Job Opportunities at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Specific tasks and responsibilities

• Project management of projects under development:
• Prepare concept notes / PIF proposals for the GEF-9 replenishment cycle.
• Prepare SSFAs (including budget and implementation plans) and oversee HR processes (i.e. recruitment of consultants, payments, etc.) for the development of assigned projects.
• Revise project implementation plans and ensure development steps are followed.
• Revise the project development timeline and provide inputs to ensure project development occurs on time.
• Provide inputs to stakeholder consultation processes in the development of the projects.
• Prepare / review the UNEP safeguards identification form and PRC checklist;
• Upload GEF-8 endorsement document packages to the GEF portal.
• Review PPG expenditure reports of assigned projects. Project management of projects under implementation: Develop draft legal agreements for new projects and project extensions;
• Prepare documents for UNEP project internalization and revision processes, and provide inputs to ensure completed UNEP clearance and approval processes.
• Prepare reports on the progress and risk situation of assigned projects in the Africa portfolio, and submit to the TM recommendations to effectively mitigate identified risks.
• Prepare and send half-yearly progress report / PIR / co-finance report / expenditure report templates to Executing Agencies (EA) for projects assigned in the Africa portfolio, hold meetings with these agencies and send guidance emails to ensure correct and timely completion of the reports, and review such reports to ensure their timely completion.
• Prepare project supervision plans and risk logs for projects and periodically update them. Request the EAs to update their procurement plans and review such plans, providing inputs to finalize them.
• Prepare project revision documents for technical and financial revisions for projects, ensuring that project revision documentation is complete for UNEP approval.
• Review expenditure reports together with the finance team to ensure (a) correct amounts have been charged; (b) expenditures are aligned with project deliverables and thus acceptable; (c) expenditure is not exceeding the budget line allocations and overall budget. Send feedback emails to EAs to complete the document correctly.
• Review cash advance requests in collaboration with the finance team. Provide guidance to EAs in order for them to complete the document correctly. 

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: project management, engineering, environment, law, business administration, economics, public affairs, development, finance, or a related discipline;
• A first level degree with additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree;
• Minimum of two (2) years of overall professional experience is required;
• Experience in managing projects related to climate change, environment or development is required;
• Experience in working with national governments in Africa is required;
• Experience in reviewing project documents, progress reports, workplans, and financial documents (budgets and expenditure reports) is desirable;
• Experience working with GEF or UNEP projects is desirable;
• Experience in working for multilateral or bilateral funding entities in the field of climate change, environment or development is desirable

go to method of application »

Specific duties include the following:

• Under the direct supervision of the Associate Programme Management Officer (CAMCA Project in UNEP’s Ecosystem Division), the consultant will perform the following specific duties. The output will be evaluated by the Associate Programme Management Officer in close cooperation with the local implementation partners.
• Providing an inception report, including
• A brief summary of the tasks an overview of existing species- and area-based conservation measures and tools implemented/developed under UNEP’s Multi-country Mountain Flagship, Vanishing Treasures, and CAMCA projects, including community-based micro-reserves and ecological corridors. an overview of existing ecosystem-based adaptation measures and tools implemented/developed under UNEP’s Multi-country Mountain Flagship, Vanishing Treasures, and CAMCA projects, including a summarized rationale explaining the mechanism with which each contributes to ecosystem restoration and climate-smart conservation of the target species.
• a prioritized list of measures and tools, based on a tested prioritization method.
• A work plan for achieving the planned results
• Lead two consultation/validation workshops each in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, in collaboration with local partners to validate the priority-ranked measures and tools, and to receive acknowledgement by governments and local stakeholders for the inclusion of the identified measures and tools in upscaling project concepts.
• Developing three clear and structured project rationales based on selected measures and tools.
• Outlining project activities that scale up the selected measures and tools, integrating gender considerations, community participation, and sustainable livelihood opportunities into the project design.
• Concisely outlining the alignment of proposed concepts with relevant global (SDG, CBD, UNFCCC, UNCCD, etc.), regional (CAMI PoW, CMS instruments, IFAS, regional MoUs, etc.), and national strategic frameworks (incl. UNCT docs).
• Identifying suitable funding opportunities from multilateral and bilateral sources.
• Engaging with UNEP experts, national stakeholders, and funding agencies to develop and refine project ideas.
• Developing three high-quality concept notes tailored to selected funding mechanisms.
• Expanding two of the concept notes into full proposals, including logical frameworks, budget estimates, and sustainability strategies.
• Ensuring concepts and proposals are aligned with donor priorities and meet submission requirements.

Qualifications/special skills

• A postgraduate degree is required, in environmental science, biodiversity conservation, climate change, or a related field.
• At least five years of experience with project development for multilateral funding in the field of nature conservation is required, preferably in Central Asia. A proven track record in developing successful concept notes and proposals for multilateral and bilateral funding sources is desired.
• Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills is also desired
• Strong knowledge of international biodiversity and climate adaptation policies, including the Convention on Migratory Species, Global Biodiversity Framework, and NBSAPs is an advantage.
• Knowledge of Central Asian biodiversity and climate adaptation policies and projects is highly desirable. Experience working with UNEP or other UN agencies is desirable.