PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER

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. UNEP’s Ecosystems Division works with international and national partners, providing technical assistance and advisory services for the implementation of environmental policy and strengthening the environmental management capacity of developing countries and countries with economies in transition. This position is located in the UNEP/Ecosystems Division/Marine and Freshwater Branch/Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Unit at the Nairobi duty station. Under the overall guidance of the Head, Marine and Freshwaters Branch and direct supervision of the Chief, Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Unit the incumbent will perform the following duties.

Responsibilities

1. Project identification and development: • Lead the identification of relevant and eligible project concepts in consultation with internal and external partners. • Coordinate discussion and seek clearance for such concepts including with UNEP Divisions and regional offices. • Advise project proponents on the revision of concepts to respond to issues raised by the peer reviewer or other reviews. • Present and defend the proposal at the Project Review Committee (PRC) as required; and provide technical advice to the proponents in preparing the project document request for submission to donors. • Monitor project milestones; coordinate the response to with FAO and UNDESA reviews and ensure that recommendations are considered in further project development. • Work with the Fund Management Officer to internalize the fund approval. • Coordinate and supervise project execution in accordance with UNEP policies and procedures. • Support the executing partner in mobilizing co-financing for the project; Ensure that a project progress and completion report and financial reports are available upon completion of activities. • Verify that project proposal meets UNEP quality-at-entry standards before submission to Branch Coordinator and for Project Review Committee (PRC) review. • Follow up the project review process and promptly address any comments in consultation with project partners including FAO and UNDESA. 2. Supervision of project implementation: • Prepare project supervision plans for the projects for their entire duration and periodically update them. • Coordinate the organization of the project inception meeting with a view to ensure project implementation readiness in collaboration with FAO and UNDESA. • Coordinate and provide oversight to project execution of the SIDS flagship program in Comoros, St. Lucia and Vanuatu and ensure that all UNEP criteria, rules and regulations are adhered to by project executing partners. • Participate in projects Steering Committee meetings and ensure that the Steering Committee fulfils its function. • Regularly monitor project progress and performance and rate progress towards meeting project objectives, project execution progress, quality of project monitoring and evaluation, and risk. • Lead periodic assessment of project assumptions and monitor risk; review reporting by project executing partners and provides prompt feedback; promptly informs management of any significant risks or project problems and takes action and follows up on decisions made. • Coordinate and prepare reports in accordance with UNEP and donor requirements; Maintain adequate project-related documentation; Cooperate in the “quality of project supervision assessment”. • Apply adaptive management principles to the supervision of the project; review project outputs, provides technical input and ensures quality standards are met; assist with the preparation of project revisions. • Assess the need to conduct mid-term independent evaluation and if so, liaise with the Evaluation Office to ensure the evaluation is timely conducted. • Coordinate mandatory project(s) mid-term review in accordance with UNEP guidance and prepare a management response with a plan for implementation of recommendations. • Coordinate project terminal evaluation; take responsibility to ensure that project is financially closed in a prompt manner after completion of project activities. 3. Knowledge and data management and communication: • Coordinate the identification and codification of lessons emerging from project implementation. • Lead the recording and ensure accuracy and completeness of project data in the project information system for all projects. • Contribute to project data reconciliation exercises within Ecosystems Division. • Identify media and other outreach opportunities and materials and contribute project information and written materials to be used by the communications and outreach. • Participate and contribute to any events organized by UNEP to disseminate information on project results and lessons. 4. General: • Keep abreast of developments in his/her technical field and further develop competencies and skills. • Prepare work plan for result based management with clear goals and indicators. • Contribute to UNEP’s programming and ensuring that results achieved by UNEP projects are reflected in Branch and Division overall reporting. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. 5. Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of programme or project management in the fields related to the coastal and marine ecosystems conservation, restoration and sustainable use, blue carbon, blue economy, and other related sectors. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work, and manage conflicting priorities. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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. 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 AND 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

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in project management, marine sciences, environmental science, ocean governance, environmental management, natural resources management or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of 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.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of senior-level professional expertise in programme or project management in the fields related to the coastal and marine ecosystems conservation, restoration and sustainable use, blue carbon, blue economy, and other related sectors is required. At least three (3) years at the international level professional work experience within the UN or other international organizations is required. Work experience in developing countries, in Small Island States, is required. Experience in large-scale project design, management, supervision, coordination of multicounty programme/project, monitoring, and evaluation is desirable. Experience working with different donors and climate and environment funds such as Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Green Climate Fund (GCF) in a multicounty context is desirable. A minimum of Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official 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.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one (1) year and may be subject to extension. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira” Contact Us” link.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.