Chief Technical Specialist – Sustainable Land Use – P4

Background

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UNDP Office in Papua New Guinea in partnership with the Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) has signed Contribution Agreement with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to implement the project “Establishing systems for sustainable integrated land-use planning across New-Britain Island in Papua New Guinea”.

The project will assist in strengthening sustainable and inclusive economic development of the New Britain Island of Papua New Guinea by Four interrelated components:

1. Development of integrated landscape management systems strengthening food and nutrition strategy and
2. Promotion of sustainable food production practices and responsible value chains to reduce land stress and avert degradation and deforestation
3. Conservation and restoration of natural habitats
4. Knowledge management and impact monitoring

It will be achieved through the development and delivery of an innovative approach to rural development that brings together government systems, private sector and community action to present a model for climate compatible green growth.

Integrated sustainable land use and development planning within provincial and district development planning will provide a framework and supporting environment for effective climate compatible development including both mitigation and adaptation actions.

This framework will be used as a base to help catalyse community action on sustainable projects and the development of community conservation areas as well as private sector investment in the development and production of high quality ‘conservation commodities’ that have improved international market access and prices and support the delivery of multiple objectives at the community level.

This integrated approach is fully in line with a number of government and private sector initiatives with the current project acting as a catalyst to bring these elements together as well as helping to bridge the investment gap presents in fully operationalizing these integrated approaches.

Through these actions the project will provide significant support to achieving both PNG’s Medium-Term Development Goals, including targets for increasing agricultural productivity, increasing areas under conservation and reducing levels of forest loss. It will also support action under the SDGs in particular action on SDG15 Life on Land, SDG 13, Climate Action and Goal 2, Zero Hunger.

The Chief Technical Specialist will operate under the direct supervision of the UNDP PNG Deputy Resident Representative. She/he will work in close collaboration with the UNDP Portfolio on Energy, Environment and Climate Change in Papua New Guinea.

She/he will coordinate all aspects of project implementation, with a view to ensuring that project activities remain coherent with and complementary to other activities in the area. The Chief Technical Specialist will ensure adequate communication and where relevant joint implementation, between participating agencies to ensure coherence and synergies between outputs, with a view towards reaching the results and the overall outcome.

The Chief Technical Specialist will regularly visit activities on both sides of the border with a view to ensuring that project components are well-coordinated, so that direct and indirect beneficiaries benefit from all relevant components of the project.

She/he will also be in-charge of planning and leading joint missions for members of the Technical Committees, in the lead up to the midterm and annual progress reporting. The Technical Specialist will lead drafting of progress reports, supported by the Project Management Unit New Britain Island and focal points of the implementing agencies who are responsible for ensuring good quality of data shared with UNDP Programme Support Unit, and ensure that communication about the project is conducted. The Chief Technical Specialist supports the Project Steering Committee.

Position Purpose

Summary of key functions:

• Support the day-to-day management of the Food Systems, Land Use & Restoration (FOLUR) Project through provision of technical advice, including coordination across agencies and with other programmes. Provide technical advice and guidance to refocus and where necessary revise project strategies and implementation plans as the operating context evolves.
• Provide significant input to project reporting and monitoring for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensuring that the delivery of the project adheres all UNDP and GEF reporting and quality assurance requirements.
• Provide advice to Government counterparts and facilitate knowledge building activities among stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support the day-to-day management of Food Systems, Land Use & Restoration (FOLUR) Project through provision of technical advice, including coordination across agencies and with other programmes:

