

1. PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills 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. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
2. TEAMWORK: 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.
3. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Education

1. An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in environment, business administration, management, economics or related fields is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work 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 desirable.

Work Experience

1. A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required.
2. Experience in implementing environmental programmes or projects is desirable.
3. Experience with UN system, governmental or non-governmental institutions implementing projects/programmes addressing plastic pollution is desirable.
4. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable

Languages

1. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; and knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

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 may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice
This position is temporarily available for 364 days and may be subject to extension. 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.

Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

Internal Applicants – When completing the Candidate Profile 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 or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need
to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated
in the application.

On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly ncouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have
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