Openings at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Specific tasks and responsibilities

For Three GEF-8 Projects, And In Consultation With UNEP, The Lead GEF Consultant, The Lead National Ministry And Key Stakeholders Should Undertake The Following Tasks

• Design, together with the lead GEF consultant, the project pilots to ensure they are nature-positive and have concrete GEBs in accordance with GEF indicators and project concept hectare targets. This includes:

Stage A

• Identifying the pilot baseline, key stakeholders, location, etc;
• Preparing a maximum one-page summary on the pilot proposal;
• Revising the output text as required;
• Identifying deliverables;
• Estimating the GEBs in hectares and CO2e from land;
• Identifying the required execution arrangements for the pilot;
• Estimating the required budget;
• Identifying 1-3 risks to pilot execution;

Stage B

• Drafting 2-3 paragraphs for each relevant output narrative;
• Providing detailed deliverable descriptions (i.e. one paragraph per deliverable);
• Identifying the required budget and procurement of goods and services;
• Advising on the relevance of potential pilot co-financing;
• Writing short (half to one-page) terms of reference for the required procurement (a template will be provided);
• Ensuring that the outputs and deliverables are validated by UNEP, the GEF Consultant, the national ministry, and other key national stakeholders.
• Provide inputs to ensure all project outputs are nature-positive and, where relevant and possible, have BD/LD GEBs. This includes:

Stage A

• Identifying relevant elements of the project baseline (including national and international requirements and efforts on nature-positivity)
• Providing input to the problem tree;
• Providing, for the project’s upstream component(s)
• Input to outputs to ensure they are nature-positive
• Suggestions for deliverables to ensure they are nature-positive
• Input to the development of component core and outcome indicators, including identification, where possible, of GEBs in hectares and CO2e from land.
• Input on key stakeholders, including for participation in project execution and its steering committee
• Input on risks to execution

Stage B

• Providing, for the project’s downstream component(s), excluding the project pilots (which are covered in a) above):
• A review of outputs, deliverables and indicators with suggestions on how to ensure their nature-positivity and ensure they are not nature-negative.
• Participate virtually in relevant stakeholder consultations, include one virtual validation workshop per project.
• Provide responses and revisions to the design as required to respond to UNEP, GEF Consultant, Government and GEF reviews.

Qualifications/special Skills

• Advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: environmental studies, environment, economics, development, engineering or a related discipline is required;
• A first level degree with additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree;
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in developing projects related to biodiversity or land degradation is required;
• Experience in working with national governments of Latin America and the Caribbean is required
• Experience working with GEF, GCF, or UNEP projects is desirable;
• Experience in working with or for multilateral or bilateral funding entities in the field of climate change, environment or development is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written English is required.

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Duties and Responsibilities

The world is facing a triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The global food system stands as a significant driver of this crisis contributing to over 1/3 of greenhouse gas emissions, up to 80 per cent of deforestation and associated biodiversity loss and accounting to 70% of global freshwater withdrawals. Food systems are also a major source of air pollution and of nutrient overloading in waterways. Current models of food production and consumption have led to severe environmental, human, and animal health issues, posing a hindrance to achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and threatening governments' capacity to provide healthy and affordable diets to an additional 1.9 billion people by 2050. Climate change has already slowed global agricultural productivity growth, and future climate variability and extreme events are expected to further disrupt crop yields and quality.

UNEP has laid out a bold and ambitious plan to address these interconnected crises through an integrated systems approach and identified critical pathways to deliver on this ambition. One of these pathways is to support the transformation of food and agriculture systems for a sustainable future. The UNEP sustainable food systems strategy advocates for a proactive shift towards net-positive and resilient agriculture, circular food systems, and sustainable lifestyles and health. This systems approach seeks sustainable food production at all scales, optimizing environmental resource use while minimizing waste, pollution, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions. Against this backdrop, UNEP seeks to hire a consultant to support the development of project document and financing proposal for a multi-year sustainable food systems project to enable UNEP to deliver on this ambition.

Responsibilities

In consultation with the head of the Nature Transformation & Mainstreaming Unit, and under direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer responsible for food systems, the consultant will undertake the following assignments

• Develop a project framework document. To this end, the consultant will:
• Facilitate consultations with the Biodiversity and Land Branch, other branches and divisions in UNEP, and external stakeholders as appropriate for the development of a theory of change and results framework to form the basis of the logical framework for UNEP's sustainable food system strategy moving forward.
• Based on the above elements, prepare a project concept note for review by UNEP’s Project Review Committee (PRC).
• Taking feedback from the PRC into account and develop a full project document according to the specifications in the UNEP Programme Manual.
• Develop a Project document and financing proposal, based on the theory of change developed in the aforementioned project framework document. To this end, the consultant will:
• Hold consultations with the Biodiversity and Land Branch, other branches and divisions in UNEP, Secretariats of Multilateral Environmental Agreements and external stakeholders (as appropriate) for the adaptation of the theory of change and identification of appropriate intervention points and develop results and logical frameworks to form the basis of a global sustainable food systems project.
• Based on the above elements, prepare a project concept note for review by UNEP’s Project Review Committee (PRC).
• Taking feedback from the PRC into account, develop a full project document in collaboration with the responsible Programme Manager, according to the specifications in the UNEP Programme Manual.
• Review, fact check and finalise the project document to ensure that all UN Environment project development guidelines are met and that the proposed project addresses priority needs and is both cost effective and implementable.
• Lead the identification of and liaison with suitable donors and funding opportunities for the project and prepare a financing proposal in the format specified by the identified donor(s).

