Programme Director (Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership)

Position description

Functional Responsibilities

Leadership:

• Represent the FCLP and FCLP Secretariat in meetings and to external partners, including internationally and at senior levels, as determined with the Steering Committee and Co-Chairs;
• Provide vision and inspiring leadership to Secretariat team;
• Lead and manage the FCLP Secretariat, ensuring that the approved work plan is delivered to a high quality and within budget;
• Lead and manage a diverse FCLP team including staff, consultants and secondees, ensuring effective division of labor and managing the team to deliver high impact results;
• Report to the Steering Committee members regularly, and as required, on progress and strategy, thereby ensuring transparency and accountability of the FCLP Secretariat to its members;
• Create an environment that promotes diversity and inclusion and a culture of respect towards colleagues at all levels.

Strategy and Political Ambition:

• Facilitate delivery of the two-year (2024 and 2025) FCLP Strategy leading up to COP30 in Belém, approved by the Steering Committee, including policy working groups;
• Facilitate the delivery of specific initiatives, supporting co-chairs of the respective workstreams to maximize impact;
• Ensure that the Secretariat focuses its work on the priorities in the approved work plan and strategy;
• Design and deliver political ambition events for ministers and leaders at UN Climate Change Conferences and other events as needed (e.g. CBD COPs, UNGA, etc.);
• Ensure that an effective communications strategy is in place so that the work and the added value of the FCLP is understood, recognised and valued internationally;
• Provide advice on strategic direction to the Steering Committee.

Partnership Management and Governance:

• Ensure quality and integrity of Secretariat services;
• Ensure that the FCLP governance and procedures (e.g. on transparency and decision-making) are fit for purpose, facilitating updates as needed by the Steering Committee, and ensure that these procedures are followed;
• Oversee and direct the Secretariat to support the FCLP Steering Committee and co-chairs, ensuring that they are convened regularly with a clear agenda and high-quality papers, to enable effective decision-making;
• Organize meetings of the Steering Committee, the Secretariat Board and member countries at the sherpa and ministerial level;
• Ensure that the FCLP member countries remain engaged in and informed about the work of the partnership and are actively involved in delivery and decision-making. Ensure that voices from FCLP members both from the Global North and the Global South are included in the FCLP agenda and priorities;
• Establish effective consultation arrangements with partners and non-state actors about the work of the FCLP, including indigenous peoples and local community representation organizations, the scientific community and other stakeholders.

Secretariat Operations Management:

• Developing the Secretariat Workplan and Budget, including resources managed by financial delivery partners, for approval by the Steering Committee, and ensure quarterly reporting;
• Develop and implement an internal operations manual and internal control framework, including rules and procedures for staff, decision-making, financial management;
• Oversee the budget and ensure transparency and alignment with FCLP objectives and compliance with UNOPS requirements, following agreed procedures for financial decision-making and reporting, including to donors;
• Oversee the work of FCLP Secretariat hosts;
• Work with the Steering Committee on resource mobilization to ensure the Secretariat has the financial resources needed to deliver its work plan, based on an approved resource mobilization plan, mobilizing resources from governmental and philanthropic donors and other sources of funds as appropriate.

Monitoring and Progress Controls:

• A work plan will be developed based on the UNOPS PER cycle and serve as the overarching document to monitor progress and record performance.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) is required;
• First level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced university degree;

Required Experience:

• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of experience in the fields of climate, forests and land use, natural resource management, international development and/or environmental policy is required;
• Within the above fifteen (15) years’ experience:
  • At least five (5) years of experience in a leadership role required;
  • At least five (5) years of experience working with developing countries required.

Desirable: (The following experiences are optional, candidates who do not have any are welcome to apply)

• Experience in more than one geographical region is a distinct asset;
• Experience and understanding of all aspects of UN Climate Change Conferences and other high-profile climate and nature processes is an asset;
• Long-term professional experience providing policy advice to governments, including in developing forest countries is an asset;
• Experience working with senior stakeholders (Ministers, CEOs) is an asset;
• Strong experience coordinating, facilitating, and managing complex governance arrangements and establishing collaborative ways of working and transparent processes that build trust and credibility between institutions is an asset;
• Experience working collaboratively across an organization with international counterparts and in diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environments, navigating complex political dynamics and building strong relationships is an asset;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage complex projects and multiple simultaneous processes and communicate consistently with a wide range of audiences, including at Ministerial level is an asset.

Languages:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English is required;
• Working knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese and/or French is highly desirable.

Other:

• It is required to regularly travel internationally and to work outside of typical work hours (i.e. early mornings and/or late evenings) when required to accommodate various time zones.

Competencies

• Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above);
• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion;
• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles;
• Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role);
• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries;
• Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements;
• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving;
• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Application instructions

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