Description
Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas: sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.
UNDP connects countries to the knowledge, resources, and networks they need to achieve development breakthroughs. Our work is summed up in our six signature solutions, adapted to context and powered by three potent enablers for greater impact. Responding in an integrated and coherent manner, we are determined to end poverty and hunger, protect the planet from degradation, ensure that all people have prosperous lives, with growth that occurs in harmony with nature, and to foster peaceful and inclusive societies. We are committed to mobilizing the means to implement the 2030 Agenda through a revitalized Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, based on a spirit of strengthened global solidarity.
UNDP has supported the Government and people of Liberia in their efforts to reduce poverty and inequality in a bid to attain sustainable development since 1977. This has been done by among other things strengthening and reforming governance institutions to be inclusive and participatory, developing the necessary regulatory frameworks, upholding human rights, and supporting growth of the private sector and civil society. Our United Nations identity ensures neutrality and respect for people’s choices. Transparency and accountability in operations makes us a trusted partner for national and international development stakeholders.
UNDP encourages and enables collective intelligence, collaboration, integration, critical thinking and thought leadership. We mainstream innovation, digitalization opportunities, gender equity and diversity/inclusion principles in all aspects of our work. Our staff consistently strive for excellence, effectiveness, efficiency and inclusion across all areas of work.
In close cooperation with the UNDP Programme teams and other Country Office units, the Operations team supports the UNDP Country Office and programme implementation through the provision of relevant and timely procurement, finance, ICT and digital services, General Administration services, and Human Resources support. This includes a focus on collaboration, innovation, speed and administrative efficiency as well as advisory services for enhanced planning. The unit contributes to a collective engagement with other teams, partners and UN Agency clients to offer timely, well-planned and efficient services that meet the standard and requirements of UNDP policies and procedures.
Liberia has rich and diverse natural resources and is a global biodiversity hotspot. Linkages between socioeconomic and environmental issues in the context of sustainable development in Liberia and in the sub-region, especially for women and marginalized groups, are critical. Climate change, deforestation, and threats to protected areas are likely to adversely affect various sectors including agriculture, fisheries, forestry, hydropower generation and health. Rising sea levels have accelerated coastal erosion, damaged infrastructures and impacting livelihoods of coastal communities. Low-lying areas are frequently flooded due to inadequate drainage systems and poor waste management. Early warning systems in Liberia remain nascent. It is estimated that a one meter rise in sea-level will place 230,000 people at risk and cause the loss of 2,150 km2 of land valued at US$250 million. Increased rainfall and flooding will lead to a greater vulnerability to disease such as malaria, cholera and diarrhea. Planning and resource allocation are not evidence-based due to limited data and knowledge of current climate risks and anticipated climate change impacts.
Liberia ranks amongst the lowest countries in the world in terms of electrification and energy access. 82.3 percent of the total population and 96.9 percent of the rural population having no access to electricity (HIES, 2016). Charcoal and firewood are the main sources of energy for cooking and heating for an estimated 95 percent of the population. Only 2 percent of the population have access to clean fuels and technologies for Cooking. With a humid, tropical climate, an average temperature of 27 Celsius (81 Fahrenheit) and a monthly solar radiation on horizontal surface ranging between 4 KWh/m2/day during the rainy season and 6 KWh/m2/day during the dry season, Liberia’s solar energy potential is significant. The country has the potential to generate 1,400 to 1,500 KWh/p of solar energy.
UNDP, through its Inclusive Green Growth Pillar and under the Energy and Environment (E&E) Programme, is tackling these challenges within a broader development context that would facilitate synergy amongst the four thematic/focus areas of UNDP’s work: 1. Livelihood Diversification, Disaster Resilience and Climate Change; 2. Biodiversity Conservation Ecotourism and sustainable Land Management; 3. Renewable Energy Access and 4. Waste Management. In line with the CPD (2020-2024), the E&E Programme is providing support to promote diversified and inclusive economic growth along a low carbon and climate resilient pathway that is underpinned by investments in sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture, food security, job creation and improved resilience to climate change and natural disasters in Liberia.