• Provide close and regular technical backstopping to National Programme Manager and PMU, and other implementing entities.
• Review of relevant policies and development of policy frameworks as well as the institutional arrangements for Integrated Sustainable Development.
• Organisation of and substantive contributions to a high-level policy dialogue on development of a Food Systems, Land Use & Restoration (FOLUR) Project.
• Support the National Programme Manager and PMU in coordinating and supervising activities of national and international experts /consultants to secure timely production of planned outputs and the review of these outputs.
• Lead and facilitate consultation and validation workshops with key clients including UN agencies and other development partners, international partners and donors to identify key priorities and complementarities between the project and other existing initiatives in support of the same area
• Draft presentations, briefing notes, and concept notes.
• Recruitment and supervision of technical expertise to implement UNDP’s specific component activities. Management of personnel, goods and services, training and low-value grants, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications, and overseeing contractor’s work.
• Ensure that AWP activities suggested are in line with the overall direction set by the Project Document and lead to achievements of project targets and results, proposing strategies adjustments where appropriate.
• Ensure implementation of activities as per AWP and agreed deadlines as well as according to detailed implementation, procurement and HR plans.
• Ensure that UNDP ́s results-management systems are kept updated for project results- information including ATLAS project management module.
• Monitor budget implementation to ensure accuracy and reliability of project expenditure.
• Supervise and manage project personnel and consultants. Establish performance objectives and standards and ensure timely and appropriate feedback, guidance and support to ensure optimum performance.
• Manage and monitor project risks. In collaboration with the technical project staff, implementing partners, identify new risks and update risk frameworks for consideration of the Steering Committee and decision on possible actions if required. Update the status of these risks by maintaining the project risks log.
• Coordinate the conduct of an independent evaluation, audits, spot-checks, project monitoring visits to responsible parties etc.
• Provide regular field updates to UNDP management.
• National Project Manager to coordinate and liaise with stakeholders – including line ministries, development partners, civil society, indigenous peoples and the private sector.
• Ensure coordination with other landscape initiatives.
• Ensure communication between different government agencies, national and international initiatives and stakeholders.

Provide advice to Government counterparts and facilitate knowledge building focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Provide support and technical advice to the development of policy options and strategy for the design and implementation of the Food Systems, Land Use & Restoration (FOLUR) Project to the Government of PNG (GOPNG) and other development actors including support on the development of:

1. Benefit distribution mechanisms
2. A national registry
3. Conflict resolution mechanisms
4. Other elements of integrated sustainable development as required

• Share knowledge on integrated sustainable landscape management by documenting lessons learnt and best practices from the Food Systems, Land Use & Restoration (FOLUR) Project and contributing to the development of knowledge-based tools (including policies, strategies, guidelines, etc.);
• Provide timely quality information and technical advice to the GOPNG, UN Country Team, implementing partners, line ministries and other partners to ensure effective development and delivery of the Food Systems, Land Use & Restoration (FOLUR) Project.
• Develop and present technical and policy documents for stakeholders, incorporating experiences of global best practice.
• Coordinate institutional capacity assessments of relevant national, provincial, and local entities along the agricultural supply chain; and assist in the identification of technical expertise and lead on the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts, and reviewing reports produced.

Provide significant input to project reporting and monitoring for both internal and external stakeholders.

• Overall responsibility for the design of the monitoring strategies of the projects under the Portfolio and its successful implementation.
• Ensure that the Portfolio is aligned to the key priorities identified in the outcomes of the UNDP Strategic Plan and the Country Programme Document.
• Promote and support quality assurance activities undertaken by the Project.
• Contribute to the development of evaluation plans as required by the Project / Country Office

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Managerial and Supervisory – (Two positions)

Competencies

Core Competencies

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.

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross Functional & Technical Competencies

Business Management – Results Based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.

Business Management – Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Business Management – Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s 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.

External Relations & Advocacy – Partnership Agreement – Emerging partnerships: Ability to engage with emerging partners, develop and manage a strategy and develop approaches to developing and managing these new strategic partnerships.

External Relations & Advocacy – Partnership Agreement – Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding: Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms.

2030 Agenda: Peace – Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions: Land Use, Land-use Change and Forestry.

2030 Agenda: Peace – Nature, Climate and Energy: Ecosystems and Biodiversity: Conservation and Sustainable use of biodiversity, land, forests and oceans.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• An advanced (Master) degree with 7 years in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Economics, or a related area.
• A first-level university degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Economics, or a related area with an additional 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with a masters) OR 9 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant working experience on conservation, resource management, forest economic policy and community development livelihoods is required.
• Previous experience of implementing similar type and value projects in developing countries as a technical advisor. Experience implementing GEF-funded projects is highly desirable.
• Demonstrable experience and understanding of issues facing integrated sustainable landscape and climate change.
• Experience working in multinational teams to implement programmes involving different funding and implementing agencies is desirable.
• Experience of implementing programmes across the UN agencies and across Government are definite advantages
• Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills are highly desirable
• Working experience in Asia Pacific and PNG would be an advantage

Language

• Proficiency in English.
• Working knowledge of other UN language desirable.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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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