Qualifications/special Skills

• An advanced university degree in environmental sciences, agricultural sciences, ecology, project management, natural resource management or economics, or a related subject is required.
• A first degree together with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Work experience: A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the development of project proposals, management, and sustainable use of biodiversity or related areas of work is required.
• Environmental Management, Natural resources management and resource economics, agriculture, and food systems.
• Skills in results-based management using the Theory of Change approach.
• Knowledge of International Organisation Programme and project frameworks is an advantage.
• Excellent resource mobilization and background in writing skills.
• Good knowledge of different international donor processes and mechanisms;
• Excellent networking and communication skills, and experience engaging with multiple parties and stakeholders using participatory techniques.
• Project document and proposal writing experience.

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of another UN language is an advantage

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Responsibilities
BUDGET:

• Assists in the preparation of supporting documents (narrative and supporting tables) with respect to finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals, in terms of staff and non-staff requirements.
• Supports the Finance/Budget Officers(s) in extracting information and generating expenditure reports from computerized information system databases; assists in preliminary analyses of the extracted information and the reports generated, and highlights areas of concern for the attention of the Finance/Budget Officer(s).
• Assists in the development of resource requirements for budget submissions and in the preparation of budget performance submissions.
• Researches/compiles data and other information required by the Finance Budget Officer(s) in the review and analysis of relevant proposals.
• Consolidates data and provides support to Finance/Budget Officer(s) with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies.
• Assists the Finance/Budget Officer(s) in the preparation/finalization of budget performance reports, performing preliminary analysis of variances between approved budgets and actual expenditures.
• Prepares pre-encumbrances and obligations in UMOJA and review them to ensure that funds are available, and the correct account has been used.
• Assists in drafting the initial versions of the Financial Aspects section of the Secretary- General's reports to the Security Council, draft resolutions and Reports of the Fifth Committee for peacekeeping operations and the Annotated Agenda for peacekeeping items.
• Assists the Finance/Budget Officer(s) with data input in the budget instructions for peacekeeping operations.
• Assists in the financial backstopping of trust funds, including monitoring the status of voluntary contributions, generating expenditure reports from UMOJA and monitoring reporting requirements by donors.
• Assists the Finance/Budget Officer(s) in the issuance of allotments and related staffing table authorizations.
• Verifies accuracy of input data, ensuring consistency of data in previous allotments to new allotments issued.
• Reviews draft reports, verifying overall accuracy, consistency and uniformity in the presentation, and ensuring comprehensiveness and compliance with the format prescribed by the Editorial and Documents control of General Assembly And Conference Management (GACM); cross-checks consistency of figures in tables with the text of the reports, and verifies references to other reports and documents, bringing errors to the attention of the Finance/Budget Officers(s) concerned; ensures that all necessary corrections are incorporated in the reports, co-ordinates with other finance and budget staff on related issues during preparation of budget reports.

Claims
Verifies and prepares less complex payments to third parties, commercial entities, and individuals, with respect to settlement of certified death and disability, contingent-owned equipment, stores, pay and allowances, and letters of assist claims.

Treasury
Reviews incoming payment instructions with regard to banking details and sources of funds.

• Prepares payments for final disbursement by Cashier.
• Dispatches payment instructions and cheques to banks.
• Creates receipts and deposits for all incoming funds.
• Notifies payees of status of payments.
• Assists staff members, Fund Management Officers and donors regarding queries on payment and deposit-related issues.
• Identifies and annotates bank account movements.
• Files and archives documentation as required.

General

• Keeps up to date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme budgets, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures.
• Drafts routine correspondence with respect to enquiries related to relevant financial and budget matters.
• Maintains and keep up-to-date files.
• Provides administrative support to the Head of the organizational unit and/or Finance/Budget Officer(s), as required.
• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of, and ability to apply financial rules, regulations and procedures in the UN environment. Knowledge, skills and ability to extract, interpret, analyse and format data across the full range of finance and budget functions, including programme development and database management, claims and treasury operations. Ability to identify and resolve data discrepancies and operational problems. Ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of wo
• 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.
• PLANNING & 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

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

• Successful completion of the CPA, ACCA, CFA or similar examination is desirable.
• Finance or accounting qualification, advanced. Excel User skills and Certification in Public Accounting or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in finance, budget, accounting, administrative services or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to three (3) years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher.
• One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
• Experience in the United Nations system or other comparable international organization is desirable.
• Working experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), finance systems and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) is desirable.

Languages

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