Programme Management Officer

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the world's environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the environment.

Result of Service

At least two (2) EAs proposals drafted and submitted to the GEF
One CEO Endorsement request document submitted to the GEF, updated to respond to any arising comments, and resubmitted for approval
The CBIT-GSP mid-term review evaluation undertaken UNEP partners/countries supported to receive financial/technical services for report for their NC/BUR/BTR preparation; and execution of TNA IV and GSP-CBIT
Enhanced collaboration between EAs programme and finance teams
Prioritization of 2024 targets ( closure and expenditures)
Annual report to the GEF prepared, for consideration at COP 29

Work Location

UNEP Nairobi Duty Station

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
The overall objective of UNEP's Climate Change Division is to deliver effective strategic guidance and high-impact action in support of the transition towards climate stability.
UNEP provides capacity building and technical support to governments to enhance their policy and implementation capacity and helps them access finance to align to the Paris Agreement, decarbonize, anticipate and adapt to climate impacts.
Its work is guided by ambition, innovation, credible science, alignment to global climate goals and needs of individual countries.
The GEF Climate Change Mitigation Unit, of the Climate Change Division is seeking services of one consultant to support the GEF portfolio of Climate Change Enabling Activities (EAs).
This portfolio comprises projects that assist countries to meet their reporting obligations under the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement (PA), through the preparation and submission of National Communications (NC); Biennial Update Reports (BUR); and Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs).

The consultant who will be under the guidance and supervision of the GEF Climate Mitigation Unit Head and will be responsible for

 

identification and development of new Climate Change Enabling Activity (EA) projects;
supervision of implementation of the EA projects; and
supporting UNEP and GEF corporate tasks.  This position will be based in the UNEP Officer in the Nairobi Duty Station for a period of 6 months with a possibility of extension up to 9 months.

Specific tasks and responsibilities: Identification and development of climate change enabling activities projects  Liaises with internal and external partners to identify relevant and eligible project concepts. 

Discusses and clears such concepts with the Senior Programme Officer
Consults with UNEP’s Divisions and regional offices as necessary.
Advises project proponents on how to revise concepts to respond to issues raised by the peer reviewer and other reviews.
Monitors Global Environment Facility project milestones to avoid delays and potential project cancellation.
Addresses Global Environment Facility Secretariat reviews and ensures that Project Review Committee recommendations are considered in further project development by the executing agency.
Verifies that the project proposals meet Global Environment Facility quality-at-entry standards before submission to Senior Programme Officer and Global Environment Facility Coordination Office for Project Review Committee review.
Supports the executing partners in mobilizing Co-financing for the project.
Upon Global Environment Facility Chief Executive Officer approval, works with the Fund Management Officer to internalize the project document.

Supervise implementation of the enabling activity portfolio of projects:

Prepares project supervision plans under his/her portfolio for their entire duration and applies adaptive management principles to the supervision of the projects.
Organizes and manages the project inception meeting.
Provides oversight to project execution and prepares reports in accordance with UNEP and Global Environment Facility criteria, rules and regulations.
Participates or delegates participation when needed, in relevant Project Steering Committees and ensures that Project Steering Committee fulfills its function.
Regularly monitors project progress and performance and rates progress towards meeting project objectives, project execution progress, quality of project monitoring and evaluation, and risk.
Monitors reporting by project executing partners.
Promptly informs management of any significant risks or project problems and takes action and follows up on decisions made.
Prepares reports in accordance with Global Environment Facility and UNEP requirements.
Maintains adequate project-related documentation.
Applies adaptive management principles to the supervision of the project.
Assists with the preparation of project revisions.
Reviews project outputs, provides technical input and ensures quality standards are met.
Manages any mandatory project(s) reviews.
Supports the project mid-term or terminal evaluation when relevant or project final reports.
Takes responsibility to ensure that project is financially closed in a prompt manner after completion of project activities.

Contribute to UNEP and Global Environment Facility Corporate Tasks: 

Identifies opportunities to complement the UNEP Programme of Work with GEF-financed initiatives;
Represents Climate Change Division in UNEP and Global Environment Facility –related meetings;
Participates in the UNEP Project Review Committees;
Provides regular substantive backstopping to UNEP senior colleagues and partners, including the regional and liaison offices;
Provides input to Global Environment Facility corporate evaluations, country portfolio evaluations, thematic evaluations and impact evaluations and to the preparation of the Management Action Record.
Maintains the enabling portfolio of projects and risk management records and contributing to UNEP and Global Environment Facility information and knowledge management;
Keeps abreast of developments in his/her technical field and further develops competencies and skills; and undertakes at least one relevant learning activity each year;
Prepares his/her annual work plan for result based management with clear goals and indicators.

Requirements
Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics, engineering, law, environmental policy, development, climate change, finance or a related field is required.
A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree is required.
Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in climate mitigation (non-AFOLU) project or programme development, management and capacity building is required.
Experience in Global Environment Facility project development or management is desirable.
Experience in developing or managing multi-country projects is desirable.
Experience within the United Nations or a similar international organizations is desirable.
Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area 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.