Position Purpose
In view of the above context, UNDP is recruiting an Energy and Environment Programme Specialist with expertise and experience in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Climate Change, Clean and Renewable energy and Natural resource management who will be able to accomplish tasks and produce deliverables as outlined in the scope of work.
Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Resident Representative for Programmes and day to day supervision of the Team Leader of the Inclusive Green Growth Pillar, the Energy and Environment Programme Specialist will advise and manage the development of sustainable national framework/programs for DRR, climate change, energy, and natural resource management.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities
Ensure Effective Programme Coordination and Implementation:
- Provide technical support to existing and new environment projects including GCF and GEF projects;
- Monitor the progress of projects (including financial management) on a regular basis and make recommendations on measures to improve project performance and progress;
- Review all project related reports and provide comments as required;
- Liaise closely with the Team Leader (IGG) and Project Teams under the Energy and Environment portfolio and counterparts on project related matters;
- Advise and support to CO Environmental Sustainability and CO Programme Design, through effective implementation ensuring cross-programme synergy.
Ensure Effective Formulation and Development of Project/Programme:
- In consultation with the Team Leader, IGG and the DRR/P and external partners, prepare project concepts, project proposals and project documents;
- Review concept papers, project briefs and project documents prepared by consultants and provide comments when necessary;
- Participate in the appraisal and review of all core and non-core projects that are managed through the UNDP Liberia;
- Strategic Programming and efficient programme/project management through an enhanced and sound management, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting of all E and E projects.
Establish and maintain strategic Country Office partnerships and support resource mobilization efforts to achieve programme outcomes:
- Advise and support the development and management of environment/climate change and DRR projects and to create an enabling environment for resource mobilization;
- Provide technical support in sensitization on climate finance mechanism, particularly the LDCF, GEF and GCF;
- In consultation with the DRR/P and IGG colleagues, facilitate funding from different modalities in particular the GEF, but also UNDP (core funds, trust funds), bilateral and other multilateral donors;
- Establish a directory of potential funding sources for environmental projects including information on project requirements;
- Advise and support to CO partnerships and resource mobilization strategy and action plan: implementation of the CO strategic partnerships, resource mobilization and communication strategy.
Ensure provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management:
- Guide the CO in the development of environmental policy papers;
- Build synergies and linkages with relevant UNDP funded Programmes in particular other key environmental programmes and promote the practice areas of UNDP;
- Facilitate the cooperation between UNDP CO and other organizations (national/regional/global) working on climate change issues in particular the GEF, the GCF liaising closely with the UNDP Regional Service Center for Africa;
- Facilitate and coordinate the sharing of lessons learnt and best practices and share lessons from other country offices;
- Establish and maintain a good working relationship with Government counterparts, donors, CSOs, the private sector, academic institutions and other agencies working on NRM, DRR, energy and climate change issues;
- Participate in and contribute to learning events organized by the CO and attend training workshops relevant to overall duties required of the post;
- Other duties that may be required from time to time;
- Ensure appropriate mechanisms of cooperation are in place- related to approaches to capacity building, collecting, documenting, and sharing experience.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervise Solar Project Officer
Competencies
CORE
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
2030 Agenda: Planet: Nature, Climate and Energy
2030 Agenda: Planet: Nature, Climate and Energy
- Climate Change Policies: Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)
2030 Agenda: Planet: Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery
- Disaster Recovery Policy, Planning and Programming,
2030 Agenda: Planet: Nature, Climate and Energy
- Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Conservation and Sustainable use of biodiversity,
Business Direction and Strategy System Thinking
- Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Business Management: Portfolio Management
- Ability to select, prioritize and control the organizations programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment.
Business Management: Communication
- Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental Science, Environmental/Natural Resources Management, Economics, Renewable Energy and Development related studies is required. Or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional seven years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Minimum of five (5) years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience with national and global environment issues and proven experience in project management and/or resource mobilization is required;
- Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP is required;
- Proven experience in developing and leading programmatic portfolios in the areas of environment management, energy efficiency, climate change, disaster risk reduction and other relevant fields is desired;
- Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies, development partners and donors is desired;
- An international/ national exposure desirable in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among an international organization and national governments;
- Familiarity and prior experience with the donors’ requirements and procedures is considered as an asset.
Language Requirement:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Disclaimer
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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