Programme Management Specialist

The Nature for Development Program is seeking the support of a Programme Specialist to facilitate the delivery of programme activities with a focus on projects that support countries in applying spatial data analysis to design nature-based public policies that can be aligned with the “Biodiversity Plan,” The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

Working in collaboration with UN agencies and grant bodies such as the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), the CBD Secretariat, and the GEF Secretariat, among others, the projects to be supported are part of the ELSA+ portfolio within the Nature for Development Program. The ELSA+ portfolio leverages and builds on the results of the ‘Mapping Nature for People and Planet‘ initiative, which developed a participatory country-driven methodology to identify areas to protect, restore, and sustainably manage (also designed as ‘ELSA map’ project) based on spatial planning science, national policy priorities, and global and national geospatial data layers.

This role comprises managing the project cycle, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting, leading effective communications/engagement with partners, stakeholders, and government representatives to achieve the project goals.

The assignment is supervised by the Manager of the Global Programme on Nature for Development.

Project management and implementation:

• Lead the preparation and implementation of work plans and monitoring frameworks for the ELSA+ project portfolio in compliance with UNOPS and donors policies and procedures.
• Ensure effective information flow, communication and coordination between the Nature for Development Programme and partners including donors, country offices and government representatives, as well as other units/teams across the organization to ensure implementation of activities are on track and in line with project documents and plans.
• Develop planning documents, including project documents, concept notes and related documents to support and guide implementation.

Monitoring and Reporting: 

• Lead monitoring of activities to measure progress made against expected results.
• Oversee the monitoring of progress against agreed results frameworks and performance indicators.
• Gather information and prepare reports on progress of project implementation for internal needs and donors.
• Coordinate timely and quality reporting, including donor reporting.
• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned that are directly linked to the implementation of the project and contribute to their global dissemination.

Technical Component:

• Develop technical guidance documents, tools, and training biodiversity and policy.
• Develop reports and policy recommendations related to the targets in the emerging post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
• Conduct literature reviews, knowledge management sessions, compilation of information, and gathering of data on topics pertinent to the projects.
• Develop capacity building material, such as webinars, online courses, identifying relevant topics, dates and speakers for webinars and online courses

Monitoring and Progress Controls:

The consultant will report to the Manager of the Global Programme on Nature for Development.

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, sustainable development, engineering, environmental management/sciences, law, science, social/political science, business, management, and/or other relevant fields is required.
• First level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in combination with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced university degree

Required Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of working experience on at least one of the following topics at a conceptual or practical level is required: Environment, nature, natural resource management, biodiversity/climate change; human/civil/indigenous/women’s rights; social entrepreneurship/impact investing; local economic development; civil society engagement and education or programme management.

Language:

• Fluency in English with excellent oral and written communication skills is required.
• Fluency and excellent writing ability in other UN languages is desirable.