Senior Programme Management Officer, P-5

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

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 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) sets a global framework composed of four overarching goals for 2050 and twenty-three targets for 2030 to accelerate action across sectors and society to address the key drivers, halt and reverse biodiversity loss globally. The Kunming Biodiversity Fund is a new Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), with a commitment of $220m USD to date, co-led by UNEP and China, which will complement the GEF Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) and other funds to support KM-GBF implementation in developing countries. The management of the KBF Trust Fund is carried out at three levels:

• The Executive Council (EC), supported by the Secretariat, is responsible for overall coordination with KBF Partner Countries and decisions regarding the allocation of resources from the KBF Fund;
• Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO) is responsible for administering the Kunming Biodiversity Fund; and
• KBF Partner Countries to implement projects that have been endorsed by the KBF EC. This position reports to the Head of the KBF Secretariat at the Montreal duty station, with overall direction provided by the Executive Council. Administratively the position sits in the Biodiversity and Land Branch, Ecosystems Division.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the KBF Secretariat, the incumbent will be responsible for performing the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Takes the lead to develop, implement and evaluate assigned programmes/projects; directs subordinates in programme/project development, implementation, monitoring and assessment; directs review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions.
• Ensures implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels.
• Directs research and programme evaluation and presents information gathered from diverse sources to guide the strategy and positioning of the Fund and its narratives.
• Undertakes survey initiatives; guides design of data collection instruments; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
• Directs substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Leads the development of specific strategies for resource mobilization, advocacy, outreach & communications, partnership development and knowledge management.
• Ensures effective management of the Secretariat, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
• Supports the Head of Secretariat to create an integrated, multi-disciplinary team, including through managing, training and guiding staff, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), and relevant recruitment of personnel.
• Liaises with the MPTFO on matters pertaining to overall KBF fund allocations, administration, delivery and reporting, including for the transfer/release of approved project funds, project/ fund extensions and closures, KBF overhead budget, and tracking donor contributions to KBF.
• Leads collection of critical data on financial contributions through bilateral and multilateral development channels.
• Ensures timely and robust reporting of results that clearly capture fund performance, including the Annual Report, in accordance with the agreed results framework and respective indicators, and facilitate annual progress reviews.
• Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements) and ensures preparation of related documents and reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget). • Leads the Manages relationships with Fund partners, donors, and parties interested in joining, donating to or collaborating with the Fund at senior levels.
• Oversees the Fund’s Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) of senior multi-disciplinary experts from government, civil society, and research institutes to provide timely advice to drive effectiveness of the Fund.
• Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.
• May perform other duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of the key drivers in halting and reversing biodiversity loss. Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
• COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. VISION: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
• MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in environmental management, conservation, environmental economics, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying 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

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in international project or programme management related to biodiversity is required. Experience leading diverse teams to deliver impactful results for biodiversity is required. Five (5) years of experience working in developing countries is required. Experience working with Regional or Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) is desirable. Experience collaborating across multiple international organisations and/or UN agencies is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area 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. “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.

Application instructions

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